To Save a Lady

by Lindsay Downs

  With his informant gone, Brendon turned back to Robert, who had taken a seat beside his wife. Both wore worried expressions on their faces. Thomas was close to panicking that he could lose Julie forever. Brendon knew it had been years since Robert and Kristina had gone after someone, but suspected at least the earl would insist on participating. As for Thomas, Brendon knew the man was up to the task.

  “Brendon, what would you recommend we do. Rescue them now or wait until they are on the ship?” Kristina asked.

  “That depends. Eustace, are you up for a little adventure?”

  “If it helps to save my sister then I am.”

  “Thomas, do you have clothes to wear so you will blend in with those who inhabit Whitechapel?”

  “I do. Why?”

  “Eustace, you, Samson, and Thomas return to the building where the ladies are being held. Don’t do anything, but somehow let them know you are there and they will be rescued.”

  “M’ lord, that will be easy. I’ll have Samson bark which will let my sister and Julie know we are nearby.”

  “Now Robert, you and I will make our way to The Pool and get close to the ship that is going to take them to Canada. We’ll have Jack along to point it out and as an extra hand in capturing the captain and crew.”

  Accepting the earl’s nod as one of approval, and considering the plan had quickly, in his mind, been put together, Brendon glanced over to Kristina, who didn’t appear happy. He was aware of that by the scowl she was sending him.

  “Sir, if you believe I am going to sit here nervously awaiting the return of my daughter and Julie you are sorely mistaken. I may have aged a few years since last I went after villains, but I’m still able to handle a sword. Not to mention the fact I must be there to comfort Jolene, to protect her from you, and Julie until her husband is able take over that duty.”

  Fully aware he had been bested by the grand lady, all Brendon could do was bow.

  “Let’s get everyone in place in the next thirty minutes,” he said.

  With Kristina on her way to change, he turned to Robert.

  “Mayhap, would you have a darker shirt I could change into as there’s not enough time to return to my townhouse.”

  “Yes, and Thomas you’d best change so you, Eustace, and Samsoncanbe on your way. Don’t bother returning here but meet our son in the kitchen. There, you can tell Jack of the plan.”

  Changed, he joined those going to The Pool in the carriage with Jack sitting in the box beside Jolene’s coachman. By now, he hoped Thomas and Eustace had arrived at the building and Samson had let the ladies learn they would be rescued soon. Maybe not as quickly as they hoped, but that couldn’t be helped.

  What he did find interesting laid across Kristina’s lap, not a saber but a cutlass. This had him wondering if there was several others for himself, Robert, and the coachman. Jack, Brendon knew, preferred a long knife as he liked to get close to his victim. Hopefully, that wouldn’t happen tonight as all needed to meet justice the proper way. However, Brendon silently promised himself that if a hair on his sweet Jolene’s head was harmed then so would the person who brought her pain.

  When they got close to their destination, Brendon glanced out the window and saw the masts of the ships. Now he was happy to have Jack along to show them the right one. If he’d come on his own, Jolene would most likely have been lost to him forever. The coach slowed then stopped.

  He climbed out as Jack descended from his seat to see several other friends, so to speak, appear from the shadows. This had been something he’d not expected, but he was happy for the added help. Kristina and Robert joined him, giving him a cutlass.

  “You are familiar with this particular weapon?” she teased.

  “More than you will ever know. His Grace insisted I learn with it then when old enough,I graduated to the saber.”

  That brought laughter from the others. Brendon, once it died down asked how they knew their help would be needed.

  “M’ lord, we may make the docks and the area around it our home, but we have eyes and ears all over London. Especially in the not so pleasant areas. How do you think Her Ladyship learns of things even before those at the Met do?” one of the men explained.

  This little but all important fact he knew to be true, but…“Gentlemen, and I don’t use that term loosely, one of the ladies we are rescuing is married to Thomas Spencer, an inspector. You might wish to consider slipping him information at times,” Robert explained.

  “M’ lord, we will,” the apparent leader said.

  “We thank you. Now, shall we get in position as time is getting on to save the ladies and arrest the crew,” Brendon said.

  As they made their way around piles of coiled rope, hogsheads loaded with Brendon didn’t wish to learn, but in several the smell of near or completely rotten food assailed his nostrils. Jack held up his arm, slowing everyone about three yards from a ship. What kind Brendon didn’t know as he never spent any time around the ocean.

  “That’s her, m’ lord.”

  Through the partially moon-lit darkness he saw only three were visible on the deck. One, from the way he was waving his arms was the captain. Glancing around, he smiled as everyone slowly blended into the night and made their way closer to the ship. Then-

  Wagon wheels and horses’ hooves told him the ladies and those who kidnapped them were arriving. He was becoming nervous. They couldn’t attack until Jolene and Julie were actually on the ship, otherwise the captain could deny the fact he was going to be transporting them.

  Thomas, Eustace, and Samson slipped up to him.

  “They appear not to be hurt, but you should have heard the language my sister used on those two men. Not only didn’t I believe she knew the words,but what they meant but trust me, when you marry her you will get a hellion as a wife,” Eustace said.

  The only problem Brendon thought, was the young manteasing me or not. He turned his attention back to the carriage and watched, hands fisted in anger, as the ladies were dragged out and up the gangplank. With a wave of his arm, he led everyone up with Samson in the lead and headeddirectly to the captain, who stood no chance against the collie.

  In minutes, Jolene and Julie were released from their bonds which Brendon quickly learned was a mistake with Toby Giles and Neill restrained. He watched, stunned, as she stormed up to them and with a clenched fist hit each of them in the jaw sending the hapless men backward to the deck.

  Epilogue

  Three weeks later

  Her right hand no longer swollen from when she’d hit her kidnappers, Jolene sat at her writing desk. At least now she was able to jot down the notes without being in pain. Well, if truth be told her hand was a little painful but not enough to where she couldn’t complete the task.

  Jolene was happy the trials of Tony Giles and Neill went quickly. She and Julie did have to testify at both about what had happened to them.

  A week later, outside the wall of Newgate prison both had danced the hangman’s gig. She and her friend had pointedly missed the occasion as it would have been unseemly for them to attend the event. Neither even wished to learn how the men met their fate. Proud or cowardly.

  Jolene had a wedding breakfast to assist in planning. Julie on the other hand was organizing workmen to redecorate her and Thomas’ townhouse they had purchased.

  She glanced over her shoulder to look at the time. Two hours before needing to leave for the church. Normally, weddings only occurred between eight in the morning and noon. Then they would entertain family and close, three hundred, friends for their first meal as Marquis and Marchioness of Lange. Next, her attention went to the gown carefully laid out on the bed.

  Silver. At least it wasn’t white.

  Embroidered on the bodice were collies. Seeing them brought a smile to her lips. After all, next to Brendon and her parents they were the most important people, okay she thought dogs, in her life. It had all started ten and nine years ago when her first one, compliments of her godfather, The Duke of Clar
ion, had bestowed Beau on her. He had saved her and now it had, once again, been Samson.

  Much to her happiness, even her betrothed, contrary to his words sometimes, had a soft spot in his heart for the brat. The thought of him took her eyes to a peacefully sleeping collie, on his pallet no less.

  The door opened.

  “M’ lady, Her Ladyship sent this light snack up for you. As she said, ‘the last thing Lady Jolene needs is to become faint from the worry of the day’.

  “Thank you. Set it over on a table by the fireplace. I’ve only a few more words to put down in my journal.”

  “As you wish, m’ lady. I should point out that Cook sent along a few of her raspberry tarts.”

  Jolene set her case diary aside and retired to the chair. She had barely finished the first of two pastries when her mother entered. Having had the talk last eve, this had Jolene wondering why she was here. Then, she saw the folded, plain wax sealed piece of foolscap. There was only one person who would send her a note in that fashion. Vikki.

  The End

  Or

  The Beginning

  About the Author

  I’ve been an avid reader ever since I was old enough to hold a red leather bound first edition copy of Sir Walter Scott’s The Lady of the Lake in my lap.

  So it only seemed natural at some point in my life I take up pen and paper to start writing. Over time my skills slightly improved which I attribute to my English teachers.

  My breakthrough came about in the mid 1970’s when I read a historical romance written by Sergeanne Golon, Angelique. This French husband and wife team opened my eyes to the real world of fiction. Stories about romance, beautiful damsels, handsome heroes and plots which kept me hooked. Of course, being a man, I had to keep my reading hidden from others as that wasn’t appropriate reading for men.

  With this new found appreciation of the written word I took up other books and devoured them as a starving person would a plate of food. I them attempted to write again. I still wasn’t satisfied so I put it aside for years as other events entered my life.

  Finally, in the early years of the new millennium I tried again to write and once again met with limited success. At least now I was able to get past the first page or two. Then, in 2006 a life changing event brought me back to my love, I took a job as a security officer. This allowed me plenty of time to read different genres.

  My favourite was regency. As I poured through everyone I could get my hands on I knew this could be something I wanted to attempt.

  Since 2012 when my debut regency romantic suspense released I was hooked and have, except for a few contemporaries, focused on this genre.

  Since 2012 I’ve lived in central Texas. I’m also a member of Romance Writers of America and the Austin, TX chapter.

  Where you can find me-

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