Never Miss a Chance (21 page)

*                    *                    *

Riverton walked further into the woods.  He had no
destination in mind.   He simply needed to get away.  He’d not thought it was
possible to hurt this much.  It had been bad enough to love Lizzie from afar. 
But to have grown close to her, to have made love to her, only to have it
ripped away.  It felt like his soul was being wrenched apart.  It was agony.   

But something didn’t make sense.  She couldn’t be that
cruel.

“I thought I’d find you here.”

He turned to find Melissa walking toward him.  Sweet,
beautiful Melissa.  He’d had a crush on her those many years ago when they’d
spent summers together.  But she’d always been unattainable.  His to worship
and flatter, but never to form a true bond with.  Then, as they got older, he
saw how she flirted with many men of the
ton
, collecting hearts like charms
on a bracelet.  He was thankful she’d never really captured his.  In fact, he
hadn’t realized he even had a heart.

Until Lizzie.

“I haven’t interrupted you, have I?”  She smiled at him and
the sunlight shone on her perfect blonde curls.

“It is nothing of import,” he said.  “What brings you to the
woods?”

“To see you, of course,” she said, as she closed the
distance between them. 

“Is there something you need?” he asked.

“Most assuredly,” she said, her voice low and seductive. 
“You, my lord.  I need you.”

She put her hands on his shoulders, then rose on her toes to
place her lips on his.  The kiss she pressed on him was more experienced than
he would’ve predicted.  She kissed him with the confidence of a woman who knew
what she wanted. 

He pulled back from her, and caught her hands in his.

“My dear,” he said gently.  “I’m flattered.  I sincerely am. 
But I’m afraid my feelings are otherwise engaged.”

Something flashed in her eyes, then was gone just as
quickly.  It was replaced by her sweet smile and the light pink blush he’d seen
so many times before.  She was, once again, the perfect viscount’s daughter. 
“Shall we walk back to the house my lord?” she asked, as she put her hand
through his arm.

Without much choice, Riverton nodded before leading her
back.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

It was as tense of a room as Lizzie had ever been in.  Which
was significant, given how much trouble she’d been in with the treatise. 
Lizzie’s brothers, Aunt Prue, Mariah and Inspector Stapleton were listening to
Miss Rennard’s extraordinary story.  Stalford was also there.  He’d tried to
get away, but Lynwood, in his dangerously quiet mode, had told him that as
Lizzie’s fiancé Stalford had a vested interest in her safety.  The earl hadn’t
seemed to agree.  It was only when Edith said she wanted to learn what was
going on that he decided to stay.

The big confrontation over Lizzie’s supposed betrothal to
Stalford hadn’t yet happened, which made her suspicious.  Lynwood treated him
with cool civility, as did Arthur and Hal.  Even Riverton was being
frustratingly nice to the man.

Which was most insulting. 

Miss Rennard had spent several minutes recounting her
story.  At first, Inspector Stapleton hadn’t believed she worked for the Home
Office.  He’d quizzed her about different men who worked there, since his
duties brought him in contact with them quite often.  It was highly unusual for
a woman to be an agent, but after hearing Miss Rennard’s story, even Stapleton
was convinced she was who she said she was.

Apparently, the Home Office had been tracking a French
operative.  While England and France were no longer at war, the peace was
tentative at best.   And England’s nobility would forever be suspicious of any
efforts to democratize the country.  As other Home Office agents had closed in on
the Frenchman, it was discovered that he’d left a coded message in Kent.  Miss
Rennard had been sent to Riverton Farms to see if she could find it.

After doing a preliminary examination of the documents
Arthur had retrieved from the chest, Miss Rennard was sure they were on the
right track.  She couldn’t break the code, but once the documents were safely
delivered, she’d be that much closer to discovering the British traitor the
Frenchman had been trying to contact.

“Miss Rennard,” said Lynwood, “we will provide you safe
passage to London.  We can leave as soon as you are ready.”

Arthur bristled noticeably.  “I can provide Miss Rennard with
safe passage.  You can remain here.”

“I’m sure my sister would like that,” said Edith.

Miss Rennard cleared her throat.  “Your grace, Lord Arthur,
while I appreciate the offer of assistance, I cannot accept it.  I must pursue
the mission on my own as soon as I reclaim the chest.”

“But if you already have the papers, why does the chest signify?”
asked Aunt Prue.

“Because the person who can break the code is expecting
both.  Which brings up another matter.  Lady Elizabeth, I believe you may be in
danger.”

“What?” said Riverton as he half-rose from his seat.  “I
will not allow any harm to come to her.”

“My lord, I cannot adequately express my regret that it has
come to this,” said Miss Rennard.  “I was ordered by my superiors not to break
cover.  Indeed, they’ll be most displeased that I have done so.  I thought the
Marleys would be more careful than to show their hand in such an obvious way. 
They can be vicious people.  And once they learn the chest is empty, they will
return here and head straight for Lady Elizabeth.”

Riverton started pacing the room.  Stalford looked to be
half asleep.

“They sound like a bloodthirsty family,” said Edith.  “Quite
admirable, really.”

“They’re not brother and sister,” said Miss Rennard. 
“That’s only their cover.  They’re lovers and two of the deadliest assassins in
England.”

“So if they come back for Lizzie…” said Lynwood, unable to
finish the sentence.

“They’ll kill her if they must,” said Miss Rennard. 

That was met by the predictable exclamations of worry from
Lizzie’s loved ones and silence edged with boredom from Stalford and Edith.

Lizzie had listened to everything.  She’d taken everything
in.  And she had the solution.  “So there’s only one thing to do,” she said.

“Absolutely,” said Riverton.  “We’ll hire guards to keep you
safe in your room, then Stapleton and I will ride out to get the villains while
your brothers watch over you here.”

“Actually,” said Lizzie.  “I think you should use me as
bait.”

“Never,” said Riverton.

“That sounds like an excellent plan,” said Edith.

“It’s the only solution,” said Lizzie.  “They must find me
alone, so they can ransom me for the chest.  But you all will be lying in wait,
so we can capture them like in a gothic novel.  I think if I ever stop writing
treatises – and don’t get too excited, Lynwood, for I can’t see a day when that
shall happen – I should like to pen a novel.  It would be ever so much fun.”

After a stunned silence, broken only by a snort from
Stalford, Lizzie’s loved ones once again tried to disabuse her of the plan. 
However in the end, after much debate, Lizzie finally got them to agree to her
idea.

But Riverton still didn’t like it.

*                    *                    *

For the next day and a half, the ladies and gentlemen who
were privy to the plan were on edge, alert for any sign that the Marleys had
returned.  Stapleton had stationed Riverton’s most trusted staff at different
locations on the estate so they’d be notified the moment the Marleys were
spotted.  By late afternoon of the second day, the diligence had paid off.  The
wife of one of the tenant famers spotted two outsiders masquerading as fishermen
passing through the village.  While they were purportedly two men, the smaller
of the two could easily be a woman in disguise.

It was then determined that the Marleys were using an
abandoned cottage near the river as their hiding place.  They’d been very
quiet, but a woodcutter had seen them and alerted Riverton.  He’d wanted to
storm the cottage right away, but had been persuaded to stick to the original
plan.

Now it was Lizzie’s turn to do her part.

She set off for the lake shortly after tea.  It was a challenge
to walk through the woods pretending not to have a care in the world, knowing
the Marleys were in the vicinity and more than likely had her in their sights. 
But she hadn’t wanted to draw them to the house, when too many innocents
could’ve been harmed.  She needed them to make their move where it was safest
for others.  As she got closer to the lake, she was beginning to think they
hadn’t seen her leave, when she heard the cock of a pistol.

“Stop right there,” said Miss Marley, as she stepped out
from behind a tree near the water.  “I should hate to have to kill you.”

Lizzie faced her attacker.  “Somehow, I don’t think you’d
mind a bit.  But you need me alive to get what you want.”

Miss Marley’s lips curved in a cruel smile.  “I do need you
alive, but not necessarily unharmed.  A nice flesh wound would even lend some
urgency to the proceedings, don’t you think?  I can only imagine how quickly
Riverton would act to free his beloved.  Despite being the dry stick that he is.”

“He is not a dry stick,” said Lizzie, vehemently, even as
she eyed the pistol.  “He’s a passionate, wonderful, loving man and you’re not
fit to say his name.”

“Then perhaps I shall take advantage of his ‘passionate’
nature when he comes to your rescue.”

“He won’t come,” said Lizzie, wishing that were true.  The
last thing she wanted was for Marcus to be put in harm’s way trying to protect
her.  “I am betrothed to the Earl of Stalford.”

“I think not,” said Miss Marley.  “Any imbecile can see he’s
utterly besotted with Riverton’s cow of a sister.”

A twig snapped nearby.  Miss Marley turned her head toward
the noise, while keeping her pistol trained on Lizzie.  “What kind of animals
do you have in these woods?”

“I haven’t the foggiest idea,” said Lizzie.  “But one can
hope they’re particularly hungry.”

“Then perhaps they should set their sights on Edith.  After
all, she has plenty of meat,” said Miss Marley.  Who was then hit on the
forehead with a rock that had been thrown with considerable force.

Edith came running out of the woods and pelted Miss Marley with
another one.  “Bitch!” screamed Edith, as she wound up to throw the next rock.

But Miss Marley ducked the third.  She brought her pistol up
and aimed it right at Edith.  Lizzie threw herself over Edith, just as the Earl
of Stalford ran past them and tackled Miss Marley.  The pistol went off
harmlessly into a tree.

Lizzie looked up to see Stalford holding Miss Marley down. 
“How dare you try to hurt Edith, you witch!” he snarled at her.

“Nincompoop!” hissed Edith.  “You’re supposed to be
protecting your betrothed.”

“I am, Edith!  You’re going to marry me,” he said as he
struggled with the writhing Miss Marley.  “Now help me tie her up.”

Edith was, for once, at a loss for words.

But of course it passed.

“Stalford, you have a lamentable…”

“Shut it, Edith!  You’re marrying me and there will be no
further discussion.  Now tie her hands.”

Lizzie stood over the struggling Miss Marley, as Edith
delighted in tying the knots.  “Where’s Marley?”

“I’m not telling you a thing.”

“Yes, you will, if you expect to live.”

“You wouldn’t kill me,” snarled Miss Marley.

“Probably not, but Edith would.  Isn’t that right?”

“In the blink of an eye,” said Edith, as she tied off Miss
Marley’s hands tighter than strictly necessary. 

Miss Marley considered Edith for a moment, then turned to
Lizzie.

“He’s got something of yours.  Wants to make a trade for the
papers from chest.”

“What does he have?”

“Your brother Arthur.  Take the chest to Marley and your brother
won’t be hurt.  If you don’t, he’ll kill Arthur then burn this place to the
ground.  And one more thing…you’ll need to take me to him, too.”  She looked at
Edith, then hastily added.  “Alive and unharmed.”

“Damn it!” said Edith.

*                    *                    *

Marley was holding Arthur at the old caretaker’s cottage,
adjacent to the river.  Lizzie ran all the way there, only to find Riverton
waiting nearby.

As Lizzie ran up to him, Riverton took a half step toward
her as if he wanted to pull her into his arms, but then held back and nodded. 
His eyes, however, searched her from head to toe, ensuring she wasn’t injured. 

“What happened?” asked Lizzie.

“Arthur didn’t want to place Miss Rennard in harm’s way, so
he more or less made himself a hostage.  Lynwood, Hal and Stapleton are most
displeased.”

“Is Arthur in there?” asked Lizzie, motioning toward the
cottage.

“Yes. He and Marley have been in there for nearly an hour. 
Why did you lie to me about when you were going to the lake?  I was out of my
mind with worry.”

“It was better that way.  Where are Liam, Stapleton and
Hal?” asked Lizzie, wishing she could hold Riverton.

“Circling around.  What about Edith and Stalford?”

“Bringing the prisoner.  How did you know the Marleys would
split up?”

“It’s what I would’ve done.”

“I should’ve known,” said Lizzie with a sad smile.  “Always
the calm, logical man,”

“Not with you,” said Riverton as he took her hand.  “Never
with you.”

“Marley!”

They turned to see the rather unexpected sight of Miss
Rennard approaching the cottage.  She was unarmed, out in the open.  And
holding the papers in her hand.  “I’ll give you the documents for Kellington.”

There was silence for a moment, then Marley’s voice shouted
out from the cottage.  “How do I know they’re real?”

“You’ll know when you match them to what’s in the chest.”

There was another moment’s silence, then he continued.  “Come
in here – alone.  Then we’ll decide.”

Arthur called out from the cottage.  “Don’t do it Tara!  He
has a pistol and a knife.  He’ll kill us both.”

There was the sound of Arthur being hit.  Then Marley yelled
out once again.  “Where’s Lucinda?”

“I’m here, love!”

Lizzie and Riverton turned to see that Edith and Stalford
had just arrived with Miss Marley.  Her hands were bound, but her feet untied.

“Release her!” yelled Marley from the cabin.

“Not until you come out,” said Lizzie, praying her brothers
and Stapleton were in position.

The door to the cottage opened and a battered Arthur walked
out with Marley holding a knife to his throat.  He held a pistol in the other
hand, trained at Tara.  “Lucinda,” hissed Marley, “take the papers, then come
over here.”

After a nod from Riverton, Edith released Miss Marley, whose
hands were still tied.  She very smugly walked to Miss Rennard, whispered
something in her ear, then took the papers from her.  She walked over to Marley
and gave him a kiss.

Marley glanced at the papers, then told Lucinda to grab
their bag from the cottage.  She’d no sooner gone into the cottage than Lynwood,
Stalford and Hal appeared with pistols trained on Marley.  Arthur broke away
from Marley, who escaped back into the cottage.    Arthur and the others
followed, only to see the Marleys escape out the back window and run toward the
river.  They followed, then saw the most astonishing sight as the Marleys jumped
over the embankment.

As the others reached the bank, the Marleys were just
disappearing around a bend in the fast-flowing river.  As Tara made to jump in
the river after them, Arthur caught her.  

“No!  That’s a suicide mission.”

“But I was supposed to guard those papers with my life,” she
said, struggling in his hold.

“That’s one sacrifice I won’t allow you to make,” he said.

“Lord Riverton,” said Tara, “what is the best way to catch
up with the river?”

“I’m afraid, Miss Rennard, that it would be almost
impossible to do.  The rapids are so fast you cannot hope to outrun them. 
Indeed, I cannot imagine the Marleys will survive.  It is nearly dark now. 
It’s better that we take this up again in the morning.”