Page 64 of When a Marquis Chooses a Bride
She nodded. “Yes, that is exactly what he said.”
“Said?” Mrs. White’s tone was faint and for the first time she looked as if she’d swoon.
He reached toward her, but Thea put her hand on his arm. “Let the Runners handle it.”
The minute the Runners were mentioned Mrs. White jumped up from the chaise and dashed to the door. Dom grabbed her shoulder. She swung around and tried to hit him, but her arms were too short; then she started to wail.
“What the devil is that sound?” a man in the uniform of the 95th Rifles demanded. “Oh, sorry, ladies, I didn’t see you. What’s wrong with Mrs. White?”
Dom loosened his grip, and the woman fell to the floor. “If I were you, I’d get my wife and child out of here.”
“Major Horton?” Thea asked.
“Yes.”
“I am Miss Stern. This”—she pointed at Dom—“is my betrothed, Lord Merton, and here is his mother, Lady Merton.”
Thea put a hand on the major’s arm. “This is not a safe place for your family.”
He took in the scene and frowned. “Where are they now?”
“Safe, at the park they were going to,” Dom’s mother responded.
He nodded. “It’s good they are not here for this. It would distress my wife.” He paused, and seemed to study Dom. “Merton? Not Worthington’s cousin?”
Dom stifled a groan. This incident would probably be all over Town by dinnertime. What had he been thinking of allowing his mother and betrothed to take part in something like this? Why was he there? What would Uncle Alasdair say?
“Didn’t think you had it in you.”
He stopped berating himself and stared at the major. “What?”
The man grinned. “From what Worthington said, you were too much of a dry stick to involve yourself in anything like this.”
“That is not true.” Dotty came to stand beside Dom. “He is as compassionate a man as there can be. He has helped me rescue kittens—”
“My love. Thank you, but it’s not necessary.”
A twinkle entered Major Horton’s eyes. “Kittens?”
She raised her chin. “Yes, and a child. Which is the reason we are here.” She glanced down. Mrs. White was taking the opportunity to crawl away. “Stop her!”
The major stepped in front of the door.
She rose to her knees, clasping her hands in front of her chest. “Oh, Major,” she cried in a theatrical voice, “you must help me.”
“I would like to know what is going on, if I may.”
A knock sounded. “My lord”—Roger appeared in the doorway—“is everything all right in there?”
“Yes, if you’ll call the constable to send to Bow Street, I think that will do.”
“Major, if you will assist us, we would be happy to tell you what we know.” Lady Merton handed Dotty the drapery cords. “I really think we should tie her up. She is liable to try to escape again.”
Dom took one set and the major the other, making quick work of securing Mrs. White’s hands and feet. Dotty pulled up a footstool and sat next to the landlady. “Tell me the whole story and do not leave anything out.”
Mrs. White turned her head away. “I ain’t talking to you. You got no proof I did anything. No one’s going to believe a boy.”
Thea raised a brow and in the calm commanding voice she used the night they were betrothed, said, “We need to question the maid. My lord, you might offer her employment if she gives an accurate accounting of everything she knows.”
