“You both are in danger,” Nicholas said.“I’m taking you to London where you will be under the Duke ofRutland’s protection. Pack what you will. My footman and guardswill help you. I have a few things to attend to and will be rightback.”
Nicholas turned. “Guards, bind and collectthe two vagrants out on the cliff. I want them taken to London.After I get done questioning them, I’ll turn them over to themagistrate.”
* * *
The Rutland coach stopped at a small rusticstone church near the center of Deconshire. Nicholas leapt out.With vigorous purposeful strides, he followed a flagstone path tothe vicarage. A sharp bonk on the top of his head made him stop.Damn. He rubbed his head and saw an apple rolling down the pathway.He looked up, just as another apple dropped. He covered his head.And then another apple dropped. He roared, ready to climb the tree.Hidden in the boughs of the oak was a round-faced boy with darkhair. “You must be Jay.”
On a branch to the left sat two identicallittle girls, swinging their legs back and forth.
“And you must be Sylvia and Julianna,” headdressed the twin girls, their stockings torn and dresses smudgedwith dirt.
“How did you know?” They pouted,disappointed he knew their names and their invisibility wasuncloaked.
“The same reason I know you will be comingto a wedding soon.”
The door of the cottage opened and a man ina frockcoat stepped out. “A wedding?”
Nicholas held out his hand. “You must beVicar Thompson. I am Lord Nicholas Rutland. I’m marrying a dearfriend of yours, and would be honored if you and your childrenwould attend.”
“Who is the lucky bride?”
“Alexandra Elwins.”
Vicar Thompson’s mouth dropped open. “OurAlexandra?”
The girls squealed. Jay dropped the rest ofhis apples. Nicholas stepped aside to dodge the rainingmissiles.
Jay pursed his lips as if weighing the mostimportant question of the century. “Will you have cake?”
“The biggest cake in all England. That’s ifI don’t get killed by a falling apple first.”
“I apologize for my children’s behavior,Lord Rutland,” said the Vicar.
“I have a favor, Vicar Thompson. Could youdirect me to the home of the Cornett sisters?”
“You aren’t going to invite the witches, areyou?” asked Jay.
“They’re witches?” shrilled the girls.
“For out of the abundance of the heart, themouth speaketh,” the Vicar reprimanded his children, and thenraised an eyebrow to Nicholas. “They are not home. I just saw themin the village store. Alexandra has been through a lot, and forgivemy opinion, but the Cornett sisters could learn a lesson inhumility. I hope you do me proud, Lord Rutland.”
“When I get done with them, you’ll have somuch pride, you’ll be choking from the sin.”
* * *
With four outriders, the Rutland coachpulled up in the center of the village common. Nicholas waited tenseconds, so onlookers could see the elaborate gilt detail of thecoach, with the Rutland ducal crest emblazoned in gold on the doorpanel. No doubt, the remote town of Deconshire rarely saw nobility.He’d use that to his advantage. Normally, he’d never condescend tosuch an act, but defending Alexandra from the small-minded meannessof two spiteful crones was the right thing to do. With the decorumof a king, he made his exit and grimaced.
The store seemed to collapse in on itselflike a cake taken from the oven too soon, and, boasted one largefront window. His footman raced to open the door to theestablishment, and Nicholas entered, passing his gaze over acollection of old gawking men, idlers who, with certainty spenttheir day loafing. The storeowner ceased sweeping. Dust motes flewacross the brightness. Two women stood at the counter, examiningbolts of fabric, their backs to Nicholas. With certainty, these twohenwits were the infamous Cornett sisters.
“Mr. Grimes, would you stop that infernalsweeping and attend us,” demanded one of the sisters.Hortense.On the island, he had assumed Alexandra’sdescription of Hortense was hyperbole, but nothing in God’screation could mimic the shrubs of hair curling from her ears.
The store clerk pointed his broom handle atthe sisters. “I’ve attended you six times today and you still can’tmake up your minds. I have to get my store swept.”
“Of all the nerve, my sister and I shalltake our business elsewhere,” threatened Hortense over hershoulder.
“Be my guest, nearest town is twenty-fivemiles away.” The store clerk rested his chin on top of his broomand then remembered to bow. “What do I owe the honor of yourlordship?”
At the word,Lordship, both womenturned, sinking into curtsies, nearly toppling to the floor.
