Emily’s face whitened, but she made no sound even when he released his palm from her mouth.
“I told you to stay in London where you’d be safe.” His grip upon her was so fierce, he wanted to throttle her. The very thought of her putting herself in danger was unacceptable. Did she think no one would recognize her?
“You’re not dead,” she whispered, her hand moving to his face. “I thought—”
“You thought I would try to rescue them alone?” He sighed in disgust. “I am not an utter fool.”
He relaxed his grip upon her, suddenly aware that anyone could see them. “Listen carefully. My men are going to surround the house and enter at my signal. You need to leave now and return to the village.”
She was shaking her head. “Not yet. I—”
“He wants us dead, Emily. Both of us. We know too much about his business dealings for him to let us live.” He had to make her understand that Nigel was not a man to be reasoned with.
“Yes, I know that, but—”
“Then you should understand the necessity of staying out of harm’s way. Why on God’s earth you thought to come alone is the most idiotic—”
Emily’s hand covered his mouth. “If you will stop interrupting me, I have something important to tell you. Quentin and your father are here.”
If it were possible for his anger to get any worse, it did. “You brought them into this?”
She stared at the grass as though it were the most fascinating vegetation alive. “I wanted to help you. They accompanied me here and arrived a few moments ago. They are in the drawing room with Nigel, I believe.”
He closed his eyes, trying to calm the wrath inside him. “They might die now because of what you’ve done.”
He moved back into the shadow of the hedge. He had already lost one brother; he didn’t plan to lose Quentin, too. And though he and his father had their differences, it seemed he had little choice but to surrender to Nigel.
Emily’s eyes glinted with unshed tears, and her mouth tightened. “I asked them to come because I loved you. I didn’t want you to die. I suppose I was an idiot to want to help you.” With that, she picked up her paddle and marched toward the house. As she passed the carpet, she gave a ferocious swing, sending another puff of dust into the air. Stephen watched her leave, her head held high.
Time stretched on, infinite moments passing while he deliberated what to do next. Though he wanted to blame Emily, he couldn’t quite get his mind around what she had said earlier. She loved him? Had she really come this distance in an effort to save him?
He moved back away from the gardens, signaling to Michael. “I am going after them.”
“I don’t like the risk,” Michael responded. “Nigel could kill you first.”
“If I don’t return within the hour, move your men into place.”
Control settled over him once more. The task before him threatened the lives of everyone close to him. He had not been able to save Emily’s brother before. Now he would save his family or die trying.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“We’veunexpectedguests,“Mrs.Graham informed the staff. “His lordship, the Marquess of Rothburne, has come to call.” Her sharp eyes regarded Emily, but she did not ask why.
“We should prepare refreshments,” Emily murmured.
“See if we’ve any more strawberries,” Mrs. Graham directed, “and I shall make up a tray of biscuits.” To Emily she suggested, “If you wish, why don’t you prepare one of your tea cakes?”
While the girls hastened to prepare the food, Emily moved slowly. Her last conversation with Stephen made it difficult to concentrate. She began mixing the ingredients, but she kept hearing his angry words in her mind. He hadn’t wanted or needed her help.
She cracked an egg into the bowl, wondering if she had made a mistake in coming here. Stephen was right. She should have remained in London.
Inside, she ached with fear for all of them. If anyone came to harm because of her, she could not bear it.
A flicker of an idea suddenly grew within her mind. There was a way she could help the situation. She stirred the cake batter rapidly, forming the details. Yes, it would work. It had to.
When she saw Mrs. Graham setting up the tea tray, Emily stopped her. “I will serve,” she offered.
“No.” Mrs. Graham held up a hand. “He would recognize you. You cannot go.” To another girl, she said, “Claire, take the tray to our guests. Be sure you don’t spill anything.”
