An Affair So Right (Rebel Hearts #4)(74)

“Now?”

“Indeed. Very rash, I thought. I told her she needn’t bother with another house. We have plenty of room here. I expected them back by now, too.” She glanced sourly at the dog pawing at her for attention. “Miss Dalton claimed I’d need to amuse Soot only an hour.”

Quinn grew cold. “When exactly did they leave?”

“A little after ten. Mrs. Dalton is determined to waste no time in buying a little house for herself.”

He raked a hand through his hair. “Christ.”

“Language, Quinn,” Mother chided.

He stared at Hastings. Theodora was nothing but efficient. If she was considered late, then it was entirely out of character for her. He had an uncomfortable feeling about the reason for her late return.

Hastings stood. “What is it?”

“I was right. Mr. Small lives, and he has been watching the house.”

Hastings swore, and then kissed his wife. “I have to go out, love.”

“I’m coming, too,” Deacon said, as he stood and joined them without being asked to come along.

“Why? Devil take it,” Sally protested. “What is going on? Who is this Mr. Small you speak of, Quinn?”

“It is complicated, but it seems Mr. Dalton’s secretary faked his death, most likely killed Theodora’s father, and has taken to following my betrothed about.”

“You never said you had found a bride, too,” Deacon complained.

“I couldn’t find you. I intended to mention it when I finally tracked you down,” Quinn promised. “And ask you to stand up with me at the wedding.”

Deacon beamed. “I couldn’t be prouder to.”

“Oh, dear heavens, Quinn,” Mother gasped. “They’re defenseless.”

“They will be fine, Mama. I’m probably worrying for nothing. My men are with them.”

“I couldn’t bear to lose either of them,” she claimed, bursting to her feet with the dog now wrapped tightly in her arms. “You must hurry.”

“I will,” Quinn promised. He strode for the door and rushed downstairs—only to be confronted by one his own men, his coachman, staggering through the front door, holding his head.

“My lord, I have grim news. We were attacked, and the carriage was stolen.”

“And the ladies?”

“Taken with the carriage.”

Quinn grabbed the man by his coat. “Why didn’t you follow them?”

“I’m the least capable. They hit me hardest,” the fellow warned.

Quinn quickly released him as he noticed dried blood at the man’s temple. “I’m sorry.”

“No apologies necessary. They took us by surprise. The others are in pursuit, along with the fellows from the merchant your betrothed patronized this morning. We could have news at any moment.”





Chapter 30





Theodora came awake slowly, head pounding and her senses lurching from one memory to another. When she tried to move, she discovered her hands were bound behind her back. She glanced up at Mr. Small’s smug face. “Release me,” she hissed through gritted teeth as a wave of nausea rose.

“Ah, the helpless damsel awakens at last.” Small bent down and poked his face uncomfortably close to hers. “What’s wrong? Don’t you care for your new surroundings?”

Theodora quickly took stock of her location. She’d been brought to squalid stables. Her mother sat at her side, bound too most likely, already conscious but quiet. “Mama?”

“I’m so glad to see you awake. It’s been hours since he brought us here.”

“Quiet,” Small warned. “And no more tears.”

Theodora licked her dry lips and made a further quick study of her surroundings. They had been placed to the side of the large animal enclosure, leaning against a hard post that rose to a punctured roof overhead. Beams of light pierced the walls and ceiling and cast a cruel illumination over their captors. Mr. Small and an accomplice were all she could see at present. Her satchel sat on top of a barrel, the contents clearly visible. Money and the gems were stacked in neat piles out in the open.

“What are you going to do with us?”

“I cannot very well let you go. You know too much about me as it is.”

“What threat could we be to you?” she cried out.

The light piercing one wall dimmed, and an eye appeared and suddenly disappeared from a gap there.

Theodora shivered. They were most likely surrounded by Mr. Small’s accomplices. There could be dozens outside like that ill-kept fellow picking at his teeth by the far wall. She deliberately lowered her voice to mask her panic at what might become of them. “You’ve taken everything we have of value. You have a ransom in gems. Please let us go.”

“No,” Small snapped. He played with the gems. He held one up to the light, admiring the color. “Your father was quite attached to these, wasn’t he?”

“They were a gift to Mother.”

Small grinned. “At least you pair gave me much less trouble than your father did.”

“You knocked over the lamp.”

“His refusal to give them to me without a fight deprived him of his future.”