Читать книгу Only Scandal Will Do - Jenna Jaxon - Страница 8

4

As she hurried down the dark alleyway beside the House of Pleasure, Kat had no idea where she was. No matter. Rid of kidnappers and purchaser, she drew in an exhilarating breath of damp air to celebrate her freedom. She would find her way home eventually.

Kat crossed a fairly deserted street to avoid two men huddled around a smoldering brazier. The cold cobblestones slick under her bare feet, she tried to keep her balance and squinted in the poor light. Only one lamp lit on the entire block. Despite the need for haste, she had to be careful not to slip and do even more damage to her aching body. Upon reaching the sidewalk opposite, her feet squelched into something soft and slick; an earthy, decaying smell assailed her. A shudder raced up her spine as she tried not to think about what it might have been. Only escape mattered.

At a crossroads, she paused to peer both ways. Her best chance would be to find a more populated area where there might be a night watchman. A glance back the way she came showed no pursuit. Relief washed over her. She was truly free. Now to avoid being accosted by some other man. Pulling the cloak around her tightly–her gown, if seen, would certainly suggest her to be a whore of the first degree–she listened for the din of people. A faint clamor to her left made her pray her luck had turned, and she struck out down the shadowy avenue.

At the end of the street she rounded the corner and stumbled backward. Spread before her in the golden glow of the oil lamps that lined the street, a busy London thoroughfare teemed with life. Street vendors hawked their wares, tempting passersby with bunches of colorful flowers, articles of clothing, and all manner of food. The rich smell of roasted meat wafted over Katarina, and her empty stomach rumbled in protest. Gentlemen in elegant evening attire streamed out of a nearby building, hailing hackney cabs, their brightly garbed companions chatting and clinging to their arms. After the quiet darkness of the previous streets, the bright, bustling scene dazzled her.

One foppishly dressed gentleman on the opposite corner handed a lady into a waiting hack. If only she were that woman. The cab moved off the moment the door shut and there, praise God, on the opposite corner stood two night watchmen. Kat plunged across, disregarding a shouted curse from an oncoming carriage in her haste to find a safe haven.

“Constable! Thank God!” Kat slid to a stop before the men carrying the lanterns and staffs that proclaimed their office. One caught her by the elbow and steadied her before she fell. “Can you please help me?” she panted, overjoyed at the promise of rescue.

The two men, one old enough to be called ancient, the other almost a boy in comparison, measured her with a practiced look. The older one glared and thrust his staff at her. “Get along with you now. Can’t be peddling your wares so brazen in front of us. Take your business ’round the corner.”

All the fear and shame of the evening rushed back. Did everyone tonight think her a harlot? She glared first at one man then the other, but they returned her stare with unwavering condemnation. At the end of her reserve of courage, she collapsed into tears.

“Now, now, dearie. Ain’t no call for all that carryin’ on,” the older man said. “Just move on outta our sight and we won’t bother you no more.”

The younger of the two put a hand on her shoulder, for comfort or to help move her on her way, Kat had no idea, but she broke. No! Not again! She jerked away from the man, drew back her arm and walloped him alongside his head.

“’Ere now! You can’t be ’itting an officer of the watch.” His companion stepped in, still quite spry for his years, grabbed her arms and pinned them behind her back.

Assailed by the memories of the earlier brutality, Kat twisted in his arms. “Nooo! Let me go! Let me go!” Sinewy muscle held her fast, the coarse cloth of the watchman’s homespun shirt scratching her bare arms. Her efforts weakened as her strength reached its limits. Gasping for air, she couldn’t find enough. One last struggle to breathe, and darkness descended.

* * * *

The low crackle of a fire, its warmth flickering along her cheek, brought Kat toward consciousness. With an effort, she opened her eyes to faded yellow walls and dingy white ceiling plaster. A hard settle underneath her, a none-too-clean gray wool blanket covering her. She closed her eyes again and frowned, trying to remember where she was and why. When the events of the evening crashed back, she sat up so abruptly the world wavered into darkness again. Tears of rage and exhaustion trickled slowly across her cheeks. She sank back, drawing the dirty cover up to her chin, a poor shield against the prying eyes of the world.

Before she began to cry in earnest, a door opened. A matronly woman in the dark clothing of a servant entered, bearing a tray with a pot of tea and a cup. “Have you woke up good now, dear?” the woman said, and placed the tray on a nearby table. Her ordinary round smiling face, dark brown eyes and apple red cheeks seemed somehow out of place in this new, nightmarish world.

The cheerful woman poured tea and Kat cautiously sat up. “There you go.” The servant put the cup and saucer into her hands. They shook so badly, however, the woman rescued her cup, then sat down on the settle beside her. “Here, dear. Drink a bit. I put in extra sugar and,” she dropped her voice conspiratorially, “a nice drop of brandy. You looks like you needs something to fortify you.”

The kind matron tipped the cup toward Kat’s mouth and she drank obediently. The hot, sweet tea stole into her empty stomach where the brandy started a pleasant fire. Another good gulp and she found she could hold the cup herself.

“Thank you, ma’am.” She gratefully drained the rest and gazed around the austere room, noting the plain plaster walls and paucity of furniture. “Could you tell me where I am, please?”

The friendly woman nodded. “No wonder you don’t know where you are, dear, you being dead to the world when they carried you in. You’re at Four Bow Street.”

“Bow Street?”

“The magistrate’s office, miss.”

The scene on the corner surfaced and Kat shivered, once again grateful for the generous splash of brandy. “Have they arrested me?” she whispered.

The woman patted her arm. “I’m sure I don’t know, dear. They just told me as you’d had a chill and needed something hot.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” At a loss, she simply sat beside the woman, silent, trying to think of nothing. It seemed safer.

The door opened, interrupting her reverie, to admit the constables of the night watch with another man whose self-assured air attested he was in charge. They came toward her and she shrank back on the settle, clutching the blanket to her chest.

“It’s all right, miss.” The gentleman with the authoritative mein spoke gently. “My name is Reginald Matthews, one of Sir John Fielding’s Runners. No one means you any harm.”

The man appeared quite distinguished, perhaps thirty-five, with dark blond hair neatly clubbed back. His kind blue eyes exuded concern while his conservative dress, in gray coat and waistcoat, invited trust. He tempted Kat to try her story again.

“Can you please help me?” She searched his handsome face for some speck of understanding. “Two men kidnapped me earlier this evening from a carriage carrying me and my brother, the earl of Manning, to Lady Beaufort’s masquerade ball.”

The absolute shock on Matthews’s face made Kat want to laugh until he responded, “Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam?”

Her jaw dropped. “You know who I am?”

Matthews blinked at her in astonishment. “We’ve been looking for you since early this evening, my lady. Your coachman gave the alarm as soon as he reached home. Your butler contacted me and reported that two men had abducted you, then gave a vague description of them. And a somewhat better one of you, thank goodness. We’ve had runners dispatched all over the city trying to find some clue to your whereabouts.”

Safe! Katarina could scarcely comprehend the sudden fairy-tale ending to her journey through hell. Her shoulders heaved as great wrenching sobs tore from her throat, relief rolling through her as though she had escaped the gallows.

Matthews sat beside her and eased an arm around her in comfort. The gentle touch sent a wave panic through her. Her elbow shot out, connecting with his stomach. A grunt escaped him and he slid to the other end of the settle, breathing heavily.

“She don’t like bein’ touched, that’s fer sure. Bashed Collins a right good one out on the street,” volunteered the elder watchman, who got elbowed by his companion for his pains.

“So I see.” Matthews stood slowly, checking his ribs for damage. “Lady Katarina, neither I nor anyone in this house wishes you harm.”

Her crying slowed as she sniffed and Matthews passed her a plain, square linen handkerchief. Blotting her face, Kat rallied her courage. The biggest unknown right now– “Where is my brother?”

Reginald Matthews’s mouth tightened. “He was removed to your home and is being cared for by one of the best physicians in London, but he has not yet regained consciousness.” Ice stole toward her heart. “The blow hit your brother quite close to his temple, which I’m told can be dangerous. A footman is stationed at the house to bring me word of his recovery.”

Horrified by this news, Katarina struggled to her feet. The ice that froze her heart now flowed out through her veins, numbing her. She clutched the blanket around her shoulders like armor. “You must take me to him. I must go to Jack!”

She glared defiantly from one man to the next, and when none moved, shouted, “Get out of my way! You will not keep me from my brother!” She pushed past the cowed watch.

“My lady.” Matthews’s low voice, designed to soothe, remained calm. He pistoned an arm out to the wall to keep her from the doorway.

She shoved against him in vain before he curled a large hand around her shoulder in gentle but firm restraint. She went still, staring at him in accusation.

“I give you my word, you will see your brother soon. As he seems in no immediate danger, I must insist on questioning you now about your abduction. Getting all the information as quickly as we can will make all the difference in apprehending your kidnappers.”

Katarina closed her eyes to get herself in hand. Such a wild display would not help Jack. Though part of her had been spoiling for a fight all evening, if she was going to trust any man tonight, Matthews was the one.

She forced herself to take a breath and relax. Matthews apparently remembered his sore ribs and moved away from her. “I do beg your pardon, Mr. Matthews. I am not always so violent toward strangers, but my ordeal this evening has left me...defensive.” A deep breath, slowly exhaled, and she could meet his light blue gaze. “If you would question me, may we begin now? I would like to see my brother as soon as possible and change out of these disgusting clothes.”

Matthews nodded. “Of course, my lady. If you would be so good as to sit down again?” He motioned toward the settle and glanced at the matron. “Mrs. Dove, please bring more tea for Lady Katarina, and a change of clothes if such can be found this time of night.”

“Yes, sir.” The cheery Mrs. Dove dipped a curtsy and left the room, followed close at heel by the night watchmen.

Left alone with Matthews, she returned to the settle, drawing the blanket around her shoulders more securely. “You have questions for me, Mr. Matthews?”

“Yes, my lady.” His tone was low and inviting. “And perhaps it will put you at ease to know that we are distantly related.”

“We are?” She stared at him, incredulous.

“Yes. Bow Street doesn’t usually take an interest in such things as kidnapping. But I am a cousin on your grandmother’s side. I was also your late uncle’s namesake–William is my second name–so he took an interest in me and my career here. That’s how Simons knew to contact me about your disappearance.”

Kat continued to stare, but relaxed a trifle as a glimmer of hope emerged. Perhaps this man would be able to help her after all. A relative would have only her best interests in mind.

“That does indeed make a difference, Mr. Matthews. A connection, no matter how distant, is always a comfort.

“Very well, my lady. Can you please describe the events of tonight in as much detail as possible, starting with your departure from your townhouse in St. James.”

“My brother and I were going to Lady Beaufort’s masquerade ball in Mayfair,” she began carefully. He might be a relation, but her trust had limits. “We left the house perhaps half past eight.”

“You were dressed as you are now?”

She gave him a baleful stare. “I was dressed in this gown, yes. It hardly looked as it does now.” He shifted uncomfortably at her censure, but she continued. “I also had a half mask of silver that they discarded when they–”

“Do not get ahead of your tale, my lady. How far had you gone when you were accosted?”

She scowled at his impertinent interruption. “I am not at all familiar with London, sir. I cannot tell you where they stopped the carriage. But we had been traveling perhaps ten minutes? We were near a stand of trees. Jack and I were planning to ride in one of the parks tomorrow and I was insisting we go into the countryside instead so that we could have a long gallop like we used to in Virginia.” She stopped abruptly, glanced away. “I told my brother just this morning I wished we had never left.”

Matthews took one of her hands and rubbed it. “I can see how that statement would now seem almost prophetic.”

Kat allowed him the liberty, until it reminded her of the man in the black cloak. Startled at the memory, she withdrew her hand and forced her thoughts away from that dangerous road. “You are kind, sir.”

“And then?”

“We heard horses approaching, but thought nothing of it. People do go about on horseback. But then the carriage slowed. Jack rapped on the trap and asked what was wrong. We heard a pistol shot, a dueling pistol, and...”

“Your brother mentioned this?”

Katarina clenched her hands into fists and pressed her lips together so tightly they hurt. “I mention it now, Mr. Matthews. I heard the shot myself, and in my opinion it was a dueling pistol, not a carriage pistol. I have fired enough of both to know the difference in the sound of the caliber.”

Matthews’s eyes widened and he peered at her as if studying her anew. “Your pardon, my lady. I had no idea you were schooled in weaponry. And after the shot was fired?”

His cool acceptance of her claim sent him up several notches in her estimation and mollified her somewhat. “The carriage stopped and both doors were jerked open. One man pulled Jack out and the other grabbed me. I heard my brother cry out, then nothing.”

Matthews inclined his head. “You fought them?”

“I tried. You may have gathered I am not one to easily acquiesce to force.” She flashed him a brief smile. “But I was taken by surprise and could not get to our pistols before they dragged me from the carriage. If I had, the evening might well have turned out differently.”

“What did the kidnappers look like?”

“I don’t know.”

His eyebrows rose then drew together. “You cannot tell me what they looked like?”

She shook her head and studied her hands in her lap. “They knocked me out. I woke up by myself in a strange room.”

Kat risked a glance at him. His incredulous stare said he had a hard time accepting her story. But a gentleman never called a lady a liar. Especially one to whom he was related.

“Can you describe the room? The furnishings? The walls?” His calm voice carried an undertone of frustration. She sympathized, but needed to stay her course.

“A small room. Plaster walls, nothing distinguishing. One window, but it had bars on it. Some little furniture.”

“A bed?”

She met his eyes, unflinching. “Assuredly.”

Matthews waited, but she continued her silence and stared at him, daring him to press her further. “What happened after the kidnappers left you?”

“I waited, I don’t know how long. Then I tried the door, and it opened.”

The stony look on Matthews’s face indicated his displeasure with her. “The kidnappers went to the trouble to kidnap you, bring you to this house, then left the door open so you could escape?”

She took a deep breath. “I don’t think they left it open, Mr. Matthews. I think it didn’t latch properly when they shut it. A fortunate occurrence for me. When I discovered there was no one in the hall, I managed to slip out into the street. Then I found the watch and ended up here.”

Matthews’s smile was not pleasant, but something in his eyes said he understood her reluctance to tell the truth. “You are certainly the most resourceful young woman I have ever met.”

She shook her head. “Had I been truly resourceful, I would not be here at all.”

“And I might never have had the pleasure of meeting you, my lady.”

Mrs. Dove bustled in with the tea tray and a bundle under her arm. “Here’s your fresh tea, my lady.” She set the tray down and unfolded the parcel until it became a simple gray dress. “I’ve found a gown what should do you to go on with. Might be a bit plain, but ’tis clean and serviceable. Shoes too.” She placed them on the floor beside her bare feet. “Maybe a bit big, but they’ll do to get you home.”

“My thanks, Mrs. Dove. Both are greatly appreciated. Might I have some warm water to wash with before I put them on?” Kat scrubbed at her dirty hands with the handkerchief in a forlorn attempt to make herself presentable.

“Gracious, my lady. I should have had you cleaned up long ago. Come with me down the hall here. I’ll get you all set so you can have a wash and change.” Mrs. Dove fussed, pulled the blanket closer around Kat, then bundled up the dress and slippers once more and led the way to a small necessary room.

Half an hour later, Kat reentered the interrogation room with a clean face, no longer clutching the dirty blanket to her chest. The coarse gray dress chafed her skin, but was worlds better than that disgusting gown. She walked up to Mr. Matthews, smiling. “I cannot thank you enough for your help and hospitality. I actually feel almost civilized again.”

“You were never in danger of being a savage, Lady Katarina.”

She laughed, short and sharp. “Tell that to my brother. May I go to him now? I am worried about him.”

“I have a carriage readied, along with an armed escort. You’ll not meet more misadventure under my watch.” He raised her hand toward his lips. “I will keep you apprised of my investigation. Someone will pay for this night’s work.”

Mrs. Dove entered, carrying a grubby garment. “You left your gown when you changed, my lady.” She held out the small parcel of filthy white cloth.

Seeing the odious gown made her want to retch. “It is beyond repair, Mrs. Dove. Would you please dispose of it for me? I suggest you burn it.” She turned on her heel and swept out of the room, barely managing to not run.