The Marquis and I (The Worthingtons #4)(81)

“Useless. That’s what they are. I told her not to keep them on. Where’s the woman?”

Heavy steps landed on the stairs. There was the sound of a door being unlocked, and a pair of lighter feet pattered on the treads. As soon as the front door opened, Dominic, Mitchell, and Matt ran down the stairs. By the time Dominic and Matt had remounted, all they could see was the back of a black coach. He could only trust that Mitchell would keep his head about him.




Back at the Dirty Duck



Charlotte watched as Constantine strode back inside the parlor. It seemed that no one was going to relock the door, but as soon as he was in the bedchamber, Miss Betsy strolled by the windows. Well, damnation! He thought she’d left. The bawd must have just gone somewhere else in the inn.

Grabbing her pistol from the basket Constantine had brought, Charlotte climbed down from the carriage and ran as silently as she could to the bedroom window. Standing on her tiptoes she could just barely see inside. Constantine flattened himself against the wall, and the door opened slightly. Miss Betsy stepped in, looked at the bed, and left. Breathing a sigh of relief that the door blocked the window when it was open, Charlotte crept to the nearest parlor window. The villainess was gone, and their scheme was still secure. She returned to the bedchamber window to look in on him again through the open window.

“I appreciate your concern, my love.” Con’s low, rough voice caused shivers of pleasure to ripple through her. “But you’d better get back to the phaeton before Miss Cloverly arrives.”

“I shall.” Charlotte kissed her fingers and reached up to touch his hand. “For luck.”

“I would be much happier if I could just take you home,” he grumbled.

If she had her way, she would be in the room with him. At the moment, he was the one in danger. “As would I, but we must think of the people she has harmed, and those she would harm in the future if we do not stop her.”

“I cannot believe I am so fortunate as to be marrying you.” His face took on a chagrinned look. “I didn’t make it easy.”

“I did not help.” Despite their horrible beginnings, he was the perfect gentleman for her. He never treated her as if she was less capable or intelligent. “I love you.”

“I love you too. Now go.”

“My lady,” one of the Merton servants said, “a carriage just turned off the main road.”

“Thank you.” It was time to hide again. Fortunately, the trees weren’t far.

She reached the carriage just before the plain black coach drove into the yard. If events proceeded as before, it would not be long before they would have Miss Betsy and her accomplice in hand.

Charlotte heard a muffled groan, and glanced at Ruffington. His eyes were still closed and one of the ropes binding him was also secured to a tree.

“I think he’s waking up, my lady.” Jemmy had come up next to her. “We could hit him over his head again.”

Charlotte considered his suggestion. The man was tied up like a hog, and gagged as well. He really couldn’t cause any problems. Still . . . she picked up a thick stick. His eyes opened and the idiot had the gall to leer at her. Any sympathy she might have had for the rogue fled, and she smashed the wood down on his head, knocking him out again. That would teach him to have ladies abducted.

“Charlotte.” She jumped and was sure her heart had stopped.

“Matt. What are you doing here?”

He glanced at Ruffington. “Being superfluous, it appears. I’d ask how you’re doing, but you seem to have everything in hand.”

“Yes.” She gave her brother a brief hug before turning her attention back to the side of the tavern.

“What exactly is going on? Merton mentioned a plan, but the events have been unfolding so quickly, I have not yet had the full story.”

“Thus far, our plan to capture Miss Betsy is succeeding. Kenilworth is inside. He arrived—in time.” She did not dare tell Matt what a close call that had been. “I hit Ruffington over the head, and Kenilworth broke his nose, and then Merton’s men carried him out and tied him up.”

“I take it that is Ruffington?” Matt asked in an equable tone. “It’s hard to tell.”

“It is. He hired Miss Betsy to abduct me.” Charlotte was surprised her brother was not more upset about her being here.

“Have you decided what you are going to do with him?” Matt seemed almost too calm. Just like Constantine had been, just before he’d grabbed the scoundrel’s neckcloth and pummeled him.

“Not yet.” Charlotte glanced at the side of the tavern just in time to see Miss Cloverly being taken through the door. “As soon as the man who wants Miss Cloverly arrives, we will capture him as well. The decision will wait until then. Where is Merton?”

“I may have some ideas as to what to do with them.” Matt looked at Ruffington once again. “Merton is hiding closer to the front of the tavern. Is it safe to get closer?”

“As soon as the other cur arrives we can listen from under the windows. As you can see they are well above the ground. She took Ruffington through the inn, but I do not know if that is what she always does.”

“Charlotte,” Matt said in the same calm tone that was beginning to unnerve her, “is there a reason Mr. Crowe referred to you as Lady Kenilworth?”