The Temptation of Lady Serena (27 page)
Read The Temptation of Lady Serena Online
Authors: Ella Quinn
Tags: #Fiction, #Romance, #Historical, #General, #Regency
“Good morning.” Robert greeted Phoebe and Marcus. “We were wondering when you’d join us.”
Serena rode ahead to gallop the fidgets out of Shamir. Robert had taken care of hers after breakfast, when she’d gone to change. She’d die a slow death if ever he went to another woman.
Uncle Henry made comments here and there as he surveyed the fields and was clearly impressed. “You’ve done a good job, Beaumont.”
“I’d like to take the credit, but it was Serena who showed me what needed to be done. I’d never really talked with one of my tenants until she entered their cottages and left me to fend for myself. It was not the way my father taught me.”
Robert and Serena took Henry, Phoebe, and Marcus to the Johnsons’ farm so that St. Eth could see the renovations and the new cottages. It pleased Serena that he was so impressed.
Afterward, Robert led the way to the ash grove where Freddy and Edward waited for them.
Freddy searched their faces. “How did it go?”
Serena handed her reins to Robert. “I think it went well. Uncle Henry was pleased, wasn’t he, Robert?”
“I think so,” Robert replied.
Uncle Henry had dismounted and Robert turned to her uncle. “Here, I’ll take those, sir.”
Robert took Henry’s reins and tied them to a tree.
Serena spied the long trestle table set up with plates, cutlery, wine, and platters of food. It reminded her of a London party. “Oh my, this wasn’t exactly what I had in mind when I asked for a simple picnic to be set out.”
Robert lips twitched. “No, nor I.”
“Cook certainly outdid herself.” Serena would have to make a point of complimenting Cook. “How much will you wager that this is puffing off our consequence to Uncle Henry?”
He grinned. “Not a groat.”
They took their places at the table, and Serena signaled for the footmen to begin serving.
A smile hovered around Uncle Henry’s lips. “Do you always picnic in such splendor?”
She was about to admit it was not what she had planned, when Robert held up a glass of well-chilled wine to Henry in a toast.
“It is in your honor, my lord.”
St. Eth saluted Robert and Serena with his glass. “This was very well done. You are to be congratulated.”
She glanced at Robert and a sense of pride at all they’d accomplished came over her. “Thank you, Uncle Henry.”
After the meal, Phoebe and Marcus, along with Edward and Freddy, went to explore the grove.
“Tell me,” Henry said. “Catherine mentioned to me a problem with missing children?”
Serena pressed her lips together. The horror of that missing child was never far from her mind. “A thug has been taking them, we think, for the mines.”
“Serena saved one of the boys,” Robert said. “I’ve had my gamekeeper searching for campsites.”
A scream from off in the woods on the other side of the small stream rent the relative quiet. Serena glanced toward the trees.
Robert ran toward the cry, and a young boy, of about eight years, tore out of the wood. A large man with a thin scar on his face followed.
Chapter Twenty-four
“R
obert, that’s the man who’s been taking the children!” Serena cried, quickly running toward the lad.
obert, that’s the man who’s been taking the children!” Serena cried, quickly running toward the lad.
“Serena, stay where you are.” Robert bounded across the stream. He grabbed the youngster, and returned to give the child to Serena, before Robert, followed by Marcus, took off after the kidnapper. Just a few seconds after the men had left, there was a sound of horses.
Serena held the shivering boy to her, calmly cooing to him. “There now. He won’t touch you again. Tell me your name and how you came to be taken by that villain.”
The youth sniffed and nodded. “Me name’s Arch. Me and my brothers was fishing, and he come up and grabbed me. He tried to get my next brother, but they took off.”
“Your next brother? Do you mean the brother closest to you in age?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“How long have you been with the kidnapper?” Serena asked.
“It were the day afore yesterday he took me.”
“Can you tell me where you are from?”
“Wood Hill.”
Serena glanced at Phoebe. “Catherine’s property.”
Phoebe nodded slightly.
Freddy and Edward came rushing up. “What is it?” Freddy asked.
“It’s the kidnapper,” Serena replied, and then turned her head to see Robert, looking murderous, come crashing back through the woods with Marcus.
“I think we can catch them if we take the path through the forest. What’s the lad told you?” Robert asked.
Arch cowered and sidled against her.
“It will be all right, Arch. His lordship isn’t angry at you, but at the man who took you.” Serena tightened her hold on the boy. “Did the blackguard steal any other children?”
Arch nodded. “He had five others. They was all tied up, but he thought I was too little to get away. When he stopped to take a leak, I jumped down and ran as fast as I could from the wagon.”
“You did a very good job,” Serena said with approval. “Now, do you know where he was taking you?”
“No, ma’am. He just said he had a place he’d keep us and it weren’t far.”
“Good. I’m going to leave you with these men.” Serena pointed at the footmen. “They’ll feed you and give you something to drink before they take you to my home. Lady Ware is my aunt, and she’s staying with me.”
She signaled to the older footman. “Feed him and then take him to the Hall. He’s one of Lady Ware’s dependants. We will try to find the other children.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Henry touched her arm. “I’ll go back to the Hall and notify the magistrate. Do you want me to send round to the rectory as well?”
“Yes, thank you. I don’t know how long this will take.” She glanced up. “Robert, are you ready?”
His lips formed a thin line. “You’re not coming.”
“I most certainly am.” Serena looked pointedly at Phoebe and Freddy, already mounted. “Don’t waste time trying to argue with me.”
“It is too dangerous,” he said, clipping his words.
“These are my people too.” Serena clenched her jaw. “I am going and unless you plan to tie me up, you can’t stop me. You have no right to stop me.”
With a growl, he tossed her up into her saddle, mounted, and rode off before she could settle her skirts.
“What was all that about?” Phoebe asked.
Serena gritted her teeth. “Robert’s autocratic nature. Let’s go before he gets too far ahead. I don’t want him to lose us.”
Ahead of them, Robert scowled at Marcus. “Why are you allowing Phoebe to come?”
Marcus raised a brow. “Even if I wanted to, how do you propose I stop her?”
“Isn’t there something in the marriage vows about obeying?”
Marcus glanced at Robert as if he’d lost his mind. “Yes, and you’d be well advised never to mention it.”
Robert turned at the tattoo of hooves behind them. “We’ll discuss this later. Our ladies are almost upon us.”
They were riding in a lane just wide enough for two horses side by side. After a little bit, Serena looked around. “I don’t remember this being Hall land. Whose is it?”
“Mine,” Edward scowled.
A few minutes later, Marcus rode up to Serena. “We’ve picked up the kidnapper’s trail. Is there a building out here where children could be hidden?”
“Yes, an old barn,” Edward replied tightly. “I know a shortcut through the woods that is much faster than the trail. If there are children being kept there, I’ll be able to get them to safety before you and Robert arrive via the road.”
Marcus nodded at Edward, then turned to his wife. “Phoebe?”
“I’ll go with Serena. You and Robert take care.”
“Always, my love. You as well.” Marcus rode back to Robert.
“Edward, we’ll follow you,” Serena said.
Freddy rode up next to Edward. “Darling, what is it? You look so distraught.”
“My cousin and heir, Aubrey, swore to me he was not involved in the kidnappings. I didn’t believe him and warned Aubrey I would see him transported. It appears my fears were correct. No one else would know about the barn.”
“Oh, Edward, I’m so sorry.”
“We’ll deal with him later. Let’s worry about the children now.”
Shamir seemed to sense Serena’s urgency and tried to outpace the other horses, but Serena held him back. “It won’t do you a bit of good. I don’t know where we’re going.”
He tossed his head.
Edward slowed as they arrived on the outskirts of the clearing around the barn. He lowered his voice. “I’ll go on ahead. If there is no one else around, I’ll wave for you to approach.”
“I’m coming with you,” Freddy said.
“Freddy . . .”
“No. I’ll not debate this. If we’re caught, we can say you are showing me around the property. Besides, you’ll look less threatening if I’m with you.”
Phoebe nodded. “Edward, she’s right. Couples always look more innocent than single men.”
He sighed. “Come then.”
As they rode forward, Serena kept her eyes on the barn searching for any indication another villain was there. “My guess is that the path leads up to the door.”
“I think you’re right,” Phoebe responded.
A few minutes later, Edward and Freddy waved. He led them to the door, which had a new lock. Rage infused his face. He stepped back to kick at it when Phoebe stopped him.
“Here, let me try.” She took out her dagger and poked around the large iron padlock. Soon, a satisfied smile appeared on her face and the lock released.
“Lady Evesham, where did you learn to do that?” Edward asked, impressed.
Phoebe smiled smugly. “I have a husband with a great many unique talents and, please, call me Phoebe.”
“Let’s see what we have.” Serena pulled open one half of the large door while Edward opened the other. Light flooded the immediate inside of the barn and there was a rustling. No fewer than fifteen boys ranging in age from seven or eight to young teens peered out from the back of the barn. That villain had been busy.
“You’re safe. I’m Lady Serena from the Hall. We’ve come to take you home.” How could anyone do something so evil? She fixed her eyes on one of the older boys. “Are any of the blackguards around?”
The boy shook his head.
“Good.”
Serena approached the children. They were restrained with metal cuffs attached to chains. She followed the chains to some iron rings set into the ground. Serena trembled in fury. “What kind of monster does this? How do we get these things off them? Phoebe, can you use your knife?”
“I’ll certainly try.” Phoebe inserted the point of her dagger and twisted it. “There’s the first one.”
Serena and Freddy helped each boy to his feet while Edward kept watch.
“I hear the wagon,” he said.
Phoebe glanced up. “I just need a few more minutes.”
Serena took a breath. “Edward, close the doors and relock them. You, Robert, and Marcus can come in once the wagon is inside.”
When the doors shut, the barn darkened. A tingle of fear ran down Serena’s back as the lock clicked. She moved the boys to the wall near the door. “We have two men following the wagon. Once the doors are open and he drives in, very quietly leave the barn and go to the gentleman who was just here. Do you understand me?”
The boys nodded.
“Good. Don’t go anywhere else. Once we’ve dealt with the monster who put you here, we’ll make arrangements to send you home. Is there just the one villain, the one with the slash on his face?”
“No, my lady, there was another. A nob, by the looks of him.”
“Can you tell me what he looks like?”
“Looked a lot like that other gent’man which helped us.”
Serena turned to Freddy, surprised.
“It must be Aubrey Malfrey, Edward’s cousin and heir. He’s been staying here. Edward suspected, but hoped . . . Oh, poor Edward.”
Serena spoke calmly. “There’s nothing we can do about it now. We must concentrate on the children. Where’s Phoebe?”
“I’m here,” Phoebe answered from above.
“Phoebe, what are you doing, and how did you get up there?”
“All barns have lofts. I just found the ladder. There is a small window up here overlooking the path. Once our villain gets near the doors, I’ll try to signal Marcus and Robert.”
Serena turned back to the boys. One of the smaller ones began to weep and she took him into her arms. “You mustn’t cry now. I’m here to care for you. Tell me your name and how long you’ve been here.”
“My name’s Ben. I don’t know. A long time.”
“My lady,” an older boy said. “Ben was caught the same time as me. I make it to be ’bout two weeks.”
“What’s your name?”
“Erasmus, my lady.”
“Erasmus, do you know where they were taking you?”
“No, my lady, but I heard somethin’ about some ship.”
“Serena,” Freddy said, “I’ll wager you it has something to do with slavery of some sort.”
“I’d hate to believe it,” Serena said, “but I cannot think of what else it could be. Thank the Lord we were able to find them in time. Is Jemmy here?”
“That’s me, my lady.”
“Be quiet now. I see him,” Phoebe called down.
“All right, boys, hug the wall so he can’t see you when he drives in and be silent. No noise at all.”
The wagon stopped and the door unlocked and opened. Serena’s heart pounded so loudly, she was sure the man could hear it.
She, Freddy, and the boys were plastered against the wall on the opposite side from where the boys had been chained. As soon as the wagon cleared the door, Freddy pushed the children out. A slight rustling of hay told Serena that Phoebe was back.
As the last boy left, a large shadow fell across the open door.
The man untied one end of the ropes holding the boys from something fixed to the bed of the wagon. Serena stood on tiptoe, but still couldn’t see what it was. He lifted them down one by one, keeping hold of the loose ends of rope.
The shadows shifted. Robert and Marcus entered, walking toward the man.
Robert scowled with rage. Not the cold anger she’d seen in him at other times, but something infinitely more dangerous.
Primitive.
A word she’d never before associated with him. Robert grabbed the villain as he set the last child on the ground, twisted him around, and hit him squarely on the nose.
Primitive.
A word she’d never before associated with him. Robert grabbed the villain as he set the last child on the ground, twisted him around, and hit him squarely on the nose.
“That’s for stealing children on my land.”
Robert hit the man again. “That is for threatening my wife.”
Robert punched him in the stomach. “And that is for causing the parents of these children worry.”
Serena’s heart swelled with joy, watching Robert defend them. “Robert?”
“Yes, my love?”
“Might I please have one for scaring the children?”
Robert’s lips tilted up. He bowed. “Of course, my love.”
He turned back to the thug, who was still doubled over. Grabbing his hair, Robert pulled the villain’s head back and let go as he drove his fist into the man’s face. “That is for scaring the children.”
The blackguard fell to the floor.
Serena glanced at Robert and pointed to the chains. “You can secure him to those.”
After the children were unbound, Freddy took them to Edward.
Serena went to Robert. “The man has an accomplice. Freddy thinks it may be Aubrey Malfrey, Edward’s cousin. The children also mentioned a ship.”
Robert’s jaw clenched. “Slave trade of some sort, no doubt.”
“Yes, that’s what we think.”
“We need to summon the magistrate.” Robert turned a basilisk eye on the culprit, his smile anything but nice. “Those chains will give him a taste of his own medicine.”
“What if his partner returns while we’re gone?” Serena asked. “They’ll only continue their perfidious acts.”
“A rider approaching,” Phoebe called softly.
The three moved quickly to the side of the barn. Phoebe slid in next to Marcus.
They waited until the rider entered and dismounted. The man was tall and slender, with light brown hair. He glanced around and stared at his henchman, chained and gagged.
Robert stepped forward. “Aubrey Malfrey.”
“I’m afraid you have the advantage, sir.”
“Viscount Beaumont, at your service.”
Malfrey executed a slight bow and charged Robert.
Robert deftly stepped aside and hit him on the back of the neck. Malfrey went down. Robert glanced at Serena, but she saw the movement behind him and screamed, “Robert, Malfrey has a gun!”
Beaumont turned quickly and attacked. As Robert kicked the weapon out of Malfrey’s hand, it discharged.
Robert dropped to the floor, blood flowed from his head. Marcus punched Malfrey, who crumpled to the ground.
Blood! There was so much blood.
Serena rushed to Robert, lifted his head to her lap and sobbed. “No, no, no!”
Serena rushed to Robert, lifted his head to her lap and sobbed. “No, no, no!”
Phoebe tried to pull her away. “Serena, love, let Marcus look at him. He knows what he’s doing.”
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