Foolish Bride

by A. S. Fenichel

  Thomas knelt at Everett’s leg. “Who tied this dressing?”

  “I did,” Sheldon said.

  “It’s a good job, boy,” Thomas looked for something to splint the leg with.

  “How did you learn to do that?” Michael asked.

  Sheldon colored. “I’ve read all your war reports.”

  The fact that his youngest brother had invaded his privacy and read his papers would have to wait. The fact that he had gotten anything useful out of them was astonishing. Michael exchanged a look with Thomas, who tore his blouse, then used the fabric to tie a long stick to Everett’s leg.

  Middleton arrived with a large carriage carrying Lady Rollins, who was near tears but kept her composure as she helped get her middle son into the transport.

  Daniel followed on horseback.

  The carriage started back to the house, where a doctor would be waiting to tend to Everett.

  Michael, Daniel, and Thomas stood and scanned the tracks of the carriage that had taken Elinor away.

  Thomas said, “I will follow the tracks so they don’t go cold. You go back to the house and see to Everett, Mike. Send for Markus and James Hardwig. We will need some law, I suspect.”

  Daniel added, “I know Sheldon is distraught, but someone will need to question him and find out who is responsible. It will help to have a motive here.”

  Torn between going to see about his brother and finding Elinor, Michael nodded. “I won’t be more than a few hours behind you.”

  They all nodded, and twenty years of friendship linked them.

  Chapter 17

  It had been over an hour since Elinor’s kidnapping, and Michael was dying inside. Thomas hadn’t returned with the kidnapper’s direction, and no report had come from the doctor on Everett’s condition.

  Tears streaming down his face, Sheldon clung to the edge of his chair.

  “Tell me everything that happened, Sheldon.” Michael held his fists tight at his side to keep from shaking him.

  Sheldon cried. “I told you already.”

  “You have to remember more,” Michael screamed. What he really wanted was to scream at Everett to stand up and tell him he was fine.

  “I cannot.”

  Markus stood in the library doorway.

  Daniel sat behind the desk, rubbing his eyes.

  “Sorry to interrupt.” Markus stepped inside the room. “How is Everett?”

  Slumping, Sheldon wiped his face.

  Daniel said, “The doctor is still with him. He’s lost a lot of blood, in spite of the excellent field dressing that Sheldon managed before running over three miles to get help.”

  “I see,” Markus said. “Then he is in God’s hands now.”

  Michael glared, but Markus slapped his gloves against his hand and strode closer. “Perhaps it would be best if Sheldon and I had a chat, and you sat and took a rest, Mike.”

  This was his family and his responsibility. Michael was about to tell Markus to shove off.

  Middleton entered the room. “It’s been raining an hour now, Markus. Thomas has probably lost the trail.”

  Markus nodded. “Yes. Therefore, we will need good intelligence before we begin. Hello, Preston, didn’t know you were in attendance.”

  “Markus,” Middleton said with a nod.

  Markus sat next to Sheldon on the couch. “Sheldon, why don’t you tell me what happened today.”

  “I already told everything,” Sheldon whined.

  “I am certain that you have, but humor me and tell it to me. It is possible that in your brother’s desire to get Lady Elinor back, he has flustered you, and some critical information has been left out.”

  Markus’s gentle brand of interrogation was exactly what the situation called for. Beginning from the time Elinor caught the big fish, Sheldon told everything in great detail.

  Sheldon described the carriage and the two men with Roxton. He told them about how he and Everett had been smacked hard enough to send them both sprawling before the two guards left the clearing by the river. He hadn’t had a good view of the driver since he was already moving away by the time Sheldon had emerged from the trees. Earlier accounts left out the part where Elinor admitted to the boys that she intended to marry Michael.

  Middleton nodded and listened.

  When Sheldon had finished, Markus patted his back. “Very good, Shel. Why don’t you go up and have a bath? Then you can go see about Everett and bring us a report.”

  Sheldon jumped up and ran from the room.

  Middleton rose and closed the door behind Sheldon.

  “So Roxton knows that Elinor is yours,” Markus said.

  Middleton flinched.

  “Yes, but why would he take her and where?” It was unbearable to think of what Elinor was suffering in the hands of that worm.

  “North,” Thomas dripped in the doorway. A puddle formed beneath him as the butler arrived with towels. He thanked him and entered the study. “I lost them on the north road. I think he’s headed for Scotland, but I cannot really be sure.”

  “Why on earth would he go to Scotland?” Middleton asked.

  “Perhaps he intends to marry Lady Elinor,” Markus said.

  This was all his fault. He’d put her in danger, put them all in danger. Why hadn’t he taken that ridiculous Roxton more seriously? He had failed, and the people he loved paid for it.

  “Sorry, Mike, but it would be the best way to destroy you, and I am assuming that is Roxton’s goal.” The apology didn’t help.

  Middleton shook his head. “Then what? He cannot come back to town with his new wife in tow. The marriage would be annulled immediately. I do not know this Roxton, but he cannot be so stupid as to think that he can force a woman to marry him and get away with it. I think we can assume that Lady Burkenstock is not willing.”

  Michael walked to the window. The rain continued to run down the glass, blurring the view. It didn’t make sense to take her to Gretna Green. Middleton was right. He would take her somewhere he thought he could stay long term. “Daniel, have you sent for James?”

  “Yes. I wrote him a detailed account after we returned. I am sure he will arrive in the night. What are you thinking, Mike?”

  “Write him another note and send a runner to intercept him.”

  Daniel took a piece of foolscap out of his desk and wrote.

  Middleton pounded his fist on the desk. “I realize that the four of you have been friends a long time and I am not in this particular club, but it would be helpful if someone would inform me of what the hell is going on.”

  “Sorry, Preston. Old habit,” Markus said. “Roxton has gone to Kerburghe. At least that is what we think. Our guess is, he is trying to set a trap for Michael.”

  “But aren’t you the Duke of Kerburghe?” Middleton demanded.

  Michael wished he had never been given the title. If he were still Sir Michael, Elinor would be safe. “I have not had the opportunity to travel to Scotland and make my face known.”

  Middleton’s eyes widened. “You think that Roxton is posing as the duke?” Silence fell over the room, then Middleton blew a low whistle.

  “I understand the grounds are quite a fortress.” Michael recounted what he had read in the paperwork describing the castle.

  “Then we will need a sound plan of attack.” Thomas ran the towel over his hair.

  “I’ve been the bait in worse situations,” Michael said. It was more than he could bear. Everett and Elinor. He couldn’t lose them both. Hell, he couldn’t lose either of them.

  “Am I to understand that a duke of the realm is planning to use himself as bait to draw out this Roxton?” Middleton’s eyes narrowed, and his spine was stiff as the chimney.

  Markus smiled. “You are starting to get the hang of this, Preston. I am quite impressed.”

  “The four of you are mad, you know.”

  “Mad to want to recover her?” Michael faced Middleton.

&nb
sp; Preston stood his ground, his fists on his hips. “Mad to go about it without the authorities.”

  “We did call James,” Markus defended. “He is the authorities.”

  Michael and Preston stood nose to nose. “By the time James arrives, it may be too late. How long do you suggest we leave her in the hands of a man who is insane?”

  “I want her back as badly as you do, Kerburghe.”

  As much as he needed Middleton’s help, he hated that another man wanted his Elinor. “Even if she has agreed to marry me?”

  Pulling his shoulders back, Middleton shook his head. “I am fond of Lady Elinor. Regardless of her choice, I shall assist in recovering her. I always knew that there was a good possibility she would choose you. Love cannot account for taste.”

  Michael couldn’t argue with that. “Indeed. I should have chosen you over me out of hand, but for some reason that only God can explain, she has picked me.”

  “It’s ridiculous, really,” Markus agreed.

  “Absolutely.” Daniel shook his head.

  “I cannot understand why such an intelligent woman would have made such an error in judgment,” Thomas said with a straight face.

  “That will do.” Michael raised his hand to stall further insult.

  The door burst open and a panting, still-dirty Sheldon rushed in. “Mike!”

  Michael’s heart stopped.

  Sweating, Sheldon gasped for air and held his knees.

  “Sheldon?”

  “He will live. The doctor thinks he will live. He’s awake now, but they said he has to rest.” Sheldon’s color was high and his eyes bright.

  Michael hugged him and when Mother appeared at the door, he opened his arm and included her in the embrace.

  When they separated, all three were teary-eyed.

  Tabitha dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a lace handkerchief. “He’s asking for you, Michael. He won’t rest until he sees you.”

  Kissing Mother’s cheek before he left the room, he took the steps two at a time. He reached the landing and sprinted down the hall to the room Everett and Sheldon shared.

  Everett looked tiny in the bed.

  He ached seeing his brother sickly, but it wouldn’t do to show weakness. He took a deep breath. “You gave me quite a fright, boy.”

  Everett opened dark eyes ringed an even darker purple. “Me too.”

  Michael’s chest tightened painfully. He might have lost his brother. He moved into the room and sat on the edge of the bed. “I am terribly glad that you’re going to be all right, Everett. I do not know what I would have done…”

  Everett gripped his arm with surprising strength. “I know, Mike.”

  Their eyes met, and Michael saw a man before him. He loved his brother and he’d come close to losing him to an idiot. It could have been one more tragedy caused by his desire to have a title. One more item on the list of why he shouldn’t have taken that last assignment.

  “Lady Elinor? No one will tell me anything.”

  “Roxton took her, and we have not yet found them.”

  Everett’s eyes closed in what looked like pain. “I am sorry, Mike. I tried to stop them.”

  “I know you did. None of this is your fault. We are going after them now. I just wanted to see you before I left.”

  “You’d better go, then,” Everett said.

  Michael squeezed his brother’s arm, then on impulse dropped a kiss on the boy’s forehead.

  Everett looked stunned, then he smiled.

  “I’ll see you when I return.” Michael rushed from the room.

  * * * *

  The sun slipped lower on the horizon to Elinor’s left, so she knew they traveled north. Her bottom ached from the poorly sprung carriage and worn cushion. It had taken hours to become accustomed to the stench of sweat and cloying perfume.

  As if it wasn’t enough to be kidnapped, Roxton never stopped talking and never said anything of any interest.

  “Pardon me, Mr. Roxton, but where are you taking me?” She interrupted his monologue about how long it had taken to make his coat and how many stitches were in each sleeve.

  His lips twisted unhappily, but then he smiled, showing his horribly crooked and yellowed teeth. “Home, of course. Technically you should address me as your grace, but since we are to be married, I shall forgive this cut and permit you to call me by my Christian name.”

  He did not supply her with the name, and since she had no intention of using it, she continued on as if he hadn’t mentioned it. “You have a house in the north of England?”

  “In Scotland,” he said.

  “Not Kerburghe. Surely you can’t be mad enough to take me to property not your own.”

  His hand jutted out before she could defend herself. His meaty fist wrapped around her throat, and his feted breath assaulted her senses. She scratched at him, but he held tight, cutting off her air. She continued to fight him, but he was far stronger than he looked.

  “It will be mine soon enough, and so will you.” He released his hold.

  She gasped for air, clutching her throat. It was foolish to underestimate him. He had kidnapped her, shot poor Everett, and stolen Kerburghe. The man was insane.

  Elinor made a list in her head of things she might do to free herself: Jump out the door. Scratch Roxton’s eyes out. Feign illness. None of them were good ideas, but they kept her mind occupied.

  Elinor sat in silence until they arrived at an inn. She was ordered to remain in the carriage while the horses were changed. A terrified-looking young girl placed a hot brick at her feet. Elinor stared at her, hoping to convey that she wasn’t traveling of her own free will.

  The girl only bobbed her head and ran off.

  Where was Michael? Why hadn’t he come for her?

  It rained for hours. The carriage slipped around in the mud, but they still pressed northward. Elinor prayed for a broken wheel or for the carriage to overturn. She hoped a bridge might wash out, but to no avail. They continued to plod along until the next day, at noon, they arrived at a fortress.

  The rain came down in buckets, but Elinor was too exhausted to care. A bridge spanned to the front gate, and the empty moat stank of filth and muck. The walls sprawled upward hundreds of feet. Men walked the tops of the thick walls.

  Elinor had stepped into an insane medieval storybook and had to find some way of escaping.

  First, she needed rest. It had been a full day since she had set foot outside the carriage, which needed its springs reset. Her body ached from the bouncing of the road. She was sure she had a bruise on her face from where Roxton had hit her. Her throat still ached from the near- strangulation. All of that, and she hadn’t slept in two days.

  Escape was her only hope, but nothing came to mind. She had to think of something, since there was no sign of Michael.

  Sleep first.

  Roxton walked through the keep and inside without a word.

  A young woman showed her to a chamber and helped her into a nightgown. She was too tired to ask where the garment came from. The soft bed lulled her, and her aching muscles wouldn’t be denied rest.

  * * * *

  Warm yeasty bread filled her senses and pulled her from her restless sleep.

  Heavy-headed, Elinor pulled herself from the soft down mattress. The room was sparse. The bed, which was exquisitely comfortable, a chair, and a small table filled the tiny chamber. Nothing hung on the walls, and no rug warmed the floor.

  A petite red-haired girl in tattered clothes fed the blazing fire, humming.

  “Have I slept through to morning?” Elinor asked.

  Gasping and clutching her chest, the girl spun.

  Elinor held up her palms in what she hoped was a peaceful gesture. “I am sorry to frighten you.”

  The girl relaxed. “Oh, ‘tis nothing.” She had a lovely smattering of freckles along the bridge of her nose. “You did indeed sleep clear through to morning. I’ve never seen anyo
ne as tired as you were. I scant got your—” She rushed forward and touched Elinor’s cheek. “What on earth happened to your face? Did you fall?”

  Pain shot across her face and she pulled back. “Roxton was angry with me.”

  Eyes wide, she took her hand away. “His grace did this to you?”

  “He is not the duke and, yes, he struck me.” He had nerve to call himself by Michael’s title.

  The girl’s eyes welled up, and her face colored bright red.

  Elinor changed the subject. “Is that delightful-smelling bread for me?” Smiling brightly, she threw her shoulders back.

  Elinor’s mother always said to stay on good terms with the cook so you would never go hungry should the rest go to Hades. Elinor wished she could see her mother at that moment.

  “Of course, miss, you must be half-starved. Here, sit.” She pulled out the chair by the table.

  Elinor’s stomach rumbled in anticipation of her first food in days. Had it been that long? The light buttery bread melted in her mouth. The mulberry jam’s tart sweetness tasted like heaven. A steaming cup of tea warmed her. If she hadn’t been kidnapped by a madman, it would have been a pleasant morning.

  She was so famished that plotting her escape would have to wait. When every scrap of food was gone from the tray, Elinor took the last sip of tea.

  Watching, the maid sat on a window seat. If she hadn’t been gaping, she might have been quite pretty.

  Elinor blushed. “I was starved.”

  “I can see that you were,” the girl said.

  “What is your name?”

  “Brianne, miss.”

  “That is a lovely name. Brianne, my name is Elinor Burkenstock. My father is an earl in England. I assume that I am in Scotland now?”

  Brianna picked up an old tattered gown from a bin and brushed it out. “Yes, you are in the lowlands at Kerburghe Castle.”

  “The man who brought me here?”

  “The duke?”

  “He is no duke. He is only pretending to be the Duke of Kerburghe. The real duke will show up at any moment and rescue me from him.” She wasn’t even sure Michael would be able to find her. Poor Everett had surely been shot and would need attention. She prayed for Everett and for herself.