“It almost knocked you over as well,” Vanessa reminded him, shuddering slightly at the thought.
“Ah, but in battle, there are many times one must leap over man-made and natural obstacles.” He laughed. “I believe I jumped that barrel without even thinking about what I was doing.”
Paulette clapped her hands. “Oh, that I could have seen all! Our Vanessa, a heroine!”
“Please,” Vanessa protested, “spare me.”
“Hugh!” called Trevor, striding toward him.
Hugh bowed briefly to the ladies before joining his friend. “What have you discovered?” he asked softly.
“It is as Adeline relayed to me when she came to get me. Wilmot’s behind this, as he was on the attack last week. These men are so concerned that they do not take all the blame that they are falling over each other to confess. They’ve said some other interesting things that have the constables' eyebrows raised, too.”
“Hmm— I wonder if we might not turn this entire venture to our advantage,” Hugh mused, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“What do you mean?”
“While the constables take these four into custody, let’s pay a little visit to Russell Wilmot,” he suggested.
“You have something in mind?” Trevor asked.
“Yes, I believe I do.”
Trevor smiled and nodded, his eyes lighting with unholy amusement.
Chapter 17
Vanessa paced the spacious entrance hall. It had been two hours since they parted company with the gentlemen. They said they had some final details to clean up, and then they would join the ladies at their home. Vanessa had quickly bathed and changed clothing in anticipation of their arrival, only to be left kicking her heels as the hands of the grandfather clock in the hall ticked off the passing minutes.
Hearing of the impending threat to Hugh had been the catalyst to crack the stubborn high walls of her pride. Her headlong rush toward the dock had sent them crumbling to her feet. She loved Hugh, and it didn’t matter where they lived. So long as she could live with him, she would be content. It was ridiculous to imagine he would sever all his ties with England to remain with her. He had just given seven years of his life to his country and could not be expected to abandon his allegiance easily. Besides, what would he do in New Orleans? He was not a man given to playing the gentleman of leisure.
Fool!she thought angrily. She had been a complete fool. She only hoped the embrace she received on the docks was indicative of his true feelings and that he’d allow her to make amends.
“Vanessa,” called her mother from the parlor door, “come and sit down and have a cup of tea before you wear a hole in your shoes from all that pacing. They’ll be here when they can, dear.”
Vanessa rubbed her hands together nervously. “I know, I know, but I can’t relax. There is so much I would say, so much I would have him understand!”
Her mother smiled at her sympathetically. “I know, dear, and I’m sure you’ll have the opportunity. But you’re not doing yourself a bit of good by working yourself into a lather.”
A faintly hysterical note tinged Vanessa’s answering laugh. “I know,” she began ruefully. “What’s that?”
From out in the street came the faint sounds of male revelry. Vanessa crossed to the door and opened it. Astonishment colored her face, for coming down the street on the shoulders of their fellows came Mr. Talverton and Mr. Danielson! She went outside and stood on the edge of the banquette as they approached. There was laughter and snatches of bawdy songs emanated from the group that drew bright pink color to her cheeks.
Hugh looked up and saw her. He tapped the shoulders of the gentlemen who carried him to signal he wanted down. When he did so, the other gentlemen became aware of Vanessa’s presence, and the lilting bawdy tunes died in their throats. Vanessa tried hard to hide her amusement and maintain a steely glare at the group.
Hugh was not fooled by her expression and sauntered over to her. He grabbed her around the waist and, holding her high, twirled her off the banquette.
“Hugh! What are you doing!” Vanessa exclaimed, blushing furiously. “Put me down!”
“Not until I claim the conquering hero’s reward,” he exclaimed happily.
“What?” she began, only to have her lips suddenly caught in a bruising kiss that robbed her of breath and sent the tingling rippling through her veins. The world spun dizzily on its axis, then slowly righted as he gently set her down again.
A smattering of applause and hoots of encouragement brought her sharply back to reality. She ducked her face down to hide the deep red blush that warmed her cheeks. “Come inside and tell us all,” she said, pulling on his arm.
He lifted her to set her back on the banquette, then turned to salute the crowd of men behind them whose numbers seemed to have swelled from the size of the original group down on the docks. Trevor crossed to his side and clapped him on the back before he, too, waved to the festive crowd.
“We’ll see you tomorrow, Talverton,” someone yelled.
