Page 104 of An Agreement with the Soldier (Necessary Arrangements 2)

John grinned at her. “Did I tell you that you became a lot more demanding and a bit whinier since you started increasing?”

“Don’t say that word,” Sam pleaded. “It is making me nauseous again.”

“Poor darling.” John collected her against his chest again and drew soothing circles down her back.

After a short while, their carriage drew to a halt and John exited the vehicle. The wind blew the rainwater inside the carriage and all over him as he opened the door. John carefully handed Sam down and they sprinted up the steps.

The moment they entered the house, they were greeted by shouting and angry epithets being thrown around. A soaked, but richly dressed lady was arguing with their butler and Mrs. Godfrey. A portly middle-aged man uncomfortably stood by her side.

“What the devil is going on?” John barked and everyone suddenly grew quiet.

The visitors turned and John beheld Lady Montbrook’s angry face and Lord Montbrook’s uncomfortable gaze. Lady Montbrook’s face turned red and furious the moment she saw Sam and she stalked toward her.

“You!” She pointed her finger at Sam. “It’s your doing!”

John took a step forward, placing himself between the irate lady and his wife.

“I’d choose your words if I were you,” he warned.

Lady Montbrook didn’t seem to hear him. “What did you do with her?” she yelled, peering behind John.

“What did I do to whom?” Sam peeked behind John’s back.

John tucked her behind him with one hand. “What in the devil are you talking about? And choose your words carefully as you answer. You might be a lady, but I won’t hesitate to throw you out of my house.”

Lady Montbrook bristled at the threat, and her husband just shifted uncomfortably from one foot to another.

“Barbarian!” the lady spat at him and then peeked at Sam again. “Our niece, Eabha! The Duchess of Somerset is gone! And I know it’s your doing. Where did you take her?”

John slowly turned to his wife, placing his hands on her arms. Her eyes grew wide with terror. “She’s not in Somerset?” she whispered.

“Steady, Angel. Breathe,” he said just as quietly. “What do you mean she’s gone?” He turned back to the Montbrooks, wearing his most intimidating sneer. “When did she disappear?”

“She ran away from the bloody Somerset estate, not so much as a note was left behind. This was soon after she received a letter from you, so it must be your doing!” Lady Montbrook huffed.

“Cease sneering at my wife!” John barked. “What else happened before she disappeared?”

“Nothing! We took care of her as best we could. That ungrateful brat!”

“That’s enough!” John barked. “It is time you left.” He pointed at the door.

“Won’t you do something?” Lady Montbrook finally addressed her silent husband and he just shrugged. The lady huffed in frustration, puffed out her chest, and thundered out of the townhouse, her husband following in her wake.

Sam rounded on John as soon as the door closed after him. “Evie is gone! Where could she be?”

“No reason to get so upset, Angel. You need to calm down,” John tried to soothe her.

“Calm down?” She started crying and couldn’t collect her breath. “How can I calm down? If only I’d done something sooner…” A sob escaped her, and she covered her mouth with her hand.

At that moment, Mrs. Godfrey came rushing down the stairs.

“Oh, how glad I am to see you two together!” she almost sang. “And just in time, too. That toad was getting on my last nerve.”

Sam chuckled through her tears at the epithet.

After the greetings were over, Mrs. Godfrey handed Sam an envelope. “This came for you about an hour ago.”

Sam looked at the letter and closed her eyes in relief. “It’s from Evie, excuse me.” She rushed up the stairs and into her bedchamber with John on her heels. She unsealed the envelope with the letter opener and unfolded the missive.

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