Page 89 of Wicked Rivals
“Aye, come inside.” Aiden led the way to the one of the few rooms in the castle still suitable for guests. It was a parlor with outdated furnishings, but it had a working fireplace and windows that weren’t broken. Their father hadn’t seen much point in doing anything but the most minimal and necessary of repairs. He’d kept what small fortune they had locked tight, and it cost a lot to keep a castle in working order.
Brodie was waiting for them inside with two men. One was tall with russet-brown hair and brown eyes, eyes too sharp to miss anything despite the warmth in them. He was handsome, Brock supposed, but he might forget what the man looked like the moment he left the room.
The other was dark-haired and his eyes were almost black. There was something about him that gave Brock a prickling sense of unease. Both men exuded a powerful presence, but the dark-eyed man was clearly in charge. He was English, judging by his dress, which was enough to make Brock uneasy. Perhaps that was it, simply nerves putting him on edge.
“Lord Kincade.” The dark-eyed man bowed to Brock. “I’m afraid I bear ill tidings.”
“My brother mentioned our sister,” Brock said.
“Yes. I am Sir Hugo Waverly, and this is Mr. Outis. I have been a business partner with Lady Melbourne for some time now. She had been engaging with common rival of ours for the last several months in business dealings, and it seems the man has gone to extreme and ungentlemanly measures.”
Brock continued to study the man. His fine but not extravagant clothes. His cultured voice that was smooth. Maybe he had misjudged the man. Distrust of theSassenachwas something every Scot was born with.
“What sort of measures?” Brodie stood behind the back of one of the chairs and leaned against it, his eyes narrowed.
“This other gentleman has every intention of gaining control of her money, her propertyandher life. He’s a vile brute and will most likely kill her after he’s married her and secured her fortune. She is at this moment trapped at his estate, waiting for him to arrange their marriage. Already he has procured a special license. I’m afraid the law is powerless to do anything to stop him, and as a friend of your sister, I knew I had to come and tell you at once.”
“A man is holding Rosalind against her will?” Aiden glanced in Brock’s direction.
The man named Hugo nodded. “He’s a baron by the name of Lennox. I can tell you everything I know about him, but it’s of the utmost importance that you rescue her before he does her any harm.”
“Even if we are too late and they’ve married?” Brodie asked.
Hugo met each of the three brothers’ stares. “Make no mistake. Hewillbreak her spirit as well as her body. You must do whatever is necessary to save her. You should bring her back here, where you can protect her. But I must warn you, he will come after her. And he won’t be alone. He will bring his friends with him.”
Brock and his brothers knew that the law could offer no protection to their sister, not from a husband and certainly not from a bloody noble. If she needed protection, they would have to be the ones to provide it.
“Thank you for coming to warn us.” Brock held out a hand to the man.
Waverly accepted it. “Your sister is a lovely woman. My only desire is to help save her. I don’t want that bastard Lennox doing her any harm.” He exchanged glances with the man beside him. “I would advise you to hire some more men in the local villages to help protect your sister until cooler heads can prevail, or until he is suitably discouraged. Lennox and his men will be fast on your heels.”
Brodie nudged Brock with his elbow. “I suppose we could use the help.”
Brock considered it. “This Lennox fellow… He’s truly a force to be reckoned with?”
Waverly bowed his head, visibly upset. “You have no idea. He’s killed several men over the last few years. Men who got in the way of his plans.”
“Brock, we have to save Rosalind,” Aiden said.
Brock waved a hand. “Aye, we will.” He faced Waverly. “Tell me where to find this baron and my sister.”
Waverly nodded grimly. “I have a man stationed at his residence and will notify him to expect you.”
Brock was puzzled. “You have someone working for him?”
“Fearing the worst, I’ve been keeping an eye on Lennox since your sister and I began to compete with him. My man will be able to assist you in gaining access to the house and your sister. I suggest you remove her under the cover of darkness and bring her back to Scotland.”
“Thank you,” Brodie said.
Waverly nodded. “Lennox must pay for what he’s done, and I am willing to lend my services to bring him down.”
*****
Rosalind barely slept that night alone in Ashton’s bed. She missed the man, his warmth, his laugh, his touch. The scent of him clung to the sheets like a ghost lover. An empty bed had never bothered her before, but it did now because she knew what she was longing for. Her sweet and seductive baron.
As dawn peeped in through the windows, Rosalind crawled out of bed and pulled the cord for Claire. It was going to be a long day if she continued to feel this way. She jumped when the door opened, far too soon for it to have been Claire.
Ashton stood there, looking as bad as she felt.
