His Contrary Bride (A Gentleman's Guide to One Upon a Time - Book 2)

by Charles, Jane

  Marius made love to Sabrina slowly this last time. Never had any woman been more perfect for him and their fit only confirmed that he had found his life love.

  * * *

  The room was bright with sunlight when Sabrina finally awoke to find herself alone in the bed. She knew she should get up and begin the day, but couldn’t bring herself to move. Stretching, she smiled up at the ceiling. Who would have thought that the pleasures of the marriage bed would be so incredibly pleasurable? Her face heated when she recalled her screams from the night before. Surely she hadn’t screamed. If she had, surely it wasn’t proper. She would have to try to control that particular outburst she supposed. Especially after there were servants in the house.

  Marius opened the door and paused just inside. “That is how a bride should look after her wedding night.”

  Still blushing at her thoughts, she smiled to Marius. “How?”

  “Content and happy.”

  “Oh, I am very much both, though I can’t seem to will myself from this bed.”

  He grinned as he walked across the room, two cups in his hands, and settled beside her. “Perhaps you need nourishment after all that strenuous activity.”

  Sabrina refrained from comment and took the cup of coffee from him. Her stomach grumbled, announcing how hungry she truly was.

  “Why don’t you get dressed and we’ll go to the kitchen for some breakfast.”

  “That would be lovely.” Sometime during the night her robe had disappeared and she couldn’t bring herself to rise, in broad daylight, and expose her nakedness to him. Finally, because of necessary needs, Sabrina drew the sheet around her, pulling it from the bed as she got up and walked across the room.

  Marius laughed at her. “You no longer have anything to hide from me, love.”

  Sabrina wondered if the warmth of her embarrassment was permanent at this point. What he said was true. “I am sure it isn’t proper to be parading around without clothes in broad daylight.”

  “You would be surprised at what I would like to do in broad daylight.”

  Just the thought of being exposed in such a way, sunlight on their bodies sent her flying into the next room. She wasn’t ready for such exposure without the blanket of night.

  He waited for her to emerge and together they descended the back stairs servants would normally use, but stopped as they came closer to the kitchen when they heard voices.

  Sabrina turned to Marius. He motioned for her to be still and disappeared back up the stairs. Sabrina strained to listen. She and Marius were positive they had a few more days before they were found.

  Marius returned a moment later, pistol in hand.

  Chapter 28

  Marius slipped past Sabrina and quietly made his way toward the kitchen, pausing to listen. Sabrina followed behind and listened. She didn’t recognize the voices, but they were all women.

  The scent of warm, fresh bread wafted to her nose and Sabrina walked around her husband, ignoring his silent protest. She was hungry and certainly not worried about a bunch of women. Her uncle would employ seeder characters to harm them.

  “Good morning, Lady Sabrina.” A cheery voice greeted her. Eight women sat around a large table at the center of the room, drinking coffee or tea.

  She sensed Marius behind her and glanced down. The gun was still in his hand. “I don’t think you need that.”

  He shoved it in his pocket and drew up beside her.

  Sabrina glided to the table and indicated to the bread. “May I?”

  “Oh, of course, my lady.” The woman who greeted her stood. “Have a seat and we will have something for you to eat shortly.”

  Sabrina sank into the chair and Marius took another empty seat.

  “Mary Louise, put some water onto boil. Mary Elaine, slice some bread for the Mr. Parker and her ladyship.” The first woman began to order the others about.

  “What are you ladies are doing here?” Marius finally asked.

  “T’s cleaning time.” Another woman answered.

  “We come in to clean every two months. It takes a week, but we get the job done. Lord Chesterfield only wanted the house maintained.” The answer came from the woman called Mary Louise.

  “The men will come by on Saturday to check the roof and see if any repairs are necessary.” This answer came from Mary Elaine.

  “You didn’t seem surprised at our appearance. If you knew we were here, then everyone knows.” Marius observed, his posture still tense.

  “Oh, not everyone.” Mary Louise rushed to assure him. “Only those of us who will not betray you and so are thankful for your arrival.”

  Sabrina concentrated on her bread. Her husband worried more than she. Her uncle was a threat and he would find them sooner or later, but you couldn’t go around not trusting everyone.

  “Here, let me help with the food.” Marius stood and walked toward the counter.

  “The master of the house cooking? Have you ever heard the likes of it?” Mary Elaine directed her question to woman next to her with a laugh. “You just sit yourself down and we will have something for you in a bit.”

  “Shouldn’t they actually be in the breakfast room?” A woman whispered to Mary Elaine.

  “We are quite content and happy in the kitchen,” Sabrina assured them. In fact, she felt more comfortable eating in here than in any dining room she’d been in since leaving the school.

  More coffee had been made and a simple meal of bread, eggs, and cheese was placed before them.

  “Since you are here, I supposed now is as good a time as any to discuss the needs of the house.”

  Sabrina relaxed. “And gardens.” She had been afraid Marius wouldn’t hire any help until after Chesterfield had been dealt with.

  “You just tell us what you need and we will have people here before the day is done.” Mary Louise grinned.

  * * *

  Marius and Sabrina left the ladies with the task of returning to town to hire the help they would need. He hoped to have permanent employees established by the end of the week. Together they settled behind the desk and opened the ledgers.

  “Your uncle was robbing them and you blind.”

  “I can see that.” She ran her finger down the list of those who worked in the mine.

  Marius was most troubled to see so many names and ages of women and children. “I can fix what is wrong with the rent, land and those issues, but I know nothing about running a mine.” He sat back and ran his fingers through his hair. They had been looking at the books for well over three hours.

  Sabrina moved to stand behind him and began rubbing his shoulders. “Do you know anyone you could ask?” She leaned forward and placed a kiss on his temple.

  Marius reached up and squeezed her hand. “Richard.”

  “Write him.”

  “I will in a day or two.” He stood and pulled her into his arms. “Let’s go outside and walk around for a bit and see your land.”

  “Our land,” Sabrina correct.

  * * *

  Marius put off writing the letter for three days. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Richard; he didn’t trust that the letter would not find its way into the wrong hands. He and Sabrina were living peacefully at the manor and he was putting off dealing with those matters that would most attract Chesterfield’s attention. He knew that he couldn’t wait any longer and promised himself to write to his friend this afternoon when they returned from their ride.

  The sun was just setting when he and Sabrina wandered back inside.

  “It’s about time you returned home,” Richard greeted they walked in the room.

  “Actually Richard, you are just the person I wanted to talk to. In fact, I had planned on sending off a note. So good of you to save me the trouble.” Marius poured a brandy for the both of them.

  “How can I be of assistance?” Richard asked curiously.

  “That can wait.” Turning, he approached Simone. Bending he lifted her hand to his lips. “Forgive me for not greeting yo
u first, Simone. You are looking as beautiful as ever.”

  “Thank you Marius, though I’m sure it is blatant flattery. Then again, I am not exactly in a position to argue and will have to trust what you see.”

  Marius relaxed on the settee next to Sabrina. “So, what brings you to our small part of England?” He straightened suddenly. “We have only been here a few days ourselves. How did you find us, and why so soon?”

  Richard sobered. “We thought it best you knew what was happening in London.”

  “Go on.” Marius encouraged.

  “Chesterfield visited Mr. Jacobs the day following the fire. He wanted to draw up the necessary documents to transfer everything to him with Ramsey as his heir.”

  “So much for mourning my demise.” Sabrina grumbled.

  “Of course, Mr. Jacobs refused. He argued that without proof of death he could not in good conscious proceed in that manner.”

  “Good man.” Marius approved.

  “He then visited your parents, Marius. He wanted to discuss funeral arrangements. From what I heard, your mother carried on, incoherently, and refused to discuss anything until her son’s body was discovered.”

  Marius tried to imagine his mother in hysterics but couldn’t begin to picture it. “I am assuming he didn’t stop there.”

  “No, next he visited with Ramsey, who informed him that Juliet had taken the news so badly that the doctor had ordered her to her bed indefinitely. Ramsey told his uncle that he was too worried about his wife and unborn child to discuss arrangements and felt they could wait a few days.”

  “Juliet knows the truth doesn’t she?” Sabrina sat forward; her face pale with what Marius assumed was worry.

  Richard waved his hand in dismissal. “Yes, she is fine but feared facing Chesterfield. She was afraid she would give the truth away.”

  Sabrina relaxed again.

  “Surely by now Chesterfield realizes we escaped?” Marius asked.

  “Yes and no. It was two days before anyone could get into the house to begin searching. It was another before those investigating could positively say there were no bodies, or remains to be found.”

  “What did my uncle say?”

  “He argued that it was impossible and I believe he even had his own people search. Of course, this was all done behind the persona of distraught uncle.”

  Sabrina snorted in an unladylike manner.

  “Everyone has been speculating on where you had taken your wife off to so secretively. None of us knew and could honestly tell Chesterfield we knew nothing.”

  “What did he do next?” Marius asked.

  “He visited Mr. Jacobs, asking where your properties were and if you and Sabrina knew where all of her family properties lie. Mr. Jacobs could honestly answer that he had not had the opportunity to discuss any inheritance with you as you were married so quickly.”

  “Then how did you know where to find us?”

  “Ramsey told a few of us about this property and we assumed this is where you had gone.”

  “You were elected to track me down. Or, did you lose the bet?”

  “”I volunteered,” Richard assured him. “As soon as I learned Sabrina had inherited a mine, I knew you would be at a loss with what to do with it.” Richard stood to refill his glass.

  Though the conversation had been enlightening and he was glad to have Richard here, Marius also knew they were running out of time before Chesterfield located them.

  Chapter 29

  Marius awoke early. Instead of lying in bed with his wife, as he usually did, he rose to dress. If Richard hadn’t been there, no doubt he would have awakened Sabrina in the most delicious way but, he knew Richard was an earlier riser. He had always been regardless of what the man had done the night before or how late he had gotten to bed. Sure enough, he found his friend in the library drinking coffee and looking out the window.

  “I thought I would find you here. I’m glad we have this time. I need your advice.”

  Richard turned and grew interested. “Go on.”

  “This property is much like your own estate. Most of the income comes from the mine and there are a number of tenants. And, as you pointed out, I have no knowledge of how a mine is run, or wages to be paid. Plus, the solicitor has me concerned because from what he has been told, the mines are no longer safe. I believe five men have died in the past year, if not more.”

  “We can inspect if you like,” Richard offered.

  “That is why I was going to send for you. I’m not sure what to look for. Besides, Chesterfield’s men run the mine and I didn’t want to make my presence known.”

  That had been the main reason Marius had put off visiting the place. He wanted to keep his wife safe for as long as possible.

  Richard leaned against the wall in thought. Slowly a smile came to his face. “I have a plan and they will never know who we are.”

  Intrigued, Marius sat to listened to Richard’s proposal and knew it was worth a try in order to keep their identities a secret for a bit longer.

  “Inspectors used the same method on me some months back.”

  “What if they have already been here?”

  “If the mine is as dangerous as you believe, it would have been shut down.”

  As the morning grew, Marius liked the plan more and more. This gave him an opportunity to inspect the rest of the estate and identify the men in Chesterfield’s employ. While they waited for the ladies to rise, he showed Richard the books. His suspicions had been correct. The men were grossly under paid and now he knew how much they should be earning and how much was owed in past wages. The only thing he couldn’t understand was why so many had stayed. Family roots had to be the only thing keeping them here.

  Marius dressed in the clothes he had arrived in town wearing and Richard dressed in what he referred to as his work clothes and set off walking toward the mine. Marius hoped the plan would work and allowed Richard to do the talking.

  Two men were sitting on crates when they approached. A tall burly man stood as they approached from the road. “What would the two you be wanting?”

  “Work,” Richard answered. “We are on our way from South Tynedale to London and have run out of money.”

  “We were hoping to get jobs in the mine, to tie us over, so we can finish our trip,” Marius added.

  The man crossed his arms over his chest and looked them over. “Ever work in a mine before?”

  “In South Tynedale.”

  “So, why leave there to go to London?”

  Marius hadn’t expected so many questions and thankfully Richard was ready for an explanation. “Lasses, my friend. Lovely Lasses and sisters too.” Richard grinned and gave a knowing nod. “They up and left to find work in London as maids or shop girls and we have a mind to follow and get our own jobs.”

  The burly man believed them, but didn’t think much of them. He shook his head and rolled his eyes. “We can use a few more hands. Mind you work hard and don’t give us any trouble, you will be paid fair wages at the end of the week.”

  Marius stifled the urge to snort. Fair wages indeed!

  They tossed the old bags they had been carrying under a tree and made their way down into the mine. The deeper they went the harder it was for Marius to breath. The darkness and walls closed in on him. How did anyone work in these conditions?

  They did not attach themselves to any of the other workers and Richard led the way, studying the tunnels, support beams, equipment, and the workers.

  Marius wasn’t sure what to look for so he studied the workers. When a particularly small person passed, he stopped the lad. “How old are you?”

  The dirt covered boy looked up at him. “Eight sir.”

  Stunned, he let the child go.

  Further down another worker, though taller, but still slender bent to pick up a pick ax, losing her hat. She was definitely a female or the men in this town took to growing their hair long enough to braid and pin it behind their head. Marius stopped by the young wo
man. “Ladies work in the mine?” He questioned her.

  “Some of us have no choice, mister. My husband was killed in here last year and I have a child to feed.” She bent to retrieve her hat and pushed it back down on her head. “You best get back to work before they cut the few wages you’ll be getting.” Turning away, she resumed her work.

  Though Marius knew nothing about mines, he did not like the idea of children and women working in this hellhole. Especially when the women had children of their own to raise.

  The men paused before they exited the mine and Marius turned to Richard. “Well?”

  Solemnly he shook his head, mouth grim. “This place is a death trap.”

  “You can say that again,” a man not too far away agreed.

  “I can’t put this off, Richard. These people are in more danger than Sabrina.”

  Richard nodded his head and followed Marius out of the mine.

  The burly, gruff, filthy man approached them. “Get back to work before I sack ya.”

  Marius raised himself up with noble bearing. “It is not I who has to worry about a job at the moment,” he stated smoothly. “I want you to gather every man who is in charge of running this operation.”

  The few workers who remained outside stopped their work, listening intently.

  “Who the hell are you to be giving me orders?” The man spit on the ground.

  “There have been complaints over the safety here and my friend and I just completed our inspection.”

  “You have no right.”

  “On the contrary. I have every right.” Marius turned and looked at the men who now gathered around him and Richard. “I want each man Chesterfield hired standing before me in two minutes.”