by Vikki Vaught
He turned her around and kissed her. Her nipples grew taut as he gently squeezed them. She trembled from the sensual storm flowing through her. He pulled her to her feet. Carrying her to her bed, he laid her upon the satin sheets and removed his robe, then joined her. Pulling her nightgown over her head, he tossed it to the floor, then lightly stroked her body, causing shivers to dance along her arms. He followed his fingers with gentle kisses.
When he reached her nest of curls, he nuzzled. Parting her thighs, he toyed and licked her tight bundle of nerves for several divine minutes, causing her to arch upward. As she neared her release, he moved between her thighs and sank into her feminine core. He moved slowly in and almost out, again and again, as her passion soared. When he lost his tenacious hold on his desire, he drove into her sheath as a torrent of pleasure swept her away.
Matthew rolled to her side and pulled her close as their pounding hearts returned to an even cadence. His breathing slowed, and she joined him in sated slumber.
The next morning, Helen addressed the invitations for their party and had a footman deliver them. She met with Cook, and they put together the menu. She had tables set up in the music room for cards after dinner and hired a string quartet to play. Next, she met with Mrs. Smith and asked her to supervise a thorough cleaning of the house. Overall, she had a pleasant morning.
After luncheon, she took Christina and Catherine to the garden so they could weed and fertilize the rose bushes. The girls had a wonderful time, and Helen enjoyed spending the afternoon with them. The rest of the day passed quickly, and that night they spent a quiet evening reading in the library.
When Helen finished reading, she closed the book and brought up something she’d been mulling over for the last few days. “I wanted to talk to you about little Matthew. How would you feel if we called him Winston? I don’t think he’ll like being called little Matthew when he grows up.”
“You have the right of that.” He guffawed. “He definitely will not like being called little anything when he’s older. Poor kid will have to suffer being called Wrothford by his peers.”
“Oh, dear. Wrothford is truly terrible. I had forgotten his title. At least within the family, we can use Winston. It’s much better. I’m glad you agree.” She met his gaze. “While I was in the brothel, I tried to remain positive, but there were times I despaired, believing I might never see you or our sons again.”
He kissed her temple. “If something had happened to you, part of me would have withered away.”
“I never want to be parted again.” She snuggled against his shoulder. “I felt so safe when I woke up this morning in your arms.”
Pulling her closer, he murmured, “Last night was incredible. Since we’ve confessed the depth of our feelings, making love seems richer and even more fulfilling. I love you more than I ever imagined it was possible to love another. I was a stupid ass, and I don’t deserve you. I promise I’ll spend the rest of my life making you happy. We’ll get Cecilia to confess she’s been behind the abduction.”
Helen glanced up, meeting his gaze. “I still think you should let me be the bait so we can get her to confess.”
Matthew stroked her hair. “I can’t allow that. I’ll figure out another way to get her to confess. I’m going to the village tomorrow and see if anyone has seen Louis. If we can find him, we’ll have our proof. I’m getting tired. Let us retire. I want to make sweet love to you all night.”
And that is exactly what he did.
* * * *
Matthew went to the village the following morning and talked to the innkeeper. After he gave the man a description of Louis, Wallace nodded. “There was a man in here fitting that description two nights ago.”
Could this be that bastard? “Have you ever seen him here before?”
“He used t’ come a lot till five or six weeks ago,” the innkeeper replied. “He’s always alone, and he buys a meal, drinks a few pints, and leaves.”
At last, a chance to capture this Louis character. “The next time he comes here, send for me. This is very important. I will make it worth your while.”
“I’ll be happy t’,” he replied, “And ye don’t have t’ give me nothin’. Ye’ve already made ever’body’s life better since ye became th’ earl. Ever’one in th’ village owes ye a debt of gratitude fer th’ changes ye’ve made.”
He extended his hand to the man. “I appreciate your help. I just hope he comes back soon.” He lowered his voice. “Don’t share this with anyone. He may be involved in the abductions, and I mean to make him pay.”
The innkeeper puffed out his chest “Ye can count on me, yer lordship. I won’t tell nobody. Me lips are sealed. If he shows up again, I’ll make sure he stays till ye can arrive.”
When Matthew returned home, he met with Wells, and the guards he’d hired, and told them what he had learned in the village. “When the innkeeper sends word, I want two of you with me. I’ll confront the bastard, but I want you nearby, in case he runs.”
“Whatever you need, my lord,” the butler told him. “We want this man caught as badly as you. Lady Collingswood has been so gracious since she came here to live. I speak for the rest of the staff as well; we hold her in very high esteem. We’ll do anything we can to help you.”
That night, he told Helen what he’d learned in the village. “I’ll take two guards with me, so Louis can’t get away. Once I get the truth out of him, I’m confident we shall have Mrs. Arlington.”
Her eyes shone. “Oh, Matthew, I hope this works. I want this over so we can get on with our lives.”
“I’ll get him to confess, then I’ll have Cecilia arrested for attempted murder. She’ll be out of our lives forever. It shan’t be much longer. I have a good feeling about this. I pray Louis shows up soon, preferably before the party.”
The next two days went by, and he did not hear from Wallace. Tonight was his last opportunity he had to catch him before the party. It would make it much easier to get Cecilia to confess if Louis confirmed their suspicions.
The innkeeper sent a missive that evening letting him know the man they believed might be Louis was at the inn. Matthew sent for Wells. The two guards coming with him were armed and ready. The two other men he’d hired to watch over his family would remain at Collingswood to protect Helen and his sons.
When he arrived at the inn, Wallace pointed out a man in the corner. He certainly fit the description. The two guards made their way to a table next to the one where their target sat. Matthew approached and took a seat.
“Mind if I join you, Louis?” he asked.
The man’s eyes opened wider, and he shifted in his seat. “That’s my name, but how do you know me? I don’t believe we’ve been introduced. Excuse me, I’m leaving.”
When Louis stood, Matthew blocked the way. “You’re not going anywhere, you bastard. We’re going to talk, and if you know what’s good for you, you will cooperate. I can have you arrested for the kidnapping of my wife and sons. So, you’d better tell me what I want to know or face the hangman’s noose.”
Sweat broke out across the man’s brow. “I have no knowledge of what you speak. Please move out of my way.”
Louis stepped around him. Matthew grabbed his arm. “I had hoped we could discuss this in a civilized manner. Guards, grab him.”
Louis dashed toward the door. The guards gave chase, and before he made it through, they had him subdued. Matthew turned to the innkeeper. “I need to use one of your private dining parlors.”
“O’ course, milord. Follow me.”
The guards pulled their culprit along and entered the parlor. Matthew had his guards tie Louis to the chair. He pulled one over and began his interrogation. “Why did you abduct my wife and children?”
He drawled, “I’ve never even met your wife. Why would I do something like that?” He struggled against the ropes tying him to the chair.
“I don’t know why, but I know you’re responsible. Obviously, you were working for someone else. There’s no ne
ed for you to take all the blame. You do realize kidnapping is a hanging offense, do you not?”
Louis’s eyes darted around the room. “I have nothing more to say. Now release me this instant.”
“Enough,” he bellowed, “Start talking, and you better give me the answers I want or else. My wife can identify you, so your punishment will be swift. If you cooperate, I’ll see you are not hanged, even though you deserve it. When I think of what could have happened to my wife, it makes me want to tear you limb from limb. So, talk if you value your life, you miserable cur.”
The man hung his head. “I did it for my cousin. She thinks if your wife is dead, you’ll marry her.”
Matthew stood with so much force his chair fell backward. Rage tore through him, but he managed to stamp it out. Violence would not get him the information he needed. “I knew Cecilia was behind this. Did she want her dead, or only abducted?”
Louis met his gaze. “Dead…and your sons. It was her idea to cut the girth on your wife’s saddle. When that failed, she had me cut the spokes on your carriage, hoping she would die when it overturned.”
“You bastard.” He grabbed the cur’s neck cloth. “What else did you do at Cecilia’s bidding? Tell me.”
Louis struggled against the ropes. “When your w-wife had your sons, she demanded I k-kill them and your wife. I refused to kill the children. I suggested we send them to a baby farm. I was supposed to kill your wife and leave her body on the shore. I couldn’t do it.”
“You better be glad you didn’t,” he snarled. “No place on earth would have protected you from my wrath. Now tell me the rest. How did my wife end up in a brothel?”
“When I realized I could not do the deed, I decided to sell her to Madame Lucille’s Gallery. The woman assured me she could not get away.” He sighed. “You must have rescued her.”
Matthew gave a vicious twist to the man’s neck cloth. “You’re damned right, and you better be glad no harm came to her or you would be a dead man.”
“You must believe me. I never wanted to hurt your wife, but Cecilia’s been good to me,” he pleaded. “I was an outcast from my family. She never turned her back on me. I felt I owed her. Besides, it’s very hard to say no to her.”
He released his hold and folded his arms across his chest. “Better an outcast than a murderer. Tell me what she has planned, now that she realizes my wife is alive.”
“She hasn’t given up,” he assured him. “She plans to do something at your party. I fear she’s lost her mind completely. She’s always been temperamental. Now…it’s well beyond that. Be careful tomorrow night, or she’ll succeed.”
“I’ll thwart her,” he retorted. “She shan’t harm my wife. You should thank the heavens above I found you before she could succeed.”
“I’m sorry for the grief I’ve caused your family,” he said, remorse coloring his tone. “All I’ll say in my defense…if I hadn’t done it for Cecilia, she would have hired someone else, and they would not have balked. What will happen to me?”
“I’m taking you to the magistrate. I’ll tell him I don’t want you hanged. You’ll probably be transported. You’ll tell him everything you’ve told me.” Matthew had the guards release him from the chair, but kept his hands tied. Grabbing Louis by the arm, Matthew pulled him from the inn. They dragged him to the magistrate, where he confessed.
After the official finished questioning Louis, he had him sign his confession. “I shall arrest Mrs. Arlington in the morning. With Louis’s sworn statement, she’ll hang.”
Matthew interjected. “You need to arrest her now. I shan’t rest easy until she’s no longer a threat to my wife.”
The magistrate continued to refuse. “Enough. Louis said she plans to kill Lady Collingswood at the party. There’s no reason for her to try something sooner. I shall hear no further discussion. I will arrest her at first light, and that’s final.”
When Matthew arrived home, he found Helen in their sitting room pacing back and forth. “We got him. He’s been arrested and is under guard. The magistrate will arrest Cecilia in the morning. I tried to get him to do it tonight, but he refused.” He yawned and pulled her close. “I’m exhausted. I just want to go to bed and hold you in my arms.”
“Thank goodness,” she replied. “It’s almost over. I do wish the magistrate had arrested her tonight.” She sighed. “It has been a tiring day. I’m exhausted too.”
When the magistrate went to arrest Cecilia the following morning, she was nowhere to be found. Her servants could not give them any information. Matthew and his guards joined in the magistrate’s search. They did not find her. They questioned Louis again, but he could not think of anywhere she might have gone.
Matthew arrived home at six o’clock, barely in time to dress for the party. His hands shook as he pulled on his white gloves. He had a bad feeling. He had Wells find footmen attire for the guards so they could move freely among their guests that evening.
CHAPTER 30
The guests began arriving at eight o’clock, and soon everyone they invited was there, except Cecilia. They went into dinner, and the meal went smoothly with convivial conversation flowing around the table. After they finished eating, Helen led the ladies to the drawing room.
Once the gentlemen joined them, she led their neighbors to the music room where she had the card tables set up. The guests paired off, and they started playing whist. Helen and her husband partnered with Vicar Winslow and his wife. Matthew might not enjoy gaming, but he was an excellent whist player.
After they won the first set, Helen stood. “I need to check on something. It will only take me a moment.” Her husband’s brows drew together. She leaned in and whispered in his ear, “I’m only going to the retiring room. I shall be fine. The guards are patrolling the halls.”
When she entered the room she had set aside for the ladies, it was empty, or so she thought. As she turned to leave, someone grabbed her from behind. A knife dug into her side.
Her breath hitched.
Am I about to die?
“I’ve got you now.” Cecilia’s husky voice sent fear straight to her pounding heart. Her worst nightmare was happening. “Shall we take a little walk around your garden?” Helen attempted to twist away, but the knife pricked her side.
The deranged woman tightened her hold. “Don’t make any sudden movements, or you’ll regret it. Start walking and keep a smile on your face. I will kill you if you raise the alarm. Then I shall find your children and do away with them too.”
When she mentioned her children, Helen froze. She prayed Matthew would come looking for her before this madwoman killed her or hurt their sons. The hall was empty.
Where were the guards?
She turned toward the rear of the house as directed, and she walked until they reached the back door leading to the garden. Helen opened it and stepped outside, all while Cecilia had the knife digging into her side.
Once they entered the garden, Helen tried to break free, but the woman pulled her back. “Any more moves like that, and I will kill you now.” By this time, they had reached the shed. “Open the door and slowly move inside. Don’t think you can get away from me.”
Her pulse thrummed in her neck. “Why are you doing this? You shan’t get away with killing me or my sons, and you will never have my husband. Louis has confessed. He told my husband you were behind the kidnapping and that you wanted me dead.”
Cecilia twisted her arm. “You’re the reason I can’t have Matthew, and if I can’t have him, you can’t have him either. He doesn’t deserve his brats. I shall make him suffer for turning away from me. Once you and his sons are dead, I will go to the continent, and he’ll never find me.”
Helen had to keep her talking to give her husband time to find her. While the woman talked, she’d released her, not realizing she had done so. She stealthily moved backward while she kept her talking.
When her back hit the shelf, she remembered the garden claw should be on the shelf where she’d left it a
fter helping Christina and Catherine plant a new rosebush. If she could grab it, she could use it as a weapon.
Helen kept her talking and distracted, as she felt around behind her for the tool. There was no way she was going to let the woman kill her, or her sons. If she had to, she would kill her rather than let her harm her children. Thank goodness for the darkness. Cecilia could not see her as she fumbled for the claw.
Her hand touched it.
She eased it down to her side.
As she waited for an opportunity to use it, her heart slammed against her breast bone.
Oh, Lord, protect me.
“I’ve talked enough,” Cecilia huffed. “Get ready to die!”
As she raised the knife over her head and started to bring it down, Helen knocked it out of her hands, but Cecilia was too fast.
Before she could get away, the woman grabbed her. For such a small person, Cecilia was too strong for her to break free. She still had the claw, but she could not get in the right position to use it. At last, she could swing her makeshift weapon and dug it into the woman’s shoulder.
Helen yanked with all her might.
A bloodcurdling scream tore from Cecilia’s throat.
Matthew burst through the door, and she threw herself into his arms.
The guards held a struggling Cecilia. Bright red blood gushed from the wound in the woman’s shoulder. At last, it was over. Helen buried her head into Matthew’s chest, and he hugged her close.
He held her against him as he directed his men. “Grab that rope on the shelf and tie Mrs. Arlington up. There should be clean rags to bandage her shoulder.” Cecilia babbled incoherently. “Keep her here while I take Lady Collingswood inside. I shall return so we can take her to the magistrate.”
Matthew swept her into his arms and carried her into the house. She harrumphed. “Put me down, I’m fine. I need to deal with our guests while you take Cecilia to the magistrate. If anyone asks where you are, I shall tell them you’re handling estate business, and you will return shortly. I’ll keep this quiet to avoid a scandal. Here, let me straighten my clothes.” She patted her hair and straightened her gown. “How do I look?”
