by Heather Boyd
She looked back toward her son.
Hector squeezed her waist, and then released her. “Don’t worry. Given your confession the other day, I took the liberty of making sure he’s being watched at all times.”
When he pointed up, Ruby spotted a pair of stable hands in the hayloft directly above Pip, sitting with their legs dangling over the side.
“You didn’t have to do that. Pip is not yours to protect.”
He looked away, frowning. “Clement would expect me to make sure his cousins remained safe at all times.”
Ruby didn’t quite believe Hector’s claim that he was standing in for Lord Clement. Hector cared about Pip.
And he might just care about her, too.
Pleased by that, Ruby withheld a smile as she took Hector’s arm, and they moved to the closest stall.
The differences between Hector and Mr. Blackwood were quite marked. Blackwood’s character was evident on his face. He’d be a dangerous man to cross, as Hector claimed.
And while Hector might declare himself a scoundrel, and quite proudly, too, he was a great deal warmer and kinder than he liked to let on. He was impulsive, boastful, but even though she’d told him of her interest in Blackwood for marriage, he was still willing to go out of his way to ensure her son’s safety.
She already knew which man might make her a better husband. The only impediment to her hopes was whether Hector would ever realize it, too.
Chapter 13
Dinner that night was an unusually long affair hosted by Lord Vyne himself in lavish style. He appeared to be in a merry mood, indeed. The smile he wore tonight instantly gave Hector pause. He was gregarious, expansive, and keen to foster any conversation involving Ruby and Blackwood trading confidences.
Hector was feeling left out long before the dessert course was set before him. His part of the conversation had amounted to very little, since most frequent topics seemed to be rural pursuits and family connections. He looked down at his bowl of brandy custard and discovered that not even a favorite food could cheer him up.
Ruby laughed. “I should have liked to see that,” she promised Blackwood before tucking into the custard with undisguised relish. She licked her lips. “Hmm, delicious.”
Hector lost all discontent in the evening then and there. He couldn’t take his eyes away from the glossy shine of Ruby’s lower lip. He wanted to lean over the table, kiss those pretty lips, and whisk her away from everyone.
In all of his liaisons with pretty women, Hector had not once felt quite so desperate to have a woman all to himself as he did Ruby. He didn’t know her well, but he wanted to know her better than anyone that had ever lived. Better than her late husband had, certainly, and better than her son.
For a man who routinely avoided entanglements, he found the prospect of an intimate, more profound connection with Ruby Roper didn’t scare him in the least.
He finished his custard and declined to partake of anything more to eat or drink. As a group, they left the dining room. Vyne tottered instead of strode, leaning heavily on a footman, and Ruby and Blackwood followed side by side, which left Hector to bring up the unhappy rear on his own. When they seated themselves around the fire, Hector again found himself on the outside, pushed back from the woman he’d rather be closer to.
Blackwood began regaling Ruby with stories of his lifelong escapades in London—highly sanitized, Hector decided—to make her laugh. It was clear she was enjoying Blackwood’s company more than his tonight. She had hardly looked at him all night and he missed having her attention.
It occurred to Hector that he could push himself forward, make a definitive step toward singling Ruby out for notice—remind her of the heat of their earlier kiss. But no matter how promising that kiss might have been, Hector was mindful of the fact that Ruby’s interest was in achieving a marriage, not a brief dalliance that might cause a scandal.
If he chose to pursue this woman, he could not have any doubts that he was headed toward becoming a husband, and a father to her young son. Not a decision to make lightly.
The way things seemed to be going with Blackwood, she was well on her way to charming the man into falling in love with her. But Blackwood had not yet met young Pip, so it remained to be seen if a child made a difference to Blackwood’s interest in the end.
Ruby and Pip had both charmed Hector. He could certainly offer them everything Blackwood could and more, since he held a title. Ruby could once again be welcomed by society and any estrangement with her family might end, too, if that was what she wanted. The boy would certainly benefit, though indirectly, from a connection to the Stockwick title. Hector would never skimp on the boy’s education and upkeep—if he married Ruby, that was.
If.
Hector made an excuse and left the room, mulling over his future and his interest in Ruby.
Despite his claim of relishing his bachelor status, there had been times when having someone around made him happier than being alone. He had been eager to see his family this holiday, yet despite Meg not having arrived yet, he was not unhappy.
Ruby was a delightful woman. Pretty and calm. He’d enjoyed the time they’d spent together. There was not a hint of shrew anywhere about her. And he did like young Pip and wanted good things for him.
He absolutely did not want Pip taken away to Scotland and separated from his mother.
Hector reached the top of the stairs and turned when he heard a commotion coming from the family wing. Two men emerged from a chamber.
Caught between them, and struggling, was Pip.
Hector raced down the hall. “Unhand that boy!”
The men saw him but still tried to get away with Pip. Hector chased them down before they reached the servants’ stairs, and forced them away from the boy by punching both in the nose.
Pip was dropped, and Hector did his best to cushion his fall and gather him up. He hefted the crying boy into his arms and held him tight as he backed away from the boy’s would-be assailants, one fist still raised. “Don’t you dare try anything against me. Who the hell are you to touch my son?”
Hector blinked even as the men advanced on him. Apparently Hector had decided to be Pip’s new papa, after all.
He slid Pip behind him and raised both fists, ready to defend his new family from all comers.
But he soon wasn’t alone in the hall. Alerted by the commotion, Parker was suddenly between Hector and Pip’s assailants. Parker grabbed one fellow by the throat and banged him into the paneled wall. “My employer asked you a question. Answer him.”
The fellow, a bit larger than Parker, struggled and fought. “We were only doing what we were paid to do!”
Hector picked Pip up into his arms, aware the poor boy had been frightened badly and was shaking like a leaf now. “By whom?”
“We were to take the boy. That’s all I know.”
But someone had hired them. And a servant below stairs must have let this pair in and showed them the way to the boy’s chamber. “Take him where?”
“Don’t know, but there’s a carriage waiting in the woods to take him the rest of the way.”
“The boy won’t be going anywhere.” Hector held out one hand, fingers clenched in a fist still. “Come near this boy again, and I’ll do worse than bloody your nose. Don’t ever let me see your face again!”
The second man, obviously believing Hector meant every word, started inching down the hall away from them all, clutching his nose.
Although Hector would prefer to question them further, they were just pawns, and the boy was his priority. “Let him go, Parker.”
Parker released the fellow he’d held by the throat and straightened up slowly. The men turned and fled for the servants’ staircase; they shoved at each other as they made their escape.
When they were gone, Parker turned back to Hector. “Is the boy all right, my lord?”
“I’ve no idea yet.” Hector turned on his heel and stalked to his chambers. Pip’s grip tightened on his neck as they ente
red the room, and Hector sat down with him. “It’s all right, my boy,” he whispered. “I won’t let them touch you again. Let me look at you, son. Are you hurt?”
“My arm,” Pip said, sobbing softly.
Parker came to kneel at Hector’s feet. “May I see your arm, lad?”
Pip’s grip on Hector eased, and he showed Parker his arm with obvious reluctance. Hector held his breath as his valet carefully inspected the child’s hand, wrist, and forearm. “I don’t think it serious, but perhaps it should be wrapped for the night just in case.”
Hector held Pip a bit tighter against him, seething with anger that perhaps the servants at The Vynes had conspired to take Pip away from him and Ruby. “Do it yourself. Do not involve The Vynes servants.”
Hector sat back, holding the boy snug against him. He felt protective of the boy now more than ever. Hector dropped his chin to the boy’s head. “I won’t let anyone take you away from your mama or me.”
Pip’s grip on his neck tightened. “Where is she?”
“Still at dinner.” He didn’t relish telling Ruby that The Vynes was not the haven she’d believed it to be. “I’ll fetch her.”
Pip grabbed him, shaking like a leaf. “No! Don’t leave me,” he cried.
“I’m not going anywhere yet,” Hector promised, even rocking the boy in his arms a little in the manner he’d noticed Ruby do on occasion. His heart swelled with tenderness for the boy, and with fear, too. What if he’d not come upstairs when he had? Pip might have been miles away before the abduction had been discovered.
Parker returned, his hands full of pristine white pressed linen cravats ripped in half. “It’s the best I can do.”
“A sacrifice for a worthy cause,” Hector promised, ruffling the boy’s hair and making him sit up for Parker.
Pip’s wrist was bound firmly. “He needs rest, my lord,” Parker suggested.
Pip just about strangled Hector out of fear of being separated.
“It’s all right, my boy. You can stay here and sleep in my bed tonight. Parker will be with you every moment. I will have to leave you to fetch your mother. Do you still want her?”
“Yes, but I want you, too,” Pip whispered, and his grip on Hector remained desperately keen.
Although it took a while, Parker finally managed to lure Pip out of Hector’s arms with the promise of a story. The boy was taken to the bed, encouraged to lie down under the sheets and blankets, and then Parker pulled up a chair beside it.
Hector paused at the foot of the bed, watching Pip as he wriggled and fidgeted in the strange surroundings as Parker made up a story on the spot. The boy was probably still frightened, but Hector turned down the lamps a little to encourage him to drift off.
Then he returned to the bed and ruffled Pip’s hair. “Close your eyes now, my lad. We’ll have a big day tomorrow—just you and me and your mother, and Parker, too. Perhaps we’ll go for a carriage ride together. Wouldn’t that be grand?”
Pip nodded.
Hector paused beside Parker. “Lock the door after I’m gone, just in case someone comes looking for the boy again. Don’t let anyone know he’s in this room.”
“No one will get past me, my lord,” Parker promised and continued his story of a young boy who found a stallion in the woods and rode far and wide, having the greatest of adventures.
Chapter 14
Ruby had perhaps enjoyed too much wine with dinner. The warm room and company had been delightful. It could only have been greatly improved though if Hector had returned to join them. She sincerely wished he had come back. There was nothing better than enjoying a good laugh with him.
But Blackwood had been unexpectedly good company tonight, and her uncle, too, for that matter. Although he did keep making remarks that could only be considered matchmaking attempts. He extolled her virtues, accomplishments, and musical talents, some of which she hadn’t pursued since the day she had married Liam. There hadn’t been too many opportunities to play the harp or perform the Cotillion in the wilds of Scotland. The Ropers hadn’t been much for frivolous amusement of any sort, really.
She stood, wobbling slightly. “Gentlemen, I’m afraid I shall have to excuse myself. It has been an enjoyable evening.”
Vyne glanced at his pocket watch, frowning. “Yes, certainly. Do retire for the night, by all means.”
“Good night, Uncle. Mr. Blackwood,” Ruby said as she dipped a curtsy to both.
Blackwood stood, too. “I think I will turn in as well. Vyne, you set a good table. I hope our business allows a repeat one day.”
Ruby swept from the room, hoping not to have Mr. Blackwood follow her too closely.
Blackwood did follow her a little way, at a distance, but then turned for his guest room and disappeared inside.
Relieved, Ruby let herself into her chamber and yawned. “I’m back, love,” she whispered, just in case Pip was still awake.
“Good,” Hector said from behind her. “I was starting to think I’d have to come find you.”
Ruby turned, startled to find Hector emerging from behind her bedchamber door. “What are you doing here?”
She glanced at the bed, startled to see it had been remade neatly. When she’d gone down for dinner, Pip had been sitting up in her bed playing with his toys, and a maid had been meant to watch him until he fell asleep. They were both gone. “Where is Pip?”
Hector came forward. “Now, I don’t want you to be alarmed.”
“And now I am. Where is Pip?”
Hector took both her hands in his. “He is in my room with Parker watching over him. He should be fast asleep by now.”
Instead of being reassured, Ruby only grew more alarmed. “Why is he there?”
“Come and sit down with me,” Hector asked, and she let him press her down into a chaise close to the fire. “There has been an incident. I came upstairs to find two men emerging from this room with Pip held between them. I made them release him, and they wisely fled.”
“Dear God, Mr. Roper has found us.” Ruby gasped and sprang to her feet. “Is Pip all right?”
“A little shaken up, and he has a sore wrist that Parker bound. He fought to be free of them taking him, and then I helped him.”
She gaped. “You protected my son?”
“Indeed, I did.” Hector rubbed his knuckles, and she saw they were reddened. “Those men say they were acting on orders and I doubt they will be back tonight.”
Ruby reached for Hector’s hand immediately, grateful for his quick thinking and intervention. “I want to see my son!”
“Of course,” Hector promised without hesitation. “Come with me.”
Hector opened the door carefully and, after leaning out to check the hall was clear, he drew Ruby outside with him. He led her down the hall to his chamber, knocked rapidly, and they waited for what seemed like an eternity to hear footsteps inside.
“What do you want?” Parker demanded, sounding cross.
“It’s Stockwick,” Hector replied.
“And Mrs. Roper,” Ruby whispered, too.
The door was immediately unlocked and opened wide to admit them. Ruby rushed inside and went straight to the bed, where her boy lay sleeping.
She smoothed his hair back from his face then found his bound wrist under the blankets. Pip whimpered in his sleep then settled back into slumber.
Ruby exhaled slowly, relieved she still had her son. But she was also afraid. Mr. Roper had a mean temper when he didn’t get his way. And he’d found her so quickly she was reeling. He’d certainly return for another attempt to take the boy. She turned to share her suspicions with Hector, but he appeared in deep conversation with his valet.
“Have there been any movements of servants past this room?” Hector asked.
“No, my lord,” the valet promised. “It’s been quiet.”
Ruby let out a relieved breath but that didn’t mean the danger wouldn’t return.
“Good. Let’s be sure it will remain that way. Go downstairs and fetch me
a glass of milk.”
Parker raised a brow. “Milk, my lord?”
Hector scowled at him. “All right, not milk, but you know what I mean. Ask for another bowl of warm custard, perhaps. Anything. Find out if they know anything about those men. Try to find out who was involved and if they are coming back. I don’t care to be surprised again.”
“A very good idea.”
Parker slipped from the room, and Hector was suddenly at Ruby’s side, his hand outstretched. She gripped him tightly. “How could strangers get past every servant in the house and into my room?”
“I don’t know.”
“Wherever we go, Mr. Roper will find us? I can’t lose Pip.”
“You won’t.”
“Where can we go that is safer than here?”
“Anywhere would be better, I should think.” Hector squeezed her hand tighter in his. “We’ll leave tomorrow and make plans for our final destination on the journey.”
“You don’t have to go with us,” she warned.
Hector leaned down and whispered into her ear, “You’re not going anywhere without me tagging along to keep you safe now.”
“We could go to my cousin in Cornwall,” she suggested.
Hector dropped a kiss to her hair. “Clement is supposed to be on the way here, remember. But with luck, we might meet him en route and seek his counsel about all this first.”
Hector pulled Ruby up, sat down in her place, and then settled her onto his lap. He cuddled her close and Ruby clung to him. If not for Hector retiring early, Pip might have been miles away.
“I imagine Pip is safe for the time being.”
“I can’t stay here,” she agreed.
“We’ll have to stay until dawn. Blundering about on a dark snowy night would be just as dangerous.”
Ruby stared at her son even as she snuggled deeper into Hector’s arms. Pip was so innocent and fragile. “I’d be so afraid if not for your calm and strength tonight,” she whispered to Hector.
“I’m here for you.”
* * *
