When Love Sneaks In (The Montgomery Family & Friends Book 2)

by Vikki Vaught

  Matthew grimaced when she screamed during each contraction. Frustrated and out of his mind with worry, he bit out, “Surely there’s something you can do. She’s exhausted. I don’t know how much more she can take. Do something.”

  Mrs. Johnson examined his wife again and shook her head. “The babe is large, and yer wife ain’t opened up enough for its head. If she don’t open soon, I’ll have t’ stretch her.”

  He pulled the midwife to the side. “How much danger is involved for my wife? Whatever you do, save Lady Collingswood. I cannot lose her.”

  “If I understand ye correctly, yer wife comes first?” she asked.

  Matthew whispered, “Whatever happens, my wife must survive.”

  Oh, God, please don’t let anything happen to Helen.

  They waited another hour, but the babe had not entered the birth canal. By this time, Helen was barely conscious. The midwife attempted to stretch her. Helen’s ear-splitting scream ripped him in two.

  “Do something,” he growled. “Just hurry and be done with it.”

  Mrs. Johnson made another attempt, and this time the child moved. “I can feel the babe’s head. It shouldn’t be much longer.”

  At last, the midwife wanted Helen to push. She was so weak she could not.

  He picked up her hand and kissed it. “Darling. You can do this. Just a little bit more, and it will be over. On the count of three, try one more time. One…two…three.”

  She gripped his hand, took a deep breath, and pushed. The midwife encouraged, “That’s it. One more good push should do it.”

  Helen again squeezed his hand so tightly he thought it would break, but he held on as she made one more valiant effort. The child slipped into the midwife’s outstretched hands.

  “It’s a boy. Ye have a son.”

  His wife slumped against the pillows, her face and hair drenched with sweat, and closed her eyes.

  Panic seized his heart and squeezed. “Is she all right?”

  “She be fine. Just exhausted.” The midwife’s eyes widened. “There be another one.”

  He sat in shock. Twins, again?

  Amazing.

  She moaned. “Helen. You need to push again.” He held her hand, and this time the babe slipped out on the first try. Another boy, slightly smaller than the first.

  Sally had cleaned the first babe and laid him in the waiting cradle. Helen smiled. “You don’t do things halfway, do you? What are we going to name them?”

  Relieved she’d rallied so quickly, he murmured, “Whatever you want. You did all the work.”

  “We can name our first born after you and your father,” she replied, her voice came out a little weak, but steady. “I want to name our second son Nelson Henry, for my brothers.”

  If he’d had a last piece of his heart to lose, she would have stolen it. “I’m please our eldest will follow tradition. And, I know how much you loved Nelson, and of course, Henry as well. It’s a fine name.”

  Sally carried both children to them and placed the first born in his arms and the second babe in Helen’s. She checked Nelson, counting all his fingers and toes, and found a small birthmark on the back of his right knee. While she checked, he did the same for his eldest son and did not find a birthmark.

  “While both yer babes be small, they’re healthy, even though they’re early,” she assured them. “Since there are two, I suggest ye hire a wet nurse so it won’t be such a strain on yer ladyship.”

  The determined gleam in her eyes, clearly emoted her feelings regarding that suggestion. “Although I appreciate your concern, I shall be fine. I will nurse both of my children. I do not need a wet nurse.”

  Trying to convince her to follow the midwife’s advice would probably be as successful as talking to a brick wall, although he had to try. “We’ll hire a wet nurse in case you need help. After all, you might not have enough nourishment for both of our sons. It would be better to be prepared if that proves to be the case.”

  “As you wish. I would not want our sons to suffer because I refused assistance.” Thank God, he’d mentioned that. Clearly, she would put her sons’ needs above her own. By this time, Helen had used all her energy and closed her eyes as she drifted to sleep.

  When Matthew brought his daughters to see their new brothers the following morning, Christina and Catherine were disappointed they were boys, but they got over it quickly and soon asked when they could hold them.

  Within a couple of days, Helen was up and about. He was relieved his wife was recovering and so were his sons. Although the infants were small, each of them had ferocious appetites and were gaining weight each day. The boys resembled the duke in coloring. No doubt, they would grow into strong, handsome men like their uncle.

  Helen came down to dinner the day after her confinement, and they agreed to leave for London once the twins turned a month old. That would still give them time to enjoy the season.

  The next two weeks went by quickly between seeing to the planting and visiting his children and wife daily. All was right with his world. They had grown even closer since the birth of their sons. He had high hopes his campaign to win Helen’s heart was working.

  On the morning of the twentieth, he received a message from Peter. As he read the note, his heart stopped.

  “Matthew…what’s wrong?” she asked.

  He dashed a tear from his eyes. “Margaret…has suffered a miscarriage. The note says she’s lost a lot of blood and she may not make it.” His voice broke with emotion as he continued, “Peter says she’s calling for me, and he wants me to come as fast as possible.”

  “Of course, your sister needs you. You must depart at once. I shall have Cook put together food for your journey.”

  “Thank you.” Fear raced down his spine at the thought of leaving her and his children. They had never determined whether evil intent had been behind her accidents. Of course, nothing had happened since Christmas. He would pray it remained so. He had to go to his sister. “Promise me you will not leave the estate.”

  “I promise,” she assured him. “Please tell them I love them, and my thoughts and prayers are with them. Your sister will make a full recovery. She’s young and healthy.”

  “Please pray for my sister. I’d hoped she would not conceive for a while. I will give Margaret and Peter your good wishes.” He pulled her close and kissed her, then rushed from the room.

  Taking the stairs two at a time, he quickly reached his bedchamber and threw the door open. “I must travel to Hampshire immediately. Pack my valise with enough clothing for a week.”

  “Certainly, sir,” his valet replied. “Will I be accompanying you?”

  Matthew explained what had occurred with his sister. “Have my belongings downstairs in fifteen minutes.”

  He hurried to the stables. Once Edwards had his horse saddled, he went around to the front of the house, and Helen handed him a basket of food. “Be careful. Try not to worry about me or your sons. I promise…we’ll be fine. Wells will protect me with his life. Please send word when you arrive safely and let me know Margaret is all right.”

  Helen’s ability to know what concerned him most reassured him. His wife was right. Wells and his other employees would protect his family and keep them safe until his return. “I shall send you news as soon as I arrive. I love you, my darling.” Grabbing her close, he kissed her, then mounted Apollo and galloped away.

  Once he arrived at Peter’s estate, he ran up the steps and pounded on the door. The butler opened it, and he pushed his way in as he demanded, “Take me to my sister.”

  The man looked taken aback, but was obviously well-trained. “As you wish, my lord. Your sister is in the drawing room. Please follow me.” A huge sense of relief flooded through him. If his sister was already out of bed, she must be all right.

  When he entered room, Margaret and Peter were seated calmly, drinking tea. When his sister saw him, she jumped up and ran to him, flinging herself into his arms. He pulled her close and kissed the top of her head.
Finding her safe, his knees went weak as he let go of the fear which had gripped him since he’d received his brother-in-law’s note.

  Margaret beamed. “Matthew. It’s so good to see you. Is Helen with you? I’m surprised—”

  He interrupted her, “Are you, all right? Peter’s missive said you had suffered a miscarriage. I’m relieved to see you doing so well.”

  Puzzlement flashed across his sister’s face. “He didn’t send you any note, and I have certainly not had a miscarriage. In fact…why would you travel so close to Helen’s lying in?” Concern filled her voice. “Is Helen well? And the babies—are they all right?”

  A cold chill ran down his spine as he realized he’d been duped. “Oh, God, I need to return to Helen and my sons right away. Whoever made those attempts on her life must be behind this forged note.”

  Peter looked shocked. “I never sent you any missive. Did you bring it with you? Perhaps I will recognize the handwriting. Surely, she’s safe. I’m sure you left Wells with instructions to protect her. Helen will be fine, but I shall return with you. Let me get you a fresh mount. Margaret will have Cook prepare food for your return trip. Why don’t you rest for a couple of hours, and then we’ll leave?”

  Although his brother-in-law was right, he would not be able to sleep even if he tried. “Thank you for the offer, but I cannot afford to rest, and another rider will slow me down. I would like a fresh mount, though, since I must travel fast, and food is much appreciated.”

  “I wish you would let me come with you,” he replied. “If something has happened to Helen, I could help.”

  Margaret interjected, “I know you’re worried about Helen, but please let Peter come with you.”

  “Please, just pray I’m wrong, and Helen is home safe and so are my sons. I appreciate your offer Peter, but I can’t let anything slow me down. I’ll send you word once I return home.” Just as soon as the fresh mount was saddled, and he had the food, Matthew took off, galloping away, leaving a cloud of dust in his wake.

  CHAPTER 24

  Matthew’s heart hammered in time to his horse’s hooves as they struck the ground. He rode throughout the night and the next day, he did not understand how he had remained in the saddle. At last, he arrived at Collingswood mid-afternoon of the third day. His butler met him at the door with a furrowed brow and dark, somber eyes, which drove a spear through his heart. “Where’s my wife? My sons…are they all right?”

  Wells gravely shook his head. “Your wife and sons have been abducted, your lordship. I’ve notified the magistrate, and he’s sent out a search party. They found your wife’s nightgown, so we know she was at an old abandoned cottage on Lord Ralston’s estate, at least for a while.”

  The taste of bile clogged his throat. “Oh, God, oh, God, oh, God.” He paced back and forth as he tunneled his fingers through his hair. “I sensed something was wrong when I arrived at my sister’s home and found her in good health. The missive from my brother-in-law was a forgery. Did anyone see anything?”

  “No, sir. Sally found your wife and sons gone the morning after you left for Hampshire,” Wells explained. “They found tracks leading from the cottage. One set leading east, and another two leading north. The tracks heading east belonged to a horse carrying either a very large individual, or two riders. I’m sorry to impart such dire news.”

  Dazed from lack of sleep, he shook his head to clear it. “I must see the magistrate. Surely, he knows more by now. Oh, God, who did this?” He remounted and raced toward the village.

  When he arrived, a man from the search party had returned with information concerning his sons. A farmer had seen two men traveling in the direction of Somerset, and they had small bundles with them. One of the bundles made a mewling sound. The man wondered why the riders had babies with them. His heart dropped to the floor. That meant Helen was not with her children.

  Oh, God, she must be frantic.

  While it tore him apart to delay going after his wife, he needed to find their sons first. The information concerning their whereabouts was the strongest lead. He prayed Helen was all right. If the villain did not kill her outright, she was probably still alive. Please, Lord, keep her safe.

  As Matthew prepared to leave, Peter arrived and offered his assistance. By this point, he was too exhausted to argue. He had Edwards saddle two fresh mounts. Cook packed a basket of food for them, then they took off toward Somerset.

  Since it was already after dark, they had to travel slowly. Fortunately, the men who had taken his children were not trying to cover their tracks, so it was fairly easy to follow their trail. After traveling for several hours, they stopped at a tavern. When he questioned the innkeeper, he learned that two men with infants had passed through ten hours earlier, so they were gaining on them.

  They traveled another six hours, stopping at several coaching inns along the way, but discovered no additional information. Matthew still believed they were on the right path, and at the next inn, a stable lad told them two men with babies had departed an hour ago. Encouraged by the news, it gave him the energy he needed to continue on.

  They caught up with the men as they turned on a side road, leading to Chard. Matthew spurred on his mount and called out, “Stop now or be prepared to die.” He aimed his pistol at the larger of the two men while Peter targeted the second.

  “Don’t shoot, you can have the li’ buggers. Ain’t been nothing but trouble.” The villains handed his children over without a struggle.

  After handing the babies to Peter, Matthew turned his unbridled fury on the men, attacking the smaller of the two. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the other man fade into the woods. Nothing could be done, and anyway, he only needed one.

  He had the villainous snake in a chokehold. “What have you done to my children? It’s obvious you’ve drugged them to keep them quiet. What was it?”

  Gasping for breath, the man cried, “Sorry guv’ner. We was using laudanum. Didn’t use nothin’ else, and only a wee bit. I promise we weren’t goin’ t’ ’urt ’em none.”

  Sitting on the bastard’s chest, he wrapped his hands around the man’s neck. “If either one of my children are harmed, you’re a dead man! Now, where…” He threw a punch, “is…” He threw another one, “my…” another one hit him in the nose, and he heard a satisfying crunch, “wife?”

  The man’s face was a bloody mess, and his eyes were swollen shut. As he started to throw the next punch, the rogue called out, “I’ll tell ye. Just don’ ’hit me no more.”

  Matthew growled, “Tell me what I want to know, and I’ll spare your life.”

  “Th’ man what ’ired us,” the bastard gasped, “was takin’ ’er t’ a brothel. I…I…don’t know which one, or th’ name o’ th’ man what ’ired us…just know it’s in Lunnon.”

  He rolled the thug over, grabbed a rope from Peter, and tied him up. He threw the thug over his horse. He took his sons from his brother-in-law and cradled them in their slings, then mounted his horse. They stopped at the first coaching inn they came to, and he paid for a chamber. The innkeeper promised to lock the villain in his cellar until they were ready to leave.

  Once he had his sons in the chamber, he had to breathe through the stench coming from the soiled linen covering his poor little ones. When the tub of warm water arrived, Matthew had to carefully soak off their soiled linen from their bottoms, and little legs.

  Waves of icy fear shot through him when neither child stirred.

  They should have responded.

  He tickled Nelson’s foot, and he made some movement.

  Thank God.

  When he uncovered the red welts on their groins, buttocks, and thighs, he wanted to beat the thug into a bloody pulp again. After he had them clean, he wrapped them in the fresh linen the innkeeper’s wife had brought him.

  At last, little Matthew whimpered. Nelson joined in, and before long, their weak mewls turned into howls. The innkeeper’s wife suggested goat’s milk and fetched it for him. Once they were fed, the
y fell into sated sleep.

  They’re alive.

  Who would do this horrible deed?

  He wished he’d asked the thug for a description of the dastardly villain who had hired the duo. Then he would have a possible clue to the identity. At least he could travel to London once his sons were safe at Collingswood Hall.

  Late the following day, Matthew and Peter arrived home with the children, and he turned his sons over to the wet nurse. Mildred crooned gently to the boys and hugged them close, exclaiming over their condition. “I’ll put salve on their wee bottoms, and they’ll be right as rain in no time. I promise t’ take good care o’ th’ little tikes.” Once his sons were settled, he sent a message to Sanderford, hoping he could start the search for Helen.

  Matthew took the man to the magistrate. Before he turned him over, the bastard reluctantly gave a description of the person who’d hired him. The villain described a man of medium height and slightly overweight, with light brown hair and brown eyes. There were no distinguishing marks on him, but he did tell him he spoke and dressed as a gentleman.

  He returned home and went to the nursery to see the babies. Exhaustion had him struggling to stay awake. As much as he wanted to leave immediately, he had to sleep. After he kissed his sons, he went to his bedchamber and tumbled into his bed, falling into an exhausted sleep.

  When he arose the next morning, he found Peter already in the breakfast room, eating his morning meal. As soon as he filled his plate and took his seat, the young man stoutly said, “You need to let me come along. I promise I shan’t slow you down. You’ll need help finding your wife in London.”

  He sighed, too weary to argue. “You’ve already proven your mettle, so you can come. Make sure you send a missive to Margaret before we leave. I’m sure she’s worried.”

  Before they departed, Matthew ordered Wells to hire guards to make sure his sons were never alone. Whomever was behind this might try to steal the twins again, and he was not taking any chances.