Three Weeks to Wed (29 page)

Thorton came and escorted Molton out.

Grace shook her head unbelievingly. “All he wanted was money?”

He took her glass and set it on his desk before drawing her closer. “Yes, he had no interest in the children at all, other as a means to get what he really desired.”

“Then your petition will be granted without challenge.”

Matt took Grace in his arms, twirling her around before kissing her deeply. “It's already been granted. Herndon sent for me earlier.”

Melting into him, she returned each languid caress of his tongue with hers. He was moving her toward the daybed he'd had delivered, when Grace pulled back and her eyes widened. “Then—then we've nothing to worry about anymore?”

He gave a shout of laughter. “If you don't think having two young ladies making their come out nothing to worry about, then I suppose you're right. I, however, am not quite so sanguine.”

His wife opened her lips to speak, and he swooped to take possession of them. After kissing her thoroughly, he raised his head. “I shall rely on your good sense. In the meantime, we have more important issues to attend to.”

She gazed at him. “Indeed, my lord, and what would they be?”

He pushed her gown and stays down, before taking her in his arms again. “Scandalizing the servants.”

* * *

A discreet tap sounded on the door as Grace adjusted her bodice.

“My lord,” Thorton said, “Harold is bringing Miss Daisy over for her lessons shortly. I thought you might wish to be ready.”

Matt brushed his lips across Grace's. “He means presentable.”

“I imagine he does. How is she doing?”

“Better now that I'm having Duke to show her the way.”

“I'll see you back at Stanwood House.”

He escorted her to the door. “I won't be long. She is unable to pay attention for more than twenty minutes.”

The dogs were with Harold making their way through the square when Grace walked down the steps and onto the pavement.

“My lord?”

Matt closed the door. “Yes, Thorton?”

“Mr. Timmons wishes to know when you would—”

A woman's scream rent the air.

Matt tore the door open and bolted down the steps, but the old, black coach was already turning the corner, both Danes following.

The footman darted across the street. “
My lord, her ladyship's been taken!
”

Matt's blood turned to ice. “Harold, did they say anything?”

“I heard something about a Miss Betsy.”

Damn
. If Matt didn't get her back quickly, who knew what they'd do to her. Whoever was behind this would pay, and pay dearly. His long strides ate the distance back to his house. “Thorton, get my horse now. We don't have a moment to lose.”

“Worthington.” Jane gasped for air as she came running up. “We saw what happened. Hector's following in his curricle.”

Matt nodded tightly. “Take care of the children until we get back.”

“I shall. You just worry about rescuing Grace.”

Matt strode through the garden, into the mews behind, just as his groom brought out his horse. Without saying a word he swung himself up on the large gelding. If Harold was right and the kidnappers were taking Grace to Miss Betsy's, he might be able to make it to Regent Street before they did. Even though the road was not completely finished, it would be their fastest route to the Covent Garden area where the brothel was located. The one thing in his favor was that the coach was not yet headed in the right direction. He rode at a fast trot out of the alley and onto Bruton Street.

With any luck at all, he'd be able to cut them off.

Grace's bonnet was still askew as she jerked down her skirts and righted herself. Her heart raced causing her to feel vaguely ill. Either that or it was the odor from the two men. Other than a discrepancy in age, they looked very much alike.

The deep barks that had sounded from either side of the hackney had ceased. Were the dogs still with them or not?

Suddenly the driver shouted and the coach slowed. “Get off, you damned beasts.”

“What's goin' on out there?” the older man next to her yelled.

“The blasted dogs are nipping at the horse.”

“Call yer dogs off,” the scoundrel growled.

The coach swung right, and Grace grabbed on to the strap to keep from falling off the seat. “Even if they listened to me, why would I wish them to stop?”

Suddenly Duke jumped up, lunging at the window, snarling.

The blackguard clutched her bare arm, sinking his fingers painfully into her skin. “Do what I'm tellin' you to, or I'll hurt ye.”

The last thing she'd do was try to send the dogs away. If she could find a way out of this mess, they would likely be her only protection. “He only listens to Lord Worthington.”

“Who?” the blackguard barked.

“The nob she's been shagging.”

“My husband,” she said with as much dignity as she could muster.

The older man began to turn red. “Yer what?”

“I telled ye, Da—”

“Shut it. I asked her.”

“My husband.” Grace raised her chin and revised her opinion of boxing. She'd happily watch Matt pummel these men into the dirt.

“She's lying.”

She narrowed her eyes at the younger man, and said in a voice laced with ice, “Someone is, but it is not I. If you know what's good for you, you will release me immediately.”

Grace fought down a wave of fear and nausea, and prayed Matt would find her soon. The hackney jerked to a halt.

“What ye doin'?” the blackguard next to her bellowed. “Get moving.”

“You ain't paying me enough for me horse to be ruined,” the driver shouted back.

The younger man stuck his head out the window as a fist slammed into his nose. Blood spurted everywhere. Black spots danced in front of Grace. She would not swoon. Not now when she had to get away.

The cur next to her screamed as Duke lunged, snapping at the opposite window.

Abruptly, the carriage door was wrenched open with such force she thought it had been torn off its hinges.

Matt's strong arms were around her, dragging her out of the coach. Grace clung to him, trembling from head to foot.

He held her tightly, as he ambled toward a team of horses. “I've got you now. You're safe.”

Finally the beating of her heart began to slow, then she started to tremble. “I never want to go through anything like that again. What did they want?”

His hand rubbed her arm, soothing her. “I'll find out.” His voice was rough. “Addison here will take you home. Wait at Worthington House until I return.”

“But I want—”

“Grace, what you don't want is a scandal. Trust me to take care of the matter.”

She opened her mouth to argue, but he was correct. Anything that reflected on her would also reflect on their sisters. “Very well.”

He lifted her up into the curricle. “Go to the mews and enter through the back.”

Hector handed Matt a piece of paper. “In the event you'd like to see them depart our fair shores.”

* * *

Matt waited until Addison's carriage had turned onto Bourdon Street, before turning his attention to the scoundrels who'd abducted his wife. The street was thin of company, but not deserted. Mac and three other grooms held the men, while Daisy and Duke stood growling and showing their impressive array of teeth. Matt unfolded the paper.

 

 

He stepped over to the hackney and addressed the driver. “What did they tell you about this?”

The man rubbed his nose. “That she were a runaway.”

His jaw ached, and he loosened it, trying to ease the pain as he speared the two kidnappers with a hard look. “Who hired you to abduct the lady?”

“Ain't no lady.” The younger man, whose nose Matt had already broken, spit. “She's nothin' but a whore.”

He rammed his fist into the man's belly. “She is my wife.”

The older cur paled. His voice was whiney. “Wife? We didn't know—”

They must be the men Grace's uncle had hired to watch the houses. If he discovered Molton had planned this, Matt would hunt the man down and kill him. Opening his clenched fist, he bit out, “Who hired you?”

“No one. We thought . . . money.”

The last word was said in a whisper. They would have sold Grace to a whorehouse because they wanted the money. A red haze descended around him. If he hit either of the blackguards again, he wouldn't stop until they were dead. Well, they were going to wish they were. Matt handed the paper to Mac. “Use this hackney, and take these pieces of filth to Brumhill before I kill them.”

Matt mounted his horse. “Duke, Daisy, come.”

The two dogs trotted next to him. A few minutes later, he handed the gelding's reins to a groom.

Thorton waited in the corridor as Matt entered the house through the garden door. “Her ladyship is in her parlor, my lord.”

Matt took the back stairs three at a time. When he got to her parlor door, he stopped. What the devil was he going to tell Grace? Or did she already know what the blackguards had intended?

The door opened, and she flew into his arms. He held her face as he kissed her, breathing in her clean lemon scent.

“Why did they kidnap me?”

“They had been working for your uncle and got carried away.” That was close enough to the truth. He wouldn't sully her with the rest of it. “They won't bother you again. I've seen to that.”

She nodded, her forehead moving against his cravat. “Matt.”

“Grace.” They each said the other's name at the same time.

“Ladies first.”

“I want you. Now.” She stretched up, pressing her lips to his.

Thank the deity. That was exactly what he'd wanted to say. “Who am I to deny my wife?”

He carried her to their bed, laying her gently upon it. Her wrapper fell open, and he couldn't get out of his clothing fast enough.

Dear God, if anything had happened to her . . .

Sliding in next to Grace, he pulled her on top of him, devouring her lips, plundering her mouth, until her small sighs and moans were a symphony. He rolled her under him and entered her slick, wet heat.

Grace wrapped her legs around Matt, holding him tight. The swirling fog of fear she'd felt drifted away leaving only her love for him and the fire building inside her. He'd never taken her with such intensity. The curling tension drove her higher than ever before, and she shook with relief, at the same time he groaned, and collapsed next to her, cradling her in his arms.

She drew her fingers across his chest, playing with the soft curls. Despite what had happened, she had never felt safer. When she had needed Matt, he'd come, just like she knew he would. Years of dread and worry left her. There was only him and their family.

She donned her wrapper, and tugged the bell-pull.

“What is it?” Matt lay on his side, his blue eyes sharp.

“We have a ball tonight.”

Bolton entered the bedchamber. “Yes, my lady.”

“The ball.”

“Everything is under control. The Dowager Lady Worthington and Lady Herndon have taken Ladies Charlotte and Louisa to dine at Herndon House before the ball. Miss Carpenter arranged everything. Now, if you're hungry, I'll tell Cook.”

Grace sank back onto the bed. “Yes, thank you.”

Matt rubbed her back. “I would rather give the bare bones of the abduction attempt to the children, and then I believe I'll speak with Marcus and Phoebe about self-defense lessons for you and the others.”

“I never actually agreed with it before”—Grace tilted her head as he worked on her shoulders—“yet I now think it's a good idea. Duke and Daisy were magnificent.”

“I saw them running down the carriage horse as if it had been a wild boar. All their instincts took over.” He stopped rubbing, and she wiggled her back for him to continue. “Are you all right, my love?”

She smiled. “I have never been better.”

* * *

Two weeks later, Grace entered Jane's bedchamber. Her cousin was beautifully dressed in a pale yellow silk gown, with lace trim. “You called for me?”

“Yes.” Jane's countenance had a pinched look, and lines bracketed her mouth. “This is silly, but I'm marrying in an hour, and I have no idea what occurs in a marriage bed. You are the only one I can think of to ask.”

Grace took a breath. This was not the last time she would have to address that question, she'd better get used to it. “Have you kissed much at all?”

Her cousin's face softened, a soft smile appearing. “Oh yes, and”—a blush crept up Jane's neck—“a few other things.”

“Has he been considerate?”

“Always, and so gentle.”

“Then I believe I can leave it to your husband to show you. Do not worry if there is some pain when you join. It only occurs the once.” Grace hugged her cousin. “It will be lovely.”

Jane nodded. It was a bit frightening, yet her cousin was correct. Hector would be gentle. “Yes. Thank you.”

A light tap sounded on the door, and Charlotte poked her head in. “We've brought you some things.”

“Please, come in.”

The girls from both families entered.

Jane fought tears of happiness as Charlotte and Louisa clasped a strand of pearls around Jane's neck. “These are from all of us. Something new.”

Augusta placed a pair of earrings in Jane's hand. “This is for something borrowed.”

The twins and Madeline pinned a turquoise brooch on Jane's bodice. “Something old. You may keep it.”

Jane couldn't keep the moisture from her eyes as Mary and Theo approached carrying violets. “These are blue for your hair,” Mary said, handing Jane the slightly mangled blooms.

“And a ribbon,” Theo added.

“I shall have my maid put them in my hair straightaway.” Jane hugged them one by one, as the girls and Grace filed out of the chamber.

“Come now, miss.” Dorcus led Jane to the dressing table. It was hard to believe that tonight she'd be in her new home with Hector.

“No crying now.” Her maid handed her a handkerchief. “Your eyes will become red.”

“I am being silly.”

Dorcus arranged the violets, holding them in place with small pearl pins. “There now.”

Jane made her way down the main staircase where her cousin and Matt waited. She had been relieved that he'd offered to take on the settlement negotiations and give her away.

Less than a half an hour later, she stood with Hector in the same place Grace and Matt had stood two short weeks ago.

Hector gazed into her eyes as he repeated his vows. His voice strong and steady. This day had been so long in coming. Happiness infused her tone as she made her promises to him.

Once they had been pronounced man and wife, the children gathered round. “Our house will seem quiet after this,” Jane said.

Hector's large palm guided her out the door. “Perhaps if we're lucky we'll manage some of our own.”

* * *

Later that afternoon, after the wedding breakfast guests had departed, Charlotte entered Grace's study holding a letter in front of her. When she dropped her hands, she was frowning.

“What is it?”

“Dotty can't come to Town. Her mother broke her leg. Now we won't be able to make our come out together as we'd planned.”

Grace forbore mentioning her sister had Louisa. It was not the same. Charlotte and Dotty had been friends since they were in leading strings. “Let me see it.”

After perusing the missive an idea planted itself in Grace's head. Of course, she'd have to ask Matt if he minded taking on another girl for the Season, but, under the circumstances, she did not think he would object. Perhaps she'd suggest it as practice for when the twins and Madeline came out. “I'm not making any promises, but let me see if I can come up with a solution.”

Charlotte's countenance was wreathed in smiles. “If anyone can think of something, you can.”

After Charlotte left, Grace rang the bell-pull. A few moments later, Royston entered. “My lady?”

“Please have his lordship attend me.”

“I will hunt him down.”

This was the problem with living in two households. She seldom had any idea where her husband was.

She was in the middle of a column when her door opened. A lecherous smile tilted Matt's lips. “You wanted me?”

She rose, meeting him halfway to the door. “I do. Unfortunately, not for that.”

His face fell. “That is a pity. Perhaps I can interest you later. What is it then?”

“Charlotte received a letter from her friend Dotty.” Grace explained her sister's friendship with the other girl, and how they'd looked forward to this Season for years.

He was quiet for several moments, then said, “Invite her to come.”

That was exactly what Grace had hoped he'd say. “Thank you. I did want it to be your decision. You'll have to write her father. I'll write Lady Sterne and tell Charlotte.”