Page 46 of An Unbending Lady for the Desperate Earl
“What do I do?” Miss Longacre clasped her hands together. “Should I encourage my mother and father to take us all to the country?”
Victoria thought for a moment. “We must make our appearance at the Earl’s party this evening. However, we must lay a trap for the kidnappers.” Her mind whirred, as an idea came together. “Tell your mother and father to go to their home in the country and spread the word that you are to follow them tomorrow, with your chaperone. Make sure that the gossipmongers of London whisper it everywhere they can. That way, the kidnappers will believe you will be alone tonight, in your bedchamber. They won’t be able to resist such a tempting idea.”
Christian perked up. “You may have the use of my carriage, Miss Longacre, to deliver you to your home in the country. In case your mother and father fret about you.”
“Very wise. You should also tell your mother and father that you will be residing with myself and Lord Galbury, though do not let that information reach anyone else,” Victoria agreed. “When we return from the Earl’s party, I will position myself in the next chamber along, and will ensure that Lord Galbury and my other associate, Admiral Thomson, are stationed in the garden. We will guard you, Miss Longacre. We will not let them steal you away, but theymustbe caught in the act.”
“Oh goodness.” Miss Longacre trembled visibly. “I do not know that I have the nerve for such an undertaking as this.”
Victoria moved toward her and took up her hands, holding them tightly. “You do, Miss Longacre. Think of the other young ladies who have been taken, and I know you will find the courage to do this.”
“I am not like you, McCarthy. You are fearless. You laugh in the face of terror. And, what is more, what if… they manage to evade you? What if you are mistaken again?” Miss Longacre lowered her gaze.
“They will not evade us this time.” Victoria stood her ground. “And, if Iammistaken, then I do not understand these villains at all. If I am wrong, I will hand this case to Bow Street and remove myself from the equation.” It was a bold move, but she needed Miss Longacre to believe in her determination.
A muscle twitched in Miss Longacre’s clenched jaw. “I… will do as you have asked. I don’t know how I will convince my mother and father to leave me, but I will make sure that it happens.” She gave a nervous smile. “We will capture these wretches. We will bring their reign of terror to an end. It is due time I did something valuable with my life. How can I preach of wanting to help unfortunates, if I am not willing to help these ladies that have been taken?”
“I knew I could rely on you.” Victoria gave her hand a squeeze, before turning to Christian. “We have much to arrange, and not a great deal of time to arrange it. We need to inform Ben of the change in circumstances and ensure that we have everything together before this evening.”
Christian nodded. “My carriage is at your disposal, as ever.”
“I will come back, Miss Longacre, so that we may travel to the Earl’s party together. Iwillkeep you safe.” Victoria gave the young woman’s hand one final squeeze of reassurance, before she got up and headed across the room to where Christian waited.
“I believe in you, McCarthy,” Miss Longacre said, in a small voice.
Victoria glanced back, with a smile. “As I believe in you, Miss Longacre.”
* * *
“I imagine you are pleased that I am no longer putting myself in harm’s way?” Victoria murmured. They sat in the parlor of Miss Longacre’s townhouse, awaiting her.
Many hours had gone by, and all the arrangements had been made with Benedict. He would meet them at Miss Longacre’s townhouse later this evening, after they had attended the Earl of Russell’s party. In the meantime, Miss Longacre had somehow managed the impossible. Her mother and father had departed for their country home already, with the expectation that their daughter would follow on the morrow. And, if Miss Longacre was to be believed, news of their departure, and Miss Longacre’s remaining, had already trickled its way through most of Mayfair.
“I would not say that I am pleased, as we still have the kidnappers to contend with. However, I would be a liar if I did not say that I was somewhat relieved.” Christian offered a smile. In truth, he wasverymuch relieved that she was no longer the focus of the plot. Never in his life had he been so glad that a woman was not engaged.
Although… perhaps I may remedy that, when all of this is done.Miss Longacre’s pointed words at the theater had made him wonder as to the longings of Lady Helena’s heart. He had never been arrogant enough to believe that she loved him, in the romantic sense. But he had never supposed that her affections were directed elsewhere, either. Now, he had cause to think that she did, indeed, feel something for another. And that, in turn, gave him hope that he might yet break free of his betrothal.
“You ought to look closer at your moral compass, Christian.” Victoria fidgeted with the skirt of her violet gown. That vibrant purple made her look utterly otherworldly, standing out against her raven hair and her milky white skin. The amethyst at her throat drew Christian’s eye time and time again, his lips itching to place a kiss upon that elegant neck.
“How so?” Christian replied, though he already knew the reply he would receive.
“That you would take relief in putting another woman in danger, over me.”
He chuckled drily. “You forget who you are. I am not putting another woman in danger, in your stead. You are putting yourself in a position where you can save her, and save the rest of the captives. I should say that is a fair exchange, for a moment of peril. Not forgetting, of course, that the Admiral and I will be on our guard, ready to come to your aid the very second you signal for us.”
“Pfft, you comfort yourself with the minutiae, Christian.” She folded her arms churlishly. “I would rather they had come for me directly, so they might have discovered, first-hand, why Bow Street calls me Vixen.”
“I imagine they would wish they had never begun on this awful path.” Christian chuckled.
“Oh, they will still wish that. I will just have to delay the gratification of seeing them frightened for their lives.” She flashed him a mischievous look that made his heart pound and his throat tighten.
The door opened and Miss Longacre entered, her face pale and her demeanor anxious. Christian noticed that she looked as beautiful as ever, but there was no comparison, in his mind, between her and Victoria. The latter could have been wearing that potato sack, that she used to curl up in to sleep when she was younger, and he would still have thought her the more radiant beauty of the two.
“Shall we?” Miss Longacre said, her voice shaky.
Victoria nodded. “Let us bring those ladies home, Miss Longacre.”
Traveling by carriage, they arrived at the home of the Earl of Russell, to indulge in a much more subdued event than the one that had taken place for Miss Longacre’s coming-out celebration.
