Sir Michael's Mayhem

by Susan M. Baganz

  Michael did not respond.

  The Black Diamond continued. “I branded her and expected her to die, but she is a bit of a tasty morsel, wouldn’t you agree, Sir Tidley?”

  Michael looked around to see who the man referred to. The guards were spread out but not close, with weapons in their arms. He counted four men, but there could be more hidden behind tombstones and trees.

  “Are you looking for rescue, my noble knight? You won’t be finding it. But maybe I’ll let you think about that book while I enjoy the favors of your woman. Only appropriate that we share her, don’t you think? After all, we are family.” The Black Diamond pulled Katrina close, wrapped both arms around her and kissed her. She struggled against his grip and his assault as his hands moved.

  The blackness around Michael’s vision was now tinged with red. If only he had the strength to move. He needed to protect Katrina.

  ~*~

  Katrina wanted to vomit as the Black Diamond pulled her close and the scent of his cloying perfume choked her. When he bent to kiss her she was shocked and angry. Catching her mouth open his tongue sought entry so she bit down hard. At that moment, something furry slid by her neck with a clicking noise. Fidget! He jumped to the shoulders of the Black Diamond, bit his neck, and emitted a noxious odor.

  ~*~

  Michael watched as the elongated rat climbed up Katrina’s clothing and jumped up to the Black Diamond. The evil man yelled an obscenity while at the same time a stench filled the air. Katrina was pushed back as the Black Diamond screamed for the men to help pull the animal off him. Before they could do that, the animal bit the man in the ear, jumped off, and scurried into hiding.

  Michael managed to stand and held Katrina to himself. He had watched the animal in disbelief. In the moonlight, the whites of the Black Diamond’s eyes glinted at Michael as the man slowly backed away.

  “You think you have defeated me,” he coughed as he tried to cover his mouth with a monogrammed handkerchief to obscure the noxious smell that was all over him, “but you have not. This is far from over.” With that, the man ran for his horse, and the carriage that had carried them to this place also departed, leaving them standing in the middle of the graveyard.

  Michael hugged Katrina to himself. The odor from the animal still hung heavy in the air so they stumbled over the hedgerow, and settled on a stone bench that was there by the entrance to the cemetery.

  Together they sat in silence, each holding the other.

  ~*~

  Katrina burrowed into Michael’s shoulder. Her tears turned to laughter.

  “Beautiful, what’s so humorous? You don’t smell good and we are in the middle of nowhere with no food, money, shelter, or horses. And yet you are laughing.”

  Katrina looked up at him with tears in her eyes. She snorted and laughed some more and then began to cry again. “Oh, Michael…”

  “I’m not even sure what happened here.”

  Katrina used her cloak to dry her eyes and then wrapped it further around her as she shivered even though the night air was still warm. “I’m not sure I can explain it all to you.”

  “What was it that attacked that man? It was the same animal that brought us food.”

  “Fidget? He is your pet ferret, Michael. He seems to have adopted me though and this is the second time he’s saved our lives.” She clicked her tongue and soon the furry rodent was in her lap, reaching up to give her kisses.

  “I think that rodent—and us—all need baths.”

  Katrina laughed as she stroked and cooed at Fidget. “You may be right.”

  Michael searched the stars that shone through the trees. “Do you have any idea of where we are?”

  Katrina glanced around. “I suspect we are on what was your grandfather’s property which adjoins Lord Remington’s Rose Hill estate. It will be a hike. Do you think you can manage?”

  Michael sighed deeply. “If it might provide me with fresh food, water, a bath, and perhaps some cleaner clothes? I’m not fast right now, but I will try, even if I have to make the journey on my knees.”

  “Hopefully it will not come to that. We can rest often. Shall we start out before our tormentor returns to finish the job he started?”

  “Lead the way, beautiful.”

  ~*~

  They began their walk in silence, with Michael trying hard to not lean on Katrina whose own steps were slow. They bent to drink at a riverbank while Fidget took a swim. They rested for a bit before returning to their journey.

  “Katrina?”

  “Hmmm?”

  “Why was I Cat and you Mouse?”

  “Your trademark was your ability to move silently like a cat. I believe that was how you got that code name.”

  “And you, Mouse?”

  “I’m kind of invisible. I’m small, quiet, and usually unnoticed. I blend into crowds. You always called me a little mouse when we were young.”

  “I hope you slapped me for doing so.”

  “Why? It was true. It has served me well to be the Mouse. Well. Most of the time anyway. The Mouse has retired, though.”

  “A bit young for that, aren’t you?”

  “For what?”

  “Retirement.”

  Katrina shook her head. “I’m too old for the marriage mart, and I accomplished the mission I set out to do. Now I just want…”

  Michael’s voice was soft. “What do you want, Katrina?”

  She frowned and stepped ahead of him on the path.

  “Wait for me, beautiful.”

  “Please stop calling me that.” Katrina stopped and turned toward him as he caught up to her.

  “Calling you what?”

  “Beautiful.”

  “Why? You are beautiful. Why would you think otherwise?”

  “You may have forgotten many things, but lying to charm a lady was not one of them.” She turned to go but Michael stalled her with his hand on her arm.

  “I don’t know what I have said or done in the past to cause you to mistrust me, but I am telling you the truth as I see it now. You are beautiful.”

  “In the dark with no competition, maybe you could be right. Put me in a ballroom with the diamonds of the beau monde and I would be invisible.”

  “I doubt I could ever overlook you.”

  Katrina pulled out her spectacles and put them on. She pulled back her hair that was falling freely about her face and twisted it into a tight knot in the back of her head. Michael’s eyebrow rose.

  “So? You still have the same face and figure and smile, when you choose to use it. Your eyes seem bigger now and still as cloudy as the sea during a storm. I read your heart in them. You want to deny you care for me, but your eyes tell me something else.”

  “You don’t know anything about me.”

  “I know enough. I know that I’m attracted to you. I know that something in my mind stirs at the scent of you, well before that ferret unleashed his stench anyway. I know you care for me. And while I may not remember my past, I can imagine a future spent kissing your lips.”

  Katrina began walking again. “Life is more than kissing, Michael.”

  Michael struggled to keep pace, but he grinned. “I know it is, there are many more delights beyond kissing, but it’s a good starting place.”

  “You speak nonsense. I think that whack on the head addled your brain.”

  “I think a beautiful woman has addled my heart.”

  “Really? Do I know her?”

  “Maybe not,” Michael said quietly as they continued to walk.

  19

  When they reached Rose Hill by dawn, Michael leaned heavily on Katrina. She took them through the garden to the door to the kitchen. After consulting with the cook and butler, a bath was ordered set up in the adjoining room and Michael and Katrina fought over which one was to bathe first. Katrina finally was given first honors. One of the footmen helped Michael maneuver up the stairs to the room he often occupied when at Rose Hill and where some of his clothes were stored for visits at th
e estate. Katrina had clothes left from her previous visit to the house.

  ~*~

  Michael awoke late in the day. He struggled to eat earlier but with Katrina urging him on he managed to put away some of the food served by Lord Remington’s staff. The room he was in was comfortable—almost familiar. As he awoke from a dreamless sleep his head pounded and he winced as he tried to move. He stretched his arms and realized that he was wearing pants and a loose shirt. His bare feet were cool against the sheet and the light blanket that covered him. Birds sang outside the open windows. He glanced around the room with various shades of blue and cream and heavy oak furniture. His gaze fell on the figure of the young woman who was his lifeline to reality.

  She sat reading in a chair not far from the bed. She had her feet curled up in a most unladylike fashion underneath her. The ferret was wound up in a ball on her lap. Katrina was absorbed in the book and he was able to observe her for a few moments. Her hair was pulled back in a loose braid in which many strands somehow escaped. She was wearing her spectacles and they had slid down her nose.

  Michael struggled to rise and let out a moan. Yes. Now he had her attention.

  “Michael, how are you?” Katrina set the book on the bedside table and struggled to put her feet down. Michael was dismayed to see she had slippers on. He wouldn’t have minded glimpsing one of her toes or her ankles, but for a woman sitting in a man’s bedroom, she was being quite proper. He found that frustrating. The ferret jumped onto the bed.

  “My head continues to pound, making me dizzy when I try to rise.”

  “I wonder if we should consult the local doctor.”

  “I would rather you didn’t.”

  Katrina didn’t say a word.

  “How long did I sleep?”

  “About ten hours. It is late afternoon on the day we arrived here.”

  “Any sign of our tormentors?”

  “None.”

  “So, what do we do now?”

  “I sent a message to Lord Remington to let him know where we both are.”

  “Who is Lord Remington again?”

  “One of your closest friends, the owner of this fine estate, and also my cousin.”

  “Will there be a lot of people I don’t remember descending on us?” His heart clenched in fear.

  “I doubt it. I told them of your injury, that I thought we needed to rest here, and begged them to not worry or come after us for the time being.”

  “I hear a ‘but’ in that.”

  “Knowing Marcus, he will be here post-haste.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I am a single woman in a house with a single man, and nary a chaperone in sight.”

  “Marry me.”

  “What did you say?”

  “You heard me, marry me.”

  “You don’t even remember who you are. What if you come to your senses and find yourself trapped in a marriage you resent?”

  “Why would I resent you?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t live inside your head.”

  “Well, apparently, I don’t live there either because I can’t remember anything. All I understand is that I love and need you.” Michael threw back the covers and sat up. He gripped the side of the bed to fight off the dizziness. He rose slowly and dropped to a knee in front of Katrina.

  “Miss Katrina Shepherd, will you do me the honor of being my wife? Would you walk beside me, leading and guiding and loving me as I struggle to learn who I am? I desperately need you.” He clasped her hand.

  The ferret lifted his head and clicked at Michael before settling back down again.

  “Apparently, the rodent has no objections. We’ve seen what he can do when he doesn’t approve.”

  Katrina chuckled at that and petted Fidget.

  “Katrina? I’m on my knee here. I’m serious. Why have I never proposed to you before? I must have been an idiot.”

  “Well, you kind of did.”

  “And?”

  “I got scared and ran away.”

  “Did that deter me?”

  “No. But I did offend you and then you left me.”

  “And now? Will you run away from me now?” His gaze searched her face.

  Katrina sighed. She lifted a hand to touch the rough whiskers that were still there. “This is highly improper.”

  “Why? Did I do it wrong?”

  “We are in your bedroom.”

  “If you marry me you will have the right to be here.”

  “Michael, what if you never remember me?”

  “Maybe I won’t remember the past but we can build new memories together.”

  “I would like that.”

  “You’re attracted to me.”

  “What makes you think that?” Katrina smiled.

  “That kiss in the carriage before we got to the graveyard. You were trying to express all the passion you have denied, just to have a taste of it as you thought you would die. And you wanted that with me.”

  “I used you. Doesn’t that bother you?”

  “Not at all. I quite enjoyed it.”

  “You are too bold, sir.”

  He rose to his feet with her assistance. “Am I? I wonder if I haven’t been bold enough.” Michael placed one hand behind her neck drawing her face to his until their lips met. The kiss was soft and tentative. Michael did not want to scare her away. “Marry me,” he whispered.

  “As soon as possible, please.” Katrina leaned forward and putting a hand on either side of his face, drew him close again for a more thorough kiss.

  ~*~

  Katrina broke the kiss and stood up quickly. “Michael? Do you really want to marry right away?”

  “Sure, but how?”

  “You already posted the banns. We don’t need a Special License—we can go to the church here and wed.”

  “Are you saying we could do this right now?”

  Katrina nodded and smiled.

  “Are you sure, beautiful?”

  “I thought I would lose you. I was miserable when you went to France and I was overjoyed when you returned. I have loved you for so long that the only future that appeals to me is one where you are by my side.”

  “You won’t regret this?”

  “I would be more concerned about you regretting choosing me, Michael. I have always loved you, but you—”

  “—were obviously a blind idiot.”

  Katrina planted a kiss on his nose. “Let’s get changed and I’ll call for a carriage to take us to the church. We’ll see what we can do.” She skipped out of his room and before closing the door gave this parting salvo, “Last one downstairs has to bathe Fidget!”

  Michael laughed and went to get dressed. As he stood tying his cravat he noticed a box on the dresser. Supposedly this room contained his personal belongings. He opened the box and found a beautiful opal ring with diamonds. Modest, but stunning for its simplicity. Underneath the box was a small piece of paper that must have been his reminder to purchase the ring. In his own terrible scrawl was “get a ring for Mouse.”

  He wanted to kick himself for ever referring to her as Mouse and how that had led her to believe she wasn’t beautiful. He took the ring and put it in his pocket. Obviously, he was following through on his original intentions. This had to be the right thing. He smiled and brushed his hair back over the lump on his head. His eyes sported a lovely shade of yellow and purple, but he didn’t care. Katrina loved him and that was enough.

  They both reached the bottom of the stairs at the same time and enjoyed a laugh over that. Katrina bespoke a simple meal for their return.

  They headed out the door together to the carriage hooked up for their use, to ride into town to the local rectory.

  ~*~

  Reverend Hall answered the door. He was an elderly man who had retired several years back and had been replaced by a much younger curate who lived in a newer abode on the other side of the churchyard.

  “Sir Tidley, Miss Shepherd. How good to see you both again. How can
I help you?”

  “We tried the curate but he is out of town, and well, we’d like to get married. Would you be so kind as to perform the service for us?” Michael asked.

  “You posted the banns. There is nothing to bar me from doing so, but right this minute? You don’t want to plan a nice wedding and invite your friends?”

  “Reverend Hall, Michael has been away for so long and we have been anxious for his return and we, well, we don’t want to wait.”

  “I see.” The older man smiled and nodded. “I remember being young and in love. Come on in and let’s see what Mrs. Hall and I can do to help you out.”

  ~*~

  The ceremony was simple. In the humble parlor with Reverend Hall and his wife and their maid-of-all-work, Sally, the vows were spoken.

  Reverend Hall cleared his throat and whispered to Sir Tidley, “Do you by chance have a ring for the bride?”

  Michael grinned and nodded as he pulled out the ring. He reached for Katrina’s left hand and slipped the band on. “With this ring, I thee wed. With my body, I thee worship. I promise to love you and be faithful to you all the days of my life.”

  Katrina looked at her finger in awe. “It’s beautiful, Michael.”

  “Not as beautiful as you are to me.”

  After signing the church registry, the newlyweds returned to Rose Hill and enjoyed a simple repast before heading up to Michael’s suite. Upon learning that the couple had wed, the staff in the house moved quickly to move Katrina’s belongings to the room and left extra candles burning. A maid came to assist Katrina as she readied for bed.

  “Thank you, Maria, I think that will be all for now.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want your hair braided, ma’am?”

  “Not tonight.”

  ~*~

  Katrina waited nervously for Michael to come to her. What did a woman do while she waited for her husband? At a loss, she grabbed the first book she could find and was surprised it was a Bible, apparently, a gift from Marcus to Michael many years before. She sat down to read and her face grew warm when her husband entered the room.

  She saw him enter and shut the book quickly. “Did I interrupt something?” Michael stalked her as smoothly as the cat he was famed for being.

  “It was nothing. Really.”

  “Do tell.” He reached down and grabbed the book. One eyebrow rose. “A Bible? What would be in here that would cause you to blush so beautifully?”