Page 123 of Courting Scandal With The Duke
Puzzled, he shook his head. ‘I apologise for interfering. Something just smelled wrong. I had to make sure you were all right.’
‘You came. For me.’ Her voice broke slightly. She looked away. ‘I—I didn’t deserve that you should. After all I have done.’ Her voice was little more than a whisper. She looked lost somehow. And something painfuldug at his heart. ‘And my father and his schemes—’ She gave a wry little laugh. ‘So embarrassing, but I thank you for coming to my aid.’
He glanced at the wary-looking Count and the sheepish Ambassador and grimaced. ‘It’s a pretty kettle of fish, but I am sure we will come about.’
‘You will,’ she said softly.
He rubbed his knuckles, bruised from where he had hit the Count. ‘We need to talk, but first I have to deal with them.’
‘What will you do with them?’
‘Pack them off where they came from, I suppose. After they sign a confession regarding kidnapping and other felonies. That should keep them both in line.’
She nodded. ‘And it won’t cause another scandal.’
‘Exactly. We will stay here tonight, while I get it all sorted out, and then we will talk in the morning.’
The door opened to admit a small dark-coated fellow wearing a starched white collar at his throat.
‘Ah,’ Xavier said. ‘The vicar.’
The vicar put on a pair ofpince-nezand glanced around. ‘Where are the bride and groom?’ he asked.
Xavier stepped forward. ‘Your services are no longer required.’
‘What? You get me out on a night like tonight for no reason? I demand to be compensated for my time.’
‘So you shall be,’ Xavier said. He handed the man his calling card. ‘Write me a note and I shall see to it when Ireturn to London.’
The burly groom who had captured Xavier came in through the French doors. He looked startled.
Xavier rolled his eyes upward. How many more people was he going to have to deal with?
When the groom’s gaze fell on the gun Xavier still held in his hand, his eyebrows shot up.
‘Like that, is it? Well, guv, let me know what you want to do. I’m your man.’
Charles glared at him.
Xavier laughed. ‘No honour among thieves, I see. You can go and fetch my curricle and my tiger, Dirk, and see that they are looked after. Make sure you do exactly as Dirk says and all will be well.’
The man touched his cap and left.
‘If you don’t mind, Xavier, I shall retire,’ Barbara said.
‘As you wish. It has been a long day.’
She slipped quietly out of the room. He had never seen her so crushed.
But she didn’t want to wed Charles and she didn’t have to, and that was all that mattered.
He opened the drawer of the writing desk in the corner and pulled out quills, ink and paper. ‘Now, let us see about these confessions so you gentlemen, and Lady Wells, can be on your way.’
‘This is my house,’ Lady Wells said stiffly.
‘And you may return in a month or two, if you wish. But tonight, you will leave. Now, who is going to be first?’
Barbara eyed Xavier across the breakfast table. He looked so handsome, if a little tired.
