by Ella Quinn
Her betrothed turned an outraged face to her. “Are you saying that I do not present the proper countenance for a marquis? I will have you know, my lady, that my title is older than his by at least fifty years.”
She went off into a peal of laughter. “Oh, no, my love. It’s just that he used to be so pretentious. Did you not know him then?”
“Not well,” he grumbled. “I do recall something about him being stuffy.”
“He was so puffed up in his own consequence that the younger children, Theo especially, used to call him His Marquisship.”
“That is bad.” Constantine’s face was still all lean, hard planes, but his eyes twinkled and the corner of one lip trembled. “I see your point.”
She tucked her hand in the crook of his arm. “I can’t wait to hear what Dotty has to say about Jemmy. And I am sure she will have the whole story out of us before my cousin returns.”
Con left Charlotte at the door to the parlor, and he went to his chambers to wash his face and hands, and get one small item he had not yet given her.
Once he had washed and changed his cravat, he called for his valet.
“My lord?”
“Bring me my jewel box.” His mother had given him three rings before they’d left Hillstone Manor. At the time, neither of them knew Charlotte well enough to guess what her tastes were. Now he knew that he would let her pick her own ring.
Cunningham placed the box on the dresser and opened it. “Which of them will you give to Lady Charlotte, my lord?”
“She shall decide.” Con picked out the rings. Each one had different stones and were from different centuries. The newest being scarcely a hundred years old.
“A wise decision, my lord.” His valet closed the box and took it away.
Holding the rings in his hand, he knocked before opening the door between their chambers. “Charlotte?”
Her maid finished tying a green ribbon in her mistress’s hair, and giggled. Charlotte had changed from her carriage gown into a frothy confection of yellow muslin trimmed with green grosgrain ribbon.
She met his eyes in the mirror and smiled. “You may go, May.”
The servant bobbed a curtsey, and disappeared through a door Con hadn’t noticed before.
“Forgive me, my love. I did not even think of your maid being present. Will she make problems for you?” he asked, thinking the girl might tell Worthington that he’d come into her bedchamber. Worthington was already unhappy with them.
“No, she has been with me for years. I told her we are going to marry, and she is ecstatic.” Con stood behind Charlotte, his hands resting on her shoulders. He didn’t dare touch more of her for fear he would not be able to stop before she looked thoroughly kissed. Her slim hand came up and covered one of his. “Not to mention that ever since Dotty and Merton married, my maid has wished for me to wed as well.”
Con didn’t understand. His friends’ weddings had not prompted a desire in his valet for him to join their new state. “Why is that?”
Charlotte laughed. “Dotty’s maid and my maid, May, are best of friends, but also rivals in a way. Now May will also be lady’s maid to a marchioness.”
“Ah, I understand.” Affecting a calm he did not feel, he leaned over, opened his hand, and spilled the rings onto her dressing table. “Speaking of marriages. My mother gave me these. Rather than choosing one for you, I decided you should pick the one you like best.”
She cast him the most brilliant smile he had seen yet. “They are all beautiful.” Her index finger fluttered over the jewels as she studied each ring. Finally, her finger hovered over a figured gold band set with a large emerald and flanked on each side by opals. “This one I believe. Green is my favorite color and my birthday is in October.”
Picking up the other two rings, he placed them in his waistcoat pocket. He took the one she had selected and held her hand as he slipped the ring on her hand. “It’s perfect on you.”
Forgetting his resolve, Con lowered his mouth to hers, slipping his tongue along the seam of her deep-pink lips. Charlotte opened, touching her tongue to his, as he tilted his head, wanting more, wanting to be closer to her. “I want to be with you more than I can say.”
His hands started to trail down her shoulders and arms, and her fingers roamed his back.
“Where is Charlotte?” Worthington’s deep voice seemed to bounce off the walls.
“Go.” She pushed Con through the door to his room. “I shall meet you in the parlor. Jemmy should be there soon. May said he was with Merton’s valet, dressing.
“I’ll be out in a moment, Matt.” Charlotte blew Con a kiss as he strode through the door.
A minute or so later when he strolled into the parlor, Dotty was there along with Worthington, Charlotte, and Jemmy.
Worthington met Con’s gaze. “I have told Charlotte that I want her to go back to Town with me. She has refused.”
“She told me she would.” He glanced at his betrothed and held her eyes with his. The warmth and love in her gaze told him everything he needed to know. Not bothering to look at his friend and future brother-in-law, he said, “If you would like, before we travel to the Hare and Hound, where she was held, we will stop by Doctors’ Commons, where I shall obtain a marriage license. I am positive Lord and Lady Merton will agree to witness our vows.”
“Only if you’re attempting to get me murdered,” Worthington scoffed. “Grace and the children, not to mention her aunt and uncle, would have my head if they were not present at Charlotte’s wedding.” Rising, he paced the room for a few moments. “Charlotte, does this mean that much to you?”
She kept her eyes on Con, but nodded. “Yes. I must see this through.”
“Matt,” Dotty said, “no one can object to all of us traveling together. And they are betrothed. If you go home and tell Grace to begin planning the wedding, she will ensure the entire ton knows about it.”
“Lady Bellamny and Kenilworth’s mother will be happy to help,” Charlotte added. “Even those who traveled to Belgium will know before a week is out that we are marrying soon.”
Worthington’s gaze flicked from Charlotte to her friend as he appeared to consider their argument. “Very well.” He took Charlotte’s hand. “You are not as easy to intimidate as Louisa was. Then again, I had eighteen years to work on her.” Charlotte flashed him a smile. “I shall have to trust that you know what you’re doing.”
She rose up on her toes and bussed his cheek. “You have been the best guardian a lady could ask for, and I thank you. But I shall take it from here.” She smiled at him. “Grace will understand. I promise you.”
“She had better,” he muttered. “I do not like being in my wife’s black book.”
“Give her my love, and I’ll see you soon.”
Not more than five minutes after he left, a knock came on the door.
“Come,” Dotty called.
A footman opened the door and a middle-aged lady dressed in dark gray bombazine sailed into the room.
“Lady Merton.” The woman inclined her head.
That was interesting. She was either of the same rank as Dotty, or a higher rank. Con studied her carefully from her light brown hair, still free of gray, to her sharp blue-gray eyes that reminded him of... “Jemmy?”
“Yes, my lord.” The lad stood from behind a sofa, and immediately went to Charlotte. What the devil had he been doing back there?
The older woman gasped, her hand going to her throat.
“My lady,” Dotty said, “may I introduce Lady Charlotte Carpenter and her betrothed, the Marquis of Kenilworth. Lady Charlotte, Kenilworth, the Marchioness of Litchfield.”
“Lady Merton told me how this child came to be with you. I commend you, Lady Charlotte, for rescuing him.” Her lips formed a thin line. “There is only one way to know the truth. The boy must remove his clothing.”
Jemmy grabbed Charlotte’s hand. “I already had a bath.”
She glanced down at him. “Yes, I know, sweetie.” Addressing
Lady Litchfield, she asked, “For what purpose?”
“If he is who I think he is”—oh good, they were all dancing around the issue—“he will have two birthmarks, one on his shoulder and the other on his thigh. They are both a brownish color.”
“Rather than making Jemmy shed his clothing for a stranger—” She arched a regal brow. Lord, she’d make an excellent duchess, but Con wasn’t giving her up, so she’d have to settle for being a mere marchioness. “—I suggest we call in my lady’s maid. She has been in charge of his grooming and will be able to tell you if he has the birthmarks.”
“A lady’s maid?” Lady Litchfield said, doubtfully.
“Yes,” Charlotte stated firmly. “She has a number of younger brothers and sisters, and has a way with children.”
“Very well, call her in.”
“Will you have a seat, my lady?” Dotty asked, ushering the woman to the sofa as she spoke.
After their visitor was seated, Dotty yanked the bell pull and one of Merton’s numerous footmen appeared. “Tea, please.”
He bowed, and was leaving the parlor as Charlotte’s maid entered.
“You wanted me, my lady?” She bobbed a curtsey.
“I do. May, can you tell me if Jemmy has birthmarks? One on his shoulder and another on his thigh?”
“Yes, my lady. I mean he does. Brown they are, and in odd shapes. One looks like a horseshoe and the other like a bird’s nest.”
Charlotte glanced at Lady Litchfield. “Does that answer your question?”
“It does.” She rose and looked at Charlotte. “I am sorry to have imposed upon you.”
She and Dotty shared a crestfallen glance. It was a deuced good thing none of them had said anything to Jemmy.
“Can I change into my regular clothes now?” he asked.
“Charlotte gave him a quick hug. “Yes, you may.”
The child ran out of the parlor, and Con wrapped his arms around her. “I’m sorry.”
“As am I. With two birthmarks, I thought surely we had found his family.” She blinked back tears, determined not to allow them to fall.
“Yes, indeed.” Dotty stood next to her, and Charlotte hugged her friend. “It is their loss.”
“He has a family. Us.” Con’s voice seemed gruffer even to him. It must be because he had come to care for the lad. “Forever or for as long as he needs us.”
He would do his best to find the boy’s family, but if he could not, he would raise the child with the ones he and Charlotte would have. Someone had to teach him not to jump on the back of carriages.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
An hour later, Merton finally arrived. “I saw Jemmy in the stables.”
“The lady who stopped you thought he was related to her.” Charlotte shook her head. “Apparently, she was mistaken.”
Yet Constantine had been wonderful. She was so happy to know he wanted Jemmy with them.
“Well then.” Merton cleared his throat. “I suggest we decide how we will handle the rest of this mess with that Betsy woman.”
“Are the blackguards that hired Miss Betsy gone?” Con asked.
“Indeed. They were stripped of anything that could identify them and shipped off to the London docks. Apparently, Addison knows several ship captains and gave the names to Worthington. We need not worry about them again.”
Dotty laid a hand on her husband’s arm. “Are you sure, Dominic? What if they escape and return?”
His wicked grin surprised Charlotte. “I made it exceedingly clear to them that if Kenilworth, Worthington, or I ever saw them again, they were dead men.”
“But if they disappear,” Charlotte said, “will not someone start looking for them?”
“I did allow them to write letters to their men of business saying they would be out of the country for a time. That should take care of any problems. I understand that neither of them are what one would call well thought of.”
“Ruffington is under the hatches,” Constantine added. “It wouldn’t surprise me if his creditors are after him.”
“What about Miss Betsy? What does the magistrate intend to do about notifying her family, if she had any?”
“At the moment, it appears we are the only ones, other than Mr. and Mrs. Crowe, who know where she receives her mail,” Merton said. “Once we have the information we’re looking for, we shall notify the magistrate. The only miscreant missing is the one who got away.”
The one who had abducted her twice, Charlotte thought. As to the others, it was really the only thing they could have done short of murdering the men outright. “I know it has already been a long day, but I propose we go to the White Swan in Twickenham after luncheon and ask for Mrs. Bottoms’s direction. I can pretend to be an old friend of hers.” She looked at Constantine for support. “At some point Sir John will remember that the Crowes were involved and ask for any information they have. I would rather use the information we have to find the other person Miss Betsy had kidnapped.”
“I agree with Charlotte. According to Miss Betsy, there is another victim. If the woman is at the Hare and Hound, Sir John won’t have jurisdiction, and we need to get her out of the way before the magistrate becomes involved,” Constantine said. “The sooner we finish this, the better. Aside from that”—he grinned—“I have a wedding to attend.”
“I agree,” Dotty said.
“As you wish. I appropriated the key to her house,” Merton said. “As well as the money that was exchanged today. We shall use anything of value we find to help her victims.”
“We need to find them before we can rescue them,” Constantine added in a grim tone.
Shortly after they dined, they drove the short distance to Twickenham.
The landlord of the White Swan believed Charlotte’s story of being friends with Mrs. Bottoms and not only gave Charlotte the direction of the woman’s house, but a letter for her as well.
Minutes later they found the small house. A red climbing rose draped gracefully over the front entrance that was covered by a porch with a peaked roof. The trim, painted white, was well maintained. On each side of the entrance was one window.
Merton knocked, as if expecting the house to be occupied. When no one answered, he used the key and opened the door. “Talk as if there is someone here. I do not wish to have to explain to her neighbors or the local watch, if there is one, why we are entering an empty house.”
After he closed the door Charlotte took in the neat front hall, flanked by doors. Another door covered with green baize stood in a corner across from the entrance and off to the side. A staircase leading to a second level was situated directly across from the front door. Next to the stairs was a narrow corridor. The house was deeper than it appeared from the outside.
“I’ll look for her desk,” Dotty said, starting down the corridor.
Charlotte opened the letter the innkeeper had given her. “I was right. The next victim is already at the Hare and Hound.” She glanced at Constantine. “Do you have any idea how far that is from here?”
“Unfortunately, I don’t. I’m sure the Star and Garter will have a map we can look at.”
“I found a pocketbook with entries dating back three months,” Dotty said as she came bustling from the back of the house.
“That would be before we closed her brothel,” Merton said.
“Indeed.” Dotty’s lips thinned. “She went from one business subjecting people, straight to another.”
“May I see it?” Charlotte took the book from her friend. “Did you find ledgers or anything else that might help?”
“There are several ledgers as well as other documents. We should take them all.”
“Yes, but how are we going to get them out of here?” Con pointed out, frowning. “It will appear strange if we stroll back to the coach carrying account books.”
“She must have a bandbox or something we can use.” Charlotte headed up the stairs with Con following close behind.
There were three rooms, all with their
doors closed. She looked in them one by one. Two were devoid of furniture, but the third chamber contained a bed and clothes press. On top of the clothes press were several boxes.
“Allow me.” Con plucked one of the bandboxes off the top. “This should be large enough.”
She opened the box and took out a bonnet, placing it on the bed.
By the time they returned to the hall, Dotty and Merton had the ledgers ready to be packed. Less than fifteen minutes after they had arrived, they strolled out of the door, all of them pretending to wish the imaginary person in the house farewell.
“That was an interesting bit of playacting,” Constantine commented when they reached the coach. “One would think you had done it before.”
Charlotte caught Dotty’s eye and laughed.
“Pantomimes,” they said at the same time.
Constantine’s jaw dropped. “Christmas pantomimes?” Charlotte nodded. “I was never able to join in them,” he said, “first, I was too young, and when I got older, my sisters were all out of the house.”
“I’ve never even seen one,” Merton groused.
“You shall this year,” Dotty assured him.
“You as well,” Charlotte said to Constantine. “It really is unfair that you were left out. In my family, the children joined in as soon as they could toddle around.”
Charlotte linked her arm with Con’s and he was glad to have her by his side. Christmas was only one of many changes about to take place in his life. He had a feeling the holidays would be spent with the Worthington family whenever possible.
Mentally, he counted up the number of people who would most likely be present, and decided to ask his steward if any of his properties were near her family’s main estate. He thought there might be one. Still, Christmas was months away, and he had a young woman to rescue, and a wedding to get through first. Everything else would come later.
“May I look at the pocketbook?”
“Of course.” Charlotte handed it to him.
He spent the rest of the ride back to Richmond reading over the entries. Almost immediately, he realized he knew several of the men who had tried to buy women. Worthington was right. Before Con met Charlotte, he’d been keeping low company. He must find a map and figure out the best way to travel to the Hare and Hound.
