Page 14 of Much Ado about a Widow

Rob’s jaw dropped, which made Lady Georgina dissolve into a fit of giggles. “No, of course not, my lady.” Was the woman serious or was she trying to make a cake of him? Or was she trying to entrap him into a declaration? He spoke the first words that came to mind. “I’d be in the suds if I ever mentioned such a scheme to your brother.”

Lady Georgina sniffed, though the smile still played around her lips. “I was given to believe Jemmy thought very highly of you. I somehow doubt he would object to your suit. However, I am actually wondering now if he has concocted a plan to have you kidnap me to keep me from marrying Lord Travers.” Her smile turned to a glare. “It’s just the sort of harebrained scheme the two of you would come up with.”

More and more perturbed at his friend’s sister, Rob drew himself up to his full six foot two. That often gave both men and women pause. What an opinion she must have of him to think him agreeable to kidnapping a young woman. “I assure you, madam, I have concocted no scheme with your brother. He wrote to me asking for an idea of how to prevent the wedding, but we have not put any such plan into action.” The words were scarcely out of his mouth when he thought better of them. Would Brack do something so dimwitted as to hire men to kidnap his sister to keep her from a man such as Travers? In a similar situation, Rob had to admit, he himself might be desperate enough to enact such a deed. So if he prevented the kidnapping, might he be thwarting his friend’s plans?

“In that case, Lord St. Just, I insist you hire a carriage for myself, Clara, and Lulu so that we can continue our journey.” The lady nodded to her maid, who arose, gathering the dog’s leash. “I will take full responsibility for our welfare until we reach Blackham Castle. When we arrive I will make certain my father learns of your assistance and rewards you accordingly.”

Rob clenched his jaw until that annoying tic in his left cheek began to jump. “I will require no such ‘reward,’ Lady Georgina. A gentleman of good repute does not seek reward for doing what is considered to be his duty as an honorable man.”

Still, it struck him as unwise to send her onward to her father’s estate. It could very well lead her into danger or doom her to a disastrous marriage. And might indeed thwart the plans and wishes of the friend who’d been a steadfast part of his life for more than ten years. That reason, more than the others, gave him pause. If he unwittingly foiled Brack’s plans, he’d never forgive himself.

Decision reached. Now to inform the damsel who didn’t even think she was in distress.

“I fear I cannot, in good conscience, allow you to willingly march into danger, Lady Georgina. I have a duty to your brother to keep you safe until such time as he can advise me of his plans for your welfare.” Carefully, trying not to give away his actions, Rob backed toward the doorway. He wasn’t completely certain what the lady was capable of, but he’d wager that she’d try to bash him over the head with the poker if given the opportunity. Another step and he bumped into the cabin door. “Your brother wrote to me asking for my assistance; therefore I must render it.”

“And I am telling you the only assistance I require is in continuing our journey to Blackham.” Her green eyes flashed like emeralds on fire.

“On that point, my lady, I fear we must disagree. I will pen a brief note to Brack, informing him of the change in plan—”

“Aha!” Lady Georgina stepped toward him, an accusing finger pointed at his chest. “I knew the two of you had concocted a plan.”

“Your brother may have done. If so, I will take full responsibility for spoiling it.” He grinned at the outraged woman, her cheeks redder than a hot poker. “But I believe he will agree my idea is the better one, or at least safer under the circumstances. Because if your brother didn’t have you kidnapped, I would very much like to find out who did. Before you fall into their hands again.”

“My brother?” Lady Georgina stopped as if she’d walked into a wall, her face ashen. “You think Jemmy arranged to kidnap me?”

“We’ll know when we receive a letter from him in a week or so.” Taking advantage of her shocked state, Rob turned the key in the lock then withdrew it, leaving the door ajar. “I’ll write to him this instant, tell him our plans to sail to Cornwall, and ask him to come fetch you, your maid, and your dog post haste.” With nimble feet, Rob slipped through the door and shut it with a bang just as Lady Georgina slammed her hand against the smooth teak panel.

“Wretch! I give you my oath I will make you regret this.”

Grinning ear to ear, Rob pocketed the key and headed down the passageway. Regret an adventure? Not likely. He’d not had anything exciting happen to him since he and Brack had returned from their Grand Tour. As he hurried to the other stateroom that he used as an office, his excitement built. This would be a lark to end all larks. He sat down at the desk, grabbed a pen and commenced shaving away bits of the quill in short, excited strokes.

The grand scrape he and Brack had found themselves embroiled in when they’d visited Milan came to mind, and he laughed out loud. The old Italian gentleman had never known about the harmless dalliance with his daughter, thanks to Brack’s quick thinking and Rob’s own ability to look completely innocent no matter how guilty he might be. The memory of the exhilaration of pounding down the winding, cobbled streets of the city in the dark of night overtook him, and he could actually smell the damp streets, hear the slap, slap of their shoes hitting the pavement.

Rob paused, allowing his eyes to close so he could see the bright, dark eyes of the pretty, black-haired signorina . . . who suddenly had auburn hair and green eyes. He jerked back to the present, confused as to how his memory could have shifted from the delightful Angelina to the prickly Lady Georgina Kirkpatrick. Two more different women could not be found in the wide world. Best attend to his real business. He raised the quill to begin the letter to Brack only to discover the nib now a tiny stub, the table littered with flecks of quill.

Blowing out a breath, Rob retrieved another pen, carefully mended it, then drew the inkpot to him and pulled a sheet of foolscap from the drawer.

My dear Brack,

Rob stared at the words. How was he to phrase this vital message? Obviously he should first assure his friend of his sister’s well-being. He scribbled furiously for some minutes, then re-read it, muttering under his breath.

Rather abrupt, but, dash it, there was no gradual way to relate such a thing. Besides, if Brack himself was behind the escapade, Rob should, out of decency, apologize for frustrating it.

Another bout of hasty scratching as his pen flew over the paper, scarcely pausing to dip the nib in the inkpot. There. That should explain the reasons for his actions clearly enough.

Mother would love having another woman’s company. She’d been so alone ever since Grandfather’s death two years ago. A companion, even for the week or so it would take Brack to make the journey, would do her good. Although . . .

Blast. He couldn’t fit this last bit of advice above his signature, so he added a post script, then perused the missive once more.

It would serve.

Rob folded the short note and sealed it with a drop of wax. Lady Georgina had mentioned her brother was still in Buckinghamshire at Hunter’s Cross. He scribbled the direction, tossed the pen on the table, and bounded out of the room. Once on deck he called for Cartwright.

“Aye, Captain?”

“I take it Barnes, Ayers, and Chapman have returned with the required parts?” By the position of the sun, it was high time.

“Aye. I fetched ’em back with the equipment not long ago. They’re stowing the parts away down below. Are we settin’ sail now, Captain?” Cartwright sounded eager for home. So was Rob.