Rescued by the Earl's Vows

by Ann Lethbridge

  The man shivered. ‘Bought it.’

  ‘From whom? The truth now.’

  ‘From her. Mrs Plunkett. I can make a tidy profit on it, I can. Had to send one of me girls to buy it. She wouldn’t sell it to me. Oh, no, I was not the sort of person she wanted buying her goods.’

  Jaimie tucked it under his arm. ‘I’ll be taking it with me for evidence.’

  The man looked as if he wanted to howl a protest, but one look at Jaimie’s face and he backed away and gestured for him to help himself.

  ‘I don’t think we require anything further at the moment,’ Sandford said, giving her an enquiring glance.

  Tess shook her head.

  He held out his arm and they departed.

  Tess had never been so glad to leave anywhere in her life. It took her a moment to recover her breath. ‘Is that one of the items on your list?’

  ‘It is.’

  ‘Then we need to pay Mrs Plunkett a visit this Friday.’ She glared at him. ‘Together.’

  ‘You heard what he said about the ruffian she employs.’

  ‘I am sure you have men equally rough.’

  He frowned. ‘Yes. Very well, I will take you with me. We will simply go as if we are shopping. It works well enough. If that does not succeed, then we will think of something more drastic. While our friend in there and those we visited yesterday might talk amongst themselves, I doubt they will be passing along any help to this outsider, Mrs Plunkett.’

  Four days from now. ‘What if Mr Stedman comes back before Friday?’

  ‘I doubt that he will. Growler has arranged to keep him occupied for a while.’

  She gave a sigh of relief. ‘Still, perhaps we should ask the man in there if he knows where Mrs Plunkett lives. If we could question her before Friday, it would not be a bad thing.’

  Jaimie raised an eyebrow. ‘Good idea. Wait in the carriage.’

  Well, finally he had accepted that one of her suggestions was a good idea. This time she had no objection to returning to the carriage while he went back to enquire. She sank gratefully into the spotlessly clean squabs with a heartfelt sigh, waking a napping Mims in the process.

  ‘Everything all right, deary? You look a little pale,’ Mims said.

  No surprise there. It was a wonder she hadn’t been physically ill in that shop. ‘I’ll be better soon.’

  Mims narrowed her eyes, peering at her stomach. ‘Not been up to any hanky panky with his lordship, have you?’

  Heat rushed to Tess’s face. ‘Certainly not.’

  Mims looked as if she didn’t believe a word. Fortunately Sandford’s arrival forestalled any further questioning along those lines. For now.

  He gave Tess a slight nod. ‘I will have one of my men follow the information I was given.’ He set the candlestick on the seat between them.

  The old lady eyed it askance.

  What on earth could she be thinking? She didn’t dare ask, since Mims had no trouble offering her opinion when asked. No matter how scathing.

  * * *

  When Sandford dropped them off, he declined her invitation to come in for tea, merely escorting them to the front door and seeing them safely inside.

  Dash it. They hadn’t made any arrangements for Friday. Oh, but she would have plenty of time to talk to him when they went driving on the morrow.

  Wilhelmina bustled into the hallway. ‘Goodness, where have you been, Theresa? Surely you did not forget we are attending the Foggartys’ ball this evening.’

  No, she had not forgotten. She simply hadn’t known they were going. ‘What time are we leaving?’

  ‘In an hour. We are to dine with the Petersons and go on from there.’

  Mims shot her a look that said she had known nothing of this either. How typical of Wilhelmina.

  ‘I will be ready,’ Tess said. ‘Mims will work her usual magic.’

  Mims trundled up the stairs. Tess removed her hat and coat, giving the maid plenty of time to get up there and catch her breath.

  Wilhelmina glowered at the maid’s arduous progress up the stairs. ‘It is time you found someone younger and more up to snuff. At the very least you need a change of hairstyle.’

  Thanks heavens she’d insisted Mims be paid from the small allowance left her by her mother, something that had been in place before her father died. ‘I am perfectly happy with my hair.’

  ‘Is Lord Sandford attending the Foggartys’ ball?’

  Tess gritted her teeth. ‘I’m not sure. He didn’t mention it.’

  ‘Tell the truth, Tess. You forgot to ask him. Such lack of interest might well drive him away and then where will you be?’ The threat was clear. She’d be back expecting an offer from Mr Stedman.

  Tess smiled her sweetest smile. ‘Why don’t you let me worry about Lord Sandford, Wilhelmina.’

  ‘Well, I hope you know what you are doing.’ Wilhelmina flounced off, no doubt annoyed that Tess hadn’t buckled under her carping.

  Tess raced up stairs. It was going to be nip and tuck if she was to be ready on time.

  * * *

  Why it hadn’t occurred to him to set a watch on Lady Tess’s movements before, Jaimie wasn’t quite sure. If she had been a person under suspicion he would have done it without thinking. While he’d felt a little uncomfortable having men posted near her house after her arriving at his house yet again, he’d deemed it imperative. Their instructions were to report on arrivals and departures from the house as well as follow Tess whenever she left the house. It had clearly been the right thing to do. This evening she would be attending a ball she hadn’t seen fit to mention to him, for some reason. In his experience, Tess never did anything without a reason.

  The butler took his card and bowed him in to the Foggarty residence. ‘I know I am late,’ Jaimie said. ‘No need to announce me. I’ll see myself up.’

  Unfortunately, he knew the house well. Lady Foggarty was an old flame. His first. Fifteen years his senior, she’d taken him in hand, literally, when he’d first arrived in town. Her husband spent all his time hunting, shooting and fishing and left his wife to her own devices. She liked her men young. As a twenty-year-old, he’d been hurt when she’d dropped him for an even younger, less worldly fellow. It would be awkward seeing her again with her husband present as well as her most recent cher ami. Back in those first halcyon days, after years of loneliness, he’d honestly thought he loved her. It had taken him a long time to realise that for her their affair had been nothing but dalliance.

  Despite the fact that his cousin Michael had warned him not to take things too seriously, explaining that all young men went through stages of calf love, Jaimie had been sure she cared as much for him as he did for her. In those days, though, he needed affection badly. It was a weakness he now despised.

  Then Hester had come along. After her, he’d learned never to wear his heart on his sleeve. It made a man too vulnerable.

  He climbed the stairs to the first-floor ballroom to the sound of music, laughter and chatter. Somewhere amongst the throng he would find Lady Tess. It would be interesting to hear why she had not mentioned she was coming here tonight. Avoidance? Was she up to more of her mischief?

  If so, he could not think what it could be.

  The Ingram party had gathered to the left of the orchestra. Careful not to appear too eager, he made his way around the room, greeting old friends and nodding to acquaintances. The moment Tess spotted him, he felt her attention like a touch on his skin. A soft brush of fingers across the nape of his neck. The same feeling he got when he had a criminal in his sights and they had no means of escaping his net.

  Damn. It was all in his imagination. She wasn’t even looking his way.

  He spotted Michael and his wife not too far off and sauntered over to them.

  Michael’s face lit up at his approach. ‘Jaimie. You never said you’d be
here tonight when I saw you at the club earlier.’

  Jaimie bowed to his wife. ‘Lady Hawkhurst. You look lovely tonight.’ He shook his cousin’s hand. ‘I only decided to come at the last moment.’

  Alice smiled warmly. ‘What a pleasant surprise, Jaimie. You so rarely attend parties.’

  These people were his family. Their pleasure at seeing him gave him a rare warm feeling inside. A feeling he sometimes felt around Tess, now he thought about it. How odd since he’d thought his feelings for her were mostly lust and impatience.

  His emotions regarding Michael and his wife were different. Simpler in some ways and in others more complex. At a basic level, Michael was family and that was all that needed to be said.

  They were the only family each other had left. When Jaimie had dropped the candle, while he hid behind the curtains watching the guests at a party hosted by Michael’s parents, the house had burned down. Both sets of parents as well as Michael’s siblings had died in that fire. Michael’s forgiveness brought Jaimie a measure of redemption, though he would never stop regretting that one foolish act as a six-year-old.

  Now Michael had a wife and two small children who called Jaimie uncle, when he was really only their cousin.

  ‘I don’t suppose your attendance has anything to do with the lady I have been hearing about?’ Alice asked with a hopeful little smile.

  He should have guessed the rumour mill would have started turning. Likely Rowan was already counting his chickens before they were hatched.

  His gaze wandered over to where Tess stood with her cousin. The urge to show her off to the Hawkhursts took him by surprise. ‘I presume you mean Lady Tess Ingram? I admit, I sought and received permission to call on her, but as to where it will lead, I am not yet sure.’

  Alice looked puzzled. ‘Oh, dear. I had such hopes that at last you had found someone—’

  ‘Would you care to meet her?’ he interrupted, not wishing her to continue along those lines.

  Inwardly he groaned. This had all the makings of a disaster if he wasn’t careful.

  Alice smiled, but her eyes were regretful. ‘Naturally, if you wish us to.’ She sounded doubtful.

  Michael glared at him, making several of the men nearby shift uncomfortably. ‘Not toying with her, are you, Jaimie?’ Michael had a strong protective streak.

  ‘Of course not.’ He lowered his voice. ‘Look, she is a client of mine, looking for a lost relative, and she doesn’t want Rowan to know of her search, so I beg your discretion.’

  Michael’s eyes widened a fraction. ‘Going behind a man’s back with one of the female members of his family? Not like you to play such games.’

  Jaimie swallowed his chagrin. Now Tess’s shenanigans were making his cousin think less of him. ‘I am simply trying to aid a lady with a problem of a private nature.’

  ‘I imagine Rowan will be most disappointed when he learns you are not a suiter,’ Michael said. He frowned. ‘Are you sure she’s not trying to put your head in the parson’s noose? You are a good catch, Jaimie. And from what I understand the lady is both penniless and desperate. Be very careful.’

  Jaimie stiffened. ‘I will thank you not to malign the lady or me. I am not a fool, Cousin.’

  Michael looked unimpressed.

  Alice tilted her head as if hearing some hidden meaning in his words. ‘I hope she might have you in her sights. For your sake. It is a long time since Hester—’

  He tensed. He hated talking about Hester. All the old guilt rushed back. The terrible feeling that he should have known better than to have forbidden her anything. Her father certainly had thought so. An opinion he was at great pains to express at the funeral. Jaimie could not deny that he should have been there, protecting his wife, despite his duties for the Prince of Wales that had called him away. He had known how headstrong she was, but he’d never imagined she would endanger her life to make a point.

  ‘Leave it, Alice,’ Michael murmured. He knew the full story that had poured forth from Jaimie one night after too much brandy. His guilt. His anger at Hester. He had been so ashamed of that anger.

  ‘I simply want to see Jaimie as happy as we are,’ Alice said with an arch look at her husband.

  ‘I have no doubt that he will not appreciate your attempts at matchmaking.’

  Jaimie forced himself to smile. ‘I am perfectly content as I am at the moment. And I know it is my duty to marry again and will do so, at some time in the future.’

  Alice shook her head. ‘Duty. Marriage is not just a duty, Jaimie. It is far more than that.’ She frowned. ‘This story you are setting about could easily ruin Lady Tess’s reputation.’

  ‘I’ve been on the town long enough to know how to handle such matters.’ Since Hester died most of his affairs had been brief discreet flings with willing widows and never a hint of scandal.

  Lady Tess was a completely different matter. A girl of marriageable age with a family who wouldn’t hesitate to insist he observe the proprieties if they were given the chance. He had no intention of giving them any such opportunity. And yet not to introduce her to his family would look strange. He had no wish to embarrass Tess. ‘I’ll bring her over at an appropriate moment.’

  ‘Very well. We will meet this young lady.’

  And hopefully Alice would give up matchmaking for the present.

  Michael smiled fondly at his wife. ‘I see that they are striking up a waltz and it is an age since I danced with my wife, if she would do me the very great honour.’

  Alice beamed. There was no mistaking the genuine affection between the couple. It was what he had sought all those years ago with Hester.

  Jaimie felt a pang behind his breastbone. A strange sense of longing directed towards Lady Tess.

  Nonsense. He knew exactly what sort of wife he required this time around. Jaimie had had enough drama to last him a lifetime. He wanted peace. A well-ordered life with a nice quiet wife was what he needed. There was nothing quiet or peaceful about Tess.

  Michael gave him an impenetrable look and leaned close to murmur in his ear. ‘You could do worse than Lady Tess Ingram, Jaimie. She might not have money, but from what I’ve heard she’s a sensible girl. Did an excellent job caring for her father’s estate.’

  Shocked, Jaimie stared at him. ‘Et tu, Brute? Where did you hear such a thing?’

  Michael smiled his enigmatic smile. ‘I have my sources.’ He bowed to his wife and held out his hand. ‘My lady.’

  She took it and the two of them strolled on to the dance floor.

  Chapter Ten

  Tess could not believe the way her heart had picked up speed the moment she saw Jaimie enter the ballroom. She had done her best not to stare at his beautiful lithe form as he meandered through the room. Several other ladies were also covertly admiring him. And why would they not? The way his tight black coat drew attention to the width of his shoulders and the leanness of his waist and hips was enough to draw any woman’s eye. Long legged, loose limbed and supremely confident, he exuded masculine grace.

  Recalling what lay below the elegant tailoring, she felt her breasts tighten and little pulses flutter at her core, sending heat streaming through her blood.

  ‘He is here, after all,’ Wilhelmina said.

  Was that disappointment in her voice?

  ‘Who?’ she asked, looking around as if she had not yet seen him.

  ‘Sandford.’

  ‘Oh?’ She tried for insouciance, but feared she sounded breathless, eager. She finally let her gaze land directly on him, though he’d not been out of her sight for a single moment. The couple he was talking to seemed pleased to see him. The lady was beaming at him in a most particular way. Irritation slid a blade between her ribs when he smiled down at her and the lady patted his arm with her fan.

  The man, presumably her husband, did not look pleased. Tess had not taken Jaimie for a f
lirt. He never ever flirted with her. She swallowed her chagrin and looked away. How could she possibly be jealous?

  ‘He’s coming this way,’ Wilhelmina hissed.

  She pasted a smile of welcome on her face, but it felt stiff and awkward.

  ‘Lady Rowan. Lady Tess.’ Jaimie bowed. ‘Good to see you again, ladies.’

  They greeted him in unison. He gave Tess a cautious look. ‘Would you take a turn about the room with me, Lady Tess?’

  Disappointed he had not asked her to dance, Tess looked to her cousin, who tittered, ‘Run along, do.’

  She took Jaimie’s arm and he led her away. ‘I beg your pardon for not asking you to dance, but I wished to introduce you to my family and I did not want to include your cousin in the introductions. It would look too particular. This way we can be casual and not arouse undue interest.’

  He only had to draw in a breath to arouse her interest, but his expression mirrored concern. Her stomach pitched. ‘Something is wrong?’

  He winced. ‘I informed them of our true arrangement. I did not want their expectations raised.’

  The warning in his voice was unmistakable. He did not want her to have raised expectations either. As if she would! She lifted her chin. ‘Why is it that all families can think about is marrying off their single relatives? Is it that they wish us to be as miserable as they are?’

  He looked startled at her vehemence. ‘Well, some of them are happy. My cousin and his wife are, I am sure.’

  ‘No one knows what goes on behind closed doors.’

  ‘True.’

  Well, at least they agreed on something.

  ‘I would prefer it if you do not mention your visits to the pawn shops.’

  She raised her eyebrows. ‘I wouldn’t dream of it.’ He must think her a fool if he had to warn her of that. Typical male. Always assuming women couldn’t figure out anything for themselves.

  ‘Good.’ He made a face of distaste. ‘My cousin would be astonished if he learned of it. He certainly would not approve any more than I do. And if it ever got out...’