“Papa, Thunder saved us.”
“Thunder?”
“Aye. Thunder,” the boy slipped from Liam’s lap to pick up the pup. “He started barking and wouldn’t stop until I woke up. I smelled the smoke and woke up Annie. Me and Thunder saved everyone.”
“Where did you come up with the name Thunder.”
“He’s louder than thunder,” the boy replied. The look on his face indicated that his Papa should have understood that.
“Well, I’m glad that Thunder was here.”
“So am I, my lord. There is quite a bit of damage to this side of the house, but everyone is accounted for,” Angus clarified.
“Excellent.”
“Where’s Mama?”
“That’s a wonderful question. She was just behind me. Let’s see if we can’t find her.” He swung the boy up and perched him on his shoulders as they left the house. The pup barked, bounded ahead of them, then raced back. A couple of times he almost tripped Liam, causing Paddy to fall into fits of giggles. Liam saw Hamrick in the distance, walking Belle, and studying her closely. The man wrapped his arms around the mare’s girth, then stood back and scratched his head.
“Lad, what’re you doin’ back so soon?”
“It doesn’t matter. Have you seen Meg?”
“No, I haven’t seen the lass. Is she here? I could sure talk to her.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Lady Belle.”
“What’s the matter, Hamrick? Is there something wrong with the foal?”
“In a manner of speaking,” the old trainer said. “She’s too big.”
“The foal’s too big?”
“Yes and no.”
“Hamrick, you’re not making sense.”
“We had her covered just last month by that sire that the lass wanted to breed her with.”
“I remember.”
“Her girth is more of a four or five month foal.”
“What are you saying?”
“I think she was already breeding when we came over.”
“Who do you think the sire is?”
“The only one we kept even close to her was Legend. Some of the stable hands back home were not as careful as they should have been.”
“Meaning they could have been put out together without you or Megan having been any wiser.”
“Aye.”
“Why, Legend, you old devil. Wait until Megan hears this. I wonder where she is.”
Just then a man came galloping up the drive. When he saw them standing at the paddocks, he continued riding towards them.
“I don’t bloody believe it.”
“Who is it, lad?”
“Here, take Paddy.” Liam handed Paddy over to Hamrick and marched to meet the man. “Nice patch, Dervish. Attempting to look even more the rogue? You have some bloody nerve showing your face around here. I know you say you took a bullet for my wife, but that doesn’t give you leave to just show up whenever you want to.”
“Who the bloody hell is this Dervish everyone keeps calling me? Here, London, it doesn’t matter.”
“What are you going on about?” Liam queried.
“My name’s Dominic Grantham and I’m an acquaintance of Jacqueline Grey.”
“Jacqueline? The one that wrote us a letter saying that our son had been killed? What game is she playing? I thought she was Megan’s friend.”
“No game. Are you Lord Brookdale?”
“Yes.”
“Jacqueline sent me. She says it’s a matter of life and death. A man arrived at her cottage and forced his way in. He wanted information out of her. He started beating her when she wouldn’t talk. She held out for as long as she could, but finally had to do as he asked if for no other reason than to save her life. He held a gun to her head and forced her to write the letter. I arrived just in time to keep him from raping her and doing who knows what else to her. He escaped. I wanted to give chase, but she needed help. One of her friends is staying with her now, but must leave shortly. Jacqueline is being stubborn and insisted I come and warn you. She said to tell you Megan’s in danger.”
“What else did she say?”
“She just said that the man kept repeating Megan’s name and revenge.”
“What did this man look like?”
“I only saw him for a few seconds, but he was stocky, shorter than us. He had dark hair and light colored eyes.”
“You only saw him for a few seconds, huh?”
“In my business, it pays to watch for details. Does he sound familiar?”
“Yes. Hamrick, I need a gun.”
“A gun?”
“A gun, Hamrick. Now.” The old man scurried off to do his bidding while Liam saddled a horse.
* * *
Megan came to lying on a rock slab in the middle of a large grouping of trees. A piece of cloth was stuffed in her mouth and another was tied around her head securing the first one in place so that if she made any sound it would be muffled. Her legs and arms were tied to trees, pulling them in different directions so that she could not move. Nor could she modestly pull her legs together. She looked around frantically, but saw nothing that would help her escape.
A figure came into her peripheral vision. She turned her head and her eyes widened in panic when she saw the man walking towards her.
“You’re finally awake,” he chuckled. “I’ve been lonely waiting for you. I met your friend, Jacqueline. There is just something about redheads that make a man’s blood churn.”
“Hmph, mmmm, hmmm.”
“What is that? You’ve been wondering what happened to me? You’ve been dreaming of me, haven’t you, Lady Brookdale? You’ve come up in the world, haven’t you?” he crooned, and brushed the backs of his fingers down her cheeks.
Megan attempted to jerk her head away.
“Oh, you don’t have to pretend. Your husband isn’t around. I have a secret to share with you. I haven’t been able to forget you either,” he whispered against her ear, then flicked his tongue out against the lobe. “No matter where I was, you were never far away from my thoughts. But I digress, you want to know about me and where I’ve been. You see, your brother had me taken to Newgate. Have you any idea what Newgate is like?” He paused a moment before continuing. “No? Well, let me tell you, my beauty. It’s a ghastly place. I was raised on the streets of London and didn’t think you could get much worse than that. I was wrong. Newgate has rats as big as my arm. I should know, one of them shared a cell with me.
“I can see your mind churning away. You’re wondering how I got out, aren’t you? They sent a barrister to talk to me. To help me figure out what I should do. The warden left us alone. Ah, that poor old man. He never felt any pain,” Williams assured her.
Megan looked at him, horrified.
He threw back his head and laughed. “Oh, my dear, the look on your face is priceless. It had to be done. I had to be free of that place. I quickly pulled on his clothes and tucked him into mine. Thought the warden would be an issue, but a new one had come on duty. I told him that my client had passed out from drink and made a real big fuss, demanding to know who would sneak in something like that to a prisoner.”
Muffled sounds came out of Megan’s mouth.
“Oh, come now, my beauty, he was an old man and had lived his life.”
Megan continued to try and talk, but stopped quickly when Williams pulled out a riding crop.
“Yes, you are a horsewoman, aren’t you? Surely you know how this feels across the flesh.” He took the riding crop and gently insinuated it between Megan’s skin and her skirt, slowly lifting the hem towards her waist.
Megan gripped the ropes attaching her wrists to the trees beyond her head. She attempted to work herself free, but instead only felt the ropes tighten about her wrists. Cool air greeted her right leg from thigh to ankle.
“I suggest you stop, my beauty, before I have to stop you.”
“Hmm mmm mmm,” Megan responded. She winced when the riding crop landed ac
ross her bare thigh.
“How does that feel, my beauty.”
“Hmmmm.” Again, there was a whistle from the riding crop arcing through the air just before it met her flesh. Tears stung her eyes, but she refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing them flow.
Soon both legs were exposed. Megan closed her eyes in an attempt to block out what was happening to her. She hoped Liam stayed away. This man was insane and there was no telling what he would do. She knew that soon she would be joining Paddy and Hamrick, she just hoped that Liam would move on and find someone that would make him happy. Suddenly a thought came to her. Had this lunatic had something to do with Paddy and Hamrick’s accident? Was he lying about Jacqueline? A pop and a sting brought her out of her reverie.
“Pay attention to me,” the crazed man demanded. “Do you understand?”
Megan nodded her head, afraid to push him farther than she already had.
“Excellent. Now, where did I leave off? Oh, yes, we wouldn’t want you to appear to be unmatched, would we?” He used the riding crop again on her left leg, then he bent over and dropped kisses up and down her right leg, from her ankle to her hip. She closed her eyes and tried to ignore the man and what he was doing to her. She felt the riding crop under her chin before she felt the sharp sting on her cheek. “No closing your eyes. I want you to take in all of this. To remember who you’re with.”
Megan felt the bile rising up her throat when he reached down and ripped her dress asunder. A shudder coursed through her as he ground his palm against one of her breasts. He climbed up on the slab and straddled her hips. She bucked against him, trying to dislodge him when he ground his erection into her pelvis, but instead, it only seemed to excite him more. No matter how many times he hit her, she refused to look at him, refused to give him the pleasure he sought.
“Damn you, bitch, look at me!”
Megan kept her eyes closed. He grabbed her jaw and squeezed until she thought he would break it. Suddenly a roaring sound filled her ears.
“What in bloody hell…”
He was flying off of her before he could finish the question. Soon a familiar looking man sporting an eyepatch was leaning over Megan.
“Are you all right?” he asked her as he gently pulled her dress back together.
“Hmmm mmm mmmmm mmmm.”
“Just a moment. Be still.” His coat flew open, revealing a gun strapped to his side.
Megan closed her eyes and heard him sawing at the ropes that tied her hands to the trees. She prayed he would work faster as grunts and the sounds of fists could be heard from her left side. Grayson’s look-alike, she tried to remember the man’s name, but was unsuccessful, had finally freed her hand. She worked feverishly at freeing her mouth of the gag while he undid the knots at her ankles.
Blood found its way back into her arms and legs leaving the sensation of thousands of needles behind. She sat up and scooted off the slab, standing on the backside next to Grayson’s look-alike. Silence finally reached her and she held her breath until she saw Liam walking towards her. He looked a little worse for the wear, but they were both alive. It was at that moment that they both heard a movement. Liam turned and dove for the ground when he saw Williams standing there with a gun cocked and a look of insanity on his face.
Before she realized what she was doing, Megan reached inside of the other man’s coat for the gun she had seen earlier. She pulled it free, swung around, and pulled the trigger. The sound of another gunshot reached her ears shortly before hers did. A look of shock crossed the insane man’s face seconds before he fell to the ground with a bullet hole in his forehead and another in his arm. Her shot had gone wide, doing minimal damage, but Liam’s had found its mark.
Megan dropped her hand beside her. It felt as if it weighed a hundred pounds. The other man eased the gun from her fingers. Liam stood up, slipped a gun into the waist of his pants, and slid across the rock slab. He took her into his arms and murmured nonsensical words into her ear. Words that she couldn’t understand at the moment. Words of condemnation, she was sure, for adding another soul to his conscience.
* * *
On the way home, Megan demanded they go by and check on Jack. Despite Liam’s protests, she won the argument. Grantham, as he introduced himself to her afterward, promised to stay with the body until Liam could send someone to deal with the situation. Liam left Megan with the injured woman while he rode into town, promising to be back as soon as possible.
“Oh, dear,” Megan said when she saw the young woman who had become her friend.
“I look that bad, do I?” Jack asked trying to smile, but it turned into a wince. She gingerly touched her lip where it was split. “I suppose it’s a good thing I don’t own a mirror isn’t it?”
“Jack, I’m so sorry.”
“Whoever is searching for me should see me now, they would be glad I’m confined to the country.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“You can tell me the bastard is dead.”
“He is.”
“Good.”
“Did he?”
“You’re a married woman and yet you can’t say it? No, Megan, he did not despoil me, at least not that I can remember. However, even if he did, it has been taken care of. Remember, I’m a healer.”
“I thought you only make people better.”
“I am also practical. Enough of me. How are you?”
“I’ve been better, I suppose. But at least the nightmare is over.”
“And is everyone safe?”
“He did burn down part of the house. Liam told me if it weren’t for Paddy’s new puppy…well, it doesn’t bear to think about. Other than smelling like smoke, everyone is alive and accounted for.”
“And how are things between you and Lord Brookdale?”
“I’m not sure. We were finally talking and airing things out when we received your letter.”
“That bastard made me write it.”
“I know he did. You rest, and I’ll look out for you for a change. How does that sound?”
“Wonderful,” Jacqueline sighed and closed her eyes.
Megan tugged the blanket up under the woman’s chin, sat beside the bed on a chair, and watched her sleep. Time passed slowly until she heard a faint tapping sound at the door. When she opened it, she found Liam standing on the other side. “Come in,” Megan whispered.
“How is she?” Liam asked.
“Sore, I would imagine. I remember how I felt. I hurt all over.”
“Her aunt is coming from town to stay with her. She had to make sure the inn was taken care of. That’s why she was alone when we arrived. She asked if we would stay with Jacqueline until she arrives.”
“Of course,” Megan said and sat at the little table. Liam joined her.
“Megan—”
“Not now, please.”
“Fine.”
They waited in silence and watched over Jacqueline.
Chapter 30
Megan sat on one of the padded benches in the conservatory. She wore a plain cotton gown and a robe. Despite the warmth of the room, she had a quilt pulled tightly about her shoulders and wrapped around her drawn up legs. As she looked through the foliage into the inky darkness, streaks of lightning could be seen on the horizon, charging the air. A rain would be good, she thought idly. It would wash away the death and destruction and bring with it a renewal of life. She felt Liam join her before she heard the door click shut. The fine hairs at the nape of her neck stood up. She shivered and pulled the quilt tighter about her. She refused to turn around and look at him, to see the accusations in his eyes. And he would be within his right to do so. Her attitude and defiant nature had almost destroyed their little family.
“How’s Paddy?”
“Asleep in your bed. His guard dog is with him at the ready.”
“Our lives could be so much different right now if you had not contacted your uncle and he had not sent Thunder to us.”
“Yes, I believe Th
under has definitely earned his place in this family. Meg—”
“I know what you’re going to say,” she stopped him.
“Oh? And what’s that?”
“This whole thing’s been my fault. And you’re right. It has. From the moment I made fun of Williams in front of his peers and challenged his masculinity, I made a mortal enemy.”
“Meg—”
“No, let me finish. I’ve allowed you to take too much of the blame for far too long. I’ve lived life recklessly. I’ve never been what one would deem a girl that would easily fit into society. I push the boundaries far beyond what they expand, and I’ve received their backlash for the last time. Even when I was married to John, we rarely went out in society. He made excuses of course, his failing health or Paddy not needing to be away from us. But deep down I knew the truth, he was embarrassed of me. I was horse mad. I felt more comfortable talking to the men than I did the women. It was easier for me to be on the back of a horse than it was to sit in a parlor and visit with the local wives.
“That is why it was so easy for him to take Paddy from me and give him over to Jonathan and Beatrice. I was a disappointment to him. I wasn’t the woman he thought he was marrying. Well, I’m vowing to change. From this moment forward, I’m going to be the perfect wife to you and mother to Paddy. I’ll spend the rest of my days making up for the horrors we’ve had to suffer. I’ll learn to embroider and paint. I’ll learn how to play musical instruments. I’ll do whatever I must to make all this up to everyone, most especially you.”
“What about me?”
“I forced you to have to kill another man, to add another death to your conscience. I’ve given you one more nightmare to have to live through.”
“Meg—”
“Don’t try to be kind to me. I deserve every harsh word you choose to lay down at my feet. I can’t even blame you for not wanting to touch me any longer. I disgust myself…”
“Stop, just bloody stop,” Liam ordered angrily. “What happened to your talk earlier of this being our problem and not about you and me?” He saw her flinch and immediately regretted his tone. The lightning came closer and was the only light in the glass enclosed room. Liam took a moment to gather control of himself. The scent within the room was both calming and heady, the warmth intensifying it. The air was thick and growing even more so with the looming storm. He walked back to the door and twisted the key in the lock before pulling the drapes across the doors.
Enticing the Weary Warrior Page 33
