Sir Michael's Mayhem

by Susan M. Baganz

  “Did you get his identity?”

  Michael shook his head and frowned. “Only that he was tall, dark, and had a deep voice. The others referred to him as ‘my lord’ and…” Michael blinked hard and sucked in a breath.

  “And?”

  “He claims to be my father.”

  Thick silence filled the room as Lord Hughes leaned back in his chair.

  “Well, that was unexpected. The progeny of the Black Diamond happens to be one of my best agents?”

  “I resign my commission as of this moment.”

  “I don’t think so. I need you to finish this job.”

  “I decoded and delivered the papers. I kept Miss Shepherd alive although she was,” he gulped, “branded by the Black Diamond’s cohorts.”

  “Branded?”

  “Metal in a fire, applied to the skin. Branded.”

  Lord Hughes closed his eyes and swore under his breath. “We’re in deep trouble now.”

  “Viscount Remington, Lord Westcombe, and Lord Harrow rescued us last night. Somehow Fidget was able to lead them to us.”

  Lord Hughes’s head rolled back and he stared at the ceiling. Gold trimmed the perimeter of the molding with intricate detail that went largely unappreciated at this precise moment. “You will deliver this document to Captain Allendale in France. You leave from Bristol on the evening tide.”

  “No.”

  “You will comply or you will be locked in the tower.”

  “You can’t do that.”

  “I can and I will. You leave immediately. There is passage booked for two. Tristan can accompany you.”

  “Tristan is dead. He was a traitor and had been poisoning me.”

  “How certain are you that he is dead?”

  “Katrina stabbed him and I left him buried in the snow.”

  “Any more surprises you would like to regale me with this morning?”

  “Only a question.”

  “And that would be…?”

  “Remington, Westcombe, and Harrow want to know what happened. They are involved now just as they have been with the last few cases we dealt with. Only now they suspect my secret. They want an accounting for Miss Shepherd’s involvement. What shall I tell them?”

  “Nothing. You tell them nothing. You leave for Bristol immediately.”

  “I will go, but not to Bristol. I will find my own way across the channel. Make your arrangements. I am not going to tell you my plans. I will complete your mission and if I come back alive, I am done. Lock me up if you will. But my goal now is to marry Miss Shepherd. I could not bear to see her suffer again as she did last night.”

  “They made you watch?”

  Michael swallowed hard, gritted his teeth, trying to avoid the tears at the memory of Katrina’s scream of pain, the hiss of the branding, and the stench of burning skin. He nodded.

  “I’m sorry, Michael. You’ve seen a lot in your years with us, but it is different when it is someone you care deeply for.”

  “Love. I love her.”

  Lord Hughes frowned. “Doubly painful then.” The older man looked out towards the window. “There is a cemetery out there, with my beloved wife in it.” He turned back to Michael with unshed tears in his eyes. “I wish I could have made a better choice. Did she need to be sacrificed so I could serve my king? I failed her.”

  “Katrina’s alive. Remember it was her choice to participate in this. She could have gone on to Rose Hill several days ago and been safe. I dragged her with me so she could be here before you to exonerate her father’s name. She says she is not concerned for that anymore, but will you…? For her?”

  Lord Hughes smiled. “I most certainly can do that. I will start with the Sefton’s ball tonight. I know just the right ears to tickle.”

  Michael sighed. “I will be off.”

  Lord Hughes handed him the paperwork. “Realize this is going via a variety of methods to Wellesley. You are but one, but you are an important one.”

  Michael turned to leave.

  “Sir Tidley?”

  Michael stepped back, considering Lord Hughes. “Yes, my lord?”

  “Well done. I couldn’t ask for better. I’m proud to have worked with you.”

  Michael nodded gravely. “Thank you.” And with that, he was gone.

  ~*~

  Michael entered his home discreetly and packed his bag for the journey to France. He walked into his office, drafted a few letters, and disappeared from London.

  ~*~

  Lord Westcombe and Lord Harrow met at the Remington townhouse at two in the afternoon to meet with Michael as prearranged. They were led into the study where Marcus sat at his desk, frowning.

  “Marcus, you look as though someone divested you of all your stocks,” said Lord Harrow cheerfully.

  “Worse, Theodore. Michael has disappeared.”

  Phillip came toward the desk. “Explain.”

  “He’s gone and this was delivered a short time ago via some street urchin.” Marcus handed the simple stationary to Phillip. “Read it out loud so we are all informed. And maybe I will believe its contents.”

  Phillip nodded and cleared his throat, and read:

  Dear Lord Remington, Lord Westcombe, and Lord Harrow,

  I regret that I am unable to give you the accounting you desire and deserve. I need to leave for a time but, Lord willing, I will return safely and be ready to assume the reins of Miss Shepherd in marriage.

  I am not escaping your censure for what happened to Mouse. I deserve all that and am unworthy of her hand in marriage for more reasons than I could count. Forgive me for my departure. You will have answers but they will come from someone other than myself.

  You have been my dearest friends for longer than I can remember and no truer men would I desire to entrust so great a chore as to guard Katrina and keep her safe for me. Thank you for your able rescue last night. Post the banns as I hope to wed her upon my return.

  Sincerely,

  M.T.

  The three men looked at each other grimly.

  “I’ve never known Michael to go back on his word before.” Marcus started as he rose and motioned the other men to the chairs at the center of the room.

  As they were seated, Theo spoke, “He didn’t precisely break his word, did he? He could have disappeared without a note. It sounds as though he wanted to honor his promise to us to share what happened. Perhaps he was forced to disappear.”

  Phillip leaned forward, supporting his chin with his hand, the elbow resting on his knee. “Over the years, it seems that since Michael left the Horse Guards, we’ve had little knowledge of his activities, of how he spends his time when he is not with us, or attending parties amongst the ton. There is no talk of romantic conquests. No gossip of business he is involved in. He will regale us with tales of others’ exploits and news of the world, but doesn’t really ever share anything relating to himself.”

  “You are correct. Why have we not noticed this before? We’ve been friends since school. Do you suppose his birth makes him feel as if he is not one of us? He’s always been kind of set apart from us even when we used to hang out at Rose Hill.” Marcus was speaking now, leaning back and taking up most of a loveseat.

  “I thought that was because he was babysitting Mouse for us. She clung to him, desired his attentions, and he seemed willing to provide that so we could do things he wasn’t as interested in, like fishing.”

  Marcus nodded and smiled. “Yeah, and instead he got caught having to rescue her out of that huge tree. He felt terrible when she broke her leg.”

  “Remember how humbled he was when he taught her archery and she was able to out-shoot him every time?” Phillip grinned.

  “I always questioned the wisdom of him teaching her how to throw knives and shoot a gun, but she was undeterred and he couldn’t say no to her,” Marcus added.

  “He lost his heart to her years ago, didn’t he? I mean, I always knew that Katrina adored him, but he only seemed to tolerate her,” Theo mused.r />
  Marcus smiled. “I think they will have a great marriage. Michael hinted that Katrina was not amenable to that, however, and I wonder why. What happened between them to change her mind?”

  “You had better hope nothing ‘happened,’ Marcus. If word got out of her activities, she would be ruined amongst the beau monde, but if she were truly compromised…” Phillip frowned.

  “Michael is a gentleman, surely he wouldn’t…” Marcus queried, his forehead furrowed in worry.

  “Marcus, not all of us are the paragons of virtue that you are. He is a man and can be tempted. I gather they have been alone together several times. It is possible.” Theo frowned.

  “But, we’re talking about Mouse here, not some sumptuous beauty,” Marcus said.

  “You of all people should know that it’s not the outward appearance that attracts a man in the long run, but the heart of the woman,” Phillip added.

  “That’s nonsense.” Marcus’s tone darkened as he challenged his friend. “I fell in love with Josie the first time I saw her.”

  “An unconscious woman bloodied in a carriage accident?” Phillip’s eyebrows rose in disbelief.

  Marcus nodded. “And what about you, Phillip? You can’t tell me that Beth didn’t attract you from the start either.”

  Phillip grinned broadly at that remembrance. “I won’t deny it, Marcus. She was so hauntingly beautiful. But I was not the man of integrity that you are when it comes to women. However, by the time I met Elizabeth I was trying to walk a more gentlemanly path.”

  “You have no evidence that Michael has ever played fast and loose with women or even sought them in the brothels. No word of any of that has ever circulated amongst the ton and he has certainly never mentioned his exploits to us,” Theo said.

  Marcus laughed. “I doubt that would be the kind of thing he would ever share with me, so I’ll take your word for it.”

  Theo sobered up. “So when and from whom will we discover what’s been going on? Michael’s been playing least in sight the past few months and I confess, after his close call last night and what Katrina went through, I have a horrible feeling about what might be next.”

  The other men nodded. A knock came and a servant entered with an urgent missive for Lord Remington. Marcus excused the servant and requested he wait in the kitchen.

  “Men, we may have received our answer.” Marcus rose to go to his desk and break the seal on the envelope. “It’s from Lord Hughes, at the Ministry of Defense. He requests that we join him there at four of the clock, today.” Marcus glanced at the clock. “That gives us little over an hour.” He returned to his seat. “I guess that would confirm our suspicion that Michael’s life has been far more secretive than we realized.”

  “Why would he keep us in the dark? After all we went through with both your wives, and the impact the Black Diamond has already had in our lives, why would he keep this a secret?” Theo asked to no one in particular.

  “It’s the nature of the game, and in tune with who Michael is naturally. I feel bad that I didn’t pick up on how lonely he must be with no family but us in his life. Since Phillip and I married we’ve been less involved with him and with you, Theo. I’m sorry I have neglected you both.”

  Theo shrugged. “It goes both ways, Marcus. I’m aware I am always welcome in either of your homes as part of your extended family. Do I feel a bit persona non grata when wives and babies are around? Perhaps to a certain extent. But maybe my day will come as well when I get those joys, so I do not begrudge either of you your happiness. But for Michael? I cannot speak for him. I admit that I was surprised at his reference to faith in his letter.”

  “Faith? Marcus, let me see that letter again.” Phillip took it and read. “Lord willing, he wrote. You are right, Theo, that is out of character for him. Has he perhaps had a spiritual epiphany through all of this?” He handed the letter back to Marcus, who silently read it again himself.

  “Either way, we should be praying for his safety. The man who tortured Katrina and left them both to freeze to death in that warehouse is still at large. That means both of them could be in grave danger. Michael clearly asks us to protect Katrina which indicates that he’s not thinking of her own willful and impulsive nature, but that there might be some outside threat to her safety. He was more traumatized by what happened to her last night than he let on. I suspect that if he left her side at this time, it was not by choice.”

  “Shall we prepare to go to the Ministry of Defense? It seems that we have an appointment with the man who might supply our answers.”

  “Who’ll watch over Katrina until we return?” Marcus asked.

  “I’ve a few footmen who are ex-military, and I’m sure Beth is more than capable of keeping watch over her as well.”

  The men all rose and agreed to meet at the war office at the appointed time.

  13

  Deep agony plagued Katrina. She wanted to stretch but her bandages kept her movement limited and any shifting of position caused more pain. She was sore from the long ride as well and she could feel the bruises on her face and other parts of her body from the rough treatment of the brutes from the night before. She opened her eyes and closed them against the shards of glass that shot through her with the bright sunlight streaming in the window.

  “Are you finally awake? I was getting worried about you, Miss Shepherd.” Beth sat there in a pink gown that emphasized her figure in all the right ways. Little adornment but cool and composed, she rose to move to the window. “Shall I draw the drapes? Is that sunlight too much?”

  “Yes. Thank you.” Katrina’s tongue stuck like cotton in her mouth. “And something to drink would be nice.”

  “Gladly.” Lady Westcombe closed the curtain and pulled the bell to summon a servant. She returned to the side of the bed. “Can I assist you up?”

  Katrina nodded and accepted Beth’s help out of bed. She was surprised at how weak she was. After taking care of some personal needs she was settled by the fire with a warm robe and a blanket across her legs. Food was spread out on the table next to her. Her stomach growled.

  Her hostess laughed. “You’d better eat, you must be ravenous. You didn’t eat when you arrived and Michael indicated that you’d not had much to eat yesterday with your travels and adventures. What was he thinking to not take better care of you?” She shook her head and smiled. “Always a charmer, but that man will need some lessons on how to provide for a wife. You are just the one to teach him.”

  Katrina almost spit out her tea. “Wife? I haven’t agreed to marry him.”

  “Protests accompanied by your maidenly blushes give your heart away, Katrina. You love him. When you are finished, a letter has arrived for you and I’m sure you will want to read it in private.” In a de soto voice she added, “I think it might be a love letter.” She winked at Katrina as she smiled.

  Katrina frowned. “A love letter? I doubt it. Let me see that now, please.” She set down her cup and saucer and reached her hand for the document.

  “Very well, but I will stay to see if I am correct.” The envelope exchanged hands.

  Katrina inspected the handwriting. “It’s from Michael.” She broke the seal and pulled out the stationary.

  Dearest Mouse,

  I regret that I have been called into service to complete my mission. I hope I will not be gone from your side for long. I am praying for your protection. Please be careful, my dear, for I could not bear it if any more harm befell you. You are all that is most good and precious to me. Lord willing, I will return to your side to remain your ever-devoted servant, dedicating my life to reminding you how beautiful you are to me.

  All my love, now and forever, is yours,

  Michael

  P.S. I needed to leave Fidget behind. Please take good care of him. He seems to have taken a liking to you.

  Katrina let her hand with the letter drop to her lap. “He’s gone? He left without even saying good-bye.” For once the ache in her heart hurt more than the pains in h
er body. She fought back the tears.

  Beth was by her side instantly. “Gone? Trust me that man would not leave if he didn’t need to. He adores you.”

  Katrina shook her head. “He is being noble and reacting to the circumstances. We had an adventure together, but it is no more than that and it is foolish for my heart to think otherwise.” She inhaled with a shudder wracking her whole body. She blinked back the tears. “I’ll be fine. It is as it should be. He has work to do and my part is done. I need to move on.”

  Beth pursed her lips and squeezed Katrina’s hand. “What does moving on look like?”

  “I need to go to Rose Hill to rest and recover. I have always felt at peace there.”

  “I will talk to Phillip. You realize that Lord Remington is in town and was one of your rescuers last night?”

  “Marcus was there? I don’t remember much except arguing with Michael. I longed to go to sleep and never wake up. The pain in my body and my heart was too much to bear.”

  “But you would wake up eventually. Katrina, where would that put you?”

  “You mean, would I have been in heaven or hell?”

  Beth nodded.

  “I suppose that would put me in hell if I were to believe all that Marcus ever shared with me through the years and what I read in the Bible.”

  “Is that where you want your forever home to be?”

  “Forever home?”

  “This life is short on earth, but once we leave, we go somewhere and that place becomes a permanent dwelling for us. Hell is not described as being a very inviting home to spend eternity in. But heaven, to be with Jesus face-to-face and to experience no more fear or pain and to know perfect love? Those are our choices.”

  “I didn’t realize that by not choosing one I was selecting the other.”

  “But that is what you are doing. Just as if you refuse to accept Michael’s love, you by default decide to live a lifetime here on earth without him.”

  Katrina yawned. “I’ll consider your words. I’m worn out. May I return to bed? I want to sleep.”