A Midsummer's Kiss (Farthingale Series Book 4)

by Meara Platt

  “It’s a long story, but Graelem can explain everything.” She felt herself begin to swoon and once again leaned her head against Graelem’s shoulder. “I had better sit down.”

  “Girls?” Graelem asked as they started to walk into the parlor. “What do you mean, sir? Who else is missing?”

  George had now joined them. “You mean to say that Daisy isn’t with you?”

  “What?” Laurel’s heart shot into her throat. “Oh, Graelem! She’s gone to Devlin!”

  He tore out of the house toward the mews at a hobbling run that had to be excruciatingly painful. She hurried after him and heard the heavier footsteps of her father and uncle trailing behind her. “Laurel, what’s going on?” her father demanded to know. He caught up to her in three long strides and took her by the arm to hold her back.

  “I’m not sure. I hope I’m wrong.” Her heart was wildly leaping within her chest as she shook out of his grasp, but her father took hold of her arm again.

  “Tell me,” he insisted.

  Graelem had hopped the high fence to save himself the trouble of running down the street and around the corner, but she was too short to follow him and doubted that her father and uncle could either, although they were remarkably fit for men of their age. They were wasting precious time standing here talking while Graelem ran headlong into who knew what danger.

  “I think Dev means to elope with Daisy to Gretna Green.” The words took a while to get out because she was out of breath and dizzy once again, not quite recovered from her own near abduction. “I refused him, so he shifted his attention and planned to—”

  “Marry Daisy? The cur! She’s young and impressionable, not even out in society yet. I’ll kill him if he’s taken advantage.”

  She’d never seen her father angrier or more determined.

  They reached the mews and saw that the doors to the stable were open. She could hear Brutus snorting and nervously pawing the ground. Devlin was here. Who else was with him? “Laurel, stay back,” she heard Graelem urgently caution her, but she’d already drawn up beside him.

  He shoved her behind him.

  “She’s my sister. If anyone is to—”

  George grabbed her and dragged her behind one of the stalls. “Stay put, you’re only distracting Graelem. Don’t you realize the danger?”

  Danger?

  She peered over the stall and saw Devlin with his arm firmly around Daisy, pinning her to his side. He held a pistol in his other hand aimed directly at Graelem’s chest. Daisy was in tears. “Please, just step away and let us go,” she pleaded with Graelem. “I don’t want anyone else to get hurt.”

  Else? Oh, heavens! She noticed a man lying unconscious beside one of the stalls, no doubt one of the Bow Street runners. Devlin’s pistol was cocked and his hand was shaking. Had he killed the man? No, they would have heard the shot or noticed blood. He wouldn’t dare fire, would he?

  Laurel slipped away from her uncle, who was too busy staring at Devlin to notice her disappearance. Her father was doing the same. She hurried to the carriage house and grabbed one of the horse whips, not yet certain if it had a use, but she needed a weapon and this would do quite nicely. She crept back in, intending to get closer to Devlin for a chance to crack the whip over his wrist and yank the pistol out of his hands the moment it was no longer trained on Graelem.

  Her father had other ideas. “Give me that thing,” he said in an angry whisper, grabbing it out of her hand and setting it aside. “Are you mad? Let George and Graelem handle this. I don’t want you anywhere near that frightened idiot,” he said, motioning to Devlin. “George will calm him down.”

  But what if her uncle couldn’t calm him? There was nothing to stop Devlin from shooting Graelem unless she stopped him. But how? The whip might not have been the brightest idea, but Daisy and Graelem were in danger because of her, and she had to do something to protect them.

  Devlin began to sidle out of the stable with Daisy still trapped in his grasp and that pistol still trained on the man she loved. All she needed was a moment to grab Devlin’s arm and draw it upward so that if a shot went off, it would harmlessly strike the hayloft above them. But she couldn’t risk it while Graelem and now her uncle were still in his line of fire.

  “Put down the pistol, Dev,” she said, her voice filled with a steady confidence she didn’t possess. “It’s over. The Bow Street runners have taken your accomplices into custody. You’re only making matters worse for yourself.”

  She saw his eyes go wide in panic, and he began to wave his pistol recklessly. Oh, dear! “Let Daisy go. Take me as your hostage instead.”

  Daisy gasped. “No! Laurel, it’s all my fault. I should have believed you, but I allowed myself to be duped.”

  “No, you’re not to blame. He meant to marry me first.”

  Daisy sniffled. “But I allowed myself to—”

  “Both of you shut up!” Devlin shouted, his outstretched arm now shaking from the weight of the pistol held too long. “I can’t think with both of you chattering.”

  “Dev, there’s nothing to think about,” her father said, stepping out of the shadows to stand beside Graelem and George. In the next moment, he stood between Devlin and Graelem, in the exact spot she’d hoped to be in order to obstruct Devlin’s aim. “You can’t have either of my daughters. Laurel’s given her heart elsewhere and Daisy is too young to know her own mind. Put down your weapon, son. We’ll work this out with your father. This can all be kept quiet. We won’t call in the authorities. No criminal charges pursued against you or your friends.”

  Devlin’s hand wavered and Laurel noted the doubt now in his eyes. “Do I have your word on it, Mr. Farthingale?”

  “You do.” Her father appeared calm, but she felt the angry heat radiating off him and knew that no matter what happened, she and Daisy were in big trouble. Huge trouble. Their punishment would be as bad as any Devlin would face. “I give you my word. Hand me the weapon and release my daughter.”

  He released Daisy but kept the pistol aimed at Graelem.

  Daisy flew into their father’s arms.

  Devlin began to back out, his gaze fixed on the men and seeming to forget about Laurel since she had been shunted off to the side. She waited for him to exit the stable and lower his arm, which now dangled tiredly at his side, the pistol loose in his grip. He started to run, but unlike her father, she’d made him no promises and wasn’t about to let the wretch get off so easily.

  She grabbed the whip her father had set aside and flicked it about Devlin’s ankles, tripping him as he ran. He fell forward, his body hitting the dirt hard and the pistol skating out of his grasp. She kicked the horrid weapon out of his reach and then turned him over and grabbed him by his neatly tied cravat. “You bounder! How dare you endanger Daisy!”

  His only response was a strangled gurgle.

  Was she choking him? She didn’t care. “She was a good friend to you. A dear friend. She trusted you!” She curled her hand into a fist and was about to smash it into his nose, but a big, warm hand fell over hers and she was suddenly plucked off Devlin.

  “Laurel, it’s over,” Graelem said gently against her ear, drawing her into his arms and holding her tight as she still struggled. It might seem a loving, protective gesture to all, but she understood his true purpose, to protect that good-for-nothing Devlin from her wrath.

  She tried to squirm out of Graelem’s arms but he wouldn’t let her, so all she could do was scowl down at the little toad who was now whimpering at her feet. She dared not raise her voice and alert the neighbors, for her father was right to keep the matter as quiet as possible for Daisy’s sake. Even though she was innocent in this affair, she’d be scalded by the gossip and her reputation tarnished if hint of this incident ever got out. Everyone would believe Daisy planned to elope with Devlin.

  George knelt down and untangled Devlin’s legs from the whip. “Tell your father that Mr. Farthingale will call upon him tomorrow afternoon at four o’clock.”

  De
vlin nodded as he struggled to his feet, and then with another whimper scurried away.

  “Dirty, deceitful scoundrel,” Laurel muttered, her hands still curled into fists at her sides. “If he so much as glances your way, Daisy, I’ll cleave him in half.”

  Her father groaned. “Enough, Laurel. Everyone back to my study. I’m not nearly done with any of you yet.”

  Nor am I. But Laurel knew better than to open her mouth and say anything until they were all safely back home. Her uncle took a moment to make certain the Bow Street runner wasn’t seriously injured, all of them emitting a sigh of relief when he groaned and rolled to his feet.

  Everyone was overset, especially Daisy, who continued to sob against her father’s shoulder. How much distressing news could her father handle in one night, Laurel wondered? She had to tell him about her near abduction. It wouldn’t do to have a magistrate appear at their door tomorrow morning and her father still in the dark about that unfortunate incident.

  “Pruitt, summon my wife,” her father said as they all returned and headed into the study. “George, please stay. I think I’ll need your steady guidance.”

  Her uncle nodded. “Of course.”

  It took only a moment for their mother to join them. She took one look at Daisy, who had yet to stop crying, and rushed to her side. “Hush, sweetheart. All will be well. You’re home now.”

  George closed the door behind them and stood off to the side, knowing this was a conversation to be had between parents and their wayward daughters. “It’s my fault,” Laurel said before any accusations were leveled at Daisy, who was still too distraught to defend herself. “Daisy had no intention of leaving the house, but when she saw that I wasn’t in our bedchamber, she thought I was eloping with Devlin and went to the stables to stop me.”

  Her father sighed and shook his head. “I appreciate your attempt to protect your sister, but what happened is obvious.”

  Laurel shook her head. “Not to me. What are you talking about?”

  “Daisy planned to elope with Devlin,” her father said. “The bounder knew he’d lost your affections and turned his efforts toward the next sister… who didn’t have the sense to see through his lies.”

  The breath was stolen from Laurel’s lungs. “No!” Is this what the family thought of Daisy? “She knew what he was and tried to protect me. She was brave and caring and everything wonderful, just as she’s always been.”

  Daisy struggled to her feet. “Laurel, it’s all right. You don’t have to defend me.”

  “Of course I do. You only meant to protect me.”

  Daisy glanced worriedly at Graelem. Oh, dear! Did she still think he believed the lies Devlin and Anne had been spewing? “And now you’re trying to protect me. But I won’t have your happiness put at risk for something that I did.” Daisy turned to address Graelem. “Laurel truly loves you. She wasn’t lying to you or planning to deceive you. Pay no attention to what she’s saying. She had no intention of dashing off to Gretna Green with Devlin. I was the one he meant to take.”

  Laurel rolled her eyes. “Don’t do this, Daisy. Graelem knows. He trusts me. You don’t need to worry about us. Our betrothal isn’t in jeopardy, although his wretched cousin—”

  Graelem suddenly took hold of her hand and squeezed it. He gave an imperceptible shake of his head, as though telling her to stop. He meant to be honorable, but her family needed the reminder about his circumstances. Jordan would inherit most of the Moray properties within a short twenty-four hours if something wasn’t done about it.

  She cast him a determined glower.

  He rolled his eyes and sighed, not exactly forbidding her to speak since he knew that wouldn’t work anyway, but merely suggesting that she shouldn’t. But how could she keep silent when there was so much to tell, not just about his inheritance, but her own abduction. Keeping silent would be the same as lying to her parents. In any event, she was never good at keeping quiet. “I wasn’t in our bedchamber because Devlin’s scoundrel friends abducted me shortly before Devlin took Daisy hostage in the stable.”

  She paused a moment for their reaction. Not even Daisy appeared to believe her.

  A wiser young woman would have stopped and reassessed at that moment, but she was overset and never that wise, especially when indignant. She knew her limitations and would never make a good wife for a diplomat. Goodness, she wasn’t certain she’d make Graelem a good wife… or if he’d even want her as his wife once she was through with her speech. “It’s true! They held a foul cloth to my nose and tried to knock me out, but I fought and kicked, even though they threw a sack over my head and tossed me into their carriage. Then Graelem and Jordan and a burly man with a bulbous red nose intercepted the carriage and rescued me.”

  “Graelem’s cousin has a bulbous red nose?” Daisy asked.

  “No.” She paused only to take a quick breath and glance at their faces. They still didn’t believe her, and Graelem was standing with his arms crossed over his chest doing nothing to help. “Someone in this household must have heard the commotion. The horses reared and the carriage clattered to a noisy halt just down the street. Graelem had his Bow Street runners take the scoundrels to the local magistrate. That’s where we ought to have taken Devlin, since he was obviously the one who paid those vermin.”

  She could see that her parents were growing impatient.

  Graelem reached over to squeeze her hand again.

  She gazed at him in confusion. “Say something, anything, so they’ll believe me.”

  Graelem sighed and turned to her parents. “Laurel is telling the truth, as implausible as it may seem. She was abducted. Both your daughters were in jeopardy this evening.”

  “Which is why I must be allowed to marry Graelem as soon as possible. I know we’re in mourning, and Graelem is surely tossing daggers at me as I speak, but after what took place tonight I think the matter of our betrothal must be discussed and resolved immediately. You’re scheduled to meet Lord Kirwood tomorrow at four o’clock. We can schedule our wedding ceremony for two o’clock.”

  Her mother paled and sank into the closest chair. Her father went straight to his wife and put an arm about her shoulders. “Sophie, dearest.”

  “I’ll be all right, John. Just give me a moment to catch my breath.” She inhaled deeply several times and slowly exhaled each time. “Both daughters in danger, you say?”

  Graelem nodded. “I’ve had Bow Street runners following my cousin as well as Devlin, worried that they would conspire to keep me and Laurel apart. It would have served both their interests, allowing my cousin to secure his inheritance when I failed to marry by Midsummer’s Day, and giving Devlin the heiress he needed to marry to maintain his profligate ways. Jordan refused to be a part of it and warned me. None of us counted on Daisy getting caught up in their scheme.”

  He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “But Devlin must have known that Daisy was an easier mark. I doubt he intended to marry Daisy—he probably wanted to hold her hostage to secure Laurel’s cooperation. He knew that Laurel would not marry him even if he held a pistol to her head, but one held against Daisy… well, Laurel would have done anything to save her sister.”

  George groaned.

  Her father looked more haggard than Laurel had ever seen him. “Are you certain you still wish to marry Laurel?”

  Graelem chuckled. “Incredibly, yes. Never had a moment’s doubt, sir. Although she’s quite fierce with a whip. I’ll have to remember not to anger her.”

  Laurel huffed. “I’d never hurt you.”

  “I know, lass. I was just teasing.” He reached out and tucked a finger under her chin, his expression now serious. “I know you’ll be as protective of our children. They’ll be well loved and cared for.”

  Well loved and cared for as Graelem never was. She knew that’s what he really meant to say and it made her heart ache for him all the more. “By both of us.”

  He nodded. “I love you, Laurel.”

  Those magic words seemed
to lift everyone’s spirits. “I love you, too. I know I haven’t made it easy for you, Graelem. But I promise to—”

  “Hush, lass. I don’t need assurances or promises to reform your hellion ways. I’ve told you before, had I wanted a wife with boiled mushrooms for brains, I would have chosen her weeks ago. Such women are available by the hundreds. But there’s only one of you.”

  “And one is quite enough,” her father intoned, mopping his brow. “Two o’clock you say?”

  Laurel gasped.

  Graelem nodded.

  “Sophie, set out your prettiest dress. We’re going to a Midsummer’s Day wedding.”

  Chapter 21

  LAUREL REMOVED HER wedding dress, unbound her hair, and slipped on her bedclothes with the help of a maid.

  Once alone, she wasn’t certain what to do while waiting for Graelem to enter their bedchamber. This would be a night of magic, if her married sister was to be believed. She wanted it to be true, but didn’t think it was possible. Graelem had teased her about being an inept lover.

  Did he mean it?

  Oh, dear. Of course he did. She was inept and inexperienced.

  She glanced around the well-appointed room, her gaze settling on the large four-poster bed in the center of it that was covered by a lustrous emerald green counterpane. The chamber wasn’t really theirs, but merely one of the many guest rooms in Gabriel Dayne’s unoccupied townhouse. Graelem had intended to reside there during his wife hunt, but that was before Laurel had trampled him while riding Brutus and effectively put an end to his marital plans.

  The house had been readied for them this morning.

  All thought fled as Graelem entered the chamber and softly closed the door behind him. Hot, buttered crumpets! He looked good. Incredibly good in his black dressing gown. From what she could see, he had nothing on beneath it.

  She wore a delicate, pale pink nightgown borrowed from her married sister, Rose, who’d grinned wickedly and wagered that she wouldn’t keep it on for more than two minutes after Graelem entered the room. “I’d wager one minute,” Rose added, “but Graelem’s broken leg might slow him down a bit.”