Page 65 of Unmasked By a Captivating Lady
Mr. Nott put up a restraining hand. “I would like to do that too, my lord. But we have proper process in this country, and as much as it aggrieves me in this instance, it must be followed.”
The man’s lip curled again. “What, the local plod? They can’t arrest a fly! I’ve been flaunting myself in front of them for ages now, and the dimwits keep chasing their tail. They won’t holdmefor long…”
Miles glared at him. “Youarecocky, aren’t you? But I happen to agree with you…which is why you are not being delivered to the local constabulary.” He took a deep breath. “I am taking you to London, Mr. Stalk. I am going to deliver you into the hands of the Runners of the Watch myself.”
The man gasped, turning pale. He stared at Miles fearfully.
Miles turned to Mr. Nott. “We will set off immediately. I will stop by the shack and secure his loot, taking it as evidence.” He paused. “You are able to provide me with men?”
Mr. Nott nodded, gazing beyond him to the large, silent bald man standing in the corner. “Bryson will accompany you, as well as two more of my men. But do you think you are up for such a trip now, after what you have just done, and still injured?”
Miles shrugged. He had no choice but to set off now. The longer they delayed, the more chance that Stalk might escape. The man was like a weasel, and they would be fools to underestimate him.
He fought off a sudden wave of weariness. He had rested for ten minutes and quenched his thirst. One of the maids had cleaned and changed the bandage on his wound. It still throbbed with pain. But there was little he could do about any of that.
He took a deep breath. He would have a chance to rest properly later, when Stalk had been dealt with once and for all. He knew that he wouldn’t rest easily while the man was still here. Hemustget him to London, as quickly as possible.
Chapter 31
Ara crept along the hallway, her heart in her mouth. She had seen her father and Miles enter the house together, just ten minutes prior, from her bedroom window. Ruth had been watching, too. She had turned to her cousin, her eyes wide.
“What is going on?” she had whispered. “Do you know what is happening?”
Ruth had nodded slowly. “Lord Comerford is planning to take the criminal to London, accompanied by the best of my Uncle’s men. Once there, they plan to turn him over to the Watch of the Runners…”
Ara had bitten her lip. “Oh, Ruth, how can he do that, after all that he has already done? Surely he will wait until morning to go?”
But Ruth had shaken her head. “I am afraid not, Ara. Lord Comerford is insistent that they must leave immediately. He is fearful that the man will attempt an escape.” She had stared at her cousin. “Come back to bed, Ara. You must rest, and you are becoming overwrought again…”
Ara had let Ruth lead her back to the bed, but as soon as her cousin had left the room, she had gotten up, dressing quickly. She simplymustsee Miles, and speak to him, before he left the house and headed back to London. It simply couldn’t wait.
She crept along the hallway, holding out a hand to steady herself against the wall. She was dismayed to discover that she was still feeling a little woozy from her ordeal. It would take a while to get her strength back, obviously. She took a deep breath, steadying herself, before she continued on.
Outside every room she stopped, holding her breath. She couldn’t hear voices in her father’s study, nor the library. The only other place that Papa would have taken him would be the drawing room. Quickly, she headed in that direction, her heart in her mouth. If her mother, Ruth, or any of the servants discovered her, they would give her short shrift indeed. She was supposed to be resting, after all.
At last, she reached the drawing room, putting her ear against the door. Yes, she could hear male voices inside, talking. Taking a deep breath, she put her hand on the handle, entering quickly.
They were standing by the window, near the drinks cabinet, talking quietly. At the sound of the door opening, they both turned, gaping at her in surprise.
“Arabella!” boomed her father. “What on earth are you doing out of your bed? You should be resting…”
Ara took a deep breath. “I know, Papa. And Iamintending to rest. But I know that Lord Comerford is intending to depart Rudwick House soon, and I simply had to come down, to speak to him, before he goes.” She took another deep breath. “I need to thank him for what he did for me, Papa. Can you understand that?”
Her father simply stared at her, for a moment. Then he sighed deeply, shaking his head.
“I will give you five minutes, Arabella,” he said. “And the only reason I am doing this is because I agree with you. Youdoneed to thank Lord Comerford for all that he has done for you.” He took a deep breath. “Five minutes, do you hear?”
Ara beamed. “Thank you, Papa! Thank you!”
Mr. Nott nodded quickly, walking out the door. After he had left, Ara turned slowly to Miles, who was still standing there silently, watching her.
Her eyes swept over him. He looked so unbearably weary that she was surprised that he was even still on his feet. There were dark circles underneath his eyes, and he was pale. But his eyes were also shining fiercely as they beheld her.
“Ara,” he whispered, his eyes trailing over her from head to toe. “You look…wonderful. Even after all that you have been through…”
She blushed. She knew that he was lying; she looked far from wonderful. She was still weary, and she had tiny bruises all along her arms from where the man had grabbed her, forcing her along. She had thrown on any old gown that she had found in her wardrobe. She gazed down at it. It was plain, but at least it was better than the bedraggled, torn thing that Mary had dragged off her before putting her in the bath.
“I am glad that I look wonderful to you,” she said slowly. “I find that is all that matters to me, now.”
