To Save a Lady

by Lindsay Downs

  Over lunch, he suggested they keep to their original plan. When asked why, Brendon said, “Even though the Cullen’s are locked up, there is no guarantee they will stay in jail.

  ****

  As Jolene strolled about the museum, she divided her thoughts between her friend and what they had learned so far about the murder of Jack Cooper. Nothing. The same went for the counterfeit bank notes. Her frustration mounted. Never before, on any of the previous cases, had she been this thwarted by the lack of suspects. The Cullen’s were probably only guilty of trying to murder their daughter. Jolene wasn’t sure even of that.

  She hoped later when Thomas returned to the townhouse he might have firm proof, such as a confession, they had. Another frustrating point, Lord Neill had disappeared from London. None of her contacts had heard or seen the man since the night when he handed over the threat. Jolene tapped Brendon on the arm to draw his attention away from a landscape.

  “I’m guessing your people haven’t been able to learn where Neill is hiding, otherwise you would have said something?”

  “On that you are correct. I have learned you have yours watching over his apartment with the same horrid luck?” he replied.

  This had her curious if, for some reason, the man was hiding in plain sight. One important point she had learned, the man’s parents didn’t wish anything to do with him. From what she was aware, that was because of his gambling running up huge debts. She was distracted from her thoughts when Julie rushed up.

  “M’ lady, see that painting there?” Jolene turned to were her friend was pointing. It was of a ship on a stormy sea. “How did the artist do that one, if they weren’t on the coast and saw it?”

  “Some time in the past they could have witnessed it or might have seen an ocean storm, drew it then put the ship in. Another option, they could have completely thought it up in their mind while sitting comfortably by a fire. Why?”

  “It is so dramatic, and I am hoping that I could do one like it, some day.”

  “Of course, you can, my dear, if you set your mind to it, anything is possible.”

  “Thank you for your confidence in me.”

  She saw her friend drift off again, this time into another room, which as chaperone Julie shouldn’t have done. Jolene felt a large presence behind her. Without even having to glance over her shoulder she knew it was Brendon by his cologne. A gentle hand on her waist turned her directly into his arms. Lifting her chin, she smiled as his head slowly lowered with his lips stopping inches from hers.

  Rising up on her toes, she let her lips touch his for the briefest of moments before she retreated for fear of being found out. Not that it would matter, for in three weeks they would wed.

  “They taste as delicious as I had always thought. I promise, though, next time our lips will be together much longer,” she whispered then stepped free, not that she was desirous to, of his embrace.

  “Most assuredly, my dear.”

  Footsteps coming toward them had Jolene retreatingfurther from Brendon, then she peered to the archway to see her mother sweep in, smiling.

  “Dear, where’s Julie?”

  “In the next room examining more paintings, I presume. Why?”

  “Thomas sent a note that the Cullen’s definitely didn’t try to kill Julie. It was Neill,” Kristina answered.

  “Ladies, stay here while I get her,” Brendon said, but to Jolene it appeared to be more of an order.

  She waited silently beside her mother while he marched into the next room and in less than a minute returned with a puzzled Julie.

  “What’s wrong? His Lordship had to drag me away from a lovely portrait that I was studying to learn how the artist was able to bring the lady to life.”

  “My dear, as you are aware, your life is still in danger. Thomas is convinced that Lord Neill was the one who pushed you into the river when your parents were nowhere around,” Kristina said.

  “And to make matters worse, he hasn’t been found even with all the police officers and His Lordship’s and my contacts searching for him,” Jolene added.

  With this new information, Jolene noticed her friend start to panic, in particular that she wouldn’t be allowed to attend the scheduled ball that eve. Right now, though, she knew they should return to the townhouse as no extra guards had accompanied them.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  With a smile, she swept into the countesses parlor to be greeted only by her mother.

  “Where is everyone? I was taking so long, I thought I would have been the last to arrive,” Jolene said after taking a seat on the settee.

  “Your father had been here but received a letter which needed to be addressed. I’m surprised you didn’t notice him in the office. As for Julie and Thomas, he only a few minutes ago returned, so I’d hazard she’s waiting for him to bathe and change.”

  As much as she wished to have faith in her mother’s word, Jolene suspected there was another reason they hadn’t arrived. That was, if the romance novels she borrowed, unbeknownst to certain people, were to be believed. Since it wasn’t seven yet but about five minutes before the hour she wasn’t surprised Brendon hadn’t arrived. Knowing him as she did, very well, he would be here at precisely the appointed hour.

  This made her curious if the letter her father had received or Thomas being late might have something to do in hunting down Neill. That question would have to wait until one or both of them arrived.

  “Mother, do you believe it will be safe for Julie tonight, considering what we learned earlier?”

  “I do. Just remember, if either of you choose to step out for cool air, make sure Brendon and Thomas are with you.”

  “Until Neill is in custody neither of us will leave here or any balls without one or both of them.”

  Talking in the hall brought Jolene’s eyes to the door. If she wasn’t mistaken, the voices belonged to Brendon and her father. Whatever they were discussing had to be good news for suddenly the marquis chuckled. Jolene glanced down to make sure her pastel red gown didn’t have any wrinkles. She gave the skirt a light shake, ridding the material of a few.

  She watched them enter, both smiling. Thomas and Julie were directly behind them with a hint of pink on her cheeks. Jolene waitedfor everyone to take seats.

  “And what, pray tell, has you gentlemen so happy? Could it be you have not only found who the counterfeiter is but where Neill is hiding?”

  “Yes and no. I have learned where the press is that’s making the fake notes. It is in an abandoned building near Whitechapel. As for who owns or leases the property, that I haven’t learned but will tomorrow,” Thomas announced.

  For her, this was somewhat good news. At least part of the puzzle would be resolved within the next few days. Still though, until Neill was in custody Julie would still be in danger, not to mention she still needed to learn who killed Jack Cooper.

  With Bing standing in the doorway, she knew dinner was being served. Any further discussion on the subjects would have to wait until later. Much later.

  Once the evening meal was finished, during which plans were set for the next afternoon which included at Julie’s insistence another visit to the museum, Jolene retreated to her suite to refresh. It came as no surprise to her that Samson had changed from sleeping on his pallet to her bed. This time she simply shrugged her shoulders then turned to Emmy.

  “In about an hour he will need a walk. You’d best use the collar and leash. Have a footman along in case the brat starts pulling, which he most likely will.”

  “He usually does when you go out in the evening to a ball. It’s almost as if he fears you could be in trouble and wishes to protect you.”

  For Jolene that came as no surprise since his father, Beau, had done the same years ago, when Estelle had tried to kidnap her. With a final glance to make sure her hair didn’t need to have a few strands pinned, she swept down to the foyer.

  Helped down at the Rogers townhouse, she shook out her skirt then settled her hand on Brendon’s f
orearm. After being announced and greeting the host and hostess, no sooner had she stepped onto the border of the dance floor than the musicians started a waltz.

  “Yes, you may,and partner with me for every waltz they play tonight,” she told Brendon in a sultry tone which brought a leer to his lips.

  As the evening progressed, Jolene started to relax. She noticed Julie was enjoying the ball to the point where her friend shared more than two waltzes with Thomas. Trying to cool down after the last dance with Brendon, she peered over to Julie who was doing the same. She glanced over her shoulder but didn’t spy Brendon or Thomas which was unusual since neither had said anything about stepping away. What she and Julie needed was fresh air, not the stifling heat of the ballroom.

  “Mother, there are quite a few guests on the veranda so would you mind if Julie and I stepped out for a few breaths of fresh air. We promise to remain in front of the open doors so we will remain safe.”

  Jolene waited while her mother glanced to the far end of the room then smiled.

  “Yes, you may. All I ask, don’t be gone long.”

  “We promise not to, and if those impossible men of ours return let them know where we went so they won’t panic.”

  “I will, as if I’m not mistaken the next is a waltz so you know they will return from wherever they disappeared to.”

  Linking an arm with her friend, Jolene wove her way through the crowd and stepped out onto the terrace. The cool evening breeze, compared to the stale air of inside, felt marvelous on her cheeks. She led Julie a few steps away from the door but keeping with what she had promised,when several men came up behind blocking their, if need be, retreat.

  Before she was aware of what was happening, she then Julie were grabbed by the arms and forced along the veranda to the end. What had her scared, and most likely her friend, everything happened so quickly she didn’t have time to call out for help. Next, a sack was forced over her head then her hands were tied. Not that she liked either at least her hands were in front of her. Thusly, not leaving her totally defenseless.

  Picked up and tossed, like a sack of grain, over someone’s shoulder, Jolene barely understood the words of someone familiar telling the men to take them to the carriage and be quick about it.

  So, Neill is somehow involved with either the forgeries, murder or both.

  Whichever itwas he would surely hang she knew, that was if she or Julie could escape and get help. Tossed into, Jolene could only guess from the noise of horses and hard floor, acoach, she grunted when Julie landed on her then rolled off.

  How long they had been gone Jolene wasn’t sure but what she did know was that Brendon and Thomas would have learned they were missing, a hue and cry would have been set. The problem, London was a huge city, and these men could be taking them out of the city someplace. Now, more than ever, she wished she’d brought Samson, even if he had to remain outside.

  Finally, after what seemed forever, the carriage stopped and she was dragged out, feet first thus drawing her gown partway up her legs. Deposited feet first on the ground, she could feel cobblestones under foot. That, along with the short time they had been traveling, told her they were still in London. But where?The hood was pulled off her head. She glanced around,and a horrified Julie was standing beside her.

  “Move,” the same voice as before demanded then gave her a shove toward a building.

  Having spent time traveling around, on foot and in her carriage, Jolene recognized the area as part of Whitechapel. Was the building she and Julie were being pushed into where the forgeries were made? If that was the case, then she was sure Thomas still had police or others keeping a watch.

  Inside they were steered, roughly, to a bench and forced to sit down. As her eyes became used to the semi-darkness, Jolene saw a printing press. Stacked on a table next to it were small sheets of paper. The same size as the threats that had been sent to her and used to print the notes.

  She waited as the two men talked. One, now she recognized as being Lord Neill. Who the other was she wasn’t sure. Leaning over to Julie, she could see girl was shaking from fear. Most likely from being kidnapped, but was it possible she knew the other one?

  “Who is he?” she whispered.

  “Tony Giles. I believe he killed Jack Cooper. At least that’s what I remember.”

  Those words sent a shiver of fear down her spine. If the man could murder someone then Jolene suspected she and Julie would die. This fact was especially true as the men had let her and Julie see their faces. If that was going to happen she wouldn’t go easily but would put up a fight. Then she heard Tony speak.

  “I spoke with the captain.He said not to bring them aboard until half twelve. By then the dock guards will have made their rounds, and we will get them on without being spotted.”

  “Yes, then it’s off to Canada and the wilderness where they will live far from civilization. If they are lucky they’ll marry some trapper.”

  That last part, much to Jolene’s anger brought laughter to both men’s mouths. Ones she wished she could put a fist in to shut themup.

  In the distance a dog barked. Not just anyone either, but a certain collie who could never stay out of trouble, or was it getting her out of a bad situation?Either way, Jolene knew in her heart of hearts that Brendon and Thomas would be along very shortly.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  When Brendon, with Thomas, returned to where Jolene wassupposed to be, sitting with her mother and Julie, he panicked as only the countess was on the settee. Quickly he quartered the ballroom. Not seeing either, he stepped up to Kristina.

  “M’ lady, where did Ladies Jolene and Julie go?”

  “I gave them permission to step out onto the veranda but not to leave my sight. Why, is something wrong?”

  Not waiting to give a response, he led Thomas to the terrace, knocking into several guests in the process he was in such a rush. Carefully he looked for any sign to discover which direction either lady might have gone. At the steps leading to the lawn he spied, partially hidden by a shrub, Jolene’s reticule. This all but confirmed they had been taken, and he knew by who. The question was where. He picked it up and returned to Kristina.

  “They’re gone, otherwise Jolene wouldn’t have dropped this for me to find.”

  “That is correct. I suspected something happened so I sent Robert to get the coach. It should be out front by now,” Kristina said.

  Brendon assisted Kristina up and escorted her, with Thomas on her other side, up the stairs, across the vestibule, then to the coach. He waited while she was helped in by Robert then joined them and finally Thomas.

  When they arrived at the Hampshire townhouse, Brendon could easily sense something was wrong. Staff were going from room to room searching for someone, or more likely a certain collie. It was Bing who supplied the answer even before being asked.

  “M’ lords and lady, I was about to send for you. Samson has disappeared, and we haven’t been able to find him.”

  “Thank you. We’ll be in the office,” Robert directed.

  If Brendon wasn’t mistaken, he suspected exactly where the collie had gone. To attempt to rescue his mistress. This had been a trait passed from Beau to all the collies of his. Protect.

  Pacing about the room, he started wondering where the individuals, two at least, had taken the ladies.

  “Thomas, do you still have people keeping a watch over the building where the press is?”

  “I do, but not regular officers. For this and where it’s located I called upon several of my informants. They know to send word not only here but my office if someone appears.”

  That was encouraging to learn as the police tended, he and Jolene had learned, not to blend in to the surroundings. That was why having the help of select, possibly unsavory, people in their or her employ was so important. Now, they needed to wait for word from someone.

  A bark, followed by a curse, announced the arrival of Samson. The only question Brendon had, if he’d gone after Jolene, how w
ould he be able to tell him where she was. That was answered when the collie pranced in with Eustace following. He, the young man not Samson, looked the worse for wear in ragged clothes and a filthy face.

  “Pardon my appearance, but I did it for a good reason. About an hour ago Samson started pacing about my sister’s suite so Emmy sent for me. When I saw the state of frustration he was in, I knew it was because she was or soon would be in trouble. I quickly changed into these, my beggar clothes, then put a collar and leash on Samson. We then raced along the back way to the Rogers’ townhouse arriving in time to notice a small carriage disappear down the side street.”

  “Were you able to follow them?” Brendon asked.

  “Once I saw they were headed toward Whitechapel it became easy even, when on occasion I lost sight of the carriage.”

  “Do you know were in Whitechapel?We have learned that is where the printing press to make the forgeries is,” Thomas hastily said.

  Brendon saw Bing step into the doorway. Behind him was one of his and Jolene’s contacts.

  “M’ lords and lady, a Jack is here to speak with Lord Lange.”

  “A friend of yours?” Robert uttered.

  “You might say so. He hangs out around The Pool and usually has been very reliable with his information.”

  “Send him in, Bing.”

  “Yes, m’ lord.”

  As this was one of his people, Brendon stepped into the center of the room.

  “Jack, this is a surprise to see you so far from your usual haunt. It must be important?”

  “It is. One of the ships we never trusted, the captain at least, is preparing to take on two passengers very late tonight. From what I learned, it is two women, ladies to be exact.”

  “Where is it setting sail for and when?” Robert said.

  “Canada, but not until right before sunrise as the tide won’t be right until then.”

  Now they, or more precisely he and Thomas along with Jolene’s parents, had a problem. Rescue the ladies where they were being held or wait until they were aboard the ship. That way the captain and most, if not all of the crew could be arrested as well. He dismissed Jack after telling him to remain in the kitchen until needed again.