Page 37 of A Marriage of Necessity

Chapter Ten

Anne had Mr. Bingham take Matthew to the kitchen for a good dinner, where he would wait until Kennedy returned home. A messenger was sent to the boy’s home that explained where he was—Anne swore Matthew to secrecy in regards to ‘the lady’s message’ as he now referred to his mission. Then she asked Mr. Bingham about Lady Rose and learned that Kennedy’s sister was fifteen years old, and she and Kennedy were very close. Though Mr. Bingham stated that it wasn’t his place to comment, he did admit that he was surprised that Lady Rose hadn’t joined them for the wedding and the bridal feast that followed, or that she hadn’t been to visit in over a week. He didn’t know where Kennedy had gone, and Kennedy hadn’t left word when he might return. It was eight twenty, and her mother would not return for another two hours, at least.

She waited another hour, but when Kennedy didn’t arrive home, she spoke once again with Matthew and learned which window he had seen Lady Rose in. Then she ordered the carriage brought around, and changed into a plain dress and cloak. As she clasped the footman’s hand in preparation to enter the carriage, someone called her name. She paused and looked back to find Matthew bounding down the stairs toward her.

He reached the carriage and said between breaths, “You are going to rescue her, aren’t ye, my lady?”

“I am going to see what I can learn about the situation,” she said in a quiet voice.

The boy cast the footman a glance, then said, “I will come with you.”

“Nae,” she said. “Someone must wait here to speak with my husband when he returns. That is your job, Matthew.”

He shook his head stubbornly. “That is a baby’s job. I am a man. Ye can leave word with Mr. Bingham. But I am going with you, my lady. It is not right that you should go without a man to protect you.”

Heaven save her from the men who wanted to protect her. “You will stay here, Matthew.”

But before she could say more, he shrugged. “I can get there on my own, just as I came here.”

“How did you come here?” she asked.

“I have a horse. I took her to your stables. But I can have her saddled in two minutes. A horse is much faster than a carriage, and I know a shortcut.”

Anne sighed. “Then I suppose you will come with me. However, you will do exactly as I say.”

He shrugged. The footman helped her into the carriage, then Matthew leapt inside and settled on the seat opposite her.

When the carriage was two blocks from the earl’s estate, she had the driver stop. Of course, despite her commands, Matthew insisted on coming. James, also, refused to allow her to walk alone in the dark, and they left the footman with the carriage while they set out.

They reached the east wall that Matthew had climbed over to cut across Chesterfield’s lawn. When they turned the street corner, Anne said, “James, I know this is an odd request, but I’m asking that you wait outside the gate while I continue on. I’ll be safe enough once we’re on the earl’s estate.”

He nodded, but she knew he wondered what she was up to. At least, with Matthew present, James wouldn’t think she was meeting another gentleman.

They reached the wrought iron gate, which stood open. James remained at the entrance. Anne pulled her cloak tighter about her as she and Matthew kept walking. A dim light shown in a ground floor window at the front of the house, which Anne guessed to be a parlor. Another light flickered in a third-floor window. That, she estimated to be the earl’s bed chambers. Thankfully, the curtains were drawn. More soft line shone in two windows on the top floor where the servants would be.

They hurried around the drive on the right side of the house, then slowed. This side of the house was completely dark, except for a meager light that flickered against closed drapes in a fourth story window.

“That’s the window,” James whispered.

Anne’s heart began to pound. Was his story really true? On the carriage ride, she’d considered half a dozen explanations for his story, not the least of which, that he knew just enough of current events to have fabricated the tale. She had to admit, his story contained some strange coincidences. Rose claimed to have been kidnapped just about the time she met Kennedy. But what could her meeting and marriage to Kennedy have to do with his sister? And how could someone claim to be kidnapped while still living in their home? It wouldn’t really be called kidnapping. But a woman could be held prisoner in her own home.

Now that they were here, she had no idea how she would go about proving the truth, one way or the other. She scanned the wall for a door. There would be some sort of entrance on the side of the house. Of course, that door would be locked. She spotted a door farther down the side of the building, and hurried forward. As expected, it was locked.

It was only ten-thirty. Despite the light in the earl’s room, he would likely be asleep. Jacqueline, too, was probably abed. Most of the servants would take advantage of the quiet and would retire to their rooms or go to bed, for they would have to rise early to complete their morning duties. Still, a few servants might be in the kitchen working or socializing.

When they turned the corner of the building she saw another door, this one smaller than the last. The other door they’d seen, while a side entrance, was clearly for visitors. This door, however, was a rear servants’ entrance. She tried the knob and was surprised when it turned. Slowly, she inched the door open. Enough moonlight illuminated the room for her to recognize some sort of pantry. On a shelf to the left, sat several tapers and a tinder box. This entrance was in use.

Anne entered and lit a candle, then faced Matthew and whispered, “Remain here.”

“I cannae let you go alone, my lady. I am responsible for you.”

“Do you disobey your mother like this?” she asked in frustration.

“I never knew my mother,” he said. “She died when I was little. It’s just me and my father.”

That explained much. She should have had the footman carry Matthew back to the house and tie him to a chair, but she hadn’t thought of it. Anne turned and he followed as she crept forward and entered a modest kitchen. This section of the mansion clearly was intended for someone who might want to live away from the main part of the house. She located service stairs immediately to the right and they climbed to the fourth floor. Anne halted at sight of the tiny sliver of light shining into the pitch black hallway from beneath a door up ahead.

Her heart began to pound. What should she do? If Lady Rose was in the room—and if her warden was with her—how would she help the girl? Should she return home and wait for Kennedy? Should she rouse someone in the house, the earl or his wife?