An Earl's Queen (A Rogues and Rakehells Mystery Book 2)

by Lindsay Downs

  “I know you will, m’ lord. Now, if I’m not mistaken Usher has stepped in and is about to announce dinner is served,” her mother told him.

  Unlike other banquets he’d attended, Tony had declared the seating for this one would be casual, meaning husbands could escort their wife. However, he with Chelsea would lead everyone into the large dining room with his mother and her parents following. It was also decided, again by him, Chelsea would sit to his right while his mother took the seat at the foot of the table. Her parents would be seated to his left.

  Over a dinner consisting of different meats, fish, and fowl with appropriate side dishes, Tony made sure the conversation at his end of the table flowed easily. He did make sure no one of the house party guests mentioned the missing Adolphus. Partway down the table Tony was happy to see Nash had been given permission to escort Amelia in.

  He leaned over to Chelsea. “Do you believe the duchess has softened in regards to Lord Nash?” he whispered.

  “I’m not sure, but if you’ll notice she’s keeping a very close watch over her daughter and him.”

  “I agree, and it will be interesting if he’s given permission to partner with her in a dance.”

  “Yes, but not a waltz,” she stated.

  “Then, as dessert is finished, shall we adjourn to the ballroom and see what occurs,” he declared.

  With a nod to his mother, who stood bringing the men to their feet, he waited until their dinner companion was standing then guided Chelsea to the head of the line which had formed on either side of the table.

  What she didn’t know was that Tony had instructed the musicians to play a waltz as the first dance. They were also to play several more during the evening, and he planned to partner with her every time.

  As he led Chelsea down the grand staircase the musicians started the opening strains of a waltz.

  “M’ lady, I believe this is our dance.”

  “Yes it is, m’ lord, as you weren’t allowed to partner with me at the Rucker ball. I’m also going to save all of them for you and you alone,” she declared.

  As they glided around the floor he made it a point to behave and not draw her too closely in to him when they rounded a corner. This, he could easily see made several of the matrons happy as they’d given him a nod of approval.

  Once the music ended, he bowed to her curtsey then offered his hand in rising her. Next, he searched out her parents and seeing both mothers ensconced on a divan, one he and Joseph had brought in, he guided her over to them and the empty chair beside it.

  He barely had her seated and was standing behind her when the musicians started playing a country dance. Never one to enjoy them, he was pleased when Nash approached and requested to partner with her. As they already knew each other and he trusted the man, Tony didn’t say anything even when Chelsea turned to seek his approval. He easily gave in with a smile and a nod.

  As he watched them go through the intricate footstep movements he didn’t hear Usher step up until the man spoke.

  “Excuse me, m’ lord, but something very disturbing has occurred which needs your immediate attention.”

  “What?” he demanded.

  “The Reads’ carriage has just returned.”

  Tony knew there was no way it could have gotten to the estate and back in only four hours so something was definitely wrong.

  “Send the coachman to my office.”

  “He’s already at the first floor servant stair landing with a footman to watch over him,” Usher said.

  “I’ll be along shortly, and meet me at my office,” Tony instructed the man.

  “Yes, m’ lord.”

  Turning his attention back to the floor, Tony noticed the dance was just ending. Once she was seated he came around to face her.

  “M’ lady, something has come up which requires my immediate attention. I’m not sure what it is or how long it will take. Please enjoy the ball, but not too much, until I return. The countess,” he paused and glanced over to his mother, “knows the acceptable gentlemen who may dance with you, except waltzes. Those are reserved for myself.”

  “I understand, but don’t be away for too long,” she said.

  With that taken care of and an encouraging promise from both mothers, Tony made his way out of the ballroom and up to his office.

  “Bring the man to me,” he ordered.

  “Yes, m’ lord.”

  Stepping into the room, Tony started for the sidebar then changed his mind and went to his desk. No sooner was he seated than Usher brought in the man. From the appearance of the coachman things were definitely wrong as he saw the front of the man’s jacket was covered in blood.

  “Is that yours?”

  “No, m’ lord. Some of it belongs to the guard while the rest is from Lord Adolphus who was murdered.”

  “Explain,” Tony snapped out.

  “Yes, m’ lord. We were about two hours from here and had crossed over the river bridge on the road to London when we were stopped by a single highwayman. He was armed with two Tower pistols and ordered His Lordship out. At first we thought the man wanted to rob us, but when Lord Adolphus was standing on the ground he was killed. My assistant reached for his shotgun and was shot, fortunately in the arm. He’ll be okay.”

  “Are you able to give me a description of the highwayman?”

  “No, m’ lord, I can’t as his face was covered with a scarf, and the hat he wore was pulled down. All I can say is he had a stammer which made it hard to understand him.”

  “Can you remember what he was dressed like?”

  “As you would be during the day, m’ lord, or any gentleman of breeding. After he shot my man he raced off the way we’d come. As you know there are several small roads and many paths he could have taken and might be in the next district by now,” the coachman answered.

  This was all the information Tony needed to know exactly who the shooter was. Valerian. And if mounted on a good horse, it would take no more than two hours to return here, but for what purpose?

  “Thank you. I must impart the importance of not saying anything to anyone and keep yourself hidden in the stable. I need to inform the countess, and don’t want her to learn before-hand what happened to her son.”

  “You have my word, we won’t say a thing. My only question, is what do you wish to do with his body. Right now it’s in the carriage. Even though many didn’t like Lord Adolphus, he was always polite to me and the other staff.”

  Tony looked past the man to his butler. “Usher, have the body brought to the cold room, then make sure coachman is fed and cleaned up. Also, have Mrs. Durrant look to his assistant to make sure he will recover. Keep me informed.”

  “Of course, m’ lord.”

  Tony waited until they left then stood and went to the sidebar. After pouring a healthy amount of whiskey into a glass, he turned and took a large drink then noticed the unopened letter from Adolphus still sitting on the table where Chelsea had dropped it.

  Not caring it wasn’t addressed to him, he stormed over, set the glass down, and picked it up. Breaking the seal, he unfolded it.

  Chelsea,

  You won’t be marrying Wyatt but Valerian.

  Adolphus

  Tony felt his blood run cold.

  Throwing it down, he raced out and down to the ballroom. At the top of the stairs he surveyed the room looking for her. Chelsea was nowhere to be seen, but did see Nash. Tony knew he’d know where she was, or so he hoped.

  Descending the stairs, he rushed over to his friend.

  “Do you know where Lady Chelsea is?”

  “Yes, she was complaining of it being warm in here and went out to the veranda. Why? What’s wrong?”

  “Valerian’s here and is going to kidnap her.”

  “If he touches a hair on her head I’ll kill him,” Nash stated.

  Tony barely heard the last words as he swiftly made his way to the far end of the ballroom. Stepping out, he saw her fan on the flagstones which he knew wouldn’t be t
here unless she’d been taken by force.

  Behind him he heard heavy footsteps and then a firm hand clasped on his shoulder. He knew it was his friend. He strained his eyes looking out into the darkness in the hopes of seeing her.

  “Sinclair, ask her parents and my mother to come at once to my office. There’s much needing to be discussed. I also need you there as well.”

  Not waiting for a reply he turned, reentered the ballroom, and hunted down Usher. Finding him at the base of the grand stairs, he told the man to go to the stables and have Barney come to the office at once.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Impatiently, Tony paced around his office while waiting for the others to arrive. He was happy when his mother and Chelsea’s parents came in separately thus making sure their presence wasn’t missed. The next to last was Nash. Now all he needed was for Barney to appear. He started to sit behind his desk when Usher came to the door and waved for him. Marching across the room Tony could tell something was, for the second time tonight, greatly bothering the man.

  “What is it?” he demanded. He looked behind his butler to see the stablemaster shifting from foot to foot.

  “I’m sorry, m’ lord, but Barney needs to speak with you privately.”

  Tony stepped around Usher and up to his stablemaster.

  “M’ lord, forgive me, but as ladies are in your office I thought this best be told to you and you alone. A little bit ago Sir Farnam’s coachman was found bludgeoned to death, and his carriage has gone missing.”

  For the second time in as many hours Tony could feel anger welling up inside him. But he also knew now how Valerian would take Chelsea someplace. But where?

  “Thank you. Now come in as we’ve much to discuss and figure out what to do.”

  Spinning on his heel, Tony stormed back in with Barney following. Pointing to a chair near the door for him, Tony continued on to his desk but stopped in front of it. Turning he saw four worried looks.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, to start with, Chelsea has been kidnapped by Valerian who has already killed or had two men murdered. Right now, all I know is that he stole the Farnam coach and is racing away with her to some unknown location.”

  He wasn’t surprised when Chelsea’s mother started to cry nor at the gasp of shock from his mother. What was interesting was Joseph and Nash both stood and started to pace in different directions, both deep in thought.

  “Nash, is Valerian able to drive a carriage?” Tony asked.

  “No, he’s not. Even if he could, Lady Chelsea would be able to escape. He has to have help with him,” Nash told the group.

  He wasn’t surprised to hear that, as most gentlemen of the ton weren’t skilled in handing more than one or two horses in harness. Valerian would also need to stay with Chelsea to make sure she didn’t escape.

  “Wait, that’s it. The crew from the privateer who rescued him. They’re probably planning to take her to their ship then sail north to Scotland and Gretna Green. How far is the coast from here?” Nash demanded.

  “Two hours on a well-mounted horse but at least three by carriage, especially at night.” Tony looked down the room to Barney. “Do you know how long ago the coach might have been missing?”

  “No more than half an hour ago. I came to find you as soon as I learned it was stolen.”

  That was more than good news for him. He’d have plenty of time to catch up to Chelsea, but he had several other problems which he needed to deal with. First though, he needed horses saddled and ready to go.

  “Barney, have Cory saddled and waiting in his stall. Also, I’ll need several grooms who aren’t afraid to engage in fisticuffs or worse if need be. I’ll be out shortly,” Tony ordered the man.

  “Saddle mine up also,” Nash directed to the stablemaster.

  “And one for me,” Joseph added.

  “M’ lord, you need to stay here, and I’ll explain in a minute. Now off with you, Barney,” Tony directed.

  “Yes, m’ lord, and I know the men to send along.”

  Once Barney left, Tony looked to the ladies and gentlemen.

  “Mother, we can’t let anyone at the ball be made aware Chelsea was kidnapped. I need you to return, and if anyone asks where she is tell them she is lying down from a headache but should feel better soon and will return. Joseph you need to stay here so our guests don’t get suspicious when they don’t see you with Iris. Until we return, safely I should point out, you can either remain here or in my mother’s sitting room. Also, I’ll arrange for tea to be brought up and a footman as a guard.”

  He waited while Iris thought over her two options then glanced over to Rosalind.

  “If you don’t mind, I’ll use your parlor as it’s more relaxing. And considering everything, sherry would be preferred.”

  “Son, you said two people were murdered. Can you tell us who they are?” his mother asked.

  “Adolphus, but his mother can’t find out until we return, and the other was the Farnam coachman.”

  Hearing his mother gasp in shock, he turned to her but from Iris nothing. It was as if she was relieved one of the men who’d wanted to harm her daughter was finally brought to justice.

  “Joseph, if Sir Farnam and his wife wish to depart before we get back, take them aside and explain what happened then offer up my carriage.”

  “If they ask about the body, what do you wish me to tell them?”

  At first Tony didn’t have an answer, but seeing his mother glance at him he knew she did.

  “Explain to them as it happened here, His Lordship will take care of the costs.”

  He appreciated his mother stepping in and offering a viable solution to a difficult problem.

  “All right, ladies and gentlemen, I’ve a damsel in distress needing rescuing, and you have your duties. If everything goes well, we should be back in no more than an hour.”

  As they all stepped into the hall he gave Iris a kiss on the cheek, shook Joseph’s hand, then turned and with Nash they made their way down the servant stairs and to the barn. Walking in, he was happy to see several grooms, all of whom he knew, including Stanley. After briefly explaining what had happened to Chelsea he asked if anyone had questions.

  “M’ lord, to what extent are we allowed to hurt those who kidnapped Lady Chelsea?” Stanley said.

  “Men, I’ll leave that up to you. Just remember, in a few weeks she’ll be mistress of the estate. As for Lord Valerian, what’s left of him after I get through with him…” Tony glanced over to Nash. “What’s left, you may do with as you desire.”

  “M’ lord, if as you suspect, they are headed for the coast then leave from here by the back and take the trail which leads to the road then the coast. That should make catching up with them faster,” Barney told his master.

  ****

  Slowly, Chelsea woke and noticed a sickly sweet odor and taste in her nose and mouth. Then she realized her wrists were bound, and she was gagged. Trying to sit up, Chelsea kept falling back onto the squabs as the coach rounded a curve in the road, if that’s what it was. Wherever they were going, she knew the coach wasn’t rushing along, telling her the road must be full of potholes. Her only question was where?

  “Well, you’re finally awake, I see.” She heard a voice say but had trouble recognizing the speaker.

  She tried to talk, but with the cloth in her mouth the best she could do was mumble. Raising her hands she tried to remove the cloth, but they were slapped away.

  “No, no, my dear. If I take that off, all you’ll do is scream like you did the day I pushed you into the river.”

  Suddenly Chelsea realized who it was. Valerian. Now she knew where they were going, to Scotland so he could marry her over an anvil. Except for that horrid and brief encounter with the man in London, she didn’t remember if they’d met since he’d tried to kill her. That was the one thing she’d not recalled after visiting the pavilion with Tony that first time.

  “If you promise not to scream, I’ll take it off, but the first time you raise
your voice it goes back on. Do you understand?”

  Nodding her agreement , she attempted to sit up again, and this time was successful. She waited while he did as promised. Finally able to catch a few glimpses of his face, she could tell from the look in his eyes he was slowly going mad, if not already there completely. Just the feel of his hands on her, made her want to retch, and it became worse when he untied the gag and let his hands brush against her breasts.

  Moving her jaw to loosen it, she tried to speak but couldn’t as her mouth felt like it was still full of cotton. Accepting a bottle of liquid, from the color of it she knew it was wine, she carefully took a sip or two. Right now, the last thing she needed was to lose control of her faculties.

  “Where are we going?” she demanded.

  “Now, now don’t be so impatient. You’ll learn in good time, but I can tell you it will be a lovely sail up the channel.”

  Chelsea could almost hear the gloating in his words that he’d won, but she knew he hadn’t. She knew by now Tony was aware she’d been taken and dropping her fan had been the perfect hint as a lady never did unless she wished to attract a man’s attention. But would he know they were going to the coast or would he think they would be taking the roads north?

  She started to take another sip when she was thrown back down onto the squabs as the coach came to a violent stop. Outside she heard voices, one she immediately recognized as belonging to Tony. Quickly righting herself, she saw Valerian looking out the window. Acting on the opportunity, she took the wine bottle and smashed it down on his head, then watched as he slumped to the floor.

  “Tony, in here,” she screamed.

  No sooner were the words out of her mouth than the door swung open and she smiled seeing Tony standing outside, a panicked look fading slowly from his eyes. Her mind barely registered the yells, shouts, and fists hitting solid bodies.

  “My darling, are you all right? He didn’t hurt you, did he?”

  “Yes, I am now that you’re here. And no, he didn’t injure me.”