London Temptations: Historical Regency Romance Collection

by Joyce Alec

  And then, her eyes looked at the heavy screen at the side of the room.

  What are you doing? said a loud voice in her head as she began to move toward the screen. You ought to leave at once!

  Knowing that it could not be Mr. Easthill in the corner of the room and recalling that Mr. Taylor was still missing, Susanna forced herself to continue forward. If it was Mr. Taylor behind the screen, then she had a duty to help him.

  The groan came again and Susanna steeled herself as she came to one edge of the screen. Her hands clenched into fists and her breathing ragged, she edged around it and let her gaze rest on the figure before her.

  Given that she did not know what Mr. Taylor looked like, she did not know if it was he, but the way that he looked up at her with red-rimmed eyes made her heart lurch. The man had blood matted in his hair, his head resting back against the wall as he looked up at her. His arms were bound, his legs curled up so that his knees were pressed against his chest, with those being bound also. There was a cloth tied about his mouth and from the way that his eyes closed and then opened with a great deal of effort, Susanna feared that he was close to unconsciousness.

  “Are you Mr. Taylor?” she asked, looking at him with fear winding its way through her heart. “Did Mr. Easthill do this to you?” Reaching down, she carefully pulled the cloth down from his lips, seeing how his lips were dry and cracked. She searched his face as he nodded, his eyes closing again as though the effort was much too great for him to do anything more.

  “I must remove you from this place,” she said, a sudden sense of urgency grasping at her. “Mr. Easthill will return soon and I cannot leave you here.” She looked down at his bonds and felt her heart sink. The knots were thick and she was certain she could not simply untie them by hand. She needed a knife of some kind to cut them apart. Frowning, she rose to her full height and looked about the room. Just where would she be able to fetch a knife from?

  “Here.”

  Taylor’s voice was nothing more than a groan but she turned back to him at once. For a moment, she thought he was asleep or unconscious, only to see that his eyes were lifting to hers again, before dropping back down.

  “Do you have a knife, Taylor?” she asked, bending down low. “Where?”

  Mr. Taylor did not immediately answer, taking in a very deep breath before he tried to speak again.

  “Behind me.”

  Susanna did not immediately understand but then saw how he tried to move out of the way for her to see the floor behind him. Bending down, she had to push her hand between Taylor and the wall, her fingers touching something sharp. Sucking in a breath at the sudden pain that nipped at her fingers, she did not pull her hand away but forced herself to pull out the small, silver knife that lay on the floor.

  One of her fingers was bleeding but Susanna ignored it completely, picking up the knife and immediately trying to cut the bonds on Mr. Taylor. It took some time and her fingers hurt terribly, but in the end, she managed to cut through the ropes around Mr. Taylor’s legs. It took a few more minutes for her to cut the ropes around his wrist, but eventually, he was free.

  “Come,” she said, handing him back the knife and seeing how he took it with a trembling hand. “I must remove you from here. Mr. Easthill cannot be allowed to keep you in such a state, and I am certain that Lord Knightsbridge will be relieved that you are returned to him.”

  Mr. Taylor groaned again as he tried to push himself up and Susanna was forced to try and help him, despite her lack of strength. Somehow, they managed to get him to his feet and Mr. Taylor immediately leaned back against the wall, shoving the knife into the back of his trousers.

  “The ropes,” he said hoarsely. “We must take them.”

  Susanna was a little confused but did as she was requested, picking them up at once and looping them around her arm before taking Mr. Taylor’s arm. “We must remove you from this room at once.”

  Mr. Taylor shook his head. “The papers,” he said hoarsely, closing his eyes as he rested back against the wall. “I must find them.”

  For a moment, Susanna did not know what he meant, only to recall that he spoke of the documents that had gone missing from Lord Knightsbridge’s study. “You know where they are?”

  Opening his eyes, Mr. Taylor looked at her. “I found them,” he said, every word seeming to be an effort. “Then Mr. Easthill found me.”

  Susanna’s stomach dropped to the floor with the pain that lanced through Mr. Taylor’s face. She did not want to think what would happen to her, should Mr. Easthill suddenly discover them both here. “Do you know where he put them?”

  Mr. Taylor nodded, pushing himself away from the wall but grasping Susanna’s arm with one hand. She helped him to limp across the room, coming to the dressing table where he reached down and pulled open one of the small drawers there. There was nothing within of note, so he pushed that one closed and checked the next. It was not until he got to the third drawer that Susanna finally saw what they had both been looking for.

  The papers.

  They were rolled up and secured by a band, but Susanna had no doubt that it was precisely what they were looking for. Mr. Taylor grasped them with his other hand before pushing the drawer shut again and looking down at her with heavy-lidded eyes.

  “I must take these to Lord Knightsbridge.”

  “Then I will take you to his study,” Susanna said firmly, wondering how she was going to get Mr. Taylor down the staircase to the study without any of the footmen or maids being aware of them. “Come, Mr. Taylor, we must leave this room at once.”

  Mr. Taylor nodded, wincing as he tucked the roll of papers into his shirt. Every movement seemed to cause him a great deal of pain and Susanna did not even want to imagine what he had been forced to endure at the hands of Mr. Easthill.

  Coming to the door, she opened it carefully and looked out into the hallway but saw no one. The relief that flooded her as they closed the bedchamber door behind them was all-consuming, to the point that she had to stop for a moment just to catch her breath.

  “The gentlemen are out shooting,” she said as she held Mr. Taylor’s arm. “The ladies are out on the terrace, I believe, and I should join them as soon as I can.” She glanced at the ropes that she held. “Why did we take the ropes?”

  “So that Easthill does not know I had help in escaping,” Mr. Taylor said weakly. “The ropes must be burned.” His eyes looked down at her, still red and sore. “Thank you.”

  “Miss Millerton,” she said with a small smile. “Lord Knightsbridge and I have been doing all we can to find out who is blackmailing him so that we might stop them.” Her heart quickened for a moment as she remembered the tender way that Lord Knightsbridge had looked into her eyes. “I know he will be very relieved to see you.”

  “And to have those papers returned,” Taylor grunted.

  “Indeed,” she answered, wondering just what Lord Knightsbridge would do when Mr. Easthill was revealed as the one who had not only stolen the papers but also injured Mr. Taylor in such a way. “Come now, we are at the staircase.”

  Tentatively, Susanna began to help Mr. Taylor down the staircase, glad when no one appeared. However, by the time they reached the final few steps, Susanna heard footsteps approaching—swift, hurried footsteps that made her terribly afraid. Had Mr. Easthill returned before they had expected?

  “Miss Millerton!”

  The butler came to a sudden stop, his eyes wide with astonishment as he took in the scene before him.

  “And Taylor!” he exclaimed, his expression more animated than Susanna had ever seen before. “Good gracious, what has happened to you?”

  “Please,” Susanna said before he could say anything more. “I must have Mr. Taylor placed securely in Lord Knightsbridge’s study before any of the guests return. You can be assured that I have his express permission to do so, although I do not have the key.”

  The butler did not even hesitate, clearly aware that Mr. Taylor did require to be placed in the safet
y of the study almost at once.

  “I will go and fetch the key immediately,” he said, his eyes troubled as he looked from Susanna to Mr. Taylor and back again. “Please, excuse me for a moment, Miss Millerton.”

  She nodded and then helped Mr. Taylor toward the study. His steps were slow, his weight becoming all the heavier as she encouraged him along. It was clear the man was utterly exhausted. By the time they reached the study, the butler had returned with not only the key but also a tray with food and drink resting on it.

  “I thank you,” Susanna breathed as the door opened and the butler helped Mr. Taylor inside before returning for the tray. She wanted to sink down into a chair also, to relax both her mind and her body, but she knew she could not.

  “Might I provide you with some refreshments?” the butler asked but Susanna shook her head.

  “I will go to join the other ladies,” she said with a quick smile. “The gentlemen will return to us there and I will speak to Lord Knightsbridge as soon as I can.” It would also be good for Mr. Easthill to see her present there also, so that when he discovered Mr. Taylor’s absence from his room, he would not immediately think of her absence.

  “Very good, my lady.”

  Susanna drew herself up. “No one is permitted into this room save for yourself and Lord Knightsbridge,” she said firmly. “Mr. Taylor has been badly injured.” Gesturing to the pile of ropes on the floor, she continued to speak in a commanding tone. “And these must be burned.”

  The butler did not question her for even a moment. “At once, my lady.”

  Nodding, she turned her attention to Mr. Taylor. “Rest,” she said, as gently as she could. “Lord Knightsbridge will return very soon and you will need your strength to speak to him about all that has happened.”

  Mr. Taylor neither nodded nor shook his head. Instead, he simply looked up into her eyes and held her gaze, his eyes glistening just a little.

  “Thank you, Miss Millerton,” he said, his voice a trifle stronger already. “Thank you for helping me.”

  She smiled at him, fully aware of just how serious the situation had become. “You are, of course, very welcome, Mr. Taylor,” she answered quietly. “I should depart now. I will return soon.”

  “My lady?”

  Stopped by the butler’s voice, Susanna turned back to him with an enquiring lift of one eyebrow.

  “Forgive me, but it might be best if you…” He gestured to her hands and Susanna looked down, both horrified and astonished to see the blood stains that ran from her fingers up to her wrists. As she looked at her arms, she discovered one or two red marks there also, possibly from where Mr. Taylor had leaned on her.

  “I shall make certain to wash my hands before I join the ladies,” she answered, rather glad that the butler had not only noticed but had been willing to speak of it to her. “Thank you.” Excusing herself, she quickly hurried up the staircase and to her bedchamber, knowing that it would be best to wash and then make her way to the ladies just as soon as possible.

  But it was only when her fingers touched the cool, still water in the basin that Susanna realized just how badly she was shaking.

  “Ah, Miss Millerton! You are to join us at last.”

  Susanna was certain that they would be able to hear the pounding of her heart as she approached the other ladies. Even though she had washed and was now once again pristine, she had not been able to fully throw aside the shaking that had captured her limbs. It was as though she had only just come to realize that Mr. Easthill had been the one to injure Mr. Taylor in such a horrific way, and that the gentleman was a lot more dangerous than he appeared—and now the thought of seeing him again, of being in his company, was almost too terrible to consider.

  “How do you feel, my dear?” her aunt asked, making to rise from where she sat, but Susanna waved her back quickly, coming to sit near Lady Pendleton.

  “I am well rested,” Susanna answered, putting her hands in her lap and clasping them together so that her trembling would not be visible. “I am certainly looking forward to this evening, I must say.”

  Thankfully, the mention of the evening’s entertainment did precisely what Susanna had hoped and immediately made some of the young ladies begin to talk at length about which of the gentlemen would sing and just how wonderful certain things would be. Susanna took in a long breath, letting it out slowly and making certain that she did not draw attention to herself as she did so. Thankfully, her trembling subsided the longer she sat with the other ladies, her breathing becoming easier while she prayed that she would have the strength to behave normally when the gentlemen returned.

  She did not have to wait for long.

  “Look!” cried Miss Longleat, one hand pointing out toward the gardens. “They are returned!”

  “And none injured this time, thank goodness,” said Lady Pendleton, glancing at Susanna, who managed a small smile.

  “I did tell Knightsbridge that he ought not to go, as I am quite certain his shoulder has not healed sufficiently for him to go out shooting again, but he could not be dissuaded,” Lady Knightsbridge said, a heavy sigh accompanying her final words. “A foolish gentleman, is he not?”

  Susanna smiled to herself, thinking that she certainly would not describe Lord Knightsbridge as foolish. Her smile became rather sad as she remembered that, until she had confessed all, Lord Knightsbridge had been entirely alone in his struggles. He had not been able to tell even his mother about his difficulties. Should Lady Knightsbridge know of it, Susanna was certain that she would never consider her son to be foolish in any way again.

  “They certainly look as though they have been enjoying themselves,” commented one young lady as the sounds of the gentlemen’s laughter reached their ears. “We must hope that their high spirits continue until this evening!”

  The other ladies laughed and some rose to their feet as the gentlemen came near to them. Susanna was struck by the broad smile that was on Lord Knightsbridge’s face, the way the sun had brought color to his cheeks, and the brightness of his green eyes. Her stomach twirled over on itself, her heart skipping a beat as he caught her gaze, feeling heat surge through her.

  And then she remembered Mr. Taylor and the awful situation she had found him in. Her eyes tore toward Mr. Easthill, seeing how he was laughing with Lord Hemsley, laughing as though there was nothing at all wrong. And yet she knew that the moment he went into his room and discovered that both Mr. Taylor and the document were missing, he would begin to search for the man all over again.

  She had to speak to Lord Knightsbridge immediately.

  “Did you have a pleasant afternoon?” she asked, forcing herself to her feet and ignoring the weakness that ran through her. “It certainly looks as though you have had an enjoyable afternoon.”

  Lord Knightsbridge came toward her at once. “I have, yes,” he said, offering her his arm. Hearing the slight intake of breath from behind her, Susanna blushed and looked over her shoulder at her aunt, fully aware that Lady Pendleton’s brows had shot up toward her hairline at the attention that Lord Knightsbridge was now showing Susanna.

  “Thank you,” she murmured, taking Lord Knightsbridge’s arm, knowing that all of the other ladies would now be watching her as she walked with their host.

  “You are a little embarrassed, I think,” Lord Knightsbridge murmured as they meandered slowly across the lawn, not too far from the rest of the group. “Should I not have singled you out with such favor?”

  “I am very grateful for your attention,” she answered, aware of how heat lingered in her face. “Although the others will think it particularly pronounced.”

  Lord Knightsbridge chuckled. “And they would be correct,” he said, grinning at her. “I do think very highly of you, Miss Millerton. More than that, in fact.”

  Her breath hitched as she looked up into his face. “Indeed?”

  It seemed that, for a moment, Lord Knightsbridge was the one who could not speak, for his words seemed to stick to his lips, even though
he tried to speak plainly.

  “I—I…” He shook his head. “It is not the time to speak of such things, Miss Millerton, but yet I find myself eager to do so.”

  Such a statement made Susanna instantly recall what she had discovered, cursing her foolish heart for becoming so distracted so quickly. “Indeed, Lord Knightsbridge, you are quite correct,” she said hurriedly. “In fact, I must insist that you go to your study at once.”

  The gentleman stopped suddenly, turning to look at her, his hand now catching her arm. “Why?”

  Susanna glanced over her shoulder at the others. “I cannot speak plainly,” she said softly. “But you will find an explanation waiting for you, I am sure.”

  Lord Knightsbridge pressed his lips together, looking away for a moment and then returning his eyes to hers. “Can you join me there also?”

  “Not immediately,” Susanna replied with a shake of her head. “I should not want to raise anyone’s suspicions.”

  Instantly seeming to understand, Lord Knightsbridge did not press her further. “Then allow me to return you to your aunt and thereafter, excuse myself,” he said quietly. “Do come to the study when you can, Miss Millerton. I must presume that a good deal more has been uncovered.”

  It was not until the other ladies had gone to change for dinner that Susanna had been able to escape to the study. Rapping quickly on the door, it was opened almost at once by Lord Knightsbridge, his eyes sharp, his brows lowered, and a grim line playing about his mouth.

  “I am in awe of you, Miss Millerton,” he said as he closed the door behind her. “Mr. Taylor has told me everything that occurred.”

  Susanna hurried toward Mr. Taylor, who was sitting in a chair, his eyes half-closed and his leg stretched out in front of him.

  “How are you?” she asked as Lord Knightsbridge came to join her. “Are you recovered at all?”

  “Forgive me for not rising, Miss Millerton,” Mr. Taylor said, his voice still rasping. “I have no strength left.”

  “But you found the document,” Lord Knightsbridge said firmly. “And you will recover, Taylor. I will assure you of that.”