Falling In Love Again (Heroic Rogues Series) (38 page)

Isabelle ran a few more errands before having the driver take her back to the house. As he brought in her packages, she hurried inside to see if Marcus would talk to her. She knocked on his study door and when nobody answered, she opened and looked inside. She grimaced and waved her hand in front of her face. The room reeked of alcohol and cigar smoke, but her husband was not here.

She left and walked to his room, knocked, and once again didn’t receive an answer. Just like his study, she opened the door and peeked inside. The same thick scent of alcohol and cigar hung thick through the air here, as well.

“Marcus?”

No answer. She shrugged and left, wandering back to her room. He must have finally decided to go outside. Perhaps his spirits were better already. She only hoped, because he wouldn’t be happy when she informed him of her plans to return home.

She took out her newly purchased items and hung them in her armoire and placed the others in her drawers. Once she finished, she ventured downstairs, looking for something to keep her entertained. Gabe was suspiciously missing, too. Then again, anywhere her husband went, his friend was always by his side.

She collected her quill and paper and sat at the desk in the drawing room to write a letter to her aunt and uncle. As she started explaining her marriage, tears formed in her eyes and emotion clogged her throat. She’d been so frightened of Lord Lockwood, wanting Hawk to rescue her from the ceremony. How naïve she’d been, not knowing Hawk was at her wedding dressed as her husband. Those few days after when she’d wanted to forget Hawk’s passionate kisses and welcome her husband’s, she was torn apart when she couldn’t. How simple it would have been for Marcus to tell her the truth. She certainly wouldn’t have suffered as much heartache.

A visitor knocked on the front door, but she let Gentry answer it. Within minutes, the butler walked into the room and cleared his throat.

“Pardon me, my lady, but there is someone here to see you. He says it’s very important.”

“Do you know who it is?”

Gentry shook his head. “Not his name, my lady, but the vagabond has been here before. Lord Lockwood took care of it last time.”

She frowned and set her quill down. “I’m assuming my husband isn’t here, then?”

“No, he’s out. I believe he went to some kind of meeting, my lady.”

“Indeed?” Apparently, Mrs. Westland didn’t need to beg Isabelle’s favor after all. She was relieved he finally decided to do something for others instead of wallowing in his misery. “Very well.” She pushed away from the desk. “I’ll take care of the matter.” She walked out of the drawing room and toward the front door. The closer she came, the more the visitor came into view. Her heart quickened at seeing Monkey.

She hurried to his side and smiled. “Adam, what are you—”

He grabbed her hand and pulled, trying to get her outside. “There’s no time to waste, me lady. We must hurry.” He shook his head. “She’s a witch, I tell you. We can’t let her win.”

“Slow down, Adam. I don’t understand. Tell me what’s wrong.”

Adam dropped her hand and took a deep breath. “I overheard Simon and a woman
talkin
’ about Captain Hawk.”

“
Shhh
…” She clapped a hand over his mouth. “Come inside to the drawing room. We’ll have more privacy there.” She allowed him inside and took him to the room, closing the door behind them. “Now tell me what you’ve heard.”

“Simon is
betrayin
’ the
Capt’n
. I heard him
tellin
’ a woman that they will wait for
yer
husband at the
Sons Of Liberty
meeting tonight. They plan on killing him.”

Her heart dropped. “Simon? Why is he betraying a man he’s worked with?”

“Me thinks he’s still mad at Hawk for not
lettin
’ him have his way with ye while ye were prisoner.”

“That can’t be right.” Panic heightened. “Would he risk being caught and killed?”

“Me thinks Simon hopes Hawk will die first, so he doesn’t care.”

“True. I didn’t think of that.”

He tugged on her arm again. “We have to hurry. The meeting will start soon, and if we don’t stop them, they’ll kill Hawk.”

Urgency rushed through her chest, making her blood pump faster. Her head throbbed with worry. “We have to find Gabe. He will help. You go to Thorne Shipping to see if he’s there, and if you see any more of Hawk’s men along the way, let them know, too. I’ll hurry to the meeting and try to stop Marcus. Do you know where they’re meeting?”

“Aye. Meadowbrook Lane.”

She nodded. “I know the place.” She pushed him toward the door and opened it. “Now don’t dawdle. We cannot waste a moment.”

She flew upstairs and grabbed her bonnet and shawl. Her heart hammered against her ribs, and fear clutched her throat. Simon couldn’t possibly win, but then if nobody knew about it… Her stomach clenched. What if she were too late?

After hurrying out to the stable and saddling a horse, she continued on her way. Isabelle clutched the shawl around her neck as she slowed her mare to a trot. The sun descended quickly, bringing shadows everywhere. A light fog had settled on the ground, almost like the last time she’d come to this cottage spying on her husband. When the place came into view, a wagon and a few horses were already here. Marcus’ black steed wasn’t one of them. Her heart dropped, and she prayed she wasn’t too late.

Silence filled the air. Hairs pricked on the back of her neck as chills ran down her spine. It shouldn’t be this quiet. The cottage was close enough to a pond that the chirping of frogs should be singing. A night owl should hoot his evening call. Crickets should play their lonely night song for all to hear.

Something wasn’t right.

She clutched the pistol on her lap, grateful she’d thought to bring it with her. Pulling the horse to a stop, she listened for other sounds, but only the frantic beat of her heart and the animal’s snorts echoed through the air.

Sliding from the animal, she held the pistol close as her feet touched the ground. Cautiously, she took slow steps around the house. The
Sons Of Liberty
’s last meeting took place in the barn, and she supposed that was where it would be tonight since no lights lit the inside of the abandoned house. Nearer to the barn she moved, a twinkle of lights flickered through the window. Still, no night sounds disturbed her heavy breathing as she studied the hazy land around her.

When she made it to the barn, her heart nearly took over her throat as fear clawed through her. She took calculated breaths, trying to assure herself all would be fine. Monkey had gone to find Gabe and the others. Soon this nightmare would be over.

She swallowed hard and lifted on her toes to peek inside the barn. One man sat on a chair—no, he was
tied
to the chair. Her heart dropped as fear heightened.
Marcus!
 

Her teeth chattered and palms moistened as she searched the barn, looking for Simon. It appeared Marcus occupied the room himself. His head lopped to one side as binds of rope wound around his wrists in back of him. She prayed he was still alive.

As she shifted away from the window, a twig snapped behind her and she spun around. Large hands grabbed her, but she clung to the pistol, knowing she must not let go. Simon stood close to her, struggling with her. He sneered as he stared into her eyes. Although he undoubtedly was stronger than her, she couldn’t let him retrieve her weapon.

She sank her teeth into his wrist and he howled, releasing her. Shoving her elbow into his chest, she moved away, but the bulky man came back and his body knocked her to the ground. She screamed and continued to clutch the pistol. His strong fingers bit into her bones as he yanked at the weapon.

“Curse you, woman,” he muttered. “Release this at once.”

“No! You release me!”

She tried to bite him again, but he used the back of his hand to slap her. Isabelle jerked as pain filled her face. When the bones in her hands screamed in agony, she finally let go. Sobbing, she brought her bruised fingers to her mouth.

Simon wrapped his arm around her neck and tightened his hold. Breathing heavy, his foul breath wafted around her and she gagged.

“
Yer
not
goin
’ anywhere, my lady, ‘
cept
for where I want to take ye.”

Roughly, he pulled her to her feet before pushing her toward the door. He yanked it open and shoved her inside. She stumbled, but righted herself. The sight of Marcus made her gasp. Indeed, he was unconscious. His face had taken on a pallor shade as blood trickled from his head, sliding down the right side.

She ran to him and fell on her knees beside him, running her hand over his face. “Marcus?” Her voice tightened as fear choked her throat. She lifted the edge of her cloak to wipe the blood. It looked as if Simon had whacked Marcus’ head.

Simon laughed as he walked closer. “He’s alive, but just barely. We figured we’d keep him alive for a little while and make him suffer.”

She shot him a glare. “What gives you the right to do this? He has been nothing but kind to you.”

Simon rolled his eyes. “Aye, kind ye say, but really he hasn’t. Captain Hawk only wants to please himself. He doesn’t care about anybody else.”

“You have been brainwashed then,” she spat. “When I was being held prisoner, I saw firsthand how generous Hawk was to his men.”

He stepped closer and narrowed his stare. “Generous? I think not since he doesn’t like to share.” He wrapped a lock of hair around his fingers and pulled. “But he will share now, won’t he?”

Yelping, she grabbed her hair, trying to get it away from him. From the corner of the barn, a woman’s laugh floated through the opened space. Isabelle swung her gaze in the direction. Mrs. Westland came into view, her hair wild around her face, appearing like a shrew. She wore another dress designed for harlots.

Anger rose in Isabelle’s head, making it pound. She wanted to wrap her hands around the other woman’s throat and squeeze until she gasped for air. That trollop was the reason they were here. She’d tricked Isabelle into coming, and she wouldn’t doubt she did the same with Marcus.

“Now, Simon. You’ll get your turn with Lady Lockwood, mark my words.” She stopped in front of Marcus and frowned as she stroked his forehead. “Simon? Did you have to be so brutal?”

“Ye wanted him to cooperate, didn’t ye?”

“Yes, but I didn’t want him unconscious.”

The big brute finally released Isabelle and she scooted closer to Marcus. A low moan came from her husband, and she turned her attention back to him. He blinked and looked around the room, then his gaze rested on her. A smile cracked his dry lips.

“You’re safe,” he whispered.

Her heart melted and tears stung her eyes. “Yes, and so are you.”
For now, anyway.

He looked at Simon and scowled. “What’s the meaning of this?” His voice boomed, shaking through the rafters. “You think to get away with this mutiny?”

Simon laughed. “Aye, for as long as I can.”

“What made you decide to betray your friends?”

“Friends?” He shook his head. “Ye weren’t my friends. Greedy men, all of ye.”

“And you,” Marcus growled, turning his focus on Mrs. Westland. “Were you the leak against the
Sons Of Liberty
alongside Matthew?”

Her chuckle was deep and throaty. “Matthew and I were both leaks for the traitorous group, along with your father. The King sent us over here to see what we could discover about the
Sons Of Liberty.
We were paid well for our service.”

Isabelle’s gut wrenched. Why hadn’t she seen through the woman’s disguise? Why hadn’t Marcus for that matter? He knew his brother and father were up to no good.

“What do you hope to accomplish?” Marcus snapped.

The vicious woman leaned in front of him, as an evil grin stretched her lips.

“You took something dear to my heart, and now I’m going to return the deed.”

Marcus arched an eyebrow. “I highly doubt my brother was dear to your heart.”

“Oh, but he was. The trinkets he gave me were
very
dear to my heart, and now that he’s dead, I will never get anymore.”

“What about Simon? It appears he’s trying to take my dead brother’s place.”

Mrs. Westland rolled her eyes. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

Simon huffed and folded his arms across his chest. “I could if ye gave me a chance.”

The other woman released an irritated sigh and stood, turning to Simon to rub her arms up and down his chest. “Of course I will, darling, but first let’s decide what to do with these two.”

“So how did you two meet up?” Marcus asked.

Mrs. Westland turned her head, still hanging on Simon. “Actually, I give Mr. Lawrence credit for that.”

Isabelle gasped and Marcus jerked forward but the ropes held him to the chair. “Impossible,” he yelled.

“It’s not impossible at all. Because of the trick you and Gabe played on me when you sent Gabe in your stead to seduce me, I decided to check him out to see why Matthew would allow such a thing to happen.” She shrugged. “Gabe led me to Simon, and once I started asking questions and flashing money, Simon was more than willing to give me the answers I wanted, among other things.”