For the Love of a Gypsy (16 page)

Chapter 19

“How could this happen?” Declan paced in front of the magistrate’s desk, seething with anger, still muddied from training his men.

Connelly’s ashen face didn’t soothe his temper in the least. “I’m sorry Lord Forrester. Grey assured me he had the situation well in hand.”

“You trusted her lover to watch over her?” Declan raked his fingers through his hair. Sadie Bannon had escaped. Worse, she had killed again. How could he protect Martine without knowing where the damn woman was? His men were watching the pub, stationed at each entrance to ensure her safety. He pinched the bridge of his nose while he contemplated wringing Connelly’s worthless neck. “Is there any sign of where she has gone?”

The magistrate shook his head and cast his gaze to his desk. He shuffled some papers and lifted his shoulders in a helpless shrug. “I’ll be alerting the villagers.”

Declan threw up his hands. “Aye, and I’m certain she’ll be wandering down main street for all and sundry to see.”

Connelly stood and pulled his posture into one with gumption. “I can protect you.”

Declan cocked a brow. “I’ve seen how you’ve protected mine so far. I’m not impressed with your measly efforts.”

He sputtered, yet no reply escaped the man’s mouth. For that Declan was grateful. He’d hate to beat the hapless man if he spoke.

“I’ll see to my own. Of that be sure.” Declan left the small jail.

“See here, don’t be taking the law into your own hands,” he yelled.

Declan ignored the man. He had to ensure Martine was safe. No other purpose mattered.

Frustrated and madder than hell, Declan silently paced past villagers. He was in no mood for chit chat and the solicitous nature of the inhabitants of the village. Even preparing for their departure with his men hadn’t quelled his unease at Sadie’s escape.

The pub bustled with the afternoon crowd, a meager crew of regulars that would eat and drink their day away without an ounce of guilt. He cast a quick glance to ensure no trouble lay in the shadows.

“Barkeep,” he yelled. “Send dinner up to my rooms.” Declan threw a bag of coin on the bar. “Make sure it’s your best.”

One last meal before they departed. It had taken longer than he’d planned to ready his men and their steeds. They were now two hours past departure time and it festered in his jaw.

He pounded up the stairs. Where was Little? He was not to leave the door. Outside their chamber, he attempted to settle his temper. Declan scrubbed his hand over his face and inhaled as he turned the knob. “Martine, I’ve had dinner sent up.”

He stopped in his tracks.

His wife sat in a chair with ropes binding her wrists and legs and a rag stuffed in her mouth. He rushed to kneel before the chair and began untying her. “Stop struggling, I can’t get the knots.”

Panic filled her gaze as she shook her head.

Dear God, he’d failed to protect her. “’Twill be just moment, lass. Sit still.”

“Cease,” a voice behind him said.

Declan shut his eyes and sighed. What a fool he’d been. “Welcome, Sadie,” he said as he stood. He positioned himself between the two women.

With a crazed gleam in her eyes, she advanced from the corner. Her unbound hair snarled around her face and her clothes were stained with ashes and blood.

He forced a smile on his face. “Why don’t you sit and dine with us.”

Martine squeaked from behind. He clasped his hands behind his back and then opened his palm in the same manner he remembered she used with the Lurchers. He prayed she understood that he wanted her to remain calm.

“Nay, me love,” she cooed. “You and I alone will make our way to my estate.”

He schooled his features to mask his fury. Yet his anger chased through his veins. “’Tis sorry I am to be refusing you, but I’ve plans with my betrothed.”

“Your betrothed!” She screeched. “
I’m
to be your wife.” She ran forward, her hands ready to claw him. “I’m yer wife. I’m yer wife,” she yelled as she battered his chest and sunk her nails into his face. “I saw you with her—the Gypsy whore. By the river she bewitched you. Forced you to bed her.”

He grappled for her flailing hands. Blood dripped from his face. Finally he pinned her arms to her side, holding her back as much as he could. “Nay, Sadie. I love Martine.”

“No!” she screeched as she ripped from his grip and continued her assault.

Declan didn’t want to hurt the befuddled woman. But he did want her in jail where she belonged. He grabbed her arms and forcefully pinned them to her sides. “Stop.”

Martine grunted from behind. He shifted his gaze to the door and saw the Pub’s owner holding a tray laden with food. “Get the magistrate.
Now
.”

The tray clattered onto the floor in a clash of broken china.

The man nodded and turned to leave, shock visible on his unshaven face.

“Wait,” Declan called after him. “Untie my bethrothed.”

The man came back and skirted around them. He quickly untied Martine and left.

“You despicable, vile woman.” She came close to Sadie, her face red with indignation. “You nearly killed me.”

“And kill you I will,” Sadie yelled back.

Declan almost laughed at the absurdity of the situation.

“Pah,” Martine said. “You could barely hurt a fly.”

Sadie spat, hitting Declan instead of her intended victim. “Och, ‘tis sorry I am, my love.”

“No matter.” He wished to keep her quiet until Connelly arrived. If Sadie became overly agitated, she may just attempt murder once again.

“Sadie,” he said in a soothing voice while he looked pointedly at Martine. “’Tis important you stay calm.”

“Calm?” Her eyes widened and the harsh manic tone of her voice set his teeth on edge. The room seemed to be consumed with an evil spirit.

Declan tightened his grip and nodded to Martine to step back. An angry glare still hovered in her eyes, but she complied.

“How did you get in the room, Sadie?” he said in a deceptively calm voice.

She giggled. “Your man Little ordered tea. And I brought it to him with some of the same drug I gave you.” She appeared pleased with herself and although he wanted to throttle her, it was more important she went to jail.

“
Forrester
,” Connelly yelled as he bound into the room. Sadie shoved against Declan, attempting to twist out of his grip. He held his position, thwarting her efforts.

“Sadie Bannon.” Connelly wiped his brow and whistled under his breath. “You’ll be coming with me.”

“I’ll help you,” Declan said. “She may try to escape again. Truth be told, she’s a stronger lass than I thought.” He couldn’t help but smile when Martine scoffed.

“My love, don’t let this
eejit
hurt me,” Sadie whined.

Connelly grabbed Sadie and forcefully dragged her from the room.

“
My love
,” she screamed. “Come to me, my love.”

“Don’t move an inch,” Martine warned.

He turned toward her. “I need to make sure she goes behind bars.”

She tipped her head. “I know.” Refusing to meet his gaze, she continued with a shaky voice. “She meant to kill me, Declan.”

He pulled Martine into his arms and kissed the top of her head. Holding her stilled his hands from shaking. He’d almost lost her. What would he have done without her? “I know. I know,” he said into her freshly washed hair. He could barely catch his breath over the thought of her in danger. “We leave soon.”

“Aye, in London we’ll be safe.”

Declan didn’t have the heart to tell her that may be far from the truth. If he couldn’t keep her safe in the small village, how would he in London? He fleetingly thought of seeking Rafe’s help in keeping her in Ireland as he went to secure his innocence. He dismissed the thought, knowing she’d refuse.

He kissed her once again. “My men are downstairs. Don’t open the door to anyone but me.”

She nodded and he headed out the door. At the threshold, he stilled and looked back at her. She stood proud. Proud and lovely. He smiled and left.

What a sight it would be to see Sadie Bannon behind bars at last.

Declan strode into the small village jail as if he owned the place. Actually, he did. He fleetingly wondered if he was still lord over Riverton and determined not to allow the good people of the town to suffer because of the machinations of Ettenbourgh.

“Now, Forrester,” Connelly said as he held up his hand. “I’ll be taking care of me guest.”

“As you did before?” He leaned against the door jam, trying to remain calm when he was anything but. Truth be told, he was both relieved she was captured and damn furious. “Seems to me, you’ve a need to restrain your prisoners better.”

Connelly dipped a fat scone into his tea. “You’ve the right of it.” He took a huge bite. “Thought I could trust Grey.”

Declan scoffed.

“Is that you, my love?”

He ignored Sadie’s question as he placed his hands on Connelly’s desk. Although he’d rather smash his fist in the incompetent magistrate’s face. “Keep her here, or die trying.”

Declan turned and left the building as Sadie screeched his name over and over.

In front of the pub he waited until he was calm before he entered. Still agitated after a few breaths, Declan walked the length of the street as he rubbed the back of his neck.

Truly the last few days had been exhilarating and treacherous at the same time. He entered the pub and went to their chamber.

“Open up, Martine. ‘Tis me.”

The door crept open and his wife peaked out. “Pah. ‘Tis about time. I’ve been pacing forever.”

Just being near her calmed him. He grabbed her and held tight. She pulled back and searched his face. “Is all well, then?” she said as she brushed a piece of his hair aside.

He nodded and enjoyed the feel of her against his body. ’Twas a perfect fit and one he’d never tire of. “No worries. Sadie is in jail and Connelly is on guard.”

“Ha,” she scoffed. “That one is as lazy as they come.”

Declan frowned. “How do you know that?”

She smiled a purely feminine grin as humor lit her gaze. “’Tis a Gypsy’s job to know the ways of the local magistrate.”

He laughed, cleansing his soul of the day’s bitterness. “I’ve had the cook prepare another meal. Due to all of the delays, we’ll leave on the morrow.” Declan kissed her and took her hand. He led her to the bed and bade her to sit.

A knock rapped on the door. Declan put a finger to his lips to silent Martine as he opened the door a notch. The maid held a tray with the agreed upon evening meal. His stomach rumbled at the smell of roasted lamb and mash, and he allowed her to enter.

She made haste as she deposited the tray and gave a quick glance at Martine. Only when Martine smiled and nodded, the maid left.

He’d have to watch her in London or she’d have the king wrapped around her finger.

As day broke, a freshness, a renewing spirit energized the group as they saddled their horses and packed provisions. Declan had risen early, anxious to leave Kilkenny and Sadie. He’d miss the estate and his time with Abigail, but it was part of his past and the path his life had followed. Now he had a new path, one filled with love and joy and the potential to solve the mystery of his past.

He allowed Martine to sleep as he made preparations, knowing their trip would be a harsh one. Although she was used to traveling Ireland’s countryside, the speed in which they would need to travel would far exceed that of a caravan. And she’d be on horseback, not tucked away in a wagon.

“’Twill be hard for her,” Nate said from behind. “We’ll need to be riding slower than our usual pace.”

“Aye.”

His friend rested his hand on his shoulder. “She could stay here.”

“Nay,” Declan said with more vehemence than needed. “She travels with us.”

Nate moved to his own steed and placed a laden pack behind the saddle. They continued working in silence until all was complete. The rest of the men ambled in after they broke their fast and quickly readied their horses.

“M’lord,” Little said, “I will ride by my lady. We may slow you down, but you will know she will be well cared for.”

Declan inhaled, then released the breath. The man felt guilty of Sadie’s trickery no matter how much Declan had tried to tell him otherwise. “I’m entrusting Martine in your care. And I know you’d never let me down.”

Pride lifted the man’s shoulders and a twinkle appeared in his brown eyes. “As if she were my own, m’lord.”

Declan stood and looked at the group of men he’d be leading into uncertain danger.

“If anyone would like to back out,” he began, “I’d understand.”

“Are ye daft, mon?” Nate said.

Matthew spit, then shook his head. “I’ll be staying with you.”

Declan felt a security he’d never known. He knew it was mostly because he’d found Martine, but his men’s loyalty meant a great deal as well. He looked to the others who’d remained silent. Och, he couldn’t blame them, to be sure.

“I’ve pledged to watch over my lady, and that I’ll do.” Little chuckled. “And if I can lend my hand to kick some arse, so be it.”

“I can’t believe you’d think we would step away after all of this time.”

Declan looked to Lange and Rufus. Each man scowled and he assumed they were as displeased as the rest. He sighed. “There’s danger ahead. I can’t guarantee our result. That’s the truth of it.”

“Och, mon, we knew that coming in,” Nate said.

The rest of the men shook their heads in agreement.

Lange patted his shoulder. “’Tis settled then. Yer stuck with this mangy lot.”

Pierce ran into the barn, out of breath and barely dressed. “Are we set to leave?”