Simon's Brides (25 page)

“Thank you Caleb. I’ll tell Cook.” Amy followed the young man from the room noticing the damp on his hair. For an instant she wondered if Simon was wearing any kind of protection from the cold, wet fall weather.

She delivered the message to Cook and went back to the women. This waiting taxed her spirits more than anything she could remember. And, only a day before, they had gathered in this room to await word on Ellie. She shivered. Harold was determined to make his point.

Once more she wondered if she was the reason for these kidnappings. Were her sisters being forced to endure this treatment so Harold could force her into a liaison with him? She twisted the gold band Simon had placed on her finger yesterday.

Harold was too late. She was married to Simon now. And, what would Harold do when he discovered that bit of news? Once again a cold chill raced through her and her fear for Dora exploded.

It was almost time for a midday meal when Clifford rushed into the house, yelling, “Miss Amy, Miss Amy!”

She dashed from the room, “Here, Clifford. What has happened?”

“A horse, Miss Amy. Lord Kirkly wants you and Miss Caro at the stables. He says to come now.”

“Caro,” Amy shouted, her heart in her throat, “Simon wants us.”

All the women rushed from the room as Caro and Amy led the way.

“What is it?” Amy demanded as they entered the muddy stable yard.

Simon stepped forward, and Amy’s heart caught at the sight. His brown hair curled from the moisture and glistened like a dark beaver pelt. A brown curl lay against his forehead. Despite the situation, and Amy’s frantic worries, she marveled at the man before her. Her new husband was beautiful. Beads of rain accentuated his dark lashes. His wet shirt clung to his frame and Amy couldn’t help but admire the sculpted muscles of his chest, shoulders and arms.

He blinked and Amy forced her thoughts to the present.

“One of the horses has returned. It might be the one Harold or one of his minions used to remove Dora from the property. Caro identified the last location and I’m hoping she can do it again.”

Without a word Caro stomped through the mud to the stable. Silently, everyone followed.

They stood back and watched as Caro circled the horse. She raised the horses legs and examined the hooves, then the mane and tail. Slowly, she stood and faced Simon.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t tell a thing. Although this is not one of our horses, I can’t tell whose it is. And, with this drizzle, any identification of where he’s been has been lost.”

“Well, I had hoped,” Simon replied. “You women go back to the house. We should be able to follow the horse’s tracks if we move now.” He added, “If it doesn’t rain any harder.”

The women trekked back to the house. Amy prayed the drizzle would stop or at least remain only a drizzle. In the house, Agatha excused herself to obtain dry clothes, but Amy waited by a window, watching Simon direct a group of men toward a stand of trees. Would he be able to follow the prints of the horse through the woods? She shook her head and gazed as the men disappeared from view.

She sank onto a settee and stared at her sisters. Did they blame her for what was happening to them? After all, Harold had said she had better marry him. If she didn’t...

Tears threatened, but she shook her head. She reminded herself again, tears never helped anyone. Besides, her sisters didn’t need to see her crying. After all, she was the oldest and she needed to set the example.

She opened her mouth to apologize to them when Bolton asked for permission to enter.

“Yes, Bolton,” Amy responded.

“My Lady, there is a small--ah--child at the door. He insists he has a message for you. And, he refuses to hand it to me to deliver. He was told to give it into your hands only.”

“Me? Not Simon?”

“Not Lord Kirkley.” Bolton looked distressed. “Definitely not Lord Kirkley.

Amy charged from the room. Could Dora have found a way to communicate with them? But, why would she have insisted only Amy get the message--unless Dora wasn’t sending word. What if the message was from Harold?

Real panic squeezed her heart. What could Harold want from her?

“I’m Miss Amy,” she told the boy standing inside the front entrance. Bolton took his place at the door.

“This is fer you,” he thrust a smudged and crumpled piece of paper at her. He spun around trying to dodge Bolton.

The butler reached out and grabbed the boy.

Amy gasped in surprise. She had never seen Bolton move so fast. She reached for the lad, ready to assist Bolton when he cried out in pain. Bolton clung to his hand as the child raced from the house.

“He bit me.” Then Bolton whispered, “I’m sorry Miss Amy.”

“It’s all right,” she replied. “Let me look at your wound.”

“Your note?”

“I’ll read it as soon as I’ve repaired any damage done.” Amy reached for the appendage Bolton was holding.

“He didn’t break the skin,” Amy announced, examining the effected limb, “But, Bolton, I didn’t know you could move that fast.”

He straightened proudly, “When I have to move, I can, my Lady.”

Amy smiled and led him toward the kitchen, the note in her pocket forgotten for the moment.

Fifteen

Amy dressed Bolton’s hand and assured him she would mention his aid to Simon. When she lowered her hand to her skirt, the rustle of paper reminded her of the note. She withdrew the object from her pocket.

Unfolding the message she stared at the heavy black strokes. The words seemed to dance from the paper. She started to laugh. Then, her laughter turned to soft sobs.

Caro had followed her into the kitchen and took the note from Amy’s hands. She began to read out loud to the other women who had also followed.

“
By the time you receive this message, Dora will be safely hidden away. I can guarantee you will not find her. And, I’m certain you wish no harm to come to her.

However, to gain her release you must marry me. Of course, you can refuse, but if you tell me no, you will never see your sister again.

Leave your response at the cottage where you went to live after you defied me.

Once we have wed, I’ll release Dora.

Harold Bottomsworth, esq.”

Simon marched into the family parlor. Still smarting from Amy’s earlier rejection and now an inappropriate summons by his aunt, he shouted, “What is going on around here?”

Amy sat on the settee, surrounded by her sisters, her face shiny with tears. Simon’s heart gave a sudden lurch. He didn’t want to admit her pain was also his.

“Bloody hell! Are we too late? Has something happened to Dora?”

“Our marriage must be annulled,” Amy whispered.

“What?” he came to an abrupt stop before her.

What was the woman talking about? If one considered the fact that their wedding hadn’t been consummated, in the eyes of the church, they weren’t married yet. Although he intended to see that condition rectified as soon as they found Dora.

Caro turned and handed him the note.

“You better read this.”

He took it.

“Bloody hell! When did this come?”

Bolton, who’d followed Simon and now appeared to be holding up the door jamb offered the answer.

“My Lord, I opened the door to a small lad, from the village I believe, and he insisted he must see Miss Amy. He gave her that note.”

“What happened to the boy?”

Bolton gulped, “He--ah--ran away, my Lord.”

“Damn!” Simon muttered.

“But,” Amy, her voice quivering, “Bolton tried to stop him and was wounded in the effort.”

Bolton held up the wrapped appendage.

Simon offered a thank you.

“It appears Harold doesn’t know about our wedding.” He glanced up, tapping the note against his hand. “Amy, our marriage cannot be annulled.” Only her sisters had seen her coming from her old room. But that meant nothing. And, it would serve his purpose if everyone thought the marriage had been finalized.

Besides, the thought of annulling his marriage didn’t sit well. Pride played a part in his objection. However, imagining her with any other man stirred more than jealousy. He was also consumed with a need to protect her even as he claimed her for his own. And, she was his.

“Hmmm,” Simon hummed, then thinking out loud he said, “He wants an answer left at the cottage, but that won’t do. I want him here where I’ll have help apprehending him. I’ll send one of the Foleys with my response--”

“Your response?” Amy’s startled voice rang out. “He wants
my
response. I have no choice, no choice at all.” Her voice caught and Simon had the impression she was about to cry again.

“Amy, we are married. You can’t have two husbands. British law will have you before the docket as soon as you say vows with Harold,” he teased.

“But, we--”

He interrupted. “We are married and there is no way to deny it. I have no intention of annulling our union. However, you will write the note. There is no need to tell Harold that you will marry him.”

He glanced at her, and saw the color rise in her face. Before she had a chance to say anything more he strode to her. “Now, come with me. I’ll dictate and you can write
your
response to Harold. I’ll have Clifford take the answer to the cottage.”

“Simon,” she began, but he grabbed her hand and pulling her from the couch, he tucked her arm through his and led her out of the room.

“All right,” he said as he closed the door to his office, “Now, we must get Harold into this house. There’s not enough room in the cottage to hide my men and sending them into the orchard or woods will place them too far from the dwelling to be of help.”

She shook her head. “I don’t understand any of this. How are you going to convince him to come here?” She gazed at him, her eyes filling with tears.

Once more something twisted in Simon. He couldn’t stand to see her upset. Placing an arm around her he drew her to him. He couldn’t resist. He planted a gentle kiss on her lips and stroked her back, offering comfort.

When he released her she sank into a chair. “What will happen to Dora when Harold learns I’ve already wed you?”

He rubbed his hand over his chin. “Amy, that’s the biggest part of this problem. Let me think. Maybe there’s a way to find Dora before he learns of our wedding,” he muttered. Pacing, he glanced at her and then around the room. He paused for a moment.

“Let me think.”

Amy glared at him as if he’d lost him sanity. “There is no way--”

“Yes, there has to be. Listen, Amy, I believe Harold hired someone to kidnap Dora. Remember, he hired someone to grab both Beth and Ellie. He’s not about to soil his hands when he can find someone else to do the deed,” Simon mused.

“Think about it. What’s the saying? A leopard can’t change its spots. Harold will behave with Dora as he has with Ellie and Beth. He’ll hire someone to do the actual kidnapping. I know how to find Harold before he goes to Dora. First, I’ll have someone posted close to the cottage. As soon as he reads the note you’re going to write, he’ll go charging off to wherever he’s hidden Dora. One of my men can follow and we’ll have him and your sister before she comes to any harm.”

“He’ll suspect something like that. I bet he won’t even come to the cottage himself. He’ll send someone else.”

“You may be correct. We’ll follow whoever shows. And, we’ll word your note so that he’s forced to come the manor house. If we say the right things, there’s a chance he’ll bring Dora with him.”

Amy shook her head but Simon insisted, “It might work. Come over to the desk now.”

He seated her in his chair and placed pen and paper before her. “Now, I want to you explain I’ve forbidden any of you to leave this house, but you want to discuss this wedding and Dora’s release. You’ll tell him he’ll have to come here and bring Dora before you’ll agree to anything.”

“Simon, he’ll never do this.”

“Yes he will, and I’ll tell you why.” Simon rubbed his hands together. “I want you to write that if he times his arrival for early tomorrow afternoon, there’ll be no one at the house. You know my men and I will be searching on the east side of the estate.”

Simon gazed at his distraught wife. If he had to he’d protect her from the very devil. Her sadness cut deep, but he wasn’t about to question why. He tried to give her what he hoped was a reassuring smile.

He added, “Of course, I and several of my men will be hidden in the house.”

“Simon,” Amy looked a little flushed, “Harold is not stupid. He’ll know you’ll have someone waiting for him. He won’t come at a time you or I specify. I can’t believe he’ll bring Dora with him, either.”

“Amy, I know he won’t bring Dora. But, I hope to find your sister by following him. However, if that doesn’t work, we’ll apprehend him. Then, we can make him tell us where he’s taken her. We’ll get her back. I promise.”

“I still don’t think he’ll come.” Amy look the pen, chewed on the tip before she shook her head. “He’s not going to believe any of this.”

“Then, what do you suggest?” Simon noticed her shine of tears was gone. Arguing with him was good for her.

“I don’t know.” She looked offended.

“We’ll try it my way, first. If that doesn’t work, then we’ll try something else. Whatever you do, don’t mention our wedding.”

Simon fought the need to take her back into his arms. He wanted to assure her everything would be all right, that somehow they would find Dora and return her to the fold.

“Simon! I’ve just thought of something.” She looked startled. “What if Dora tells him we have already wed?”

She looked so upset, and he reached out, his intention to embrace her. This time she jerked away, almost knocking over her chair.

Simon stared at her. He could smell her fear. What was wrong with her? Why had she panicked? She had to know he wouldn’t hurt her. Or did she?

He believed she was a virgin, and without her own mother, he could imagine what she’d been told about the marriage act. Well, as soon as they had Dora home and safe, he’d seduce his wife. He almost smiled, remembering how she melted against him when he kissed her. A few kisses would destroy her fear. He refused to worry about why Amy had become so important to him, only that now she was.

He watched as she penned the note. Once she’d finished, he took the note, assembled the women in the small family parlor and explained his plans.

“Do you think Harold will take the bait?” Ellie asked.

“We can hope,” Simon answered.

“What about Dora?” Beth whispered, twisting her hands in her lap.

Simon reached over and gave her a brotherly pat, “I’m certain if we don’t find her first, we can force Harold to tell us where she is. Don’t worry. We’ll find her before any harm comes to her. I really don’t think Harold wants to hurt any of you. Beth, nothing happened to you. Ellie, you were held captive for two days and you were uninjured. No, it wouldn’t be in Harold’s best interest to hurt Dora.”

Having offered assurances, Simon drew Amy into his arms. He fought a smile. In front of her sisters, she had too much pride to reject him. He gave her a squeeze, kissed her forehead and left her in the care of her sisters.

Note in hand he went to the stable. Several men had to be positioned close to the cottage and hidden before Simon sent one of the Foleys with the missive.

By mid afternoon, he deemed everything in order. He had three men stationed far enough from the cottage to view anyone arriving there. They each had detailed instructions to follow the person who claimed the note. They understood they had to be discreet enough so that the individual wasn’t aware of his shadow.

Simon and the other men waited at the stable for word from whichever one of the men returned to report. The afternoon grew darker, gloomy, with black clouds massing. Simon cursed. The weather was something about which he could do nothing. If the culprit picked up the note after it started to rain, his men might have a hard time following.

As what little light left of the day was swallowed by the heavy clouds, he decided he had enough time to eat his evening meal. He left orders with the sailors that they should contact him the minute word arrived.