The Forbidden Lady (16 page)

“Good Lord!” Virginia gasped, pressing her hand to her chest. “I cannot breathe.”

The carriage stopped in front of the church. A crowd of people gathered around the open doors, indicating the church was already packed full.

Quincy Stanton emerged from the church and weaved through the crowd. He wore the gray silk with silver buttons, a lavish abundance of lace at his neck and sleeves. Obviously, she had not destroyed all his wigs, for he wore another one, curled and powdered snowy white with a gray silk bow around the ponytail.

Virginia groaned. “I cannot do this. He’s prettier than me.”

Aunt Mary reached over and patted her hands. “Ginny, he’s a good man. Remember, it is important right now for him to be seen as a Tory. But you know who he truly is.”

As Virginia accepted Quin’s arm and descended from the carriage, she could only pray that she did know who he truly was.

C
HAPTER
F
IFTEEN

S
he refused to dance with him. Hell, she wouldn��t even talk to him. Frowning, Edward poured more wine into his glass. The more money he spent, the more vexed she became. Perhaps Mary would like him more when he became a pauper.

He shouldered his way across Concert Hall, greeting people as he went. The wedding had gone well, even with a nervous bride and groom. Lively music filled the hall. The guests ate, danced, and laughed at bawdy jokes. It seemed that patriots and Loyalists could forget their differences when the wine was free.

He stopped to talk to his solicitor, Obadiah Winkle. “Is everything set?”

“Aye, the papers are ready. I have them here.” The solicitor tucked a brown leather envelope under his arm.

“Quincy doesn’t know about the plan yet. I’ll send him over so you can explain it.”

Obadiah Winkle squinted through his spectacles. “What if he doesn’t want to do it?”

“He has no choice. None of us do.” Edward downed the last of the wine in his glass. “When you’re done, tell him to go to the Green Dragon Tavern.”

“Why?”

“Don’t worry, Winkle. ’Tis not business, but pleasure.” As Edward passed by the dancers on his way to the newly wedded couple, he motioned to four of his friends to join him.

He set his empty glass on the table where the bride and groom were enjoying a meal. “Quin, you need to talk to our solicitor. He’s over there by the first window.”

Quin frowned. “Surely it can wait.”

“ ’Tis extremely urgent. Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of your bride while you’re gone.”

“Very well.” Quin pushed back his chair and stood. He gave his wife an apologetic look. “I’ll be back soon.”

She nodded.

Edward watched his nephew disappear into the crowd. His four friends arrived, lining up in front of the table where the bride sat alone. “Virginia, may I introduce my friends from the Sons of Liberty. We have come to liberate you.”

She blinked. “Excuse me?”

“You’ll come with us. We’re kidnapping you.” Edward noted her apprehension and sought to reassure her. “ ’Tis but a jest, my dear. No harm will come to you.”

She frowned, eyeing the four men who had surrounded her. “Aunt Mary,” she called. “What is happening here?”

Mary hastened to her side, ignoring Edward’s presence. “What is wrong, dear?”

Virginia glanced at Edward with a look that questioned his sanity. “Quin’s uncle wants to kidnap me.”

Mary snorted. “Indeed? You would think the man was too old for such a childish prank.”

Edward placed his palms on the table and leaned toward them. “I’m young enough for you, Mary.”

“Humph.” Mary gave him a look of disdain. “You should be ashamed of yourself. Frightening this poor girl on her wedding day.”

He smiled slowly. “Are you speaking to me now?”

Mary narrowed her eyes at him.

“What’s happening?” Caroline Munro approached, examining the men curiously.

Virginia shook her head. “I have no idea.”

Edward straightened. “It is a custom in Boston for friends of the groom to kidnap the bride and take her to another location. The groom then comes to rescue his bride.”

Caroline clapped her hands, grinning. “How marvelous! Can I be kidnapped, too?”

Edward bowed to her. “Of course, my dear. We aim to please.”

Mary crossed her arms. “This is ridiculous. I cannot allow you and your ruffians to abscond with these young women without a chaperone. I will have to accompany you.”

Edward grinned. “I am delighted, Mary. Shall we go? Our carriage awaits.”

Virginia rose to her feet. “Will Quin know where we are?”

“Aye.” Edward noticed the young servant that lived at Mary’s house hovering nearby. He was the same height as Virginia. “You there, what is your name?”

“George Peeper, sir.”

“You’re coming with us.”

Outside Concert Hall, Edward helped the ladies into Quin’s carriage, while the boy servant climbed up next to the driver. “To the Green Dragon,” he called to the driver.

He settled in the front seat next to Mary, giving her a smile which she ignored. His friends, the four Sons of Liberty, rode their horses alongside the coach as they proceeded to the tavern.

Caroline beamed. “I’ve never been kidnapped before.”

Mary rolled her eyes. “I certainly hope not.”

“What’s this?” Caroline reached for the silken cord hanging from the ceiling.

Virginia gasped and shoved her sister’s hand away. “Don’t touch that! It releases an iron bar over the front seat.”

Edward studied the trapdoor over his head.

“What manner of carriage is this?” Mary asked.

“Quin’s been using it.” Edward turned to Mary, eager to maneuver the conversation away from Quin’s secret activities. “What do you know of this George who lives with you?”

“He’s a fine boy. My brother selected him.”

“He only stole food to help his family,” Caroline added.

Edward frowned. “He’s a thief?”

Mary shook her head. “He was desperate. His family was evicted from their home when a fancy lord decided sheep were more profitable. They moved to London and when his parents took ill, George tried to care for them. Obviously, he didn’t make a very good thief.”

“What happened to his family?” Edward asked.

Mary shrugged. “We don’t know. He suspects his parents have died, but he has a younger sister he worries about.”

Edward nodded. “If you’ll give me the names and descriptions of his family members, I’ll have my factor in London search for them.”

Mary shifted on the seat to face him. “You would do that?”

“I may be a kidnapper, but I’m not an evil man.” Edward saw the hope lighting her beautiful green eyes. “Mary, the chances are not good that we’ll find any of them alive. I would hate to disappoint you.”

They stopped in front of the Green Dragon, and Edward helped the ladies out of the carriage. As George jumped down from the driver’s seat, Edward patted him on the back.

“George, I have an unusual request.”

Q
uin strode through the streets, accompanied by three old friends who teased him for losing his wife an hour after the wedding.

“You’re the lucky one, Quin.” One of his friends grinned. “I wish I could lose my wife.”

“How could you?” another one asked. “She’s as big as a barn.”

“Here now,” the third man joined in. “That’s not true. She’s no bigger than a horse.”

The offended one knocked the other two’s tricornes off their heads.

Quin shook his head and quickened his pace. He was not in the mood for frivolity, not after his conversation with Obadiah Winkle. He had known that Edward and Winkle intended to foil Clarence’s plan to take over Stanton Shipping, but the solution was much more drastic than he had imagined. He was in a shocked state of mind when he had discovered his wife was missing.

Perhaps Edward thought he needed some silliness to take his mind off the grave situation.

“Actually”—one of the friends veered closer to him and lowered his voice—“we wanted a chance to see you alone.”

Quin glanced at him. A few months ago, the man had accused him of being a traitor. “Do you plan to give me a beating?”

“No.” His friend smiled. “But I was tempted to before.”

The second companion positioned himself to Quin’s left. “We heard you’re still working for the cause.”

Quin shook his head. “I’m afraid you’re mistaken. I’m a King’s man.”

The third friend spoke behind him, “We heard you’re the one responsible for the . . . incident in the harbor.”

Quin skidded to a stop.
Damn.
Someone was talking who shouldn’t. His friends reached out to steady him.

“The road’s a bit icy, don’t you think?” Quin resumed walking.

The man on his right said, “Your secret is safe with us, but we thought you should know there are rumors floating about.”

The one to the left added, “We want you to know if you ever need any help, we’ll be there.”

Quin stopped again and regarded his old friends. A part of him felt relieved they no longer considered him a traitor. Another part warned him of imminent danger. Too many people knew about him.

He thanked his friends silently with a quick smile and a nod of his head. “And now, old friends, I have to find my wife.”

They grinned and fell into step beside him.

Quin spotted his carriage, parked in front of the Green Dragon Tavern. If Edward was following custom, he would persuade Ginny to exchange clothes with her sister or aunt. Then, everyone would enjoy a big laugh when he rescued the wrong woman.

He slammed open the door of the Green Dragon. “Edward, my blockheaded uncle, what have you done with my wife?”

Snickers and stifled laughter greeted Quin as he stalked into the tavern followed by his three friends. He spotted his uncle seated with his back to him.

Edward rose from the long trestle table and gestured to the figure in gold silk next to him. “She’s perfectly fine, as you can see.”

Quin advanced slowly. A dark veil covered his alleged wife’s head.
A trick, to be sure
. He scanned the establishment. Ginny’s aunt and sister sat at the trestle table facing him, so she could not have exchanged places with either of them.

He halted behind the figure in gold. “Ginny?”

“My hero, you saved me!” A strange, falsetto voice answered.

The occupants of the room erupted in laughter.

Quin ripped off the veil and lurched back. “Bloody hell!”

George Peeper flushed red as he rose to his feet, dressed in Virginia’s golden gown. “Sorry, sir. They made me do it.”

Quin gritted his teeth as laughter and bawdy jests filled the room. His friends shook his hand, congratulating him on his lovely young bride. He surveyed the room. Where was she?

In the corner sat a slight figure in breeches and a loosely fitted coat, an oversized tricorne pulled low over the brow, a giant pewter tankard raised to conceal the face. He ambled over and caught a glimpse of bottle-green eyes watching him.

When he yanked the tricorne off, auburn curls tumbled out. “Good day, madam wife.”

H
ours later, as the sun was setting, Virginia settled into the carriage for the ride to her new home. She fastened her green woolen cloak under her chin. The party still raged inside Concert Hall, showing no sign of winding down. The last of the revelers would not wear out ’til the wee hours of the morning.

After exchanging clothes with George, she had accompanied her husband back to the hall for an afternoon of dancing and feasting. Worn out and grateful the day was over, she lounged against the cushions of the carriage. As Quincy climbed in beside her, her heartbeat quickened. The day was not over yet.

He smiled and took her gloved hand, turning it over to undo the button at the wrist. “Finally, we shall have peace.”

A tremendous, jarring clatter sounded behind them as the coach sprang forward. People alongside the road added to the clanging noise with their whistling and shouted jests.

“Damn. What has happened now?” Quin shouted to the driver to stop. He opened the door and jumped out.

Virginia heard him curse again and peered out the window. “What is it?”

“Come and see.” He helped her dismount, then climbed in the carriage and lifted the backseat.

Behind the carriage, she spied half a dozen ropes attached to the rear axle. On the other ends of the ropes dangled an assortment of old dented pewter tankards, an oversized corset, and a banged up chamber pot.

Quin hopped out of the carriage, knife in hand, prepared to cut the ropes. As he bent over, his wig plummeted into the chamber pot.

The crowd roared in response.

With a resigned sigh, Quin bowed to the audience. He proceeded to saw through the ropes, one by one, while the crowd cheered him on.

Virginia returned to the carriage door. If they could just survive the wedding, the rest of their lives would seem easy.

“May I kiss the bride?” a voice spoke behind her.

She pivoted around. “Oh, Clarence, how are you?” She extended her gloved hand to her new brother-in-law. “Did you enjoy the party?”

“Indeed.” He took her hand, lifting it to his lips. “But I shall enjoy living in the same house as you even more.” He slipped a finger into the unbuttoned opening of her glove and stroked her skin.

She jerked her hand away. Was he perverse or merely drunk? “Good evening.” She retreated to the rear of the carriage, where Quin was located. “Can we go now?”

“Aye.” Quin flung the last severed rope to the side.

“Congratulations, old boy, on your lovely bride.”

She winced as she heard Clarence’s smooth, aristocratic voice close behind her.

Quin straightened, tilting his head to keep his brother in view. “Thank you.”

Clarence stepped around Virginia, assessing her with his leering eyes. “I say, I wonder if your bride will still want you when you lose all that money. Or did you not tell her, old boy, that you’ll soon be penniless?”

She noticed Quin’s fingers flex around the handle of the knife. He had once told her his brother was an enemy, but she’d always seen them behave cordially to each other. Until now.

Quin spoke softly, “She didn’t marry me for my money.”

“No?” Clarence smiled. “We’ll know soon enough, won’t we? Enjoy your wife while you can, dear brother. The court date is set for the end of this month.”

“I’ll be there.” Quin passed by him, eyeing him coldly.

Virginia shivered and followed Quin to the side of the carriage. What was going on between him and his brother?

“Leaving so soon?” Clarence ambled into view, his smile looking more like a sneer. “Perhaps you’ll give me the name of your mistress in Cambridge, now that you no longer need her services?”

Virginia gasped.

With a chuckle, Clarence sauntered back into Concert Hall.

No, it couldn’t be true
. She gave Quincy a questioning look.

With a soft curse, he hurled the knife into the carriage.

She hesitated at the carriage door, spotting the knife embedded in the opposite door. The blade glinted in the setting sun. She glanced at her new husband. How well did she really know him?