Page 78 of Only Scandal Will Do

Matthews looked at him dispassionately, his mouth a firm line.

Duncan’s stomach sank into the tips of his riding boots. “You have found her? Is she alive?” Wincing, he braced for the worst news about his sister.

Matthews stared at him with a look of amazement. “My lord, I have not yet begun to search for her. But you knew she was gone?” he asked sharply.

“Since we arrived home this afternoon. We thought she might have gone with Manning, but that is not the case.” He pointed at the still groaning men, impatience making it difficult to keep from raising his voice. “But what do the grooms have to do with Lady Juliet’s disappearance?”

For once, Reginald Matthews seemed at a complete loss for words. Then, “My lord,” he said gently, “it is not your sister I have come to find, but your wife. The servants discovered the grooms unconscious and the carriage missing. Her maid had the presence of mind to check on

Lady Dalbury late this afternoon, found her gone, and sent for me.”

During most of this speech Duncan breathed carefully, trying to keep at bay the awful blackness that encroached on the corners of his vision. Falling unconscious would serve no purpose, although it was preferable to admitting Katarina was missing. He turned to Manning, whose grim expression surely mirrored his own. Before he could even think to frame a question, another Bow Street agent came puffing up, paper in hand.

Matthews seized it, read it, thrust it into Duncan’s hands and issued a curt, “Come on!”

Blindly following before he had time to read the note, Duncan vaulted onto Saxon and followed the Runner, now also mounted. “What does it say?” he called to Matthews.

“Amorina Vestry says your wife is being held again at the House of Pleasure and if I want to see her alive, I must stop her bodyguards from dispatching her at nine o’clock tonight.”

“The devil, you say!”

“There is more,” Matthews shouted above the clatter of hooves, “but I believe it wise if we wait until we arrive at Madam Vestry’s and make our plans more carefully.”

“Only if they include me skewering whoever sought to lay hands on my wife again.” He’d spoken in a quiet tone, but Matthews must have heard him, for he replied with as much menace.

“That, I believe, can be arranged, my lord.”

CHAPTER 34

The two men were still stationed beside the door and stocky Tommy Redmond paced from window to window. The sun had set, and with the encroaching darkness, panic settled on Kat like a suffocating mantle. Shortly, they would kill her and leave her lifeless body for Duncan to discover. The devastation this would cause her husband made her stiffen her resolve not to let the bastard get away with his reprehensible scheme. What could she do to forestall him? Distract him? Gain more time for her rescue?

As Redmond wandered about the room, she gauged the depth of his thinly veneered composure. By taunting him, she had broken through that self-possession twice. Perhaps a third time would be the charm. She studied the tall, solid man before her, assessing him as she would a fencing opponent, and biting her lip, summoned her courage.

“If I didn’t know better, Mr. Redmond,” she began, making her tone deeply sarcastic, “I would swear you are afraid of me.”

He stopped and stared at her with frank astonishment. “Afraid of a woman, my lady?

Why would I fear you?”

“I have no idea. Yet you still have me trussed up like a chicken, bound hands and feet. Even with your bodyguards in attendance you are not comfortable unless I am rendered completely helpless. I suppose I should be flattered to be thought so dangerous an opponent.” Kat laughed softly.

“I merely wish to make sure you have no chance to escape, Lady Dalbury.”

She raised an eyebrow at him. “And if I had use of my arms and legs there would be a danger of that?” Kat shook her head. “Perhaps if I had a sword in my hand I would agree with you, but one against three with no weapon? You truly flatter me, sir.”

Will sniggered over by the wall.

When Redmond snapped a look at him, the sound cut off. “Bait me at your peril, Lady Dalbury.” His gaze returned to her face. “It matters not to me how you die. I could have you beaten to death, and in the darkness, Duncan would not be able to tell from across the pond.”

“I suppose it is easier to beat a woman who is defenseless, especially when there are three of you,” she mused, though chills raced down her spine at his words. “You must be afraid of a fair fight.” She stared scornfully into Redmond’s eyes. “Did Duncan tell you of my skill with a sword then? Of course, you could have witnessed it firsthand at the duel, had you not been dead drunk at the time.”

She’d anticipated his backhanded slap and braced herself for it, still it smarted worse than the earlier one. She returned her stare to his face, now mere inches from hers. “As I said, it is easier to fight when one’s opponent cannot fight back.”

Redmond laughed then, and her heart sank. But then he replied, “You would fight me wouldn’t you, little hellion? And with a sword. Even though Duncan made short work of you, so I was told. You think I am less skilled than he?”

“I never underestimate my opponents, Mr. Redmond. Do you?”

Gaze not wavering from hers, he snapped his fingers. “Release her hands and feet, Jameson. Crawley, guard her with your sword drawn.” As the blade rang free, steel hissed on steel.