Lady Sophia's Rescue (Traditional Regency Romance) (6 page)

Chapter 6

Was this the case Finkel wanted to get his hands on? Obviously, Isadore was substituting her bag for the one Finkel really wanted. Valises far better than this could be found at any second-hand shop in London. William bent over and opened it. It was empty, and it was still damp from the rainstorm which deluged all of them the night before last. Good God, had he only known Isadore that short a time? He felt so intimately connected to her. Even more so since the scorching kiss.

Why in the hell was the vile Lord Finkel so mad to get his hands on this? Had it been the means by which the bullion was transported? But if it were, there was no way Isadore could have had the strength to lift it, much less carry it. William was almost ready to clamp it shut when he noticed a slight bulge along the seam of its lining. "Pray, give me your penknife," he said to Thompson, who stood over him.

His servant proffered the instrument, and William used it to pry open the seam. He felt the heat of Thompson's body as he stood directly behind him, peering over his shoulder. The opened seam revealed a flattened pouch made of thin oilcloth that had been folded over in much the same way as foolscap. "What have we here?"

He unfolded the oilcloth, found three handwritten pages, and quickly scanned just a small portion of the first sheet. He felt disgustingly like a voyeur. Half a page was enough to tell him he was reading a torrid love letter, and the crest on the paper indicated the author was Lord Wakefield, a peer who held a high office in government. No doubt, the letter had been written to a woman who was
not
his highly respected wife. "It appears the oilcloth protected these pages from the effects of the other night's rain."

"I take it the papers are important?"

"They're worth a great deal of money to Finkel. He obviously needs these to blackmail Lord Wakefield."

Thompson nodded. "When do we rescue the ladies?"

"Very, very soon, my good man." He had to get Isadore before Finkel forced himself on her. Which William was convinced the man would do. "I've got to get to Finkel's before they discover they've got the wrong valise. You're to go to Nick and tell him everything. And have him put this somewhere safe." He handed Thompson the Wakefield letter. "I'll go out the front; you go out the back."

At least no one was watching his house from the square, he thought as he rounded the corner to the mews to get his horse, his senses alert. A knife was safely tucked into the specially made sheath inside his boot, and his hand cradled the hilt of the sword at his waist.

As he neared the livery stable, he slowed. Something was wrong. His mount should have been saddled by now and partially out of the darkened mews.

His step slowed. "Jonah?" he called out to his groom.

There was no response.

He stopped and drew his sword.

Just as three members of Finkel's "gang" stepped out, Rotten Teeth holding a dagger to Thompson's throat.

"If ye value yer man's life, ye'll drop that sword," the man with rotting teeth said.

* * *

The very same servants who had been tied with her dress sash watched her through narrowed eyes as she entered Finkel's house on Curzon Street, now with her own hands bound behind her.

"Some very disreputable men you employ, my lord," she said to their employer, her voice full of malice.

"That is exactly why I do employ them." He stood in his drawing room, arms folded in front of him and a satisfied look on his face. "How good it is to see you again, Lady Finkel."

"Don't call me by that odious name. I have no intentions of staying married to you."

"You'll not be getting away from me." His voice was guttural. "I
will
have my way with you, and I will have your fortune, too."

"But you cannot want me now that I've been another man's lover."

He slammed his knuckles into his palm. "You will pay for that. Who
is
this skilled pugilist who's you lover?"

She thought of William Birmingham, and her heart softened. "It is not necessary that you know his name."

"Of course it is. I will crush him."

"You're not nearly as powerful as you think you are, just because you manipulate people's lives. You have no authority over me. I'll leave you the minute my hands are unbound."

"Then, my dear, it appears I shall have to see that your hands stayed tied." His gaze flicked to one of the servants whose livery still bore the tatters from this morning's scrimmage. "Take Lady Finkel to my bedchamber, and have Frockmorton bring me the valise."

The brute came up from behind, closed burly arms around her so tightly it hurt, then began to lug her – kicking like a windmill – across the room, then up the stairs.

Chapter 7

All William could think of was Isadore. He had to get to her, had to save her from being debauched by that worm Finkel. Yet he was powerless. He dropped the sword, and one of Rotten Teeth's underlings scurried to pick it up.

"I've held up my part," William said. "Now remove that dagger from my man's throat."

His gaze not leaving William's, Rotten Teeth moved the knife but did not sheath it. "Get in here," he said to William, a swing of his head pointing back into the mews.

It was so dark within, it was a moment before William saw that his groom had been bound and gagged.

Their captors set about roping his and Thompson's hands. A sense of hopelessness engulfed him. He could not bear to think of Finkel laying a finger on the beautiful Isadore, could not bear to think he might never see her again.

Damn but it was hard to believe he'd only known her two days. He could not deny that she had gripped his heart so thoroughly he did not care if she
was
wed to another, he did not care if she smuggled gold bullion. All he cared about was making her his own.

And making an honest woman of her.

"What are your plans for us?" he asked Rotten Teeth.

"We've merely been instructed to keep ye out of his lordship's way until he can get out of Lunnon."

William felt a rush of relief. "Well, then," he said, plopping down on a mat of fresh hay, "I believe my man and I will relax and wait."

Thompson knew what to do. They had been together so long they could almost read each other's thoughts. Thompson dropped into the hay beside him.

His idea must have sounded good to his captors because the three sat right down on the dirt floor just where the sunlight's line of demarcation fronted the stable.

The darkness of the stable was in William's favor. He waited a moment, waited for the men at the front to get caught up in a conversation, then he reached into the top of his left boot. Given that his hands were tied at the wrists, it was a very tight squeeze, but his patience paid off a moment later when he unfastened his sheath and pulled out his knife. He cut Thompson's ropes, and Thompson cut his.

Halfway between him and the captors, his sword gleamed on the stable floor. He knew if he dove for it, they'd hear him and possibly kill him, but it was risk he had to take.

For Isadore.

He whispered instructions to Thompson, who kept the knife.

Then he dove for the sword.

All three men leapt up at the sound, knives drawn.

But as they watched William, Thompson disabled the man closest to him, which caused the others to flinch, giving William the split second he needed to lunge into Rotten Teeth – just as the man's knife came sailing toward William's chest. William dove for the man's feet, his own body slamming into the dirt floor with bruising force – and Rotten Teeth's knife grazing his back.

That his sword had embedded into the other man's side rendered the man powerless to stop William from pummeling the last man until he begged him to stop.

With the three men writhing in the dirt, William instructed Thompson to tie them up, untie the groom, then head to Nick's.

* * *

The Finkel carriage was being packed for a journey. It was good that William had not been detained a minute longer.

When the well-built butler answered the door, William forced his way in. "Lady Finkel's lover, to see his lordship."

The man's eyes rounded.

Standing in Finkel's entry hall, William quickly saw Finkel looking down at him from the third floor landing.

"I believe I have in my possession something you want, Finkel." William held up the battered gray valise. He began to mount the stairs.

"And you are?" Finkel asked.

"William Birmingham."

"You are related to Nicholas Birmingham?"

William had covered a dozen steps. "He is my brother."

When he reached the first landing, he lost view of Finkel, who was directly above him. "If you wish the return of this valise, you must release her ladyship."

"I believe I'd be within my rights killing a man who tried to abduct my wife from her own house," Finkel shouted, much too gleefully for William's comfort.

"There's a very big problem for you if something happens to me."

"And what might that be?"

"My brother knows I was coming here." He started up to the next floor. "And he has in his possession something which - - -"

Now he could peer into Finkel's eyes, "will prove by what illegal methods you've been restoring the Finkel fortunes."

Finkel's gaze darted to the valise. "You found it. Wakefield's letter."

William nodded gravely. "I know everything, including by which means you trapped your. . .
wife
into marrying a reprobate like you, and I plan to expose you."

"Of all the families in England," Finkel said, shaking his head, his shoulders slumped, "it's my bloody misfortune to run up against the unimpeachable Birminghams, probably the only men in the kingdom who can't be bought."

"In that, you are correct." He came abreast of Finkel. "Where is she?"

Finkel tossed a defeated glance over his right shoulder.

William had to assure himself she was all right. Just as he started toward the room where she was being held, from far below the eerie sound of men's screaming voices echoed.

And then he heard the sickening thud. The thud of a body hurled from above striking a marble floor.

Chapter 8

Considering that rough ropes scraped against her wrists where he had bound her to a chair, Sophia felt very little remorse when she realized Lord Finkel had splattered himself over his home's entry hall. She only prayed she would be spared the sight.

Quite a bit of time passed before Mr. Perfect came to her.

"You know what's happened?" he asked, effecting a remorseful expression.

She gave him a solemn look and nodded.

"My brother and I have dealt with the magistrate. Thankfully, my brother's far better known and better respected in London than I." He moved to the wooden chair she'd been tied to, squatted down, and began to untie the rope.

From down the hall, a woman screamed. "Get me out of here."

"Who in the blazes is that?" he asked.

"My maid. I fear she's been tied up, too."

"Thompson!" he shouted toward the corridor. "Pray, go untie the lady's maid."

"Yes, Mr. Birmingham."

"I have a good mind to keep you tied up," he said lightly.

She peered down at him as he managed to undo one of the knots. "You're too much the gentleman to force yourself on a lady."

"How could you possibly know that?"

"I just do."

His hands stilled. He rested his full weight on his knees. Their faces were level, his eyes beginning to smolder. His proximity, his musky scent, his ruggedly handsome face were doing strange things to her.

She leaned into him, and he kissed her hungrily. Sweet Heavens! Kissing Mr. Birmingham was the very most pleasant experience ever. How could she have missed out on something this wondrous her first seven and twenty years?

When the kiss ended, he settled his hands on either side of her face and looked at her. . .well, there was no other word for it – lovingly. "I don't like to think of you risking that lovely neck of yours. In fact, I have a proposal to make an honest woman of you."

Before she could find out just what his proposal was, though, sounds of jubilation came from the corridor, and if she was not mistaken, the sounds were being made by Dottie and . . .What's His Name, Mr. Birmingham's valet?

Mr. Birmingham quickly untied her. "What the blazes?"

"My maid is actually the woman who- - -"

Mr. Birmingham glanced into the corridor. There stood Dottie, with What's His Name's arm around her!

"I take it your maid masqueraded as your mute sister," Mr. Birmingham quickly surmised, getting to his feet, as did she.

Sophia gave a sheepish nod.

"Give us a minute," Mr. Birmingham said to his man.

After they left, he turned to her and drew her into his arms for another searing kiss.

"About that proposal?" she finally managed, a hopeful lilt to her voice.

"I don't know why in the blazes I should care one fig about you. You've done nothing but lie to me from the moment me met."

"My kiss was not a lie."

He stood back and peered at her through narrowed eyes. "What about what you called me?"

"When I told that awful man you were my lover?"

He nodded.

"That was not a lie, either."

"That settles it, then."

Her heart fluttered most agreeably. "Settles what?"

"I propose to make an honest woman out of you. No more smuggling."

"Actually, my dearest Mr. Birmingham, I'm not nearly as dishonest as you believe me to be."

"Enlighten me, please."

"I was so desperate to get away from Finkie that first night, I would have answered to any name."

"Then your name's not Isadore?"

She shook her head.

"You are well born, are you not?"

She nodded. "Until two days ago I had answered to the name Lady Sophia Devere for seven and twenty years. And, I must tell you, I am also the sole heiress to my grandmother's fortune."

He nuzzled soft kisses along the column of her neck. "I should prefer an entirely different name for you."

Dare she hope? "Pray, what name would that be?" She circled her arms around him, her heartbeat galloping.

"Mrs. Birmingham?"

"I suppose I need to accept. I must reform your wicked ways. I'm prepared to help you financially, only I beg that you never involve yourself with smugglers ever again."

He held her tightly and laughed, a deep raucous laugh.

"Pray, what is so funny?"

"You don't know who I am?"

"Of course I know who you are. You're Mr. William Birmingham, smuggler of gold bullion."

He stood back and drew her hands into his. She felt unaccountably secure.

"You've heard of Nicholas and Adam Birmingham?" he asked.

"Who hasn't? They're the wealth- - -" She stopped, suddenly realizing her great stupidity. "They're your brothers?"

His eyes laughing, he nodded.

"You're from
that
Birmingham family?"

"Sorry to disappoint."

"Why in the world do you resort to smuggling gold if you're that ridiculously wealthy?"

He shrugged. "A single man can take risks. I liked the excitement."

"Then I daresay you must marry." She moved into his arms. Nowhere on earth could ever feel better.

* * *

Downstairs, where, thankfully the Finkie mess had been cleaned, they met up with their servants.

Dottie's eyes glittered with excitement. "Oh, milady, you won't believe it, but Mr. Thompson said he's been fiercely attracted to me since that first night, but he dared not aim at such a high-born lady! He was talkin' about me!" Dottie launched into a sniveling giggle.

Sophia faced the valet. "I must felicitate you, Mr. Thompson. You have excellent taste in women."

"And, my good man," William added, "you will be happy to learn that my house will be merging with this lady's house very shortly." He looked down at Sophia most lovingly.

"Very good, sir," Thompson said.

Once more, she found herself in his embrace. "Do not be surprised, my lady, when you're a shrunken little white-haired woman and you husband is still calling you Isadore."

THE END

COMING SOON:

A Most Discreet Inquiry

(Book 2, The Regent Mysteries)

June 2012

It all started quite innocently when Lady Daphne Chalmers's duchess sister came to her sleuthing sibling for help in retrieving love letters she wrote to Major Styles, now deceased. But as Daphne and her own lover, Captain Jack Dryden of His Majesty's Hussars, join forces to track down the letters, they follow a trail of treachery and murder that threatens the entire kingdom.

Marriage of Inconvenience

Love Inspired Historical

October 2012

A loveless marriage between a bluestocking and a powerful peer turns out to be anything but. . .

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I hope you enjoyed
Lady Sophia's Rescue
. If you did, would you please consider posting a review by the book's listing at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, Smashwords or a site where you might have read it? If you do, please send me an email at
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Thank you from Cheryl Bolen

Other eBooks by Cheryl Bolen:

With His Lady's Assistance

(Book 1, The Regent Mysteries)

(Humorous Regency Romance Mystery)

With His Lady’s Assistance
is a delightful blend of humor, romance, and mystery, a romp through Regency society, sprinkled with appealing characters and colorful figures from British history. Protecting the eccentric Prince Regent from an unknown assassin has never been so entertaining. –
In Print
This is a highly enjoyable read. There is mystery, humour and romance – a winning combination. I eagerly await the next installment. –
Amazon Reviewer

* * *

To help him mingle in the highest echelons of English society to investigate threats on the Prince Regent's life, super spy Captain Jack Dryden must feign an engagement to the exceedingly plain spinster, Lady Daphne Chalmers. Together they embark on an investigation which brings them into grave peril – and makes the captain reevaluate the skinny maiden who has a most amorous effect upon him.

His Lordship's Vow

This was the kind of sweet, romantic Regency romance I used to love to read. I'm so glad they're coming back - especially by talented authors like Cheryl Bolen. 5 STARS –
Amazon Reviewer

Thank you so much for writing a story of ROMANCE. Ms Bolen makes reading about the hero and heroine enjoyable and romantic. 5 STARS –
Amazon Reviewer

* * *

Bereft of beauty as well as fortune, the exceedingly plain Miss Jane Featherstone has failed to attract any suitor during her three Seasons. Rather than be a burden to her brother and his obnoxious wife, Miss Featherstone vows to accept the first man who asks—even though she's always worshipped a lord who's far above her touch. . .
Lord Slade must marry an heiress in order to honor the deathbed vow he made to his father, and he needs Miss Featherstone's help in wooing her beautiful cousin. After her initial anger, Miss Featherstone agrees to his scheme, telling him she's doing so because she admires his Parliamentary record of humanitarian legislation and his reverence for truth. But the more he's with the two cousins, the more attracted he becomes to Miss Featherstone. What's a man of his word to do? Break a vow to a beloved father—or follow his heart with Miss Featherstone?

The Bride Wore Blue (The Brides of Bath Series #1)

Cheryl Bolen's writing draws you into her fast-paced story. 4 Stars –
Romantic Times

Cheryl Bolen returns to the Regency England she knows so well. . .If you love a steamy Regency with a fast pace, be sure to pick up The Bride Wore Blue. –
Happily Ever After

* * *

For six long years Thomas Moreland has dreamed of the beautiful young noblewoman who rescued him from death. While amassing his fortune in India, not a day passed he did not recall Felicity's fair loveliness, did not recall the silken tones of her sweet voice, did not desire to possess her.

Now a widow, Felicity Harrison does not recognize the handsome nabob as the young man left for dead by highwayman years earlier. Though she wants nothing more than to snub the arrogant man who promises to rescue her family from financial ruin in exchange for presenting his sister to Society, she cannot snub him. She must force herself to bear his company. But the longer she is with him, the more she has to force herself to remain true to her dead husband's memory. Why is it the humbly born Thomas Moreland possesses more nobility that any man of her class? And why is it she finds it harder and harder to mourn a dead man when Thomas's virility awakens her deepest desires?

With His Ring (The Brides of Bath Series #2)

Texas Gold's Runner-up for Best Historical Romance 2002

Highly recommended. –
Under the Covers

Cheryl Bolen does it again! There is laughter, and the interaction of the characters pulls you right into the book. I look forward to the next in this series. 4 Stars –
Romantic Times

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If you liked Cheryl Bolen's first installment in her Brides of Bath series set in Regency England, you'll like this one. With His Ring has plenty of sensuality. –
Happily Ever After

* * *

Glee Pembroke has turned down countless offers of marriage because she has secretly been in love with her brother's best friend, Gregory Blankenship, all her life. When she learns Gregory will lose his considerable fortune if he's not wed by his twenty-fifth birthday, she persuades him to enter into a sham marriage with her. What he doesn't know is that she plans to win his heart. She will do everything in her power to make him happy – including mimicking the ways of a "fast" woman since he's noted for alliances with women of that sort.