The Scarlet Bride

by Cheryl Ann Smith

  “Laura?” She looked past the stranger to see Simon bearing down on them. He glanced from her to the stranger and back. “I spotted the coach and found Thomas inside with a lump on his head. I worried for your safety.”

  “Is Thomas badly hurt?” she asked.

  “Thankfully, no. He was rousing when I found him.” His gaze dropped downward. “Lud. What happened to your arm?”

  She shook her head. “In a moment.” She turned to the stranger, only to discover he’d gone. Disappointed, she sighed. “Please take me to the coach and I will explain.”

  In a matter of minutes, Simon sent an angry Thomas off to find Miss Noelle and the courtesans, and Laura was settled on the coach seat. The women arrived in a flurry of concerned chatter.

  “Where is the guard?” Miss Noelle said angrily as she climbed into the coach.

  “There is no sign of him,” Thomas explained. He helped the courtesans inside. “He seems to have vanished.”

  There was no time for further explanation or speculation as the coach, Thomas at the reins, was off to Cheapside.

  Once Laura, Simon, and Miss Noelle were settled into the parlor, with Sophie getting bandaging and salve, Laura told the full story. When she’d finished, Simon was fit to murder and Miss Noelle was livid.

  “The bastard hurt a child and used her to spring a trap.” Simon’s check pulsed. “I will wring his scrawny neck.”

  He tore open Laura’s sleeve to expose the cut as Sophie returned with the items. All four looked at the wound. As Laura suspected, it was a scratch.

  “He could have done much worse,” Laura said.

  Sophie scowled. “He’s marked you. Every time you look at the wound, you will think of him. It is his way of possessing you.”

  Three pairs of eyes stared. Sophie shrugged. “I once knew a woman whose lover bit her. He told her that his marks were a way to warn off anyone who’d seek her bed. They were proof that she belonged to him.”

  “Animals are marked in a way to prove ownership,” Simon added. He clenched his fists. “I’ll kill him.”

  Miss Noelle placed Laura’s arm on her lap and began to dress the wound. “You will have to line up behind me. No one hurts one of my young ladies. I will hang him myself.”

  Laura smiled at the fierce protectiveness in her face. “You will both have to wait for your revenge. I’m first to extract my own chunk of flesh.” She winced slightly as the salve stung. Miss Noelle wrapped the strips of cloth around her arm and tucked the ends under.

  “It should heal nicely. In a week or so, it should fade away.” She squeezed Laura’s hand. “It was a terrible idea to take you out. This would not have happened had I been sensible.”

  Laura covered her hand with hers and shook her head. “This wasn’t your fault. It was daylight on a well-traveled street. I was only a few steps outside when I spotted the girl. The alley wasn’t deep and I saw no threat. He must have been hiding in a doorway.” She stood and walked to the window.

  “He has had several chances to kidnap or kill me, yet he only threatens,” Laura said. “I do not understand his hesitation to finish this. By waiting, he risks much.” Henry was taking dangerous chances with his life. Had Simon or Thomas found them together, instead of the elderly gentleman, they likely would have killed him.

  Simon nodded. “I think your terror drives him. He darts in and out, leaving you fearful of what he may do next. He’ll not hurt you until he is ready to finish the game.”

  “This man is far more devious than we suspected,” Laura said. “I wish I knew what was driving him to such desperation.” She spun to face the trio. “It isn’t just a great desire for me. I saw no hint of lust in his eyes.”

  “Did he say anything helpful?” Simon asked.

  “No. But bedding me is not his greatest goal.” Laura paced. She struggled to put together what he said during their two encounters and find some link, a hint to solve the riddle. There was nothing. “Whatever his intentions are, he’s keeping them secret.”

  Simon walked to her. “There was a reason I came to Bond Street seeking you out. After an exhaustive search of inns, and your sketch in hand, Crawford has discovered where he thinks Henry is staying. He, His Grace, and I have decided to go there tonight. We hope to finally catch Henry.”

  The previous day, Laura had met with the artist who did the sketches for Miss Eva’s Husbands Book. She did her best to explain Henry’s face and was satisfied with the drawing. After the artist left, Simon had sent off the sketch to Crawford.

  “Crawford saw him there?” Miss Noelle interjected.

  “Unfortunately, no. He was likely out putting together this attack on Laura.” Simon’s voice trailed off. “How did he know where you would be today? In order to use the girl, he had to be forewarned of your intentions. He couldn’t get the information from peering into windows.”

  Miss Noelle’s eyes widened. “No one outside of this household knew of our plans. The idea for an outing came to me after breakfast, and I didn’t confirm the plan until about an hour before we left.”

  “Then you have a spy under this roof,” he said.

  The household was soon awhirl. Simon had sent for His Grace and Miss Eva, and the two men interrogated everyone until the courtesans and the maid were in tears and even the normally unflappable cook was frazzled. Thomas had fully recovered—headache aside—from the surprise attack and took the questions stoically. Primm answered with affronted dignity.

  “I cannot believe that a monster has breached the serenity of this household,” Noelle said. “Could the spy be the guard? He is still missing.”

  “It is possible,” Simon answered. “Until we find him, everyone must be considered a suspect.”

  When the interviews were over, Laura, Simon, and the duke and duchess were convinced that the home was secure. If anyone had given information to Henry, it hadn’t been a member of the household staff.

  “I didn’t feel deceit from anyone.” Simon raked his hands through his hair. “Yet we are certain that someone from here has spoken to Henry. There is no other explanation.”

  Miss Eva walked over to close the parlor doors. “My staff has worked for me for years, save Sophie and Thomas, and I trust him with our lives.”

  “I understand Sophie’s loyalty. Why Thomas?” Simon asked. “How did he come to be employed here?”

  She sat on the settee beside Laura. “He came from a desperately poor family. At fifteen, he became a soldier to earn income for his family. Sadly, it wasn’t enough. While he was in the peninsula, his older sister sold herself to a wealthy merchant. Thomas was devastated.”

  Laura understood poverty. “How sad.”

  Miss Eva nodded. “Though she’d chosen her path, she couldn’t live with what she’d done. After their parents died, she ran away from her lover and came here. I matched her. She now lives just outside London with her husband. According to Thomas, she is content.”

  The duke turned to Simon. “Thomas is fiercely loyal to my wife. He would never cause her, or the courtesans, any harm.”

  It wasn’t difficult to see why Miss Eva earned such devotion, Laura thought. She took women out of difficult situations and gave them new lives.

  Soon, Laura would ask for assistance finding employment. Taking a position would both offer independence and free Simon from his vow to protect her. He could wed Lady Jeanette without worry.

  The duchess knew many people throughout London and beyond. If there was a position open where she could use her household skills to support herself, Her Grace would be able to find it for her.

  Laura glanced at Simon. Until then, she would consider every moment with him a gift.

  “I am satisfied that we have disrupted this household for naught,” Miss Eva said, coming to her feet. “I am off to soothe ruffled feathers. If you will excuse me.”

  Once the duchess had retreated, the topic turned to Crawford and his discovery. Miss Noelle listened with alarm growing on her face. She turned to Laura. “I
didn’t realize the full gravity of this situation. You must watch yourself.”

  “I will. My mistake today will not be repeated.” She still worried about the child. Perhaps she could ask Crawford to see what he could find out about her. A mute child would be noticed. It shouldn’t be difficult to uncover her identity.

  “The innkeeper has looked at the sketch and assured Crawford that it is the same man who took a room three days ago,” Simon interjected. “If we are to catch him, this will be our best opportunity.”

  “Then we will ready ourselves,” the duke replied. “I will hire a hackney and pick you up at your town house at ten. It should be dark enough then to spy without alerting our prey.”

  Simon nodded. “With luck, we will turn him over to the Runners by morning.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Simon sent a footman to make a sweep around the Harrington town house for spies as he collected his hat. Though he was certain that Henry was watching Laura, and they’d taken added steps to secure the school, he had to be cautious. They couldn’t take a chance that Henry was watching him, too, and would discover they were on his trail by following Simon and His Grace to the inn.

  Surprise had to be their advantage if they were to catch him.

  “Are you certain the school is now secure?” His Grace said. “The guards hired previously proved to be woefully inadequate. Henry still managed to get to Laura.”

  “That is why they were let go. The new guards are retired soldiers and trained fighters. Henry will not dare approach the school,” Simon said. “I think we are ready for every event.”

  “Why were they not hired first?”

  “I just learned of their existence through a friend,” Simon replied. “I am confident there will be no further trouble at the school. I only wish I could convince Laura to stay here, with me.”

  A few minutes later the footman returned to report that nothing suspicious was found around the town house.

  “Then we are off,” the duke said and led the way.

  The night was dark and quiet, with only an occasional coach clomping down the street to break the silence. There was a ball at Havenwood House, and most of the neighborhood citizenry were in attendance.

  His Grace paused for one last look around as Simon climbed inside the hackney. It took a second for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. When they did, he startled. Seated farthest from the door, pressed against the wall as if doing so would hide her from sight, was a slight figure in a homespun coat and breeches.

  He knew her instantly. “Laura.”

  Dropping into the seat opposite her, he waited for His Grace to join them. A pair of dark brows went up as the duke took note of their uninvited guest.

  “I see we have a visitor,” the duke muttered and called for the driver to stay put. He settled back and crossed his arms. “Shall I toss her out, or will you?”

  Simon scowled. “Please allow me. I know the perfect bush to assure her a prickly landing.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “If either of you places so much as a finger on me, I shall scream so loudly that your ears will suffer for a week.”

  The two men glanced at each other and back at her.

  “Why are you here, Laura? Haven’t you had enough danger for one day?” Simon’s scowl deepened. “How did you get past the guards at the school? Does Eva know of this little adventure?”

  “Miss Eva knows nothing and I left a note for Sophie before I escaped out so she won’t worry. The new guards were more challenging.” She smiled, her eyes alight with mischief. “After spending weeks in that garden, I knew which bushes could provide effective cover in the darkness. Then I had to wait for one of them to look away long enough to sneak out the garden gate and into the mews.”

  “You are lucky Henry wasn’t waiting for you,” Simon growled. “He could have taken you with no one the wiser.”

  The smile faded. “I am not silly-minded enough to chance my life,” she snapped. “I had a hackney waiting at the end of the street. And before I took a single step away from the garden gate, I made certain no one was watching. Besides, Henry would have to be a fool to lurk anywhere near the school. You must have hired a full dozen men to watch over us.”

  “Clearly a dozen was not enough,” Simon grumbled. “And you still haven’t explained why you’re here.”

  Laura glanced from Simon to His Grace and back. Simon knew the answer but wanted to hear it from her. Then he could refuse and toss her into the aforementioned bush.

  There was no hesitation. “Why, I’m coming with you, of course.”

  He knew his fearless Laura well enough to know that she had made up her mind. She’d also need to convince the duke to take her side in the matter. Once she had His Grace convinced to allow her to tag along, she’d have a two versus one advantage.

  “It’s too dangerous,” His Grace said.

  “I agree,” Simon insisted. “I shall hire a coach to return you to the school.”

  Pointedly ignoring him, Laura leveled her pleading gaze on the duke. “Surely you can understand my need to correct the wrong that has been perpetrated upon me, Your Grace. If Miss Eva had been mistakenly accused of murder, wouldn’t she do anything to clear her good name?”

  “His Grace would never allow his wife to put herself in danger,” Simon interjected.

  Laura frowned. “What would he do? Keep her caged?”

  They glared at each other. Her gaze didn’t waver. Her spine was made of steel bars.

  A grin broke from His Grace. “The point is taken, and she does know Henry better than anyone.”

  The duke was turning in her favor. Simon would get no more help there.

  “I spent over a year cowering, wondering which blow might prove fatal. I’ll not cower again.” Laura drew in a deep breath. “Henry is the devil, hurting women and children for his game. I do not fear him anymore.”

  The urge to shake her warred with his desire to kiss her pretty mouth. She knew the danger of her situation, yet she wanted to play a part in Henry’s capture.

  Admiration welled. Yet as strong as she was, he still worried. He couldn’t bear it if she came to harm.

  She kept her eyes locked on Simon and expelled an exasperated breath. “I am either going with you,” she stated, “or following behind. Watching over me will be easier if I ride with you. Not that I need watching. But if it makes you feel better to think of yourself as my protector, who am I to argue?”

  Laugher sputtered out of His Grace. “Do let her come, Harrington. She will add a measure of liveliness to our little trio.”

  Simon’s glare deepened. “I shall remind you of those words the next time Eva runs off to rescue one of her courtesans. Then we shall see if you don’t drag out that cage.”

  The duke grinned. “If I have learned anything about women in the time I’ve spent with my headstrong wife, it is that she seldom heeds my counsel when dealing with her courtesans. Though I have extracted the promise that if there is ever a need for another rescue, I would like to learn of it before she trots off on Muffin.”

  Laura smiled at the image. “Then you can understand why I want to go with you tonight. I know Henry and am angry enough to clock him with a candlestick.” She pushed back Primm’s cap, which she’d used to cover her hair. It was too big and wanted to slide down over her eyes. “But I promise to behave.”

  Skepticism and frustration etched lines around Simon’s mouth. “When have you ever behaved?”

  Her smile turned saucy. “You’ll just have to trust me.”

  The inn was raucous, filled with sailors, merchants, and travelers from all over the world. It was far enough from the wharf to keep from bearing the brunt of the bitter winds that would come with winter, but close enough to draw in the oddly mixed crowd for ale and trouble.

  Laura resisted the urge to lean into Simon as a sailor stumbled toward the door, nearly knocking her over.

  The man had a prostitute tucked tightly under his arm. The woman gaped at Simon and
the duke, taking their measure in spite of their worn clothes. For a moment it looked as if she would send her companion away for a better class of client, then thought better of it when both men scowled. She and her sailor vanished into the night.

  Simon stepped farther inside, with Laura following closely behind. A fascinating new world was displayed before her.

  Laura’s face flushed at the sight of scantily clad women speaking to the men with language that would make the bishop blush. Yet her heart filled with excitement at this risky adventure.

  Keeping her cap low and her hair secured inside it, she hoped the borrowed clothing would make her appear like a cabin or stable boy. From beneath the brim, she immediately scanned the crowd for Henry.

  It was a difficult task made worse when a pair of large breasts stepped into her line of vision to block her view.

  She slowly lifted her eyes up to see a painted visage on the tallest woman she’d ever seen. The woman was nearly the same height as Simon and His Grace but had curves that went on forever.

  Laura gulped as the woman reached out a hand and ran a long fingernail down her cheek. She smelled of ale and sex. “Ye are a young one,” she said saucily as she raked her eyes up and down Laura. “By yer blush, I think ye are yet untried. I’ll give ye a free ride if ye’ll let me be yer first.”

  Beneath the cap, Laura’s face burned.

  “Be off, woman,” Simon barked and stepped between them. “There are other men here to pester.”

  The prostitute shrugged and flounced away.

  “I shouldn’t have brought you here,” Simon growled. “This is no place for a lady.”

  “I brought myself, remember?” she said, stunned by the encounter. “I have never been propositioned by a woman, and never by an Amazon certainly.” Laura’s mouth twitched. “I will remember this night always.”

  He shook his head. “You are an odd chit. Most young women of good breeding would be horrified by all of this, but not you. You see this as an adventure.”

  “Oh, I am horrified, shocked, and terrified that at any moment, Henry will appear brandishing his blade and murder me where I stand. Until then, I intend to make memories and live my life as if every moment is my last.”