The Marriage Truce

by Ann Elizabeth Cree

  ‘Merlin?’ He glanced down. ‘Good God! There’s a cat!’

  ‘It’s my cat. He likes to ride in carriages. He must have jumped in and fallen asleep.’

  ‘We’ll have to put him down,’ he said shortly. ‘I can’t drive with a cat.’

  ‘We can’t,’ Sarah said miserably. ‘He’ll be lost. And he was a gift from Dev.’ He would probably jump anyway, once he realised he was no longer in familiar territory. Why must this happen on top of everything else?

  Nicholas looked completely incredulous. ‘He gave you a cat?’

  ‘Well, yes. Even though he dislikes them.’

  Nicholas gave a short laugh. ‘The man must be in love.’ He glanced at Merlin, who yowled. ‘My dear, I doubt he’s going to stay long at any rate.’

  Sarah bit her lip. ‘I know,’ she said unhappily. ‘Perhaps if I cover him.’ She put the rug back over him and he protested loudly at the indignity of such treatment.

  She looked up in time to see they were advancing upon a horse cart carrying a basket of turnips. Nicholas gave a shout and the startled driver peered around and urged the horse further to the side. Nicholas deftly manoeuvred his team around the cart and then he pulled them to a halt. He handed Sarah the reins and jumped down. ‘Hold them.’

  ‘Nick? Whatever are you doing?’

  But he had already stridden off. She looked around to see him talking to the driver of the cart, a youth who looked scarcely out of boyhood. Merlin meowed and struggled under the rug. She bit her lip, and prayed he would remain there a bit longer.

  Nick returned. He carried a basket. ‘Take this.’ He held it up to her.

  She grabbed it. ‘Whatever are you doing?’ And then comprehension dawned. ‘Oh, Nick! What splendid thinking!’

  ‘We’ve not much time to waste. Get him in there and put the rug on top.’

  She scooped Merlin up and shoved him protesting into the basket. She covered the basket with the rug and Nick set the team in motion.

  The first posting house revealed no information, but an hour and a half later they halted in the yard of the Crow Inn. The inn yard was empty except for a lone carriage and a mangy-looking dog that barely bothered to glance at them. Nicholas jumped down and Sarah followed, her heart thudding. Her apprehension only increased when Nicholas grabbed his pistol. Worried Merlin would knock over the basket and escape, Sarah grabbed the basket and carried him in.

  The innkeeper came forward. He was a heavyset man with a suspicious gaze who looked as if he hadn’t bothered to wash in a decade. He eyed Nicholas and then Sarah, a smirk on his lips. ‘Seems to be the day for the gents and their ladies. I suppose you’ll be wanting a private parlour also? Or perhaps just a bedchamber.’

  His smirk vanished under Nicholas’s hard gaze. ‘I fear you are mistaken. We’re looking for a man and a young lady.’

  His eyes shifted. ‘Haven’t seen anyone of that description.’

  ‘Whose carriage is that?’ Nick demanded.

  ‘What carriage?’

  Nick smiled coldly. ‘I would like to see your other guests.’

  The man folded his arms and smiled. ‘Do you now? I won’t have you disturbing them.’

  ‘Won’t you?’ Nick grabbed him by the shirt front and shoved him against the wall. ‘Show me now.’

  Sarah had noticed a closed door. She quickly walked over to it and set the basket down on a bench near it and then heard a sound. ‘Who is there?’ she called.

  ‘Help me! Please!’ Jessica’s voice was unmistakable.

  ‘Quiet!’

  Sarah’s heart lurched as she recognized Blanton’s voice. ‘Nick! Come here!’

  Her brother released the proprietor, who staggered a little. Nick strode to the door and shoved it open. Cedric stood there, his arm around Jessica’s waist, a knife levelled at her throat. His eyes narrowed when he saw Nicholas. ‘I’d thought you’d be the last person to spoil sport.’

  Jessica stood very still, her eyes wide with fear, her face pale. Nicholas raised his pistol and pointed it at Blanton. ‘Whatever my faults, I hardly condone abduction of an innocent. Let her go.’

  Cedric laughed. ‘I’ve no intention of doing so. Huntington has interfered enough. This time I have the upper hand. So, if you’ll just step aside, Lady Jessica and I will be on our way. Unless you’d like to see her lovely throat cut. Throw your pistol here.’

  ‘I’ll see you in hell before you walk out of here with her,’ Nicholas said coldly. ‘Let her go.’

  Blanton laughed again. ‘Of course, I may send her to heaven first. I suggest you do as I ask. Give me your pistol.’

  Nicholas hesitated and fianlly threw his pistol down. Blanton laughed. ‘Kick it here.’

  When Nicholas made no move to do so, Blanton pressed the blade further into Jessica’s neck. She made a small helpless sound.

  The sound tore at Sarah’s heart. She pushed in front of Nicholas.

  Blanton looked at her, his eyes narrowed. ‘Ah, Lady Huntington. How nice to see you.’

  Sarah kept her eyes fixed on Blanton’s face. ‘I pray you will release my sister-in-law.’

  ‘Sarah?’ Jessica gasped.

  Blanton’s smile was cruel and ugly, all pretence of geniality gone. ‘Why? I need a wife and preferably one with a dowry.’

  ‘It is unlikely you’ll get a shilling out of my husband this way,’ Sarah said coldly.

  ‘No? Then perhaps a ransom. And revenge at the same time.’

  Sarah took a deep breath. ‘Perhaps you will consider another bargain. Let Jessica go and take me instead. I…I will see to it that not only will my husband pay but my…my grandfather as well. Won’t he, Nicholas?’

  ‘Sarah, no, you cannot,’ Jessica cried.

  ‘Nick?’ Sarah said.

  Nicholas stared at her. She looked back at him, pleading in her eyes.

  ‘He will,’ Nicholas said shortly.

  Blanton’s smile was ruthless. ‘Very well. With the same terms. If I suspect you are coming after me, then I will not hesitate to kill Lady Huntington. First, however, shove your pistol here. With your foot.’

  He waited until Nicholas reluctantly complied and then said to Sarah, ‘Come here.’

  Sarah picked up the basket and gave it to Nick. ‘Please take care of him.’

  Knees shaking, she walked to Blanton. He caught her arm and pulled her to him, then shoved Jessica away. She stumbled. At the door, she turned. ‘Sarah, you cannot…Dev!’

  ‘Don’t worry. I will be fine.’ But the cold steel of the blade pressed into her neck and she felt sick with fear.

  Blanton’s arm crushed her to him. ‘So, Thayne, take Lady Jessica and leave. I should warn you, however, that I also have a pistol, so I suggest you not try anything foolish. Go, or I fear Lady Huntington’s lovely neck will not be quite as untouched.’ The blade dug into the soft skin. Jessica gasped and Sarah closed her eyes.

  ‘Shut the door,’ Blanton said. ‘You have five minutes to depart. If the carriage is not gone…’ He let the words hang ominously in the air.

  Nicholas’s eyes were hard. ‘And if you harm my sister, I will kill you.’

  ‘But at least I will have my revenge. I think it will quite be worth it. Shut the door.’

  Still holding the basket, Nicholas slowly closed the door.

  Blanton put down the knife, but still held her to him. His strong, unpleasant odour nearly made her gag. ‘So, my dear Lady Huntington, we are alone. Would you like to come with me? I have often thought you would look charming gracing my table or…my bed.’

  ‘No, I would not. I think it would be best if you release me.’ Sarah tried to keep her voice calm.

  ‘I’ve no intention of doing so. I suspect, my dear, that Thayne fully intends to attempt a most foolish rescue. As I also suspect your husband is not far behind. I shall quite look forward to meeting him. Sit, my dear.’

  He picked up a pistol from the table and held it on her. Sarah sat in the chair he indicated, her legs trembling. She
could think of no conceivable way out of the room and, with Blanton’s pistol trained on her, she could not possibly attempt anything. What did he intend? To shoot her? Shoot Dev?

  Then she heard voices through the open window. Her heart began to thud with a new fear. Blanton rose and went to the window. ‘Very good. Your husband has arrived as well as Lady Jessica’s doting fiancé.’

  He grasped Sarah’s hand and pulled her up.

  She heard voices outside the door. Her heart sank when she recognised Dev’s.

  ‘Where the hell’s my wife?’ The door crashed open and Dev appeared on the threshold. His eyes went to them, his eyes hard and deadly. He trained his pistol on Blanton. ‘Let her go, damn you.’

  Blanton laughed and raised his pistol to Sarah’s head. ‘I’ll kill your wife before I do that. I suggest you drop your gun.’

  Dev stared at him and then slowly lowered his gun. It dropped from his hand and clattered to the floor.

  ‘This is becoming quite tedious. Kick it here,’ Blanton said.

  Dev kicked the pistol. It flew across the floor and landed near Blanton’s foot. He pushed it behind him. ‘Now come in and shut the door.’

  Dev slowly entered, his eyes on Sarah. ‘Let her go.’

  ‘Not yet.’ Blanton said. ‘I fear, my lord, there is going to be an accident. A struggle and, alas, you will unfortunately be shot while I tried to defend myself.’

  Dev leaned against the wall and folded his arms. ‘It will never work. There are too many witnesses. My wife, for one. The innkeeper, not to mention Lord Thayne and Adam Henslowe.’

  Blanton laughed. ‘The innkeeper has been well paid. And the accident won’t take place here. There is a door behind you. It leads directly to the carriage yard. We will proceed out, you first, your lovely wife with me. And if you or any of your friends attempts a rescue, you’ll have the pleasure of watching your wife die before your eyes.’

  ‘I will kill you first,’ Dev said softly.

  Sarah felt sick with fear for Dev. ‘If I come with you, do what you ask, will you let my husband go?’

  ‘No.’ He smiled gently. ‘You are only the bait, my dear. I have looked forward to this moment, removing your husband from this earth. He has interfered too many times with my plans.’ He yanked Sarah closer to him and motioned with the gun. ‘In front, my lord, and no false moves.’

  Dev pushed away from the wall. And then the door creaked open. Sarah heard a most familiar meow. Blanton spun around. ‘What the devil is that?’

  Merlin’s tail waved in the air as he stalked towards Sarah and Blanton. Blanton’s mouth fell open. ‘A cat? I’ll get rid of him.’ He cocked his pistol. And then sneezed.

  ‘No!’ Sarah stamped on his foot and twisted, attempting to knock the gun from his hand just as Merlin leaped on the table. Caught off balance, Blanton staggered back, Sarah with him. Merlin stared at them, his ears pinned back and she knew he planned to jump. The next thing she knew, her arms were full of cat. She yelped, as he struggled to gain his footing, his claws digging into her flesh.

  ‘Bloody hell!’ Blanton released her so abruptly she stumbled, Merlin still clutched in her arms. Dev had his arms around Blanton and was trying to wrest the pistol from his grasp. Blanton jerked his elbow back and hit Dev in the ribs. He groaned and staggered a little, and Sarah knew she had to do something. She glanced around and spotted the two pistols under the window. But the men were in the way, engaged in what appeared to be a fight to the death.

  She did the only thing she could think of. She tossed Merlin at Blanton’s back. His claws connected with his neck and Blanton screamed as the cat dug into his head. Fur flew everywhere, and an indignant Merlin jumped down and dashed under the wooden bench.

  Blanton stumbled backwards, rubbing at his eyes with one hand. He tripped over the chair and went down, neatly landing at Sarah’s feet. The pistol flew from his hand and Sarah grabbed it. She pointed it at him, her hand shaking. ‘Do not move, or I…I shall shoot you.’

  Dev was at her side and pried the pistol from her trembling fingers. ‘Sit down,’ he told her.

  The door flew open. Astonished, Sarah looked up. Nicholas stood there with what appeared to be an ancient shotgun in his hand, Adam behind him. More amazing still, her grandfather was there as well.

  Lord Monteville stepped calmly into the room and walked over to look down at Blanton. He, too, held a pistol. ‘You appear to have things under control. Perhaps, Nicholas, you could inquire after a piece of rope and we could render Mr Blanton somewhat more immobile. Although I do not anticipate he will be much trouble.’

  Blanton had sat up, but his attempts to glare at Monteville were marred by the fact his eyes were nearly swollen shut.

  Dev’s arm went around Sarah and then he pulled her to him. His mouth came down on hers.

  It was only when Jessica dashed into the room that they pulled apart.

  Merlin crawled out from under the bench. He mewed, then jumped up on the bench and began to wash his face as if nothing had happened at all.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Dev glanced down at Merlin, who sat next to him in a wing chair in the drawing room. The cat’s eyes were half-closed and he purred loudly as if he knew he was the hero of the day. Dev grimaced. ‘I never expected to owe my life or Sarah’s to a cat.’

  Dinner was over and the entire company had retired to the drawing room together. Jessica and Adam sat together, his arm tight around her shoulders as if he never intended to let her out of his sight again. Nicholas stood with Monteville by the fireplace. Amelia sat next to Sarah on the sofa across from Dev.

  ‘And to think I nearly made Sarah leave him by the road,’ Nicholas said. He gave a short laugh. ‘God, I knew Blanton detested cats, most animals actually, but had no idea why. If I had known, I would have brought out Merlin earlier.’

  ‘He wanted to shoot him,’ Sarah said indignantly.

  Dev raised a brow. ‘You seemed more—er—upset at that possibility than when he threatened to shoot me.’

  ‘If you recall, I did offer to go with him to spare your life.’ She thought as long as she lived she would never forget the terrible fear that had gripped her when she thought Blanton fully intended to kill Dev.

  His eyes met hers, a slow smile curving his lips. ‘So you did, my dear.’

  She flushed at the sudden heat in his eyes and looked away. Amelia rose and stifled a yawn. ‘Well, this has been too much adventure for me. I believe I will retire and dream of home where nothing much ever happens.’

  Nicholas moved forward and set his empty glass down. ‘I will as well.’ He had accepted their offer to spend the night at Ravensheed.

  Dev rose. He approached Nicholas. ‘I believe, Thayne, I did not thank you properly,’ he said coolly. He held out his hand.

  Nicholas hesitated for a moment, then took it. They shook briefly. Then Nicholas turned to Sarah. He bent and lightly brushed her cheek with his lips. ‘I am glad you’re safe. And happy.’

  She rose and pressed his hand to her cheek. Tears rushed to her eyes. ‘I am. Thank you.’

  Jessica also stood, and embraced Sarah. ‘Thank you. You were so brave. I…’ Tears rushed to her eyes.

  Sarah hugged her tightly. ‘No more than you were. Sleep well.’

  ‘I will try.’ She pressed Sarah closer. ‘I love you,’ she whispered. ‘I…I always wanted a sister.’

  ‘And so have I,’ Sarah whispered back. ‘I can’t imagine one I would ever love more.’

  Jessica pulled away and squeezed Sarah’s hand and then she and Adam followed the other two from the room.

  Monteville moved from his position. ‘I believe this is my cue as well.’ He looked at them in his calm way. ‘I had another purpose for coming, besides wanting to thwart any diabolical plans Blanton might entertain. I wished to ascertain whether my suspicions were correct and that you were both rather fonder of each other than either of you wished to admit.’ A slight smile touched his lips. ‘I am pleased to see I was
not mistaken.’ He touched Sarah’s cheek. ‘Goodnight, my child. Devin.’ He moved to the door. He paused his hand on the knob. ‘I quite look forward to my first great-grandchild.’ The door closed softly behind him.

  Sarah bent down and picked up Merlin. ‘I…I believe I shall retire as well. Goodnight, Dev.’ She avoided his eyes.

  ‘Sarah, I have something I must tell you.’ He moved to stand in front of her.

  ‘Do you? Can it not wait?’ Merlin wriggled and she set him down. Devin’s expression was serious, making her feel slightly apprehensive.

  ‘No, it is too important.’ He held out his hand. ‘Come with me, Sarah.’

  ‘Where are we going?’

  ‘To my bedchamber this time.’ He raised his brow at her expression. ‘I’d prefer this discussion to take place where interruptions are unlikely.’

  She went with him down the now-familiar gallery. He pushed open the door of his chamber. She realised that it was the first time she had ever stepped into his room. A large four-poster bed dominated the room. A candle burned on the bedside table. Unlike her untidy room, his was neat as a pin.

  He shut the door behind him and she turned to face him, her stomach fluttering with nerves. His face, half in the shadows, was impossible to read.

  She ran her tongue over her lip in a nervous gesture. ‘What is it, Dev?’

  ‘I wanted to say…’ He paused and then stepped towards her. The next thing she knew she was crushed in his arms, his mouth on hers in a kiss that sent her senses reeling. He finally lifted his head.

  ‘Sarah, my God.’ He pushed her hair away from her face. ‘You have no idea how I felt when I saw you with Blanton. If I had lost you…’

  ‘Or if I had lost you…’ she whispered. She touched his face. ‘I love you.’

  He looked stunned. She hastened to reassure him. ‘It is all right, I promise I won’t make a nuisance of myself trailing after you like some sort of…’

  ‘Sarah, what the devil are you talking about?’ he demanded.

  ‘I fear I have embarrassed you by stating that I…I hold a fondness for you.’