by Tarah Scott
“While I have no wish to travel in soiled clothing, I will not last long,” Erroll said.
“You didn’t seem in much need in the garden.”
Erroll gave another laugh. “It is surprising what the right distraction can do for a man.”
More silence followed, before the man said, “I don’t want any trouble.”
“I am in complete agreement,” Erroll said in all honesty. But he didn’t always get what he wanted, either.
*****
Eve’s kidnapper dragged her to the same gate through which Oscar had taken Lord Rushton, and when they exited she caught sight of her father’s carriage sitting across the street between two other coaches. Her heart jumped as the kidnapper eased through the doorway and hugged the shadows along the garden wall. Oscar was waiting for her in the coach. If she could draw his attention, she would be saved. She bit down on her kidnapper’s hand. A slew of whispered curses filled her ear, but his hold didn’t loosen.
She bit harder and kicked—then froze. A gun barrel dug into her back. Eve carefully released his hand. He muttered something unintelligible. Fear threatened to cloud her brain in a muddle of tears, but she forced back the compulsion and scanned the street. How did he think to get away with kidnapping her in public?
Waiting carriages lined the street. A coach at the end of the street lurched into motion, headed toward them, and Eve recognized the silver shield with three red inescutcheons coat of arms. Lord Halifax. Hope surged. He would help her—but he probably wasn’t in the carriage, she realized with horror. The coach neared and Eve shifted her eyes to the driver. Surely he would help her. But his gaze remained straight ahead. Her heart pounded. It was likely he hadn't spotted them in the shadows of the wall. The carriage neared, then halted in front of them. The door swung open and Eve couldn’t believe her luck when she caught sight of Lord Halifax into the doorway.
He disappeared back into the coach, leaving the door open. Her kidnapper lurched into motion. In three steps, he reached the vehicle and stuffed her inside. Confusion washed over her as the door slammed shut, leaving her alone with Lord Halifax.
*****
Erroll's kidnapper pounded on the top of the carriage and they slowed, then stopped.
"What is it?" someone called from the rider's seat.
The door swung open and Erroll grimaced at sight of the brute, who lowered his head as he stepped from the coach. The man was even bigger than his voice suggested. However, the bigger they were, the harder they fell—though getting them to fall was a task he was getting too old to relish. Erroll glimpsed the bulge in the brute's pant leg at his ankle in the instant before the foot left the step and hit the ground. No good criminal went anywhere without a knife. That was Erroll's first piece of good luck tonight.
The brute turned around. "My companion has a pistol pointed at you. So no funny business."
Erroll canted his head in acknowledgement. So he now had to deal with a pistol. Not that he'd expected any different. However, he felt relatively certain the men weren’t experienced kidnappers. The cut of the brute's coat said he was no pauper. Not to mention, Erroll had never heard a criminal call his partner in crime 'my companion.' The brute's speech was more educated than the average gutter rat, which piqued Erroll's curiosity as to who their employer could be.
The brute leaned into the doorway, untied Erroll's feet, then straightened and motioned him out. "Come on," he said.
Erroll stepped from the carriage and recognized the deserted road. They were headed north from Manchester. It was a clear night with a full moon and the coach had been traveling at a good clip. By his calculations, they had probably traveled about fifteen miles. Chances were, they'd left the party no more than an hour and a half ago. The brute had agreed to allow Erroll to relieve himself, which meant they were far enough from their destination that the man knew Erroll wouldn't be able to wait.
The brute made no move to untie his hands, and Erroll said, "My trousers are not going to open themselves and my cock will need to be pointed in the right direction."
The man gave him a deprecating look and spun him around to face the carriage. Erroll realized he had bent to get the knife strapped to his ankle. He straightened then grasped Erroll's wrist and sawed at the ropes. Erroll glanced up at the driver who, as the brute had warned, held a pistol. The rope abruptly fell away and Erroll pivoted as he threw an uppercut to the brute's jaw. Erroll wrenched the knife free in unison with the crack of his fist against the man's face.
The driver shouted "Oscar!" as the brute's head snapped back.
Oscar drove a punch aimed for Erroll's gut, but Erroll sidestepped the fist and jabbed twice at Oscar's nose. Erroll threw an arm around Oscar's neck and swung around behind him, jamming the knife point against his neck. Oscar froze.
"Throw down the pistol," Erroll ordered the driver.
The driver eyed Oscar, who said, "He won’t stab me."
"But I will," Erroll said. "Only you will not die right away, maybe not at all—if you reach a doctor quickly enough." Erroll looked at the driver. "Throw down the pistol."
The man tossed the weapon to the ground. Erroll shoved Oscar away from him, then took one step and scooped up the weapon.
He stepped back and said to the driver, "Come down from there."
The man complied and joined Oscar.
"Now," Erroll said, "who hired you to kidnap me?"
Neither man answered.
"I am in no mood for games," Erroll warned.
"I said this was a hair-brained idea," the driver said.
"Quiet," the brute growled.
"It would be best if you told me what this hair-brained idea is all about," Erroll said.
"Best for who?" Oscar asked. "Not us."
"I beg to differ." Erroll pulled back the pistol’s hammer.
The brute gave a derisive snort. "You got one shot. The man left standing will kill you."
"I am skilled with a knife," Erroll said, though he didn't think they would kill him. "However, the question is, are you two willing to wager that it will not be you I kill with my one shot?”
"You won’t shoot us any sooner than you would stab me," Oscar said.
Erroll lifted a brow. "Indeed? If that is the case, why haven’t you attempted to take the pistol from me?"
"Because I don’t want to take a bullet, even if it is in the leg."
"So I will wound you, but won’t kill you?" Erroll asked.
The brute shrugged and Erroll couldn't help wondering if he wasn't getting old. There had been a time when no one at the opposite end of a pistol he held doubted he would shoot, if necessary.
"Into the coach," Erroll ordered.
The men exchanged a glance, then the brute asked, "Why?"
"As you have deduced, I see no need to kill you—though wounding you wouldn't bother me in the least. I have no choice but to turn you over to the authorities. My father will see to it they discover who hired you to kidnap me."
The diver's eyes widened and Oscar's forehead furrowed in uncertainty, but he said, "We never said anyone hired us."
"And I never said I wouldn't shoot to kill, but you were astute enough to reason it out. Now be good lads and get into the coach."
They didn't move.
"Surely protecting your employer is not worth getting shot?"
Oscar's lips thinned, but the other man shifted nervously.
"I will double what your employer is paying you," Erroll said.
"We are not traitors," the brute shot back.
"I don’t want to spend the next ten years in Newgate," the driver said.
"You will not spend one night in prison," Oscar said.
"You underestimate me,” Erroll said. “You gentlemen and your employer shall spend a great many years in prison. Even if I were disposed otherwise, my father will not be so lenient."
Hesitation and fear, the first Erroll had seen from the brute, appeared on his face.
"David and I will take any punishment
you give, as long as you promise not to involve our employer," he said.
"Hold on there," David burst out. "I never agreed to prison."
"Be quiet," the brute growled. "You knew the risks." He returned his attention to Erroll. "Do we have your word?"
"You do," he replied, his curiosity intense. He had to know what sort of employer would engender such devotion that the brute was ready to face prison.
"Renege on your word and I’ll break out of prison and kill you," the brute said.
Erroll blinked, then laughed. "Never fear, I wouldn’t think of going back on my word. Facing such a righteous wrath would be far too taxing."
The brute nodded, then surprised Erroll by speaking the one name he wouldn't have suspected in a hundred years, and the very name he should have suspected.
*****
Despite the malice in Lord Halifax’s gaze, Eve tried to relax on the seat opposite him. From the corner of her eye, she glimpsed a passing coach and shifted to find Lady Middleton staring as the vehicles passed within a foot of each another. Lord Halifax abruptly leaned forward and Eve caught the widening of the woman’s eyes in the instant before he yanked the curtain closed. Eve considered crying out, then realized the earl would be upon her in a flash and no doubt would silence her with the back of his hand.
He settled back onto his cushion, and Eve smiled as if nothing was wrong. "Forgive me, my lord, but I do not understand what is happening."
"Rushton must learn to mind his own business."
A cold ribbon of dread threaded through her veins. "If you are referring to the encounter in the gardens, I think there is a misunderstanding. Lord Rushton did not interfere. Lady Gallagher parted company with you of her own accord. You are a gentleman, I cannot believe you would have pursued her."
"What I would have done is no more your concern than it is Rushton's."
“Of course not,” Eve answered. "I didn’t mean to imply otherwise. What sort of jest do you have in mind to teach him this lesson?" She giggled. “I love a good joke, and I must admit that I would not mind putting one over on him.”
"You shot the man. You have no more love for him than I do." His expression turned speculative. "Perhaps kidnapping you was unnecessary. You might be a willing participant."
"Indeed, sir. As I said, I love a good joke. What have you in mind?"
"I have in mind to whisk you off to Gretna Green."
*****
A little more than an hour later, Erroll stood in Lady Grendall’s ballroom. He was going to settle things once and for all, though how he was to deal with a hoyden willing to kidnap a man in order to avoid marriage was beyond his scope. He still couldn’t believe she thought she could marry him off to her sister. The ridiculous scheme outdid all others devised by even the most determined mammas who had tried to marry him to their daughters.
He scanned the room for Miss Crenshaw but found no sign of her, which meant she could have moved onto any one of a dozen other parties going on tonight. He would be wiser to confront her tomorrow, but the thought of waiting frustrated him all the more, not to mention, he wanted a confrontation that didn't include her father. If he didn't catch her tonight, God only knew when the next opportunity would arise to waylay her.
From the corner of his eye, Erroll caught sight of Somerset striding toward him. Judging from the man's stride, he intended to accost him. Damn the fool. Erroll had no time—or inclination—to deal with Miss Crenshaw’s spurned lover. Is that what Somerset was, a spurned lover? The idea fueled Erroll's frustration and he experienced a strong desire for a boxing match in which he would lay the man flat on his arse.
The viscount reached him, and Erroll said, "I'm in no mood for your lectures, Somerset. I advise you find someone else to bully. I have had my fill for the evening."
"Enough of the theatrics," Somerset snapped.
Erroll eyed him. "I am never guilty of theatrics."
"I am happy to settle whatever petty grievance you have on the dueling field," Somerset replied.
Who is prone toward theatrics? Erroll wondered.
"But for now," the viscount went on, "I want to know what you have done with Eve."
"Nothing—yet." His inclination that first night had been correct: he should have throttled Miss Crenshaw when he had the chance.
"I left the alcove with you," Somerset said. "That was over three hours ago."
"I warned you about being so familiar with Miss Crenshaw," Erroll said. "Did it occur to you that she and her mamma simply moved on to another party?"
Erroll had concluded that being seen at as many parties as possible was part of her plan. That way, no one could accuse her of being with him or being associated with his kidnapping. The woman was as skilled at scheming as she was with a gun. What other wicked skills did she hide? If their brief encounters were any indication, he had yet to discover a good many of those talents. Given the trouble she’d already put him to, he deserved the chance to root out the most sinful of her gifts.
"Lady Crenshaw hasn't been seen since I left her with you," Somerset said.
Erroll's attention snapped onto him. "What?” Before the viscount answered, Erroll said, “Where is Lady Crenshaw?"
As if he'd conjured the woman, she appeared at his side.
"Lord Rushton, oh, but I am so relieved to see you. I cannot find Eve." She glanced around the room, her brow furrowed as her eyes came back to him. "I am so worried.”
Erroll gave her a reassuring smile. "No need for concern, madam. Your daughter is well. I saw her not long ago. Leave it to me, and I will find her for you"
Relief washed over her face. "Oh, thank you. I will leave her in your capable hands."
Erroll nodded. The wench would find herself in his capable hands soon enough and he knew exactly what he would do to her.
Chapter Seven
Eve stared at Lord Halifax. "Gretna Green? I love a good joke, but this goes too far. I will not marry you simply to thwart Lord Rushton."
Lord Halifax gave a derisive laugh. "I have no intention of marrying you."
"Then why go to Scotland?" Several answers came to mind, each more insane than the last.
"Rushton will not be able to marry you if you elope to Scotland with another man," Lord Halifax answered.
"You have miscalculated, sir. His lordship has no wish to marry me. All you’re doing is providing him a reason to cry off."
"You obviously do not know Rushton."
"No," she began slowly, "but I do know that he doesn’t want marriage—to anyone."
"True," Lord Halifax agreed. "But the pompous bastard values his pride above all else. He would gladly use you, then discard you without thought. But he will not countenance you preferring marriage to another man."
"I feel certain he will not mistake my abduction for a desire to marry you."
The malice returned to his eyes. "I am not the first man with whom you eloped. Ruston will believe it."
Her cheeks burned with embarrassment.
“Word of our elopement will spread as quickly as did the fact you shot Rushton,” he said, “and everyone will believe that you will do anything to avoid marriage to him."
He was right. Society would gobble up the story with relish. Eve had known the scandal with Lord Rushton would force her from London Society, but a supposed elopement that ended without marriage would make her persona non grata in all polite circles.
“No offence, my lord, but why would anyone believe I was more predisposed to marry you than Lord Rushton? They will simply believe I had an affair."
"An affair?"
A shiver snaked down her spine at the purr in his voice.
"You may be right," he said.
"Good," she replied. "Then we can stop at the nearest inn and—"
"Stop at the nearest inn? Why, Miss Crenshaw, had I known you were so willing, I would have kidnapped you long ago."
Eve frowned. "I beg your pardon."
"You will have to be patient, my dear. I cannot c
hance anyone catching up with us before gossip has circulated through the ton."
"Gossip?" Eve repeated.
A slow smile spread across his face. "Never fear. I will give you as much of my cock as your sweet body can take before we are discovered."
*****
Erroll heard enough of the story to grow concerned. According to Oscar, a maid had almost caught him and Miss Crenshaw in the act of lugging Erroll, unconscious, from the gardens, which meant, the gardens was the last place anyone had seen her.
He sent Somerset to nose around for anyone who might have seen Miss Crenshaw, then headed for the balcony where he could slip around to the kitchen entrance and speak with the maid who had last seen her. Finding that maid without drawing attention to himself was going to be a magical feat worthy of Merlin’s talent. Over two hours had passed since she’d gone missing, so it would appear doubly odd that Erroll was searching for his future bride. But there was no help for it. As he neared the doors he caught sight of Paisley. The earl hurried to catch up with him and motioned him onto the balcony.
“Where the devil did you disappear to with Miss Crenshaw?” Montgomery demanded as they stopped several paces from the door. “I saw you with her earlier, then overheard Lady Crenshaw asking about her, and grew concerned.”
“You haven’t seen her?” Erroll asked.
Montgomery shook his head. “No. Is something wrong?”
“I’m not yet sure.”
“I wonder if Lady Quincy and Lady Consworth know of her whereabouts?” the earl said.
“Why would they know anything?” Erroll demanded.
“They were baiting her with some rather nasty gossip earlier.”
“When was this?”
Montgomery thought for a moment. “Nearly three hours ago, when she first arrived.”
“What was the gossip?”
“You won’t like it,” he replied. “Lady Quincy has a malicious streak.”
“That she does.”
“They said that perhaps you did not find the younger Miss Crenshaw to your liking, but you certainly wouldn’t settle for the elder. To her credit, Miss Crenshaw didn’t turn on them until Annabelle implied that you and the two sisters would share a bed after you married one of them.”