by Ella Quinn
“We’ll capture them as well.” Merton’s voice was as grim as Matt had ever heard it. “Naturally, a trial is out of the question. The only thing it would achieve is to give grist to the gossips.” And ruin Charlotte’s reputation, Matt thought. “However, there are other ways to get rid of the scoundrels.”
“I don’t normally agree with handling crimes outside of the court.” Mitchell glanced at Merton and Matt. “But I also don’t want Miss Cloverly to have to testify in court. So, you do as you please.”
“It will be much easier for everyone if this remains among us.” When Matt had agreed to bring Mitchell with him, he’d forgot about the middling class’s objections to aristocratic privilege. Matt was about to ask again how Charlotte had been kidnapped, when a knock sounded on the door.
“My lords, sir, a coach is coming into the yard.”
A few moments later, a loud male voice boomed from below. “Where are the others?”
“Don’t know, sir,” the landlord said. “I ain’t seen them since last night. Went to another inn drinking, they did.”
“Useless. That’s what they are. I told her not to keep them on. Where’s the woman?”
Heavy steps landed on the stairs. There was the sound of a door being unlocked, and a pair of lighter feet pattered on the treads. As soon as the front door opened, Dominic, Mitchell, and Matt ran down the stairs. By the time Dominic and Matt had remounted, all they could see was the back of a black coach. He could only trust that Mitchell would keep his head about him.
Back at the Dirty Duck
Charlotte watched as Constantine strode back inside the parlor. It seemed that no one was going to relock the door, but as soon as he was in the bedchamber, Miss Betsy strolled by the windows. Well, damnation! He thought she’d left. The bawd must have just gone somewhere else in the inn.
Grabbing her pistol from the basket Constantine had brought, Charlotte climbed down from the carriage and ran as silently as she could to the bedroom window. Standing on her tiptoes she could just barely see inside. Constantine flattened himself against the wall, and the door opened slightly. Miss Betsy stepped in, looked at the bed, and left. Breathing a sigh of relief that the door blocked the window when it was open, Charlotte crept to the nearest parlor window. The villainess was gone, and their scheme was still secure. She returned to the bedchamber window to look in on him again through the open window.
“I appreciate your concern, my love.” Con’s low, rough voice caused shivers of pleasure to ripple through her. “But you’d better get back to the phaeton before Miss Cloverly arrives.”
“I shall.” Charlotte kissed her fingers and reached up to touch his hand. “For luck.”
“I would be much happier if I could just take you home,” he grumbled.
If she had her way, she would be in the room with him. At the moment, he was the one in danger. “As would I, but we must think of the people she has harmed, and those she would harm in the future if we do not stop her.”
“I cannot believe I am so fortunate as to be marrying you.” His face took on a chagrinned look. “I didn’t make it easy.”
“I did not help.” Despite their horrible beginnings, he was the perfect gentleman for her. He never treated her as if she was less capable or intelligent. “I love you.”
“I love you too. Now go.”
“My lady,” one of the Merton servants said, “a carriage just turned off the main road.”
“Thank you.” It was time to hide again. Fortunately, the trees weren’t far.
She reached the carriage just before the plain black coach drove into the yard. If events proceeded as before, it would not be long before they would have Miss Betsy and her accomplice in hand.
Charlotte heard a muffled groan, and glanced at Ruffington. His eyes were still closed and one of the ropes binding him was also secured to a tree.
“I think he’s waking up, my lady.” Jemmy had come up next to her. “We could hit him over his head again.”
Charlotte considered his suggestion. The man was tied up like a hog, and gagged as well. He really couldn’t cause any problems. Still . . . she picked up a thick stick. His eyes opened and the idiot had the gall to leer at her. Any sympathy she might have had for the rogue fled, and she smashed the wood down on his head, knocking him out again. That would teach him to have ladies abducted.
“Charlotte.” She jumped and was sure her heart had stopped.
“Matt. What are you doing here?”
He glanced at Ruffington. “Being superfluous, it appears. I’d ask how you’re doing, but you seem to have everything in hand.”
“Yes.” She gave her brother a brief hug before turning her attention back to the side of the tavern.
“What exactly is going on? Merton mentioned a plan, but the events have been unfolding so quickly, I have not yet had the full story.”
“Thus far, our plan to capture Miss Betsy is succeeding. Kenilworth is inside. He arrived—in time.” She did not dare tell Matt what a close call that had been. “I hit Ruffington over the head, and Kenilworth broke his nose, and then Merton’s men carried him out and tied him up.”
“I take it that is Ruffington?” Matt asked in an equable tone. “It’s hard to tell.”
“It is. He hired Miss Betsy to abduct me.” Charlotte was surprised her brother was not more upset about her being here.
“Have you decided what you are going to do with him?” Matt seemed almost too calm. Just like Constantine had been, just before he’d grabbed the scoundrel’s neckcloth and pummeled him.
“Not yet.” Charlotte glanced at the side of the tavern just in time to see Miss Cloverly being taken through the door. “As soon as the man who wants Miss Cloverly arrives, we will capture him as well. The decision will wait until then. Where is Merton?”
“I may have some ideas as to what to do with them.” Matt looked at Ruffington once again. “Merton is hiding closer to the front of the tavern. Is it safe to get closer?”
“As soon as the other cur arrives we can listen from under the windows. As you can see they are well above the ground. She took Ruffington through the inn, but I do not know if that is what she always does.”
“Charlotte,” Matt said in the same calm tone that was beginning to unnerve her, “is there a reason Mr. Crowe referred to you as Lady Kenilworth?”
“Oh, that.” Heat began to creep up her neck into her face. She really had not thought she would have to explain that. Then again, she hadn’t thought Matt would be here.
“Yes, that.” Matt waited wordlessly.
“Well . . . you see . . .” She glanced at him, but his face was like a mask. This was not going to be good. “When . . . um . . . when Constantine, I mean Kenilworth and I arrived at the Dove yesterday, we had to put on an act in order to get to Miss Cloverly.” Charlotte’s throat was suddenly dry. Maybe if she said the rest quickly, he wouldn’t notice it as much. “The inn only had one large room and we took it. Then Dotty and Merton arrived, and we all spoke with Mr. and Mrs. Crowe, and it just happened.” Charlotte slid another look at him and his expression hadn’t changed. “We shall marry next week.” Thankfully, the sound of a carriage reached her. “Ah, the other man has arrived.”
“Do not think this has saved you,” Matt warned. “We shall finish discussing this later.”
She let out a breath. This must have been how Louisa felt after she’d had to admit to Matt the reason she had declared her betrothal to Rothwell. At least Charlotte would have Constantine, Dotty, and Merton on her side.
The door to the inn slammed shut. “Come, we may move closer now.”
They reached the windows just as Miss Betsy and the man entered the parlor.
“I shall wish to see her before I pay you.” Charlotte did not recognize his voice at all, yet next to her Matt tensed.
“Naturally.” As before, the door to the bedchamber opened briefly.
“She is as lovely as I was told,” the man said in a pleased voice.
“You mean you have never seen her?” Miss Betsy sounded surprised.
“No, I was told about her and could not resist. Here is your payment.”
“You have no more than an hour before the inn’s regular customers begin arriving,” Miss Betsy said. “I suggest that you use the side door to depart. You would not wish to lose the woman or your purse.”
“I shall take your advice. Good day, madam.”
“Good day, sir.”
The rogue opened the door to the bedchamber. “You are beautiful. I predict we shall have a great deal of fun together.”
Miss Cloverly shook her head. “I don’t understand. Who are you?”
“The name is Corning. I’m a friend of Gerald Smithton.”
“Lord Wharton’s nephew?” she asked in an astonished tone. “What has he to do with this?”
“He could not afford you. The procuress’s price was too high. You see, once his uncle had a son, his allowance was reduced. When I’m done with you, I’ll ask if he is still interested. It seems only fair.”
Her complexion paled, and Charlotte was concerned the woman might faint. Instead Miss Cloverly clenched her fists. “You are vile and disgusting. You shall not touch me. Ever.”
“Oh, I shall do more than touch you, my dear. I plan to use you very well indeed.”
As he sauntered into the room, Constantine kicked the door shut, and his fist plowed into Corning’s face.
“That should take care of him for a while,” Constantine said, heading to the side door.
A furious female scream came from the front of the inn, as well as the sound of fighting. A second later, a man Charlotte didn’t know raced into the parlor.
“That’s Miss Cloverly’s betrothed,” Matt whispered.
“Ben.” The handsomest man in Luton. Charlotte grinned to herself.
“Nell?”
“Here! Oh, Ben.” Miss Cloverly threw herself into his arms. “I’m so glad you’ve come. He was horrible. Even though I knew his lordship’s men were all around, I was afraid.”
Ben stroked her back, calming her. “Everything is fine now, and think of the other women you’ve saved.”
“I know. I couldn’t have done otherwise, but I’m so glad it’s over.”
From the corner of her eye, Charlotte saw Corning begin to rise. “Behind you!”
Ben whirled around and drove his right fist into Corning’s stomach first, then his left fist into the man’s face. The scoundrel fell to the floor, blood spattered over his face.
Before he could try to rise, Merton grabbed the rogue and took him outside.
Constantine stepped outside and wrapped his arms around Charlotte. “I cannot tell you how happy I am this part is over.”
“I am too, but why did you not strike him over the head?”
He barked a laugh. “Jeffers told me Mr. Mitchell was here. I assumed he’d want a chance to avenge his betrothed.”
“Right you are, my lord.” Ben chuckled as he joined them, his arm possessively around Miss Cloverly’s shoulders. “I would have been put out if I had been denied that opportunity.” He drew her closer to him. “It’s time we returned to Luton, right, my love? Lord Worthington has offered us the use of his coach and driver.”
She had a misty smile on her face. “I cannot wait to be home again.” She glanced at Charlotte. “You will rescue the other woman you heard about, my lady?”
“Yes, we will. Mr. and Mrs. Crowe are not expecting anyone else, but I believe I know where she will be taken.” As long as Matt didn’t attempt to stop her, she’d be right there with Constantine, seeing that this ended. Yet considering that the Hare and Hound’s innkeeper and his wife might have bad memories of them, they had better take Dotty and Merton as well.
Once Miss Cloverly and her betrothed headed to the coach, Matt turned to Constantine and Charlotte. “As soon as we return to Richmond, we are going to have a talk about the way in which the two of you have been presenting yourselves.”
“Of course,” he replied, not acting at all intimidated by her brother.
Matt strode off toward one of the outriders, and Constantine glanced at her. “What was that about? He looked as if he’d like to string me up.”
“He found out that we allowed the Crowes to believe we were already married.”
He was silent for a few moments, then shrugged. “We shall be wed as soon as he likes.”
Charlotte’s heart filled with love and joy. She could not imagine being any happier than she was right now. Matt had managed to daunt Louisa’s Rothwell, and to some extent Merton before he and Dotty wed, but Constantine seemed immune to her brother’s wrath. Charlotte could do nothing other than be as sure of herself and their love as he was of himself.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Charlotte and Constantine were halfway to his phaeton when a shot rang out.
“What the devil?” He lifted her into his arms, carrying her to his carriage.
“It’s from the front of the inn,” she said. “I hope it isn’t Merton.”
“You two stay there,” Matt called to them. Lengthening his stride, he headed to the road. “I’ll find out what’s going on.”
A few moments later, Jemmy came running full tilt from the front of the inn. “My lord, that woman is dead and the man that kidnapped Lady Charlotte disappeared.”
“What happened?” Charlotte asked, trying not to fall onto the bench seat.
“Somehow she got a gun. One of the outriders was trying to take it away from her, and it went off. Right into her chest. There was blood everywhere, and Lord Worthington said she were dead.”
“Oh, my God.” Charlotte felt a little faint. She was very glad Matt had ordered them to stay with the phaeton. “I suppose she knew she wouldn’t get away this time.”
Constantine picked Jemmy up and put him on the back of the carriage before climbing in himself. “Jemmy, how much did you see?”
“Not much. The footmen wouldn’t let me look, they just told me what happened.”
“Thank God for that.” Constantine closed his eyes for a moment. “We’re going back to Richmond. Merton and Worthington can handle the rest of this. I want you and Jemmy out of here before anyone sees you.”
Charlotte slipped her arm around Constantine. “We should stop at the Dove and tell the Crowes the matter is settled.”
He glanced back at the boy, who was still trying to get a look at what was going on, and whispered, “When I left Richmond this morning, a lady was asking about him.”
Her heart began to beat a little faster. “Do you think . . . ?”
“I believe it is a decided possibility, but we won’t know until we can get the two of them together.”
She sent a fervent prayer to the Deity that Jemmy had found his family. “What will happen to the gentlemen?” Using the term with regard to the scoundrels who had paid Miss Betsy left a bad taste in Charlotte’s mouth, even if they did deserve the title by birth.
Before they could start off, Matt signaled to Constantine. He handed her the ribbons. “I’ll be right back. Keep Jemmy here.” A few moments later her betrothed returned. “Worthington knows a sea captain who will ensure the curs are occupied for a very long time.”
“Good. After what they did, I hope they never return.”
“If they know what’s good for them, they’ll never grace England’s shores again.”
It appeared that almost everything was settled, except for . . . “What happened to the money she was paid?”
“Lord Merton has it, my lady,” Jemmy said. “He said it will be used to help her victims. Does that mean the people she hurt?”
“That’s exactly what it means.” Wanting the solid feel of Constantine, Charlotte leaned against him until they reached the main road. “Jemmy, when we get back to the Star and Garter, I want you to go straight up to May and tell her you need a bath and clean clothes.”
“Do I have to? I took a bath the other day.” Charlotte tried not to grin. She woul
d never understand why young boys did not like to bathe. “Be that as it may, yes, you have to.”
They stopped at the Dove. As soon as they drew up into the yard, Mr. and Mrs. Crowe came out to greet them.
Constantine told them what had occurred, including the deaths.
“It’s hard to believe I was so taken in,” Mrs. Crowe said. “She was so pretty and refined.”
“I think it is always hard to believe the worst of people.” Charlotte patted the woman’s shoulder. “From what I understand, you were not the only ones she deceived.”
“All’s well that ends well. That’s what I say.” Mr. Crowe stepped away from the carriage. “Thank you for what ye done, me lord and lady. Ain’t many as would do what ye did.”
“And thank you for your help,” Constantine replied.
Less than twenty minutes later they pulled into the yard of the Star and Garter. Jemmy jumped down and ran inside.
“Despite what he said, he looked eager for a bath.”
“I do think he enjoys it more than he lets on.” Charlotte laughed. “My brothers are the same.”
“My mother will tell you that young boys are heathens, and she only had me.” An ostler came out to take the horses. “Well, my lady, let’s find out if Jemmy has a new family.”
“Yes, let’s.” She smiled as he came around to her side of the carriage.
Constantine lifted her down from the phaeton, lowering her slowly to the ground. “I have a feeling Worthington will try to make you return to Town with him.”
“I won’t, even if he orders me. We are to be married next week at the latest. He can be very intimidating. Yet, for good or ill, he doesn’t have the same type of power over me that he did over Louisa. If he pushes me, he will discover just how determined Carpenter ladies can be.” Constantine raised a dubious brow. “Aside from that, he wants this marriage. Dotty and Merton must accompany us in any event. I do not think either the innkeeper of the Hare and Hound or his wife will remember us fondly.”
“Not after the way we tied up their daughter,” Con mumbled.
“Precisely why we need them with us.” Charlotte tried to suppress a giggle and couldn’t. “Merton is so very good at being a marquis.”