A Convenient Bride

by Cheryl Ann Smith

  For an instant, she felt his hands on her hips, his fingers tightening, and then they were gone. She managed to hide a look of pure feminine satisfaction after garnering an instinctive reaction from him, no matter how brief.

  Perhaps Lucy was right. He was not as indifferent as he appeared. Though she’d taken up residence in his bed since the birth, and he’d moved into her vacated room, they were still separated by the sitting room. Soon, she’d launch a war on his senses, and the battle to return to his bed would be won.

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Richard watched Brenna walk away, the sway of her hips drawing his eyes and stirring a part of him that he tried to ignore.

  Motherhood did not detract from her beauty. In fact, her new curves enticed him almost to the point of madness. If not for the cold baths, he would have already succumbed to his baser needs and taken her wherever and whenever he pleased.

  It was getting impossible to resist her pull.

  He knew it was his right to take her to bed. It had been he who wanted a marriage of convenience. But he knew that in spite of her current contentment with motherhood and Beckwith Hall, eventually her youth would crave more excitement than he could give her.

  And once they shared a bed, it would be impossible to let her go. Eventually, she’d grow to hate him, feeling trapped here, and any chance of a comfortable existence between them would be gone.

  Once again settled into the notion of not seducing his wife, he set off for the stable. Gathering up some men on horseback, they headed off for the woodland.

  When they reached the area Brenna had indicated, the only hoof prints he saw were one set, Brontes’s. There was no sign of anyone else. He wanted to believe that Brenna was correct and the flash of color was a trick of her eyes, but in the back of his mind, he could not dismiss the reaction of the horse.

  Animals had a keen sense of danger.

  “Spread out,” he said, and the half dozen men dismounted. “Look for anything untoward. If you find clues that someone has been here, collect what you find and bring it to me.”

  It took over an hour to cover the acreage and for Richard to be reassured that if someone had been there, they were gone. It was when he stepped out of the trees on the far side of the forest that the investigation changed.

  In the still-dewy grass was a clear set of hoof prints. As he followed them back toward the trees, he discovered something more disturbing: two sets of boot prints, one several sizes smaller than the other.

  The clues had all the trappings of a lovers’ tryst.

  Looking around, he followed the path of the footprints, heading off in the direction of the distant road. He should be relieved not to find evidence of trespassers living on his property. However, they were so isolated here that he found it odd that someone would come all this way for a tryst. The next closest neighbor was several miles away.

  The groom, Carl, joined him. “I see you’ve found your evidence,” he said, noting the boot prints. “Your Ladyship did see something.”

  “She did indeed,” Richard said. “Unfortunately, I have no idea what to make of it. It appears that someone was meeting here, though I have no idea why.”

  “It’s a puzzle.” Carl shook his head.

  Richard had to agree. “Ask two of the men to follow the tracks to make sure they end up at the road. I want to make certain whoever was here is gone.”

  “Aye, Milord.”

  With one last look around him, Richard headed back up the wooded path toward his horse, his mind troubled. He did not want to make a fuss over something that may just be two lovers seeking privacy. Perhaps one or both were married, and his property was far enough away from wherever they were from to make discovery impossible.

  Or it was someone from his household, up to mischief perhaps, as he was well aware that at least two of the housemaids were involved with other members of his staff: a footman and one of the grooms.

  It was unlikely that any clandestine relationships would require such secrecy. He was not against his servants courting and marrying, as long as it did not interfere with their employment.

  A level of concern kept him from finding peace that the matter was concluded. It was time to take precautions.

  There were two sets of footprints on the far side of the forest, those of a woman and a man,” Richard said, when he met Brenna in the foyer holding the baby. “Unfortunately, there is no indication of the identity of the trespassers.”

  “So my eyes were not playing tricks.” The news pleased her. “Let us hope the pair decides to tryst elsewhere. We have enough worries keeping our maids safe.”

  Jace had gone off to meet with his Bow Street Runner friend, and Richard had learned that the Runners had spoken to his neighbors. This alerted the citizenry to watch for strangers and to keep their women close.

  James yawned. “I think your son needs a nap,” Brenna said. “I shall take him up.” She smiled and walked away, certain she felt Richard’s eyes follow her. In case she was right, she added just a little extra sway to her hips. Why waste a moment to entice her husband?

  Brenna felt a sniffle coming on during supper, and by the time she awoke the next day, her muscles ached and her head felt stuffed with fluff. Weakened, all she could do was tend to the baby and sleep. By the second night, Nanny had taken over much of James’s care, even taking him into the nursery at night so Brenna could sleep. Nanny only returned him for nighttime feedings, for which Brenna was grateful.

  For three days, Brenna stayed abed, sipping broth and wallowing in her misery. It was late into the evening on the third night when Richard came in to check on her one last time before bed.

  “I am fine,” she assured him. “My head has cleared, and my strength has returned. I should be quite fit in the morning.” She glanced at the crib. “I look forward to getting our son back. I miss him when he isn’t here—”

  A shriek broke the night. Then a second. Brenna untangled herself from the coverlet and came to her feet.

  Screams came from overhead.

  “Richard, the baby!” Brenna cried, as she darted after him and up the stairs. They met several servants in nightclothes as they breached the upper floor and raced to the nursery. They found Nanny in her cotton nightdress, hysterical, cuddling the baby against her ample bosom.

  “I saw someone, Milady,” she said, sobbing, only outdone by the cries of her charge. Brenna rushed over to take him and spoke in low soothing tones. Richard took Nanny by the arms and gave her a gentle shake to stop her sobs.

  “What happened?” he demanded. “Who did you see?”

  “A man,” she said, pointing toward the crib. “He was leaning over the little master.”

  Brenna gasped. She began a thorough search of her son, relieved to find he’d not been harmed. After a moment, he settled from crying to hiccups.

  “Are you certain you saw someone?” Richard pressed. He released her and walked over to put an arm around Brenna. He stared down at James. “Could it have been a dream?”

  “No, Milord,” she said. “When I screamed, he ran out. I heard his footsteps. It was no dream.”

  “Did you recognize him?” Brenna asked.

  “It was dark,” Nanny said. “But I am certain I did not know him. I think he was a housebreaker.”

  Richard turned to the footmen standing in the open doorway. “Search the house.”

  The men hurried off. Richard touched Brenna’s face and followed the footmen out.

  Mrs. Beal arrived wrapped in a dressing gown. Brenna quickly explained the situation. After she assured herself that the baby was fine, she took the shaking nanny into her arms.

  “There, there. You saved little master,” Mrs. Beal said softly. “You have done well, Mary.”

  Nanny brushed tears from her face. “I could not let him harm the baby. He is such a sweet little love.”

  Brenna walked to them and held out her hand. Nanny took it. “You showed your loyalty to my son tonight, possibly at your own peril
. For that I will always be grateful.”

  There was a commotion in the hallway. George, Miriam, and Bethany appeared. George stepped forward, his shirttails hanging untucked, as he’d hastily dressed.

  “What has happened?” he asked.

  “A stranger was in the nursery with the baby,” Brenna said. She snuggled James against her shoulder. “Nanny scared him off.”

  George went white. “A stranger?”

  At her nod, he looked down at the bundled baby. “Why would anyone want to do such a thing?”

  Brenna did not realize how much their guest had grown fond of her son. She touched his arm. “He is fine. I think I will take him to my room now. He needs quiet.”

  Once in her room, Lucy joined her, having awakened late to the excitement. Brenna told the tale, and the two women stood on either side of the crib and cooed over the brave little boy.

  “If His Lordship finds the culprit, he needs to be thrown into Newgate and the key tossed out,” Lucy said. She made a silly face at James, who kicked his feet, obviously recovered from his distress. “He deserves nothing less.”

  Tucking a blanket around him, Brenna sighed. “First there were people in the forest, and now a stranger has broken into the house. I’m terribly worried. Could one of them be a killer?”

  Lucy met her gaze. “Please do not distress yourself.” She paused, and her expression softened. “His Lordship will not let anything happen to you or the baby.”

  Do you think we are in danger?” Bethany asked, her voice trembling. She clutched her robe around her and watched the footmen head for the upper floor.

  Richard had no clear answer. “I don’t know what to think,” he said honestly. “There is no reason for this madness.” He skimmed his eyes over her face and then glanced at Miriam, who was standing a few feet away, next to George. Both women were worried, as they all were. “From the pranks against Brenna last year to the carriage accident and tree fire, and now the happenings this week, it’s difficult to know the mind of this culprit.”

  Bethany glanced away. This convinced Richard of her guilt for the pranks.

  “Certainly you cannot think the same person is responsible for all this?” Miriam asked. She clutched her robe closed at the neck. “That would mean someone has been sneaking into the house for months.”

  “I do not think so,” Richard said. “The man in the nursery, and the other incidents, are at a higher level of mischief than moving things around to harass my wife.”

  The two women shared a glance. Miriam, too?

  He wanted to shake them both. However, without proof, they would deny their guilt. And since the pranks ended months ago, he had more pressing matters to worry him. He believed the person who snuck into the house could very well be dangerous.

  George placed a hand on his sister’s shoulder. “I should join the footmen,” he said, and walked away.

  “Is there anything we can do?” Miriam stepped closer to Bethany. They clasped hands.

  “Go to your rooms and lock your doors,” Richard replied. “Do not open up unless you know who is knocking.”

  Nodding, they hurried off. Richard watched as they made their way down the hall. Miriam was almost to her door when something odd caught his eye. The hem of her nightdress was damp and slightly soiled.

  The only explanation for that condition was if she had been out wandering the dew-covered grounds.

  A feeling of dread crept through him. Could she be the woman in the forest? Did she have a lover?

  He wanted to dismiss the idea. Meek and shy Miriam was not the bold sort of woman who would tryst in the darkness with a lover. Or was she?

  Could he answer that definitively? She’d lived in his house for almost three years, but how much had he really paid attention to her comings and goings? Next to the opulent Bethany, she faded into the background. If there was something to be learned about his houseguest, it was time he found out what.

  Tomorrow, he’d get answers. Tonight, they had a housebreaker to find. Richard went to join the hunt.

  The entire house was searched, from the lowest level to the attic above. Not a nook or corner, a bed or a wardrobe was missed. Whoever had invaded his household had made his escape.

  Richard ordered every window and door to be locked, then sent the staff off to bed. Frustrated, he finally walked with heavy footfalls back to his room, to Brenna and his son.

  The room was lit with firelight and one candle. He locked both the hallway and the sitting-room doors. In the dim light, he could see James sleeping peacefully in his crib and Brenna curled up on the bed.

  Her eyes were closed, and her cheeks were tear streaked. Evidently, she’d cried herself to sleep.

  His heart tugged. Brenna was a woman who could face down nearly any adversary and come out the victor. She would kill to keep their son from harm. But when it came down to the frightening events of this evening, she was still a mother first and terrified for the welfare of her child.

  Richard glanced to the chair and back down at his wife. Without hesitation, he climbed in next to her on the bed and wrapped her snuggly in his arms.

  And spent the rest of the evening alert for danger.

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Brenna awoke to her son fussing and her husband asleep beside her. She went to James and fed him. It was still dark outside, and she heard a light patter of rain on the window glass. Another damp day was ahead.

  Thankfully, once his belly was full, the baby fell back to sleep. She returned him to his crib and stoked the fire.

  Unable to resist the pull of her husband’s warmth, she quickly climbed back under the coverlet and snuggled close. If not for her daily responsibilities, she’d be content to stay hidden away with Richard and James all day.

  “Your feet are cold,” Richard grumbled, when she worked her feet under his breeches-clad legs.

  “I was feeding your son,” she said. “Surely you cannot begrudge me a bit of warmth on this stormy morning.”

  He opened his eyelids just enough to frown before twisting her legs with his. Brenna let out a happy sound. Her toes started to warm up.

  “Thank you, Richard.” The feeling of rightness lying beside him was not lost on her, and she hoped he felt the same. But she’d not press the issue for fear of running him off. Wanting to bed her and loving her were two difference issues. And she’d not be satisfied until she had both.

  “Did you find any sign of the housebreaker?” she asked softly, so as not to wake James.

  “We did not. Nanny’s screams sent him fleeing the house.”

  “That is disappointing.” She stared into the fire. “What can you do next?”

  “I will post guards and send for Jones. From our conversations, I learned that he has an investigative background of his own. We need to take the story of the dead maids seriously. We can no longer dismiss his concerns. The killer may be here.”

  Brenna pushed up onto her elbows. Her stomach knotted. “You cannot think those crimes are connected to our housebreaker?”

  “It cannot be ruled out,” Richard said. “A torn piece of your writing paper was found under the body in London. I am not one to believe in coincidences. Whoever killed that girl is connected to you through the killing, either by accident or by design. The question remains, why?”

  “Yes, why?” Brenna echoed. She glanced at the crib.

  “James will be carefully guarded,” Richard assured her. “When he is not with us, Nanny and a footman will be watching him. There will not be a repeat of last night.”

  She took some comfort in his words and tried to hold back her fear of the unknown culprit. “It terrifies me to think the housebreaker might also be a killer. Had Nanny not awoken and screamed—” She could not finish the thought.

  Richard pressed his mouth to her temple. “Fretting over what did not happen will make you ill, love. James is safe.”

  “I know you are right.” She reached deep for strength. They faced a faceless foe. Richard needed
her to be strong. “Nanny made a formidable guard. The housebreaker is lucky to have escaped uninjured.”

  “He is, indeed.” Richard kissed her head, then rolled from the bed. He padded barefoot to the window. “I want to ride the property this morning to look for clues the housebreaker may have left behind.” He leaned to peer up at the sky. “Excellent. The rain has abated.”

  “I am coming with you.” Brenna kicked off the coverlet and gained her feet. The cold floor made her hesitate, but only for a moment. Chilled feet were not worth crawling back into bed. She wanted to help catch the culprit.

  “You will stay here with James.”

  She ignored his command, went to the wardrobe, and pulled out a habit in dark green. “Our son might have been kidnapped. I’ll not sit by and let some evildoer threaten my family. I will ride with you. Two pairs of eyes are better for searching.”

  “Will it help me to argue?”

  She glanced sidelong. “It will not. However, if you want to assist, you can call for Agnes to help me dress and for Nanny and the footman to watch the baby. Then I shall be ready posthaste.”

  Muttering under his breath, Richard pulled the bell cord. Soon both husband and wife were dressed and ready.

  Brontes and Richard’s gelding were brought around. James was in safe care, so Brenna focused on the mission ahead. She and Richard rode the perimeter of the manor, finding nothing in the wet grass. Any boot prints had been washed away.

  They expanded the search in a wider circle. Brenna went one way and Richard the other. They met near the garden.

  “Nothing,” Brenna said.

  “You check the south pond, and I’ll follow the creek north,” he said, turning his horse about.

  Brenna followed the south path and rode around the pond. Disappointment welled over the lack of clues. She did a second cursory ride around the pond before giving up. She headed in Richard’s direction. He was some distance from where he’d left her. She urged Brontes into a run to catch up. As she approached, he swung down from the gelding.