“Always.” Derrick’s deep voice whispered against her ear, sending shivers down her spine.
Derrick made it easy to forget her fear and worries. “I promised to distract you, but you…” Need coursed through her. “You are very good at befuddling me, and we promised Edward we would not dally.”
Derrick placed open kisses along her neck. “Amelia, I promise to more than befuddle you tomorrow night.”
Amelia’s knees weakened. “Derrick, play fair. I need to check on Hen and inform Mrs. Brompton where I will be.”
She turned in his arms. “Play fair? I’m trying, but I’m a desperate man who needs his fiancée.” He brushed her bottom lip with his thumb. “Do you want me to accompany you?”
“Although I appreciate the offer, I think Edward needs you more right now. Would you go help him set up? He’s a very clever boy, and he understands what is happening. Hen has been a mother to him, and he is frightened.”
He kissed her gently on the lips. “Go quickly, then. Edward, Gus, and I will be waiting. I can’t wait to play cricket with you.”
“Really? You never seemed to care about cricket.”
“It gives me an opportunity to glimpse my bride-to-be’s ankles. I’m that desperate.”
Amelia couldn’t believe she was smiling as she hurried down the hall to Hen’s room.
Chapter Five
Derrick and Ashworth waited for Rathbourne in the library. Viscount Ashworth, Rathbourne’s closest friend, looked as tired as Derrick felt. His blond hair was tousled, and his shirt was wrinkled, as if he had thrown on the same one from last night.
Neither men slept much while awaiting the birth of Lord Charles Cordelier Ormond Beaumont, the next Earl of Rathbourne. Comforting their wives during the grueling labor had taken the stuffing out of both men. Birthing apparently required the same skillset as a soldier—endurance, strength, and courage.
And Ashworth had his hands full with his wife, Rathbourne’s younger sister, a rambunctious woman who had threatened to punch the harried Dr. Oglethorpe.
“How is Lady Gwyneth this morning?”
“My wife has exhausted herself, and was not happy at my insistence that she rest this morning. I’m expecting her to arrive at any moment.” Ash laughed.
“Would she have actually punched Dr. Oglethorpe as she threatened?” Derrick had difficulty not laughing at the memory of Ash’s wife, hands fisted in the air, poised to harm the esteemed physician. Fortunately, Ashworth intervened before she could follow through with expressing the fear and helplessness everyone was feeling while Lady Henrietta labored way into the night, straining to push the large babe out.
“My wife is a Rathbourne. It was to be expected. And, as you might have noticed, Aunt Euphemia was ready to join in the fray. Be grateful you didn’t marry into a family of spirited women.”
As the hours passed into the night, Derrick hated watching his feisty Amelia withdraw, as she must have done as a bewildered young girl during the labor of her mother.
The footman opened the door, and the father himself walked into his office.
“My God, Cord, you look like you’re the one who labored through the night.” Ash laughed.
Derrick searched Rathbourne’s face, noting his eyes were both puffy and encircled by a rim of redness.
“How is Lady Henrietta?” Derrick asked. Amelia told him the worry wasn’t over yet, because some women died from infection after the baby was born. He really wished he could return to his blissful state of ignorance concerning womanly matters.
“Surprisingly chipper this morning.” Rathbourne ran his hand over his hair. “I’d rather be tortured than have my wife…” He seated himself at the desk, shaking his head. “After what she endured…”
Derrick sympathized. He hadn’t slept after he took Amelia home, asleep in the carriage. After the long and worrisome night, Amelia’s exhaustion vanished when she held the wee babe in her arms. Her fear had transformed into pure delight as she cooed at the baby, her face wreathed in joy. Derrick wished he could as blithely forget the risk involved in birthing.
Ash leaned back in an indolent, devil-may-care manner, posturing as if the men hadn’t witnessed him gently soothing his wife on his lap while she wept loudly after the birth. “Let’s face it—there is a reason women have babies and men don’t.”
Derrick caught the hint of a smile on his superior’s face before he pulled out the papers from his desk. “Let’s get back to the business we men are good at—fighting a war. Despite all the excitement of last night, Napoleon is still planning to invade England.”
“Hear! Hear! To men and their limited talents.” Ashworth raised his hand in an imaginary toast.
“Brinsley, any word from Morlaix?”
Derrick spent time in the small town of Brittany after he saw to the safe return of Kendal to England. He was able to do his reconnaissance, despite his size, because he didn’t stand out in a fishing town populated with descendants of hulking Norman invaders.
“The rumors are true. Napoleon is gathering an invasion force on the Coast of Brittany, preparing to invade Ireland. My informant reports that Bernard MacSheehy, adjutant general in Napoleon’s army, has been tasked with formation of a legion of men, including the Irish rebels.”
Ashworth bolted upright. “Napoleon is recruiting the Irish rebels for his army?”
“It is a brilliant strategy. The Legion’s purpose is to engage the Irish against the English, which won’t be difficult, considering our history with Ireland,” Derrick explained.
Rathbourne nodded. “Go on.”
“With the Irish help, the French then can invade us by land in addition to the sea assault,” Derrick concluded.
With the French’s continued recruitment of the disenfranchised Irish, Derrick hoped he wouldn’t be sent undercover into Ireland, away from his soon-to-be bride. But this was wartime, and everyone had to make sacrifices.
The door swung open, and Mr. Marlowe, a reedy young man, rushed into the library. He held the door, waiting for the footman to depart.
Rathbourne’s expression changed into one of appalled shock. “Not now, Marlowe.”
“Sir, I have something of the utmost importance. I don’t want to alert the household, because I don’t want Lady Rathbourne to learn of it from any of the maids. I feel the stress would be too much for my lady.” He spoke rapidly, without pausing for breath.
Rathbourne jerked upright and stood. “What are you talking about Marlowe? You’re trying my patience. If this is about one of Edward’s hijinks…”
The young man gulped, bobbing the prominent Adam’s apple in his narrow throat. “No, my lord. Master Edward is missing.”
“What? How can Edward have gone missing?” Cord tapped his finger on the top of his desk, glaring at the young tutor.
Ash stood and approached Mr. Marlowe. “Are you sure he’s missing and not pulling one of his tricks?”
“No, Lord Ashworth. His bed has not been slept in, and neither he nor Gus has eaten this morning. Master Edward and his dog never miss a meal.”
Rathbourne paced behind his desk. “If this is one of his escapades, I’m going to… Lady Henrietta must not hear about this until we find him.”
It was obvious that Rathbourne wasn’t considering Edward’s disappearance to be suspicious. Derrick couldn’t ignore the possibility of a kidnapping. But certainly no one could have entered the house. The entire estate was guarded. And over half of the footmen were soldiers. But last night the household was in a state of total chaos—a perfect time for criminal action. But why a young boy? Leverage against Rathbourne and Kendal was a likely conclusion.
“When was the last time you saw Edward?” Ashworth, a close friend of the family, took over trying to calm the tutor’s fright.
The awkward man swallowed hard. “Late last night. I waited downstairs for Mr. Brompton to check that Master Edward remained with the family. Brompton reassured me Edward was with the family, and that I could retire.”
“How do you know Edward hasn’t eaten?” Derrick asked, hoping this was all a misunderstanding due to the tired staff.
“Edward usually eats breakfast with Lady Rathbourne and his uncle, and then we meet in the small library to begin our studies. But, because of the late night, no one was in the breakfast room. I assumed he was still sleeping, so I waited in the library, preparing the lessons. When he didn’t appear, I went to his room to check.”
Rathbourne moved closer, staring at the young man. “What is it, Marlowe? What aren’t you telling me?”
Derrick saw the young man flinch. The tutor’s eyes darted to Rathbourne’s face and then back to the floor.
“Go ahead, spit it out. Lord Rathbourne will not reprimand you if it helps find the young whelp,” Ashworth said.
“Edward lately has been upset.” Marlowe eyes remained focused on the rug.
“Upset?” Rathbourne barked. “And why haven’t you shared this before now?”
Mr. Marlowe cleared his throat. “He never confided what was upsetting him, but I could tell he wasn’t his usual spirited self. Edward hasn’t been able to spend as much time with his family since the marriage of Lord Kendal, and Lady Rathbourne’s condition.” The young tutor’s freckly face turned bright red with the mention of Lady Henrietta. Of course, Rathbourne glaring at the young man further undermined his confidence.
“Do you have any idea where Edward might have gone if he was upset?” Derrick asked.
“He and Gus love hiding in the woods. They can disappear there, making themselves impossible to find.”
“That is very helpful, Marlowe,” Ashworth added.
“I’m aware that Edward spends a lot of time with his uncle. Have you checked with Uncle Charles?” Derrick asked.
“Uncle Charles is still abed this morning. And I didn’t want to alert Brompton to my concerns.”
“Anything else? Anywhere else you’ve checked?” Derrick asked.
“I’ve gone through the house and into the stables…” Marlowe’s voice cracked. “I’m sorry, Lord Rathbourne. I’ve failed in my duties.”
Ashworth patted him on the shoulder. “You did well to come to Lord Rathbourne first.”
“Lord Ashworth is correct. You did well, Marlowe. Return to the library and act as if nothing out of the ordinary has occurred. Do you understand? I do not want my wife to hear of this.” Rathbourne turned his back, dismissing him.
The tutor scurried out of the room.
“I can understand your concern that Lady Henrietta not be told.” Ash looked at Rathbourne. “But do you think it’s wise not to inform the staff? Surely the Bromptons can be trusted not to inform her ladyship. And Edward might have confided in them.”
Rathbourne walked to the large window and looked out at the downpour.
Derrick didn’t want to be the one to raise the possibility of kidnapping.
“You’re right, of course. I will speak to the Bromptons. And notify Kendal. He must know about his brother,” Rathbourne said.
“We must consider foul play,” Ashworth said.
“Yes, we must consider the possibility.” Rathbourne ran his fingers through his hair.
“The chances are very unlikely, since it is impossible to infiltrate the estate. I will send a man to Kendal.”
“I will question the guards on duty and inquire if there was any suspicious activity. I will also take men with me and start a search of the woods,” Derrick said.
Rathbourne turned back to the room. His tiredness and the shared emotions of the birth must have contributed to his willingness to speak openly. “Henrietta will be devastated if anything has happened to the boy.”
Derrick hoped to hell that Amelia remained occupied with the wedding and didn’t visit Lady Henrietta today. After yesterday’s cricket game with Edward, he had witnessed how close Amelia was to Edward, treating him like another younger brother.
“I need to talk with my aunt.” Rathbourne strode to the door. “She and Edward have become close. She might have some insight into his disappearance. Once I’ve spoken to everyone, I’ll join you in the search.”
“I will report what I learn from the guards as soon as I’ve finished questioning them,” Derrick added.
“I’ll divide the estate into areas to be searched and assign the men between us,” Ashworth said.
“We can each take an area,” Rathbourne said over his shoulder as he rushed out of the room.
Chapter Six
Edward drifted down the unlit path through Rathbourne’s back garden. He knew every inch of the estate since he and Gus spent hours exploring the woods during the summer. The raindrops from the trees dripped down into his collar, and his boots sank in the muddy path from the recent downpour.
Gus followed reluctantly, probably because at this time of night, the yellow Labrador was usually comfortably asleep in front of the fire in Edward’s bedroom. It had been easy to slip past the guards in the middle of the night, since he and Gus had observed their routine for months.
No one would notice until the afternoon hours that they were missing. Marlowe wouldn’t look for him, since he’d assume Edward was sleeping in after the late night of celebration. And no one in his family would notice he was missing, since they were all wrapped up in the arrival of the new baby. What was so exciting about a baby who turned red in the face and hollered? Especially when everyone smiled and cooed like the next Earl of Rathbourne was a genius.
Edward trudged on, not sure of his destination, sure only that he must get away. He had no place at Rathbourne House. Nothing was the same since his siblings were married. He wished they could go back to when they had all lived together at Kendal House.
Now that Hen was going to be busy with her baby, it was time for him to leave. Many boys his age were already at Eton, as Michael had been. Hen hadn’t wanted him to go last year after his ordeal of being kidnapped by a French spy. She pretended it was because she wanted him to get to know his new home, but for weeks after he was abducted, Hen would look at him and tear up. And Edward didn’t want to leave Hen, or Michael, or Gus, or Uncle Charles, or the Bromptons.
He wanted to discuss Eton now, but since Michael’s marriage to Gabby, Michael was always too busy. Gabby was swell, but Michael never had time for cricket or taking rides or playing chess. Uncle Charles still made time for him and Gus. But Uncle Charles was getting more forgetful and needed longer naps.
Edward fought the tears burning behind his eyelids—a man must not cry. And, at the age of twelve, he was almost a man. Why did his parents have to die, leaving him an orphan with no place where he belonged? He didn’t have anyone except Gus.
Gus nudged Edward’s hand with his wet nose. Edward knelt down on the soggy path, soaking his pants, but no one would notice or care if he got sick. Sniffling, he wrapped his arms around the stout chest of his loyal friend. Gus would never tell anyone about him acting like a namby-pamby. He didn’t want to go to Eton and leave Gus behind—his pal, who was always ready for a game, a hike, a snack.
Gus licked Edward’s face where the tears rolled down his cheeks. “Gus, I won’t go to school unless they allow you to come with me. Cord is a very important person. And I bet he could make them accept you at Eton. You’d like all the boys. I’m sure they’re fine chums. But we won’t be able to raid the kitchen like we do at Rathbourne house.” Edward wiped his nose on his jacket sleeve. “There are lots of rules, and neither of us is good at following the rules.”
The moisture seeped into his pants, starting a chill. He stood and looked around the woods. They were close to the ravine that ran down to the river and the gamekeeper’s hut. He didn’t feel like slipping and sliding in the mud to the river tonight. “I’m getting hungry, and no one will be up to find out we raided the kitchen. Let’s go.”
Gus thumped his tail at the promise of food.
The dog suddenly froze in a rigid pose, his head stretched forward, his ears up and alert, his tail stiff and held high in the air. The dog�
��s tense, still posture stirred the little hairs on Edward’s neck.
Edward heard movement in the brush that must have alerted Gus. Not more than ten yards away from them on the main path, bushes were rustling.
Edward held his breath and listened carefully. Like Gus, he held himself tense and still. Because of the loud sound of the breaking branches and the movement of the brush across the path, Edward feared a large animal, maybe a wild boar, a lynx, or wolf was approaching.
Afraid to move, but more afraid Gus would try to attack the wild animal, Edward grabbed Gus’s wet ruff. He said nothing to his dog in case the animal detected the sound. The noise stopped. Was the animal moving away? He and Gus stood frozen and waited.
And for the first time in his life, Gus didn’t rush off and give chase, but stayed next to Edward in a protective stance, his ears perked up to every sound.
Edward also listened hard, leaning forward without moving his feet, for fear of being discovered. Not a wild animal, but men speaking in French, if he heard correctly. Lucky for him, but too bad for the men, he was proficient in seven languages, including French. It was a family attribute.
A rough man’s voice snarled. “It took you long enough.”
“The family is up late.”
“Lady Rathbourne had the baby, then?”
Edward’s heart pounded hard and loud against his chest like a kettledrum. Convinced they could hear his thudding heart, he held his breath. He had to get closer to the conversation. Why were they discussing Hen? And Hen’s baby? Could these men be French spies—French spies up to no good?
“It is time to put our plan in place. You will bring me the baby.”
Edward almost gasped aloud, muffling his surprise at the last second with his hand.
“Monsieur, I beg you. Please spare my sister. I will do as you ask, as long as you promise to let her go.”
These bastards were going to kidnap little Charles. Fear flooded Edward, causing his entire body to shake uncontrollably. The memory of his abduction rushed through him, making him want to run away as fast as he could.
A Wedding Code Page 4
