by Jane Charles
“In the end they helped though?” Ian questioned.
“Yes,” Benedick grumbled as though that admission annoyed him the most.
“What kind of items were taken?” Ian asked curiously. What he couldn’t ask was if any of their shipments had disappeared, though if they had, he was certain Lachlan would have told him. “And did you recover everything eventually?” Even if their whisky had been stolen, Ian would rather give up the loss than have Benedick discover their illegal activities.
Benedick looked up at him. “We recovered everything and none of your wool was taken.”
Ian relaxed.
“Though had it been found, I would have been forced to acknowledge what the crates from your home actually contained.”
Ian’s heart skipped a beat. It was not possible for Benedick to know the truth, was it? “We ship wool. Ye’ve been to our home. Ye’ve seen the number of sheep we have.”
“I’ve also seen the acres of barley,” he said pointedly. “However, I’ve too many murderers, cut throats and others prone to violent criminal acts to worry about your business.” He looked Ian in the eye. “I know what you ship within all that wool.”
Ian leaned in close. “Does Lachlan ken?”
“No.” Benedick grinned. “And neither does Bridges, who does your shipping.”
All this time Ian had thought they’d been successful in never being caught.
“They are not sloppy like some, but if they are caught by another, I will not be able to help them.”
“How did you figure it out?” Ian needed to know where they had gone wrong so they wouldn’t make that mistake again.
“When I was searching for the thieves, I’d break into the warehouses, watch and search crates. The owners never knew I was there. When I saw one that had come from Grant Manor, I became curious. I knew your family distilled whisky, for personal use, and I got to wondering…”
Ian gulped.
“Did Lachlan ever mention the missing bottles?” Benedick asked with a grin.
This time Ian narrowed his eyes on his cousin. “Aye, right before Christmas. I couldn’t explain why the crate was short.”
Benedick grinned. “Your family does make a fine whisky.” He laughed.
Bloody hell! “I can send ye yer own, ye doona have to take ours.”
Benedick laughed again. “And be accused of taking a bribe, because that is how my supervisors would see it.” He lifted his tankard again. “I’ve enough to see me through for a bit. If it runs low, I’ll let you know.”
Six bottles, to be exact, had been missing, but at least he knew where they’d gone.
“How is your family?” Ian finally asked. “Rosalind looked well.”
“She is and very happy.” Benedick smiled.
“And the rest of your siblings?”
“Demetrius has thoughts of becoming a barrister. Orlando is in Brussels as they prepare to face Napoleon.” As he said the words, Benedick frowned with worry. “Isabella is with him and assists when she can with nursing and whatever else they will allow her to do, and Bertram is with his regiment, also waiting to fight.”
Three of the ten siblings were on the Continent and would soon be in danger. There would be battles, of that Ian was certain, given Napoleon had escaped Elba just a few months ago. And it wasn’t just the three Valentines whom Ian worried about, but his sister, Mary, as well, since she was following the drum with her husband Soares.
“Is Mary still on the Continent, or has her husband returned to England?”
“Nay, they are still safe.” Ian lifted his tankard. “I will pray for the safety of our siblings.”
“I as well,” Benedick agreed solemnly before taking another drink.
Ian didn’t want to think about Mary and the danger she could face. She’d already been injured once, cut in the face when she was trying to help a wounded soldier on the field of battle. Her letters had assured them that she was well and that the injury was not life threatening, but knowing she had come so close to death hadn’t set well with Ian. In fact, he hadn’t truly relaxed and stopped worrying about her until Napoleon had been confined to Elba. Ian had hoped that Mary and her husband would return to England, but they hadn’t and now Napoleon would soon be on the march, if he wasn’t already, and his sister would be in danger once again.
“What of the rest of your family?” he asked so as not to dwell on the danger his sister could face. Why the blazes didn’t Soares send her home? What man allowed his wife to be put in such a precarious position?
“Mercutio is still fighting, though I wish he’d chosen a profession other than pugilist, and Petrucio is acting his way across the Continent with his troupe. I’m not sure when he’ll return.”
“And Bianca and Perdita?” Ian asked. They were the youngest of the siblings.
“They are still at home with Uncle Osborn and Aunt Mary, though Rosalind is trying to convince them to attend a Season.” Benedick shook his head. “Of course, they do not wish to, and I’m sure you are aware of the reasons. They don’t belong here any more than I belonged at Bridges’ wedding.”
“Rosalind did marry a marquess,” Ian reminded him. And, so had Maddie, and it turned out she was a bastard just as much as Benedick’s younger siblings.
“A neighbor who is more forgiving of connections than most in London,” Benedick reminded him dryly.
“Aye,” Ian finally agreed. “It’s the reason why we are leaving for home tomorrow. Mother has complained that gentlemen are no longer as interested in my sisters, and that Society is more concerned with the gossip she might share. Though I’ll be glad to be home.” And, he’d be able to see Davina two months earlier than planned. He could only hope that she missed him as much as he missed her and that now she’d allow him to court her.
Chapter 6
After a fitful sleep, Davina had come no closer to deciding what she was going to do about Lady Bentley. It was not right that Uncle Aiden had kidnapped and kept her, but what could she really do? Her uncle had already sent the letter demanding a ransom and since Lady Bentley had disappeared yesterday, the authorities were already looking for her. They had to be. If caught, Fergus would be arrested, but he wasn’t the only one. Uncle Aiden would be as well, since he had decided to keep the dowager countess.
What a mess this was. Thank goodness Ian was in London. Davina wouldn’t have to worry about him visiting and finding out about Uncle Aiden’s criminal activities. On the other hand, it would be nice to seek Ian’s counsel. Surely, he could come up with a reasonable solution that wouldn’t result in Uncle Aiden being arrested.
“Smile, Davina,” Arabella insisted. “I’m sure all will work out as it should, and it is too fine a day to be mopin’ about.”
“And we are goin’ to enjoy the day,” Sheena insisted.
They were to golf after breaking their fast, but how could those two have so little concern over what their uncle had done and that there was a lady in their home being held here against her will? Did they not realize the ramifications of Uncle Aiden’s actions? That he could be arrested? She had thought they understood last night, but perhaps she was wrong.
Movement at the entry to the breakfast room drew Davina’s attention and she looked up to find Lady Bentley standing just inside the threshold. She appeared a little hesitant as she studied the room and its occupants.
“Please, help yerself.” Davina gestured to the food. “We’d be pleased if ye’d join us.”
Lady Bentley simply nodded then took a plate and filled it before settling into the seat beside Sheena.
“This is my sister, Sheena and my cousin, Arabella.”
“I am pleased to meet you,” Lady Bentley smiled. “Please, call me Rose. As I am a guest in your home, we need not stand on formality.”
Davina almost rolled her eyes. “They ken how ye came to be here.”
“And you find nothing wrong with your uncle’s actions?” Rose demanded, though her tone was not unkind.
�
��We arena sayin’ we agree with Uncle Aiden, but he is a bit stubborn and foolish,” Sheena said.
“Much like his brothers,” added Arabella.
“The men can be quite foolish in our family,” Davina admitted. “And our brothers are no exception.”
Arabella and Sheena nodded.
“Where am I?” Rose finally asked.
As much as she wished to give Rose directions back to Stirling Castle, Davina could not. The safety of her family was at stake. If Uncle Aiden was arrested for kidnapping, what would happen to the rest of them? “On MacGregor land.”
“Where is MacGregor land?”
Davina held her breath, afraid that Arabella or Sheena might give a more detailed description of their location.
“In Scotland.” Sheena smiled sweetly.
Rose looked at each of the girls. “You aren’t going to tell me where I am, are you?”
“Not at the risk of upsettin’ Uncle Aiden,” Arabella replied.
Rose narrowed her eyes. “What would he do to you?”
“Marry us off!” Arabella answered with irritation.
Rose blinked at them. “That’s what you are afraid of?”
“What did ye think he’d do?” Davina laughed.
“Did ye think he’d beat us?” Sheena giggled. “He might threaten enough, but Uncle Aiden wouldna raise a hand to anyone.”
“He just threatens to marry us off,” Arabella explained. “To a man he’s chosen and not someone we wish to be with.”
“It is his favorite threat.” Davina grinned.
Rose studied them with interest. “I have a daughter not much older than you. She married a Scot a few years ago.”
Sheena leaned forward in interest, though in all likelihood they did not know the man. Scotland wasn’t exactly small. “What is his name?”
“The Marquess of Brachton.”
Davina’s heart nearly stopped. How in the world was that possible? Rose was Madeline’s mother. The Maddie who was married to Lachlan, who was Ian’s older brother.
Her stomach churned, and Davina could not eat another bite, not that she could let on how much this connection worried her. All she could do was pray that the ransom was paid and that Rose would be released before the Grants returned from London. They had at least six weeks, if not more, before that happened. However, she could not, under any circumstances, let on to Rose how much this information worried her. She smiled as best she could. “Ye are talkin’ about Lachlan Grant?”
“Why, yes. Do you know him?”
“We havena seen Lachlan in nearly a year. He used to do business with Uncle Aiden,” Arabella explained.
“What kind of business?” Rose asked.
All of the girls opened their mouths, but none of them answered.
“Um…” Sheena finally said. “Just business of some kind.”
Thank goodness her sister didn’t mention the whisky or the smuggling. Rose did not need to know what her son-in-law did to line his pockets.
“Maddie is yer daughter?” Davina confirmed, but prayed she’d misunderstood.
Rose studied her with curiosity. “Yes. You were introduced?”
“Aye, when Lachlan visited last year. They stayed for nearly a fortnight. We liked her very much, and I doona believe we’ve ever seen Lachlan well, so…” The fortnight was an exaggeration since the Grants lived close enough to visit and return home in one day, but Davina did not want Rose to know how close they were to Falkirk.
“Happy,” said Arabella.
“Smitten,” added Sheena. “And it’s so romantic how they met.”
Davina frowned at her younger sister. Maddie had fallen through the ice of a frozen pond and nearly died. It was not nearly as romantic as being kissed during an archery match.
At that moment, Uncle Aiden stepped into the breakfast room.
“Good morning, Uncle Aiden,” his nieces greeted him in unison.
He shot them a look of suspicion as he took a plate from the sideboard, and Davina remembered what he’d said last night about them not being predictable. Well, for all she cared, he could continue to worry about what they might or might not do. It served him right since they had not been the ones to kidnap anyone.
“Lady Bentley has asked that we call her Rose,” Sheena announced.
“That was kind of her, but she is a dowager countess, and ye should be addressing her by her title.”
“Oh, I don’t mind. I’ve been Lady Bentley half of my life and I’m ready to return to being Rose,” she said before taking a sip of tea.
Aiden finished filling his plate and took a seat at the head of the table.
“Uncle Aiden,” Arabella began after the footman filled his cup of coffee and stepped back. “When did you last speak with Lachlan Grant?”
Was it possible that Uncle Aiden did not know of the man’s connection to Rose? Just because she didn’t know anything about Maddie’s family, until now, didn’t mean her uncle had been unaware. This would become very interesting if he didn’t.
“We’ve shared correspondence but I’ve no’ seen him since he visited with his wife last year. Why?”
Davina couldn’t help her smile. “Did ye ken that his wife is Rose’s daughter? Isna that delightful?”
Uncle Aiden forced a smile, but Davina recognized the tension behind it as he focused on Rose. She, in turn, practically smirked at him and delight shown in her blue eyes.
This was quite enjoyable indeed.
“I understand the two of you are in business together, or had been at one time,” Rose said sweetly. “What kind of business would that be?”
“Just business involving land, barley, shipping,” he answered evasively.
“I see.” She nodded and narrowed her eyes as she took another sip of tea.
Did Rose know about the whisky her son-in-law smuggled?
“Have you ever golfed, Rose?” Arabella asked innocently, when Davina knew her cousin was well aware of the pot that had been stirred.
“No, I haven’t.”
“Sheena, Davina and I are about to play a round. Please join us.”
“Oh, I’m not certain. I’m probably not very good.”
“Nobody is when they first learn. We’d be happy to teach ye,” Davina insisted.
Rose placed her teacup back in its saucer. “Very well.” She shot Aiden a look and stood. “It isn’t as if I have any pressing engagements at the moment.”
Maybe once they had Rose away from Uncle Aiden, Davina could learn more about her.
“What the blazes are ye wearin’?” Uncle Aiden bellowed as soon they stood up.
“Breeches,” Sheena answered innocently.
“Ye ken how difficult it is to swing in a skirt, Uncle Aiden,” Arabella reminded him.
“That doesna mean ye are to be traipsin’ around, outside, dressed like that.”
“Nobody will see us,” Davina said.
“How do ye ken?” he yelled. “Any manner of man could come upon ye. Go upstairs and change this instant.”
The girls frowned at him.
“I told ye we should have waited until after we’d eaten,” Sheena muttered.
“I think I’ll stroll through the gardens,” Rose said to him before turning to his nieces. “Do get me when you are ready. I’m most anxious to learn how to golf.”
“We could have traveled home and back to London for as long as it is takin’ us to reach Grant Manor,” Ian grumbled.
“Doona be ridiculous,” his mother scolded.
Ian narrowed his eyes on her. He may have exaggerated, but not that much. They should at least have arrived home by now.
“We’ll be home by tomorrow, but I doona see why ye are in such a hurry. We werena plannin’ on returning for six more weeks.”
“I doona like being cooped up in a carriage.” Especially when he was anxious to be somewhere else.
Lachlan and Maddie were in the carriage in front of theirs, and they made the determination of how often they stoppe
d, which seemed to be every half hour. It had been Lachlan’s wish to leave London to spare his wife. Maddie had been happy to stay and face the ton, but Lachlan worried because of her interesting condition. Ian’s sister-in-law was five months along and wouldn’t be able to be a part of Society much longer anyway. Even if the current fashion helped hide the babe growing in her belly, it wouldn’t for much longer.
“You ken yer brother doesna want Maddie to overtire,” his mother insisted.
“Is it really necessary to travel so few hours a day?” Ian hadn’t minded that they were returning home since he was anxious to return to Davina, especially now that he had proved himself, but at the rate they were traveling, they’d be lucky to arrive some time next year.
“She is of a delicate condition, and it’s best to be safe in these situations.”
He groaned and leaned his head back and watched the passing scenery. Soon he would be back at Grant Manor and then he could visit Annagburn, see Davina and collect his thirty pounds. In retrospect, the scandal now surrounding the Trents had been beneficial to him because they were able to leave London much sooner than they’d originally planned.
“It was wise of Lady Bentley to leave London and travel to Edinburgh. I understand that she and Lady Acker had made these plans in anticipation of Bentley’s announcement,” his mother said. “I did invite them to visit us and I hope they do. Rose could use friends at a time like this.”
Of that he didn’t doubt. The ton could be quite unpleasant when they found fault, and having never been legally married to a gentleman and giving birth to his child, tended to darken a person’s name. But, at least she had powerful friends. If the Duke of Danby couldn’t convince Society that Lady Bentley was innocent of her husband’s wrongdoings and that she shouldn’t be shunned, then nobody could. It was just a shame that scandal had been attached to her name. Lady Bentley was nothing but a kind, sweet woman whom he suspected had never harmed a soul in her life. She’d been lied to by her husband, as had Maddie, and he was the one responsible for any and all harm the two might experience. Unfortunately, he was dead and didn’t have to suffer any consequences. At least the two ladies had the full support of Bentley and his family when they could have easily turned their backs on the two of them.