An Affair So Right (Rebel Hearts #4)(78)

“He was only doing what he was told.”

“Who are you?” Nelson asked, as he was restrained, though he did not fight them off.

“Lord Templeton,” Quinn said.

The big man paled and struggled to retreat. “Lady Mary’s father?”

The way that sounded, Nelson had some experience with his father, and it seemed not to be a pleasant sort of remembrance. “Our father died. I am Mary’s elder brother, and the new Lord Templeton.” He studied the blinking idiot. “I am nothing like my father, but I warn you not to cross me.”

The big man relaxed, and allowed his hands to be bound by Hastings without further protest. He tested the bonds, and then glanced at Theodora. “You said Lord Templeton wouldn’t come for you,” he protested. The oaf’s eyes widened. “You lied to me like Gently said you would.”

Quinn stepped between Nelson and Theodora. “Miss Dalton misunderstood the depths of my feelings about our engagement. Of course I would want to rescue her,” Quinn promised. “A gentleman always protects the woman he adores.”

He glanced at Theodora quickly and grinned at her shocked expression. He shrugged, looking around for Deacon without finding him. “Loves, actually. We’ll discuss it later.”

Nelson began nodding. “I took good care of them. Made sure they had nice warm straw to sit upon. I only had one coat for one of them. It’s warm and cozy here, so I didn’t think they’d suffer.”

Quinn nodded too, baffled by the man’s polite manner. Surely he didn’t think this location was suitable for any lady? Had the jug only been half full when Nelson was created? Gently was the real villain here, and the one to watch. “Take them out.”

The men hurried to do Quinn’s bidding, forcing a resisting Mr. Gently out to the waiting carriages. Nelson looked back once or twice, appearing confused by his situation. Quinn felt a moment of pity for the man. Clearly, he’d been used ill, but that was no excuse. He’d suffer for his actions today, probably without fully understanding why it must be so.

Once they were away, Mr. Banks poked his head back through the door. “I have heard and seen enough to press for hanging. What was that business about with your sister?”

“Nothing to concern yourself with,” Quinn said quickly. “An old grievance.”

And something Deacon knew more about than Quinn did, apparently.

Quinn turned toward Theodora once more, lifted her chin to look at her face and, seeing that she appeared fine but for that, kissed the top of her head. It was clear Theodora had survived the ordeal relatively unscathed, freed herself, and was even now gathering a fine temper, given the way she scowled at her abductors. “Are you well, love?”

“My cheek hurts,” she confessed.

Quinn cradled Theodora’s damaged cheek in his palm. “I wish I could take away this pain for you.”

“Do not worry for me.”

“But I always will,” he promised.

“He never hurt us. Nelson, I mean. He doesn’t deserve to hang for Mr. Gently’s crimes.”

“That will not be for me to decide,” he warned her. “It is Banks who must be convinced to be lenient.”

“Mr. Banks,” Theodora called, pulling away from him. He smiled as she spoke eloquently on behalf of Nelson’s situation and alluded to his misuse by the much smarter and more cunning Mr. Gently.

Quinn glanced down and plucked up a garment from the straw. Once nestled beneath Mrs. Dalton, laid over a pile of thick, clean hay, was a poor man’s crumpled coat. He shook it out, noting the unusually large size, and then showed it to Mr. Banks. “Look at this. Mr. Nelson appears to be a gentleman abductor?”

“Interesting, but hardly relevant,” Banks claimed. However, he did make a note in his pocketbook that Quinn hoped might help the man escape the noose.

“It is Roman Gently who is truly evil, Mr. Banks,” Theodora insisted. “Mr. Nelson merely went along with everything he said like a child. He didn’t know what Gently planned for our future, or for my father, I’m certain of that. He’s not to blame. You must see that and help him.”

“He assaulted the Duke of Rutherford’s grooms, aided in the kidnapping of yourself and your mother, then held you against your will in filth. What sort of man would I be if I allowed him to suffer no consequences at all?”

“He should not hang,” Theodora insisted. “But he could be helped by someone with the power and compassion to do so.”

“Indeed, he should be, if such a man existed,” Mama agreed before Lord Deacon escorted her outside.

“We will have to see what we can accomplish together then, shall we?” Quinn offered. He held out his arm to Theodora. “Hold on to me and let us leave this hellhole.”

Theodora wrapped her arm through his and sighed. “How did you know to look for us here?”

“The grooms survived the attack on them and followed you.”

“I wondered what had become of them. I am so glad they are all right.”

Mr. Banks stood before Mrs. Dalton, his hands spread wide. “We never imagined he’d be as brazen as to try for an abduction. I should have acted as soon as Lord Templeton’s suspicions were confirmed.”

“We all should have,” Quinn added, feeling guilt replace his anger.