“Lizzie!”
“Not with anything bad, of course. Just maybe a bit of laudanum making him too tired to go home. Then we put him in Evelyn’s bedchamber and let nature take its course.” She realized everyone was staring. “Don’t be so disapproving. At least I am coming up with a plan.”
“But not a very good one, dear,” said Jane.
They were then joined by their husbands. “What’s going on?” asked Arthur, suspicious of the sudden silence which greeted their arrival.
“Your sister has come up with a plan to bring Joseph together with Evelyn through poison,” said Vanessa. “Jane may have dissuaded her.”
“Or perhaps not,” said Lizzie.
“Dearest,” said Marcus, who’d grown quite used to his wife’s mad fits and starts when it came to matchmaking, “isn’t it possible that Joseph and Evelyn can find their way to a life together without your assistance, as able as it is?”
“When do men ever do the right thing when it comes to romance?” asked Lizzie.
“What about when I offered to marry you?”
“You are only proving my point, albeit wholly unintentionally. That was the most bloodless proposal I have ever heard. You offered to take Liam’s damaged sister off his hands, as if offering to take in a troublesome cur.”
“There were similarities,” said Ned.
“And you, nodcock, were unable to find the woman you loved for seven long years. And you, Arthur, almost lost Vanessa because you were afraid of a Romany prophesy.”
“What about me?” asked Hal.
“If I were to list your mistakes, we would be here all day. The point is we must find a way to bring Evelyn and Joseph together and, if you insist, I suppose we can leave poison and drugging out of it.”
“A large concession, my dear,” said Marcus. “And we thank you for it.”
“It’s too bad Liam and Rosalind aren’t here,” said Lizzie. “I should think they would make this a priority.”
* * *
Liam’s breathing had finally slowed and he realized he was probably crushing his beloved wife. He gently lifted himself off her, only to have Rosalind wrap arms and legs around him. She also tightened her internal muscles to keep him inside. He reveled in her eagerness to keep him in place.
There was no doubt about it. The new Duchess of Lynwood was an excellent bedmate. Which was good, since that was where they’d spent most of their days since marrying. They’d spent a good portion of their days before marriage similarly engaged. Life, he realized, was getting better and better.
He kissed his wife. “My heart, I do not want to crush you.”
“There are worse ways to go,” said Rosalind, who nonetheless sounded a bit squashed.
Liam sighed, then carefully rolled over so she was on top and he was still inside her. “That,” he said, “is much better.”
She nestled her head onto his shoulder. “I shall never be able to face Heskiss or your other servants after spending so much time in your bedchamber.”
“It is our bedchamber. And Heskiss is quite pleased with my duchess. I think he would have been very disappointed if anyone else had filled the position.”
“Plenty of other ladies wanted to be your duchess,” said Rosalind, as she lazily stroked her fingers down his arm. “I never dreamed I would be the one who would finally bring you to the altar.”
“You certainly took a roundabout way of doing so by running away from London to the wilds of Leicestershire,” grumbled Liam. “I have never been so worried.”
“Have you heard from Gabriel and Olivia?” Her query was answered by Liam’s light tap to her bottom. “What was that for?”
“How can you mention that man’s name while in bed with me?”
“That man is our friend – and your steward. And he is head over ears in love with Olivia. I was only asking because I wanted to know if the banns had been read yet.”
“I should have sent them to Gretna Green to get it over with,” said Liam, rubbing the spot on Rosalind’s bottom that he had spanked.
“I am also most curious about Joseph and Lady Evelyn. Do you really think he might like her?”
“It was hard to say from his letter. But he is accompanying her to London.”
“Which is very protective of him,” said Rosalind approvingly.
“Well, he is a Bow Street Inspector, so that is part of his job. But he did say he was going to ask Ned and the others if Lady Evelyn might stay there. He also apologized for not asking your permission ahead of time.”
Rosalind sat up as far as he would let her. Which wasn’t far. “They’ll let Lady Evelyn stay, won’t they? I would hate to think of her being forced to stay with her family. I know for a fact how horrid some families can be.”
Rosalind’s mother and brother had entered her into a betrothal to an old man against her will to secure a fortune.
“I am sure Ned and the others will invite her to stay.”
“We must invite Lady Evelyn to join us for Christmas, especially if Joseph’s feelings are engaged. Of course, I cannot imagine a woman refusing Joseph because he is a very good man and quite handsome and what was that spank for?”
“I am implementing a rule.”
“A ducal decree?” she asked, barely restraining herself from laughing.
“A ducal decree, if you insist. You, my lovely wife, shall not mention any other man while in this bed with me.”
“You cannot be jealous.”
“Whyever not? I had to move heaven and earth to find you. I love you heart, body and soul. Is it so much to ask that we keep this for the two of us?”
Rosalind could have teased him mercilessly, especially since she’d been in love with him for years when he’d barely noticed her existence. But there was something about the hint of vulnerability her powerful duke had just revealed, regardless of his light tone. He couldn’t possibly be jealous. He knew how much she loved him. But after waiting so long to find her true soul’s mate, she was unable to say anything other than, “I love you, dear heart. Our souls have joined, just as our bodies have. And nothing will ever come between us.”
They looked at each other for a moment and it was as if time stood still. The moment could exist ten years from now, thirty years from now or well into their dotage. They would always have that love, deep in their hearts.
He kissed her. Leisurely at first, then with some urgency. “Speaking of joined bodies…” His erect cock gently nudged her from within. “It is time again to celebrate the marriage bed.”
“I suppose,” she sighed. “If I must.” This time she could not suppress her laugh.
Liam reached into the nightstand drawer and pulled out a silk cravat. “I have a whole list of things you ‘must’ do, your grace. If you’re up to it, of course.”
“Always, your grace. Always.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Solicitor Geoffrey Olson’s office was on the edge of Covent Garden, in a neighborhood that could be described as only somewhat respectable. Joseph had warned Evelyn about the environs, but it had still been a surprise to see what appeared to be an actual prostitute coming out of the very building they were entering.
Evelyn tried not to stare, but it became even harder when the woman addressed Joseph.
“Oi, Inspector!” she said with a broad smile and a curtsy. “Ain’t seen you fer a while. I was jus’ upstairs wif Mr. Olson on some business.” As Joseph glanced at Evelyn, she added. “Not that kind o’ business. That’s me old business. No, it was me new business. Mr. Olson was talkin’ to me about goin’ to Phillydelphia and startin’ a new life. I think I might do that.” She looked Evelyn up and down. “Yer lady is might pretty. It’s abou’ time you got yerself married.”
“She is not my betrothed,” said Joseph quickly.
A bit too quickly for Evelyn’s taste.
“I am Evelyn Williams,” she said with a smile for the woman, as well as a million questions waiting to be asked.
“Everyone ca
lls me Quimmy on account of….well, it don’t really matter. ‘e says you ain’t his betrothed, but I’d jump right on that, honey. ‘e’s a right ‘un, ‘e is. Well, I’d best be off. Miss Williams, Inspector.” With another curtsy, she walked away with a distinct sway to her hips that Evelyn found fascinating.
She turned to Joseph.
He cleared his throat. “That was Miss…”
“Quimmy, I believe?”
He cleared his throat yet again. “Yes. She is one of my informants. She and some of her….colleagues provide me with information and I do what I can to scare off the men who might do them harm. Olson has been speaking to her about a project Melanie has been involved with, sending women such as she to new lives in Philadelphia. Perhaps I should take you home. I do not know whom else we might encounter.”
“I would not dream of leaving now, Joseph. Pray lead the way.”
A moment later, they were in the small, cluttered office of Geoffrey Olson, a short, balding man in his middle thirties. He greeted them both with enthusiasm.
“It is a pleasure to meet you Lady Evelyn,” he said, as he lifted law books off a chair. “I apologize for the mess. But, to be honest, it is always like this.”
“Geoffrey rarely turns down a case,” said Joseph. “And since he does so much work for free, his charwoman can visit only infrequently.”
“Legal services should not only be for the wealthy,” said Olson. Then he seemed to remember who Evelyn was. “Not that there is anything wrong with the wealthy, of course.”
Evelyn smiled. “I thank you for your assistance. Perhaps my payment will help subsidize some of your work on others’ behalf.”
“Oh, I couldn’t take your money, my lady. Not with everything Joseph’s done for me. And, besides, I’m afraid I have nothing much to report.”
Evelyn took a seat, while Joseph stood behind her.
Olson continued. “I was able to look at the codicil. I happen to know a few people who work in your cousin’s solicitor’s office and they let me see it.”
“Quite frankly I’m surprised the earl’s solicitor was so reasonable.”
“Well, he doesn’t exactly know about it,” said Olson, as he loosened his collar. “My perusal of the document occurred late at night. Very late at night. And I would just as soon you didn’t mention it to your cousin because I would hate to get anyone in trouble.”
“Of course,” said Evelyn.
“Unfortunately, there is nothing to indicate the codicil is a forgery. I compared it to the original will, which I obtained from your solicitor. He is, by the way, fully aware that I did so.”
“That is good to know,” said Evelyn, trying to suppress a laugh.
“Whoever did this forgery was quite clever. Even the paper seemed to match, as well as the handwriting. It is possible that we could prove it is a fake – I have many contacts in the forgery community. But I am afraid it will take some time. There is no guarantee I would be successful by the end of the year, if at all. I wish I had better news for you, but I must be honest about your chances. If you want to retain your land and fortune, you should marry by the end of the year.”
“And if I do not?”
“Then your cousin will inherit.”
Moments later, Evelyn and Joseph were walking down the narrow street.
“What will you do?” asked Joseph.
“If this only concerned me, I could survive on the small stipend the codicil allows. I have spent very little of my yearly annuities up to this point. I could purchase a small cottage on the coast and live quite well. But what about those I would leave behind? All of the tenants would be turned out. Many of the servants would be as well, because I could only afford to take a few with me. I must marry.”
“Then we will find you a husband.” He squeezed her hand that was on his arm.
“Joseph,” she said, stopping and looking up at him.
“Yes?”
Could she really be bold enough? Could she bring up the future with him in this way? And could she marry a man who did not love her? She took a deep breath of the bracing cold air…
“Inspector!”
They turned to see a man in the familiar Bow Street uniform.
“Creighton,” said Joseph, shaking the man’s hand. “Lady Evelyn, may I present Constable Creighton?”
The constable doffed his hat to Evelyn. “My lady. Inspector, I’m so glad to have run into you. All hel…I mean, all trouble has broken loose. Gaynor’s been drunk all week, Darby got his arm sliced and Kelly’s as stupid as he ever was. If it wasn’t fer your sergeant, I suspect the whole department woulda come clean apart. Can you come and fix it?”
Joseph was clearly torn. “I was hoping to take a few more days of holiday.”
“But we need you right now. I’m sure you can fix it up in no time.”
Joseph turned to Evelyn. “I shall escort you back to Lynwood House, then spend a few hours at Bow Street.”
“I would like to go with you.”
“Bow Street is no place for a lady.”
But she would have to see it eventually if she married him. “Nevertheless, I would like to go. And it seems like there is some urgency, is that not correct, Constable?”
“It is, my lady. Though the Inspector’s right. ‘Tis no place for a lady.”
“Then I shall be certain to never get myself arrested. Shall we go?”
They hailed a hack and set out straight away.
Evelyn was excited to see this portion of Joseph’s life. He and the constable were discussing what had gone on in his absence and it was like they were speaking a different language. Apparently some of it was unfit for a lady’s ears because from time to time the constable would catch himself and apologize to her. Joseph simply looked grimmer and grimmer. When they arrived, he turned to her.
“Are you certain you want to do this? Creighton can escort you home.”
“I am certain,” she said, with a good deal more courage than she felt. Because once she took a look at the exterior of Number 4 and Number 6 Bow Street, she was beginning to feel some uneasiness. Both buildings were coated in coal dust and the garden, while covered in a layer of snow, seemed to be the repository for refuse of all kinds. The stench of London was a constant everywhere in the city. Here, it seemed somehow greater in intensity and they had not yet stepped inside.
But if this was where Joseph worked, she wanted to see it.
They arrived just as a Runner was bringing in a criminal. Both the Runner and the man sported cuts and bruises, though it seemed the criminal had the worse of it. Joseph gave them a wide berth, then escorted her into the building, keeping her as close to him as possible. Constable Creighton was on her other side.
The central receiving room was loud as various men – and a few women – proclaimed their innocence to anyone who passed by. There was a man who appeared to be passed out from the effects of drink, after having been sick on himself. Another man in manacles was asleep against the wall, a seeming point of calm in the middle of madness.
Joseph escorted her up one flight of stairs, then down a long corridor before he took out a set of keys and opened an office. As Creighton left to tend to other matters, they walked into a sanctuary from the chaos outside. Two windows let in some light. The desk, though weathered and scarred, was neat and the shelves against the wall were lined with books on policing.
“This is your office,” she said.
“Yes. Please have a seat.” He helped her into a chair opposite the desk.
She’d no sooner caught her breath than a man walked into the office. He had a pronounced limp and a discreet glance showed that he had a wooden leg. The man’s relief at seeing Joseph was palpable.
“Thank the Lord, you’ve returned,” he said. “Did you solve the lady’s problem?”
“Actually, we are still in the process of it. Lady Evelyn, may I present my able sergeant, Ambrose Fisk?”
Evelyn smiled and held out her hand to a startled Fisk. “It’s
a pleasure to meet you, Sergeant. The Inspector has done an excellent job with my problem, but I’m afraid we aren’t done just yet.”
Fisk looked like he wasn’t sure what to do with her hand, but shook it gently and smiled. “I’m sure if anyone can solve your case, the Inspector can.”
“How is Clara?” Joseph asked.
Fisk broke into a grin. “She’s doing much better than me. The closer the babe gets to comin’, the calmer she gets, other than turning our place upside down cleanin’ and nestin’. But me, I’m nervous as a cat in a butcher’s yard.”
“I don’t blame you. A baby is a good deal more frightening than many a criminal.”
“You cannot mean that, Joseph,” said Evelyn, laughing.
“I assure you every man feels as we do.”
But before he could elaborate further, they were interrupted by the sounds of a fight breaking out down the hall, followed by a shot. Fisk was out the door immediately, with Joseph close behind. “Lock the door after me,” he called to Evelyn before disappearing.
She disobeyed immediately.
* * *
Joseph hadn’t had time to grab his pistol from the desk. But guns often made a situation more dangerous in close quarter fighting. He arrived in the receiving room at the end of the hall to find a large man holding a knife to the throat of Teddy Wilson, one of their youngest recruits. The large man, Tony Skinner, was wanted for a range of offenses including extortion and murder. Joseph had no doubt the man would kill Teddy simply to enhance his reputation in Newgate.
The other Runners were warily circling. No one wanted to be the man who would get Teddy killed.
“I’ll send this pig to ‘ell an’ all the rest of you wiv him, if anyone tries to stop me,” said Tony, as he inched his way toward the window, with Teddy held tight against him. “I wanna talk to the copper wot’s in charge.”
“That’s me,” said Joseph, as he slowly approached Tony. “I’ll listen to whatever you have to say. But if you hurt Teddy, you won’t like what’ll happen next.”
Never Turn Away (Kellington Book Six) Page 14