Conspiring with a Rogue (44 page)

Drake gently pushed her fingers away, his mouth claiming hers in another kiss, this one slow and tender. When he pulled back, he cupped her face in his hands. “I’d rather beg on the streets again than go one more day without you.”

“
You would?”

“
I’ve one condition,” he whispered.

“
Anything,” she immediately responded, uncaring what she might be agreeing to.

“
Loan me some money?”

She could scarcely believe her ears. “Loan you some money?”

Drake slipped an arm around her waist. “You heard me, love.” He nuzzled her neck. “We’re going to confront the Blightsons and end their little game. I’m going to tell Mr. Blightson to take his line of credit and shove it up his arse, and then I’m going to explain to Mrs. Blightson just how easy it is for a woman with a loose tongue bent on hurting others to disappear on a ship bound for the slave trade.”

It was so nice to finally have Drake in her corner, knowing every little secret she had held so close for all these months and now standing with her, that she refused to protest, except perhaps the pistol. “You promise not to use the pistol?”

“
I’ve never killed anyone, but if either of them try anything, I can’t promise I won’t use it.”

“
You can’t be serious.”

“
Well, I won’t actually shoot them, but the fear of being shot may be just what they need.”

An hour later, Whitney was blissfully happy to be dressed as herself. She peeked out the window as Drake’s carriage pulled into the Blightson’s drive, her stomach clenching at the sight of her enemy’s house. Grasping Drake’s hand, she curled her fingers around his. “Maybe we should wait.”

“
Don’t be afraid, love. I need you to trust me, to lean on me.”

His words released something within her. She’d never expected to allow herself to lean on someone in her time of need again, but she wanted to give Drake all her trust, all her love and the entire truth. “Drake—” She placed her hand against his chest and looked up at him. “I was afraid you’d leave me as my mother was going to.”

“
Never, love,” he vowed.

His simple declaration left her shaking with relief. Finally she managed to gather herself. “Well, you’ve gone and done it now. You’re stuck with me, like it or not, burden or not.”

Drake brushed his lips over hers as the door to the carriage opened. “I like it,” he said and took her elbow to help her descend the steps. “Let’s make a deal.”

“
A deal?”

“
You can be my burden, and I’ll be your beggar.”

“
Obstinate man. You’re cavalier now, but what if I don’t have enough money to sustain your business and then you’re poor again?”

“
Then we’d be poor, but damn happy to have each other.”

A wiry butler with a thin face and hawk nose answered the door. He stared at them with compressed lips and eyes glittering with ill-conceived irritation. He was exactly the type of butler she had expected Mrs. Blightson to employ. They were shown to the parlor and then the butler went to fetch the Blightsons. Within seconds, the door opened and Mrs. Blightson came into the room. Her dark gaze raked over Drake and then settled on Whitney.

“
You little fool,” she spat coming to stand directly in front of Whitney. Before Whitney could answer, Drake slid in front of her and gently pushed her behind his back. She opened her mouth to protest, but Drake glanced over his shoulder and gave her an imploring look. Finally complete understanding settled within her. He needed her to trust in him totally. That was not too much to ask, and she could do it.

Drake motioned to the settee with a jerk of his head. “Sit down,” he commanded Mrs. Blightson.

“
I certainly will not,” she replied. “When I’m done with you and that creature—”

“
Cease talking,” Drake interrupted, “or you’ll force me to make you.”

“
You wouldn’t dare,” Mrs. Blightson threatened, but scampered back a step, showing her doubt.

“
Oh, he would,” Whitney crowed, fully enjoying the moment.

“
Don’t doubt it after what you’ve done,” Drake promised in a threatening tone. “Your game is up. Whitney’s told me everything, and she’s not going anywhere except to the church to marry me.”

“
Then she’s a bigger fool than I thought. And so are you. Ruining you will be fun.”

Drake shrugged. “You can try.”

“
But you won’t succeed,” Whitney added. She moved to stand by Drake and take his hand. She’d let him take the lead in this, but she wanted him to know he could count on her too.

“
I’ll succeed,” Mrs. Blightson hissed. “How long do you think you can stay in business with your ships sinking?”

“
Oh, my God,” Whitney said. In a flash she understood everything, and the realization left her trembling with anger. She surged forward and grabbed Mrs. Blightson by the arm. “
You
made a bargain with Lord Cadogan.”

Mrs. Blightson jerked out of Whitney’s grasp. “Lord who?”

“
You lying, insufferable witch. You made a bargain with Lord Cadogan to get him to hurt Drake, but what did Lord Cadogan get?”

“
I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.”

Whitney took a threatening step toward the woman, pleased to see her flinch. Suddenly, it hit her. “Money.”

Mrs. Blightson’s widening gaze told Whitney she had hit her mark.

“
You convinced your husband to loan Lord Cadogan money.” Whitney looked at Drake. “Lord Cadogan didn’t have it, you see. Saint Augustine told me Lord Cadogan had to borrow money to buy his ships.” She swung back to face Mrs. Blightson. “You never intended to keep our bargain, did you?”

The woman stood silent, but Whitney knew by the menace glittering in Mrs. Blightson’s eyes she had very purposely and maliciously broken their bargain. “You’ve lost,” Whitney said flatly. “Lord Cadogan is dead. He won’t be hurting Drake for you anymore.”

“
Henry!” Mrs. Blightson screeched, calling for her husband.

Whitney stared at the door, half expecting Mr. Blightson to come blazing, brandishing his pistol. Instead, he strolled into the room, a pinched expression making his face appear scrunched. When his gaze settled on Drake, then Whitney, the banker blinked in unconcealed surprise. “Sutherland, to what do I owe this visit?”

“
Never mind questioning him,” Mrs. Blightson snapped at her husband. “This trash”―she pointed at Whitney—“destroyed my son, and now she needs to be repaid in kind.” Mrs. Blightson glared at Drake. “Drop this filthy American’s note and then make sure no other bank will have him.”

“
You’re the filthy one,” Whitney seethed. Drake’s hand came to her shoulder, and he gently tugged her behind him, which was a very good thing because she was itching to give Mrs. Blightson a well-deserved slap.

“
What the hell is going on here?” Mr. Blightson demanded.

Stunned, Whitney gaped at Mr. Blightson. “Don’t you know?”

The man shook his head.

“
It doesn’t matter,” Mrs. Blightson shrieked. “Just do as I say.”

Red faced, Mr. Blightson slapped a palm over his wife’s mouth. “Sutherland?”

While Drake explained what had happened, Whitney watched Mr. Blightson’s face for any clue that he had really known what his wife had threatened so many months ago. Mr. Blightson turned white before his skin mottled red. He dropped his hand from Mrs. Blightson’s mouth, only to grab her by the arms and shake her. “How could you?”

Mrs. Blightson jerked free, raised her fist and charged at Whitney. Drake pushed Whitney back and caught Mrs. Blightson’s fist as her husband caught her around the waist. She howled, kicked and clawed at him. “Let me go. She killed him. She killed my son with her interference.”

“
Beatrice,” her husband soothed, pulling her out the door. “He killed himself. He shot himself after he gambled your house and all his money away. Remember?”

“
No, no,” she sobbed, the wretched sound growing distant as Mr. Blightson dragged his wife down the hall.

Whitney reached for Drake and leaned into him. “He never knew,” she whispered. She couldn’t believe Mrs. Blightson had caused them so much pain and her husband had not even had a clue as to what she had threatened. “If only I’d trusted you.”

“
That’s true, love.” Drake brushed a kiss on her lips. “Always remember I want you to count on me.”

“
And what about you? Will you still lean on me, take my help?”

“
Of course. We made a deal, remember?”

She nodded, happiness settling inside her. “I haven’t forgotten.”

He winked, tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and walked her toward the door. Without a word, the butler inclined his head and opened the door, but before they were down the last steps, a voice called out behind them. They turned together as Mr. Blightson came rushing down the stairs. “She’s ill.”

“
Quite ill,” Whitney emphasized, praying the man would take action and feeling sorry for him. Had Mrs. Blightson duped the banker into marriage to carry out her plan against Whitney? She wondered if the man had even considered it. She was not about to bring the possibly painful truth to his attention. He had enough to deal with right now.

Mr. Blightson grasped her hand, and Drake stiffened beside her. She shook her head at him. She wasn’t afraid with him near.

Mr. Blightson cleared his throat. “I’m terribly sorry. I won’t let her harm either of you in any way. You’ve my word.” He looked at Drake. “And, of course, your note is perfectly safe as long as business keeps making a profit.”

“
I appreciate that.” Drake grasped Whitney’s hand and tugged her down the last steps.

As they reached her carriage, Whitney stopped and turned to Drake, encircling her arms around his waist. “It’s strange.”

“
What is?”

“
I’ve tried for so long not to be a burden to anyone, I’m not sure I know how to lean on someone.”

Drake nodded. “And I’ve tried for so long to never take help from anyone.”

“
We’ll teach each other?”

He smiled wickedly. “Your first lesson can be this afternoon. I’m going to teach you how to submit properly.”

His words held so much delicious promise that a tingle of anticipation raced across her body and warmed her skin. She tugged on his hand. “I’m dying to start my lesson. Let’s go.”

She stepped up to ascend into the carriage, but a thunderous noise stopped her. Squinting down the drive, she gasped as she recognized Sin’s crest.

“
What in the world are they doing here?” Drake muttered.

Whitney laughed as Sin, Audrey, Sally and Danny charged out of the carriage. “Are you here to pay the Blightsons a social visit?” Whitney quipped.

Sally came striding over, a scowl on her face. “Of course not, darling. We went to Drake’s to make sure the two of you were making up, and this little doll here told us everything.”

Whitney and Drake glanced at Danny. His cheeks tinged pink with embarrassment. “I suppose I might have been listening at your door, Mr. Sutherland.”

Drake reached out and ruffled Danny’s hair. “You’re forgiven, this time. But no more eavesdropping.” Danny nodded vigorously.

“
Poor darling.” Sally drew the boy toward her hip. “He was only trying to help. As we all are.” She thrust her hands on her hips and glowered. “Do I need to put the fear of a duchess in those people?”

“
No need. We’ve already taken care of everything.” Whitney patted Sally’s hand and then studied Sin curiously. Dark bags accentuated his normally bright eyes. Today, lines of red shot through them. His features were drawn, his normally pristine clothing a wrinkled, unkempt mess. “Have these two ladies driven you to distraction?”

“
They insisted I bring them here. Neither of them would take no for an answer.” His hard glare settled on Audrey. She smiled prettily at him, and it was all Whitney could do to keep from laughing. Drake, however, burst into deep, rumbling laughter.

“
I feel sorry for you.” He pulled Whitney into the carriage.

Sin stuck his head into the carriage before Drake could close the door. “I don’t need your pity.”

Drake put his arm around Whitney’s waist and drew her toward him. “You do if you mean to court Lady Audrey.” Whitney snuggled into the crook of Drake’s arm and sighed happily.