The Matchmaker's Rogue

by Regina Scott

  “Strangers,” he managed, wincing as his lips moved. “No one here.”

  Lark wished he could believe him. Alex could be trying to protect his sister and aunt. Surely the less they knew about the men who had struck him, the better.

  “Where?” Lark pressed as Jess wrung the cloth out in the basin.

  “On way home,” Alex said.

  “Smugglers?” Lark asked.

  He shrugged, then winced.

  Jess frowned at Lark before turning to Mrs. Tully. “Aunt, will you continue the ministrations? I’ll just be a moment. Lark?” She tilted her head toward the main room of the cottage. He followed her out.

  Once in the main room, she fisted her hands and turned to face him. Though she was still pale, her eyes snapped fire. He wanted to gather her close, promise her all would be well, but there was still too much he didn’t know.

  “I understand the need to determine how this happened,” she said, “but surely you could wait to interrogate him.”

  He grimaced. “Forgive me. I only want to protect him, and you. He claims strangers beat him. I’m finding that difficult to believe. Surely a pack of unknown men would be noticed in Grace-by-the-Sea unless they came into the area under cover of night. Standard practice for smugglers.”

  “What will you do?” Jess asked.

  Excellent question. More and more, he felt as if his hands were tied behind his back.

  “For now, nothing,” he answered, “though it pains me to say so. I can only hope your brother will have more to tell us when he’s had time to rest.”

  ~~~

  Who could have done this? Jess couldn’t imagine anyone near Grace-by-the-Sea willing to harm her brother, or anyone else for that matter. But now was not the time to ponder. Now she needed to make sure Alex was all right.

  “Maudie and I will stay with him until he’s out of danger,” she told Lark. “I hate to ask it of you, but would you do me two favors?”

  “Anything.”

  He could not know how that vow buoyed her. “Bring Alex back some mineral water from the spa.”

  He did not question her belief in the healing waters. “Of course. And?”

  “Watch over the spa?”

  His smile inched into view, like the sun coming out from a dark sky. “Afraid I might get into trouble otherwise?”

  “Afraid they might get into trouble,” she qualified. “Miss Barlow seems determined to prove herself the superior hostess. And I’m already on questionable ground with the Spa Corporation. Perhaps the charming Mr. Denby can convince everyone that all is well.”

  He swept her a bow. “I’ll do my utmost.” He sobered as he straightened. “And I’ll watch the village for strangers and the headland for a light in the castle window.”

  Jess caught his hand. “Just be careful.”

  “I will, Jess,” he murmured. “I promise.”

  She released him to fetch the key to the spa door. “You’ll need this to lock up and open.” The iron felt heavier than usual as she transferred it to his hand. It hadn’t been out of her possession in more than a year.

  He flipped it up and caught it to hold it in one fist. “I will do the spa proud.”

  That she could not doubt.

  Still, she could not shake her misgivings as she and Maudie nursed Alex that afternoon and evening. Abby stopped by with extra blankets, a sweater from Mrs. Mance to protect Alex from a chill, and a book from Mr. Carroll, adventure stories to cheer her brother. The Inchleys sent their son down with a kettle of stew along with a loaf of bread from Mr. Ellison. Mr. Wingate brought a word of comfort. Lark came with mineral water for Alex and let her know everything at the spa was back to normal. She only wished she could say the same for the rest of her life. She was no longer sure what normal meant.

  She yearned to ask her brother more questions, but the way he kept shifting on the pillows and the occasional grimace told her he was in pain and in no position to answer. She was also not about to send him up the ladder to bed; she and Maudie would have to sleep somewhere else so he could stay where he was. She didn’t much like the thought of Maudie navigating the ladder more than once either. So, Jess went up and stuffed the pallet through the opening to let it fall to the floor below. Then she and Maudie made up the pallet on the bedroom rug, so they could be near Alex should he need them.

  Sleep was difficult, and not just because she kept rising to check on her brother. The thoughts she’d held at a distance all afternoon crashed over her like waves. Like it or not, she must face the fact that Lark was right. Smugglers may have come to Grace-by-the-Sea. But who were they and why had they suddenly appeared? How could she and Lark stop them before someone else was hurt?

  ~~~

  Her brother woke just as the sun brightened the curtains on the window the next morning. His groan as he attempted to sit roused Maudie as well. With a yawn, her aunt went to start breakfast, the hem of her nightgown swishing across the floor. Jess moved to Alex’s side. Cupping his face in her hands, she turned it gently this way and that. How odd to feel the prick of stubble on his cheeks. She must remember he was becoming a man.

  “The swelling’s gone down some,” she told him as she released him. “Though I imagine you still hurt.”

  “A bit,” he said bravely, words surer now.

  Jess perched on the bed beside him. “What happened, Alex?”

  “I’m not really sure,” he confessed, dropping his gaze. “I’d gone to the Mermaid with Ike. When I left for home, they were waiting for me.”

  “They,” Jess said. “Who? How many? Why?”

  “I didn’t recognize them,” he admitted. “There were four or five of them. And as to why, they said I was to take a message: Questions aren’t welcome.”

  Jess scrunched up her face. “Did you even ask them any questions?”

  “I didn’t have a chance. It wasn’t my questions that concerned them. It’s the ones you and Mr. Denby are asking.”

  Jess recoiled. “What? But we’ve only talked with the vicar, Mr. Hornswag at the Mermaid, and Mrs. Bascom. Nothing we said could be taken as threatening. They were perfectly legitimate questions any law-abiding citizen has the right to ask.”

  Alex caught one of her hands. “I don’t think these are particularly law-abiding citizens, Jess. You’re messing in matters beyond your ken. Leave be.”

  If only it was that easy. She could return to the spa, pretend nothing had happened, pretend she didn’t see the darkness creeping closer. Wasn’t that what she’d done when Lark left the first time and when she’d learned Mr. Vincent was a dastard? Ignore the pain, control her sphere of influence, pretend things were fine. But problems didn’t go away by ignoring them, worse luck.

  “I might have let things be, once,” she told Alex. “But these men invaded our village. They hurt you. If Ike Bascom hadn’t helped you home, I don’t know what would have happened to you. I’m more Larkin Denby’s ally than ever now. We will find the men who did this to you, and we will stop them.”

  “You know,” her brother said, eyeing her. “I begin to feel afraid.”

  Jess clutched his hand. “Lark will protect you, Alex.”

  “Oh, I’m not afraid for myself,” he told her. “I’m afraid for those men. I wouldn’t want to be them facing you with that look in your eyes.”

  ~~~

  Lark had spent the better part of Monday afternoon not far from Jess’s cottage, tucked between the bank and the shore path. For one, he had wanted to be close enough should she need anything. For another, he wanted to make sure those who had injured Alex did not return to finish the job. But all was quiet at the cove, and he was about ready to walk up to the spa when he spotted the vicar approaching along the shore. Lark put himself in his path.

  “Good day, Vicar. I’m surprised to see you down this way.”

  The vicar frowned at him. “Miss Archer let me know young Alex was injured. How does he fare?”

  He was all solicitation, but Lark could not forget how he�
��d hurried away from the shore the other day, as if he feared someone might notice him. “He’s in some pain, I believe. He may even have a broken rib.”

  The minister made a sad face. “A shame. I cannot condone such violence.” He glanced across the cove in the direction of the Bascom cottage.

  “Yet you approve of men who bring such violence,” Lark said.

  He stiffened, gaze returning to Lark. “I do no such thing, sir. I have ever worked to protect those caught in the middle.”

  Lark eyed him. “The middle of what?”

  “Suffice it to say,” the minister replied, raising his chin, “that a wife is not always at liberty to leave a husband, even if he raises his hand to her and their children. Or their friends.”

  Was he saying that Bascom took his ire out on his wife and children? Any respect Lark might have found for the fellow evaporated. “You think Henry Bascom beat Alex?”

  Now his gaze darted away. “I did not say as much. I offer sympathy and comfort, discreetly, when needed.”

  Which might explain his purpose at the Bascom cottage that day. If Henry Bascom had known his wife had spoken of his treatment of her, he might only retaliate.

  Lark stepped aside to allow the minister to continue to the cottage. “I’m sure Miss Chance will welcome your help, Vicar.”

  Mr. Wingate nodded as he passed. And Lark had turned to go up to the spa for Jess. At least he might set her mind at ease about that.

  ~~~

  Jess told him about the conversation with her brother the moment he checked in on them after opening the spa the next morning.

  “I wish I had more to add,” he said when she’d finished. “Unfortunately, when I took Quillan St. Claire my card the other day, his manservant made sure I understood that the captain was not at home to visitors.”

  “So it will not be easy to pursue that avenue either.” Her face sagged, as if all her worries had caught up to her at last.

  He took her in his arms. “We’ll find who did this, Jess. It’s only a matter of time.”

  He felt her sigh against him. “I’m not sure how much help I can be, what with nursing Alex.”

  He released her and winked. “Then I guess I’ll just have to besiege Dove Cottage.”

  Her smile brushed him softly, made the moment brighter. “And how are things going at the spa?”

  “Everything shipshape,” he told her. “Even Mrs. Greer was impressed.”

  Jess looked impressed as well, and he felt himself preening.

  Alex moved out of the bedchamber just then, their aunt right behind. Jess and Mrs. Tully must have managed to help him change, for he wore a linen shirt open at the neck and the breeches of a gentleman. He nodded to Lark.

  “Mr. Denby. Thank you for assisting us.”

  Lark nodded. “Anything for you and your sister. Jesslyn told me about your beating being a warning. I’m sorry you had to take what was meant for me.”

  Jess went immediately to his defense. “Lark, this wasn’t your fault.”

  Her brother raised his head, his battered face dark with bruises. “No, but all I can say is better me than Jess.”

  Cold doused him. “No one would dare accost your sister.”

  Jess’s eyes widened, but Alex shook his head. “I wish I could believe that, but you didn’t see these men. Hard. Fearless. I don’t think much gets in the way of what they want.”

  “The very kind I hope to stop,” Lark assured him. Determination straightened his spine. He glanced at Jess. His intentions must have been written on his face, for she nodded as if agreeing.

  He turned to meet her brother’s gaze again. “It’s best if you know the truth, Alex. I’m a Riding Officer, on assignment from the commissioner at Weymouth. I’m here to stop the smuggling.”

  He waited for the protest of innocence, the denial of wrongdoing.

  “Good,” Alex said. “We don’t need that sort here.”

  He looked so sure, face settling into a scowl made more menacing by his injuries. Lark took a step back and glanced at Jess again. She was studying her brother, and, if he wasn’t mistaken, she was watching his right ear.

  “So, you’ve never had a hand in smuggling,” she said.

  What had her aunt said the other day, that the youth’s ears twitched when he was lying? Lark focused on Alex’s ears as well. They remained still as he said, “No. But that doesn’t mean I don’t know a few who have dabbled. No one you need arrest,” he hurried to assure Lark. “Just friends out for a bit of fun.”

  Fun, he said, as if England’s secrets weren’t going out as illicit goods came in.

  Jess did not appear mollified either. “And that gold coin you offered me?” she demanded.

  “Gold coin?” Lark echoed, glancing between them.

  Alex dropped his gaze and shuffled his feet. “It didn’t come from smuggling. That’s all I’m at liberty to say.”

  Mrs. Tully had been watching the interplay as avidly as Lark. Now she nodded. “Mermaid treasure. I thought so. Just don’t let anyone else know you’ve found it, my lad.”

  Alex smiled at her. “I won’t, Aunt.”

  A shame that was another story Lark could not believe. But if Alex, who had no profession, no employment that anyone could see, could earn a gold coin, chances were his methods weren’t legal.

  His aunt nodded, then turned to Jess. “I’ll watch the boy tomorrow so you can return to the spa. You didn’t like Miss Barlow’s changes, I could tell. Go make things right again, Jesslyn.”

  Jess turned to Lark, face still wary. “It seems I’ll be resuming my duties in the morning, Lark. Perhaps you could collect me at eight and we could walk to the spa together? There’s much we should discuss.”

  Her brother, for one. If he had to guess, he’d say she didn’t believe Alex either. But, lacking any proof, Lark could hardly request a warrant. And what would he do if he had to arrest Jess’s brother?

  Was this why his father had hesitated to believe their friends and neighbors might be involved in smuggling?

  The question poked at him as he took his leave of Jess and her family. He’d thought his father too kind-hearted for the job he had undertaken. It had been easier for Lark, stationed in a portion of Kent to which he had no ties. He could suspect anyone, investigate anyone, without meeting friend or family. He’d thought it would be the same in Grace-by-the-Sea.

  But Grace-by-the-Sea was made up of friends and family. How could he look Mrs. Mance in the eye and arrest the vicar? What would Miss Archer have done if Mr. Carroll had turned out to be the Lord of the Smugglers?

  And what would Jess do when he disrupted her beloved village to stop the fellow?

  Chapter Nineteen

  Lark collected Jess at eight the next morning, as he had promised. By then, she’d been able to determine what she would say to him.

  “Much as it pains me to admit,” she confided as they walked the shore path, “I must agree with your assessment. There are smugglers in Grace-by-the-Sea.”

  He had earned the right to gloat, but he merely nodded. “I’m sorry it proved true, Jess. Did Alex confess his part, then?”

  She blew out a breath as they started up High Street. At least the shops hadn’t opened yet, so she did not have to talk to anyone but Lark. “No. But who else but smugglers would have treated him so shabbily to send us a warning?”

  “The vicar thought he might have crossed Henry Bascom,” Lark offered.

  Jess shook her head. “Alex said there were four or five of them, and no one he knew.”

  “Could he be protecting a friend?” Lark asked.

  Jess snorted. “Any friend who would stand by and watch another take a beating is not much of a friend, in my book. No, if Alex had known his assailants, he would have told me.” Immediately her confidence faltered. “At least, I hope he would. I’ve never seen him so closed-mouth, Lark. I don’t know what to make of it.”

  They were nearly at the spa, but he stopped to take her hand. “You have every ri
ght for concern. His silence serves no one.”

  How warm his grip, even through her gloves. But his words gave her pause.

  “Perhaps it does, Lark,” she said. “I’m convinced he would not protect his attackers, but what of a friend who might be implicated in smuggling too?”

  “Ike Bascom, perhaps?” Lark suggested. “We’ll talk to Alex later, Jess. See if we can convince him to tell us more.”

  Jess nodded. Hand in hand, they continued to the spa.

  Lark bowed as he offered her the key to the door. “This weighed heavily in my pocket the last two days, as if it knew it belonged to you.”

  Now, if she could just say the same for his heart.

  ~~~

  “There you are!” Mrs. Cole cried before Jess had even hung up her bonnet. The lady Londoner was the first to come through the door and rushed up to Jess, hands worrying in front of her frilly muslin gown. “There was talk of canceling the assembly this evening. Please say it isn’t so.”

  “No, indeed,” Jess assured her, going to hang her bonnet on a hook. “The assembly will go on as planned.”

  Mrs. Cole followed her. “Oh, good.” She drew in a breath, then seemed to recall herself. “Forgive me. I meant to ask after your brother. I understand he has been unwell.”

  “He is recovering,” Jess told her, hanging her bonnet from its usual hook.

  “No doubt another dose of your excellent mineral water is called for,” Mrs. Cole said. She glanced toward where Miss Barlow and Mrs. Harding were entering. “I must say, it simply hasn’t been the same without you, Miss Chance. Why, Penelope almost refused to come with me to the spa this morning, claiming all the eligible bachelors would stay away with you gone. I had to use my most stringent tone to convince her otherwise.”

  As if her daughter still remembered, she was huddled beside a potted palm, head down and one hand wrapped around the middle of her fine muslin gown.

  “I’ll assure Miss Cole as well,” Jess said. Mrs. Cole had just departed when the Admiral stumped up.