The Marriage Wager (The Marraige Maker Book 2)

by Sue-Ellen Welfonder

  She looked up at him again. Again, he was staring down at her. This time, she strengthened her nerve. "How do you know my father?"

  Amusement appeared in his eyes. "He never told you?"

  She shook her head.

  "We are members of the same club."

  She started. His club? Heat warmed her cheeks at the thought of the laugh they must've had when her father announced his daughter's outlandish proposition for marrying off her sisters. Was that when Sir Sterling said he would teach the silly woman a lesson?

  Sir Stirling's fingers pressed against her waist as he steered her away from a couple who nearly collided with them. Heat flashed through her and she suddenly wanted to be anywhere but on the dance floor with him—anywhere but with him at all.

  ***

  The waltz ended and Olivia held onto Mr. Gordon’s hand for three heartbeats before her head cleared. "I am not a skilled dancer like Chastity and Lucy, but I did enjoy that very much. Thank you, sir," she said as he led her from the dance floor.

  He steered them around a group of men, allowed her to precede him past a large crowd of women, then came up alongside her again. "You dance quite well.”

  Olivia laughed. "You are too kind, but thank you, anyway. I only hope you enjoyed it half as much as I did."

  The orchestra began to play a country dance as he brought her to a halt in a private corner beside a column. "It would have been impossible not to enjoy, considering I was able to hold you close for so long."

  Olivia snapped her head up and searched his face. "I do not understand you. You could have your choice of any woman here, and I don't think you're desperate for a wife. Yet here you are with a bluestocking you have been matched with. How did Sir Stirling talk you into considering marriage to me?"

  His brows rose. "Consider marriage? I was under the impression our betrothal was official…and when you told me the other day that you could live with a smuggler for a husband—so long as he took you along—well, I assumed you were in agreement.”

  Olivia shook her head. "If that is true, sir, then I suspect that was the strangest marriage proposal in all of Scotland.”

  He laughed. “You might be right.”

  She studied him. “Forgive me, sir—”

  “Frasier,” he cut in.

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “You might try using my Christian name.”

  A strange emotion rippled through her. “Frasier,” she said. He smiled and her heart fluttered. Would he always have this effect on her? “Tell me, Frasier, why did you agree to consider marriage to a woman you’d never met?”

  He leaned a shoulder against the column and crossed his arms over his chest. “When Stirling told me about you, he piqued my interest.”

  He spoke with ease and amusement danced in his eyes, yet she felt there was more. Was he hiding something? What could he possibly be keeping from her? She shook off the thought. She was being ridiculous. The man was expressing interest in her and she could do nothing but find reasons why he shouldn’t.

  “You aren’t bothered by the fact Sir Stirling must marry me off in order to marry my sister?”

  “Why should I be? His needs don’t dictate my wants any more than they dictate yours.”

  She gave a slow nod. “I need not marry you if I don’t wish to.”

  His face softened. “I hope you wish to.”

  She drew a sharp breath. “Sir—”

  “Frasier,” he corrected.

  Olivia nodded. “Frasier, are you…” Suddenly, the sense of ease the man instilled in her fled. And her stomach took a nervous turn. Oh, what had happened?

  "Something wrong, my lady?"

  " I… I am uncertain what you are saying."

  "I am saying—”

  "There you are." Chastity appeared at his side. "Have either of you seen Jessica?"

  He straightened from the column. "I believe we saw her before we started the waltz."

  Olivia nodded. "Aye, she was with Miss Williams and Lady Daniela."

  Chastity shook her head. "I have looked for her for the last fifteen minutes and cannot find her."

  He smiled reassuringly. "If you like, we can help look for her."

  “I would be deeply grateful. I should have been able to find her by now."

  "Rest easy, Lady Chastity. She wouldn’t have left with anyone, would she?”

  “Jessica would never leave with anyone but us,” Olivia said.

  Chastity nodded. “Nae, she wouldn’t.”

  “That only means she went one way when you went the other,” Frasier said. “You two stay together and look on this end of the ballroom, and I’ll search the other side. If either of us sees Stirling before we find her, pull him into the search.”

  Chastity nodded. "Thank you very much."

  He looked at Olivia. "We will continue our conversation later, my lady."

  A tremor rippled through Olivia at the way his eyes darkened. She nodded, and he turned and left.

  "Come along, Liv," Chastity said. “Maybe Jessica is in the refreshments room."

  They searched the refreshments room, but found no sign of their sister. By the time they'd walked their half of the ballroom, both women were growing concerned.

  Chastity spotted Frasier near the balcony doors. "I see Mr. Gordon, but I don't see Jessica with him." She started toward him and Olivia hurried alongside her.

  They reached him and Chastity said, "You haven't found her?"

  He shook his head. "Don't worry just yet, my lady, you say she wouldn't leave with anyone, therefore she must be here."

  “What if she snuck into another part of the house?” Chastity said.

  "Jessica would never do that," Olivia said. “She knows how dangerous that would be."

  Chastity met her gaze. “Then where is she?"

  Two hours later, Chastity paced the front drive at the bottom of the mansion’s steps while Olivia watched through the large wrought iron gate for signs of their carriage.

  "Where could she have possibly gone?" Chastity wrung her hands. “I left just long enough to fetcha glass of champagne from the refreshments room." She stopped and looked at Olivia, eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

  Olivia's heart wrenched. "It isn't your fault. As you said, you were away only a few moments. The minx must surely be hiding somewhere. She's probably rebelling against her forced marriage."

  “If that is the case, I will take her over my knee.” She swiped at a tear that slipped down her cheek. “After I hug her first.”

  Olivia pulled Chastityinto her arms. "I'm sure she's fine. Who would want to hurt her?" Their coach came into view and rolled through the gates. The door to the mansion opened and Sir Stirling hurried down the steps. He reached them and said, “You two go home. We will continue to search for your sister."

  Chastity grasped his arm. "Search for her? Where?” She drew a sharp breath. "You know something. What is it?" He shook his head, but she said, "You are not a good liar, Sir Stirling. Tell us what you learned."

  His mouth thinned, but he said, "A maid saw her with a man."

  "What do you mean, ‘with a man?’" Chastity demanded.

  "Jessica accompanied him onto the balcony."

  "That is impossible," Olivia said. "Jessica would never do that."

  "Perhaps not," he said, as their coach stopped beside them. "But is it possible she knew the man and trusted him, so thought nothing of stepping onto the balcony with him?"

  Olivia shook her head. "The only male friends Jessica has are relatives or very close friends of the family. She simply wouldn’t have gone into the gardens with a stranger.”

  “Perhaps he was one of the friends you mentioned?” he suggested.

  Olivia looked at Chastity. "Did you see any of Papa’s friends, or even Duncan, perhaps?"

  Chastity shook her head. "Nae."

  “Leave this to me,” Stirling said. “I will find her. Frasier will take you ladies home."

  Chastity shook her head. "Nae,
we will search with you."

  "Chastity—”

  “I’m sorry, sir, but I must agree with Chastity.” Olivia raised a decisive finger. “We will all search for her."

  He sighed and nodded. "Very well, but I must insist that you do exactly as I say."

  “Something is wrong. What is it?” Chastity demanded.

  He looked from Chastity to Olivia, then said, “Frasier spoke to the carriage drivers and learned of a man who left the ball with a young woman who could be Lady Jessica.”

  “My God.” Chastity sagged and he caught her to him. “I never should have left her.”

  “There will be plenty of time to assign blame later.” Sir Stirling held her at arm’s length and tilted his head in order to meet her eyes. “Agreed?”

  She nodded and he released her.

  The door opened and Frasier hurried down the stairs. He reached them and said, “When I drop the ladies home, I’ll meet you, Stirling.”

  Sir Stirling shook his head. “The ladies are coming with us.”

  Frasier frowned, but said nothing when Sir Stirling gave a tiny shake of his head. “I suppose, then, that we can take your carriage, ladies?” Frasier said.

  “Of course,” Chastity said. “Where are we going?”

  “To a townhouse not far from here.”

  Frasier opened the carriage door and helped Olivia, then Chastity into the cab. He leapt onto the seat opposite them, then Sir Stirling gave the driver the address before stepping inside and pulling the door shut as he sat beside Frasier.

  Olivia glimpsed the shimmer of tears in Chastity’s eyes. She grasped Chastity’s hands and squeezed. Chastity looked at her and gave a grateful smile.

  Chastity’s gaze shifted to Sir Stirling. “Do you really think you know who took her?”

  “The driver said the man is a young lord, the second son of a viscount, Lord John,” he replied. “If it was Lady Jessica with him, then we will have them both in a few minutes.”

  Chastity shook her head. “She would never willingly leave with a stranger.”

  She wouldn’t, and Olivia didn’t want to contemplate why a stranger would take her.

  “Why would he abduct her?” Chastity’s hands trembled and Olivia gave them a squeeze.

  Frasier exchanged a look with Sir Stirling, and Sir Stirling said, “Did your sister recently come into a large inheritance?”

  “What—” Chastity jerked her gaze onto Olivia. “Aunt Rhona’s gift.”

  Olivia nodded. “Our Aunt Rhona will give Jessica three thousand pounds when she marries.”

  Sir Stirling nodded. “The inheritance is all the buzz among the marriageable men.”

  Chastity shook her head. "I just can't believe it. I’d hoped the money would give her a choice of marriageable men, but this—." She broke off and they rode in silence until the carriage slowed, then stopped in a residential neighborhood. Sir Stirling opened the door and jumped out with Frasier close behind.

  He turned to shut the door and met Olivia’s gaze. “You are both to stay here.”

  Olivia read the worry in his eyes and nodded. “We will. Please—” She broke off, unable to say more.

  Frasier gave a nod. “If she is here, we will find her.”

  She smiled gratefully and he secured the door.

  “If any trouble arises, you are to leave immediately and deliver the ladies home,” Sir Stirling instructed the driver.

  “Aye, sir,” he replied.

  Chastity pulled back the curtain and they watched the two men stride up the graveled path.

  “The house is strangely dark.” Olivia leaned closer to the window.

  Chastity nodded and they remained quiet as the men neared the entry. To Olivia’s surprise, they didn’t go up the steps to the door, but veered right and disappeared around the side of the house into the darkness.

  Chapter Seven

  F rasier strode beside Stirling around the side of the house. “Do you really think she’s here?”

  “I fear she is,” he replied. “The driver knows the man and his description of Lady Jessica matched her even down to the dress. I didn’t want to alert the ladies to how certain it seems that the man took her. Chastity is likely to storm the house.”

  They approached a stone wall that encircled the rear yard. Stirling tried the wooden gate, but it was locked.

  Stirling looked at the top of the wall. “Boost me up,” he told Frasier.

  Frasier laced his fingers and Stirling stepped onto his hands. Frasier lifted him. He grabbed the top of the wall and leapt, swung his feet over, then dropped to the other side and opened the gate. Frasier slipped inside, then eased the gate shut. They stood in a modest garden. Frasier tapped Stirling’s shoulder and pointed to light that emanated from a third floor window. Stirling nodded and they crept to the back door. Stirling took the two steps up to the door and tried the knob. It turned, and he motioned Frasier to follow.

  They entered a darkened kitchen. Frasier tugged Stirling’s shirtsleeve and indicated narrow servants’ stairs to the right. Stirling preceded him up the dark stairs. They reached the third floor and entered a hallway with a balcony to the left that overlooked the first floor. Light fanned out across the carpet beneath the second door on the right.

  They took four steps and Stirling motioned for Frasier to stand on the left side of the door. Frasier swung wide, so as not to cast a shadow beneath the door, then pressed himself against the wall and scooted closer to the door.

  "You are a coward to kidnap a helpless woman," said a woman.

  Frasier froze. There was no mistaking Lady Jessica's voice.

  "I don't care what you do, I will never marry you."

  "You will change your mind tomorrow, when it becomes known you spent the night with me,” said a man. “Your father will insist we marry. Come, now, why don't you make this easier for yourself? I'm going to have you whether it's today or tomorrow."

  “The minute you drop your breeches I will cut off your manhood," she said with surprising determination, and Frasier would have laughed if not for the fury that swept him.

  Stirling reached for the knob. Frasier couldn't see his expression but Stirling paused and Frasier knew he was signaling him that he was about to open the door. Frasier took one step forward in the signal that he was ready, then Stirling threw open the door, and they rushed inside. Lady Jessica sat on the edge of a four-poster bed. Her captor straightened from the small secretary where he’d leaned his hip. Eyes wide, he stuck his hand into his coat, and Frasier realized he must be reaching for a pistol. Stirling charged him, shoulder first, and Frasier lunged for Lady Jessica.

  A deafening roar filled the room as Frasier landed on the mattress with Jessica beneath him. The crash of glass resounded and Frasier snapped his gaze onto the two men. A decanter lay in pieces on the floor near the secretary. Stirling landed a punch to Lord John’s jaw. John kicked Stirling and sent him flying across the room. Stirling crashed into a hearthside chair. John raced toward the door. Stirling rolled onto his feet and sprinted after him.

  Frasier jumped from the bed, pulling Jessica up with him. "Are you unharmed, my lady?"

  She nodded. "Aye, but I must admit, I am immensely glad to see you, sir. That man intended to ruin my reputation, and thought that would force me to marry him."

  Frasier nodded. "Is there no one else in the house?"

  "He has a manservant, who he claims would testify that I had stayed the night." Her hand fisted at her sides. "The knave should be hanged."

  "He likely will be. Come along. Your sisters are waiting in the carriage."

  They hurried from the room, but he slowed on the stairs. Grunts and cries emanated from the darkness below.

  “Stay behind me,” he ordered Jessica.

  She slipped her hand into his and he gave her fingers a squeeze. A door banged against a wall. They reached the ground floor and Frasier turned left to find the front door open. He led Jessica forward, but paused at the door when a man cried out. He
peered outside. In the left side of the yard, Stirling held John by his collar and slammed his fist into his belly.

  The carriage door flew open and Frasier cursed when Chastity and Olivia emerged. He pulled Jessica from the house, hurried down the steps, and along the walkway, but Chastity sprinted toward the brawling men.

  “Lady Jessica, go to the carriage,” Frasier ordered, then turned toward the men.

  Chastity reached them first and Stirling shouted. “For God’s sake, Chastity, get back.”

  The man swung his fist and Stirling tried to dodge the blow, but his attacker’s fist glanced off his temple. Stirling swung an upper cut that caught the man under the chin. He flew back and Stirling leapt onto him as he landed on his back. Stirling pummeled his face. Frasier reached them and seized Stirling’s arm, yanking him off the man. They crashed onto the ground and Stirling shoved to his knees, fist thrown back for another punch.

  “Nae, Sir Stirling!” Chastity shouted. “It is Mr. Gordon.”

  Stirling froze, and even in the dim moonlight Frasier glimpsed the bloodlust in his expression. Stirling’s gaze jerked onto John, who lay motionless, then Stirling’s fist dropped to his side. He heaved in deep breaths. A man approached and Frasier realized that half a dozen bystanders stood on the edge of the lawn. He silently cursed. If anyone recognized the women, the news that Lady Jessica had been kidnapped would spread across Inverness like wildfire.

  "What is the meaning of this?" the man asked when he was within speaking distance.

  Frasier took three steps, then stopped when the man halted in front of him. "This man," Frasier pointed to John, "abducted a lady." He gave thanks when Olivia had the good sense to put her arm around Jessica and hurry her toward the carriage.

  "I don't want to go into the coach," Jessica complained.

  Olivia murmured something unintelligible, and Jessica continued with her to the carriage. The two women disappeared inside and the driver closed the door. That wouldn't be enough to save them from the gossipmongers, he realized, for the duke’s crest was emblazoned on the rear of the vehicle. Not to mention, Lady Chastity still stood near Stirling. He only hoped no one recognized her, or thought to look closely at the carriage.