Chapter Twelve
M alcolm knocked at the Rawlings residence the following day. The weather had taken a turn for the worse, with gray clouds covering the sun and a brisk breeze ruffling the tails of his greatcoat. He had spent the night thinking about Adeline Amberley. She was in the worst kind of predicament, one not of her making, and having no choices. She thought he did not know the trouble her father and brother were embroiled in, but he understood the danger their dealings put her family in far too well. It was not only her betrothal to Bellamy but also the scandal that would ruin the family when her father was caught trying to sell the stolen goods. Malcolm had no doubt that the foreign secretary would turn on Rawlings at a moment’s notice to save his own skin.
Malcolm needed to see Admiral Daniels and fill him in on what he had learned last night, but he wanted to speak with Danby first. George had not shown up last night at the Blue Angel. Malcolm had waited for a good hour, wondering what it was that had had George so jittery earlier in the night. Today, they must speak candidly and Malcolm would see if he could get George to see reason and turn over the artifacts.
The front door finally opened, and the butler stood blocking the entrance. “Good morning, I am here to see Lord Danby.” He handed the butler his card.
“The family is not receiving visitors today,” the butler replied without taking the outstretched card.
“Can you please give this to Lord Danby. He expressly asked to speak with me.” Of course, that had been last night, but surely Danby wouldn’t refuse to see him.
Over the butler’s shoulder, Malcolm saw Adeline descend the front stairs. She spotted him and paused halfway down. “Lord Kingsbury?”
Without thinking twice, Malcolm stepped past the butler. He took off his hat. “Lady Amberley, I came to see your brother. He did not show up for our meeting last night.”
Adeline continued down the stairs, and as she got closer, he could see that her eyes were red-rimmed and puffy from crying.
He strode across the foyer. “What’s wrong?”
She flew down the last three steps and launched herself at him. Malcolm enfolded her in his arms as a small sob sounded against his chest. “Oh, it’s terrible. He was left on the doorstep early this morning. They thought he was dead.”
“Who?” Malcolm ran a hand over her hair and gently pulled her head back so he could hear what she was trying to say.
She tried to take a breath in, but it ended in a hysterical hiccup. “George. The servants found him unconscious on the front stoop early this morning when the coal delivery came. He has been badly beaten. His right arm was broken, and several ribs most likely cracked. And his face…” She burrowed back against Malcolm.
“Good Lord. Has he been seen by a doctor?”
She nodded. “It’s all my fault.” Her voice was muffled against his coat.
“Nonsense. Why would you think such a thing?”
“I can’t tell you.” Her hands gripped his coat, and she banged her forehead against his chest.
Malcolm looked around. The butler had closed the door, and the foyer was empty. He moved with her to sit them both on the stairs. “Let us dispel this nonsense. First, you can tell me anything. Second, I know more than you think about your circumstances. I planned to speak to George about it last night. But he never showed up at the Blue Angel, where we planned to meet after the ball. Now, why would you think what happened to George was your fault?”
Her eyes stayed downcast, staring at their joined hands. “I overheard men speaking to my father in his office last week. Rough men who threatened to hurt what’s most precious to him if he didn’t pay him the money he owes them.”
“And what’s more precious than his heir?” Malcolm murmured.
Adeline’s gaze lifted, her eyes watery with emotion. She nodded. “I should have told someone. I should have told George. Maybe then he could have been warned…”
He brushed away a tear. “You couldn’t have known what exactly they meant to do. Can I see him? Is he awake?”
Adeline looked surprised, but again, she nodded. “He is awake but somewhat groggy from the laudanum the doctor gave him. Come with me.”
They stood and climbed the stairs. Malcolm kept hold of her hand as if he could keep her safe if he just didn’t let go. These men used her brother to send a message. They would be back if her father didn’t pay them immediately. Malcolm knew that the way Rawlings would pay off his debts was to get the money from Bellamy in exchange for Adeline. Malcolm squeezed her hand. He would not see her shackled to that criminal in gentleman’s clothing.
Adeline stopped at a door halfway down the hallway. She knocked softly and then entered. Malcolm waited in the threshold as Adeline crossed to the bed. George was propped up on three pillows, his face a mess of bruises. His right arm was folded in a sling across his chest.
His eyes fluttered open as his sister approached. “Addy, can I have some water, please?” he croaked.
She poured him a glass of water from a pitcher at his bedside and handed it to him. “You have a visitor. Are you feeling up to seeing Lord Kingsbury?”
George’s gaze shifted to the door. His eyes widened, but he nodded. “Yes, yes, come in.”
Malcolm crossed to the bedside, and Adeline melted backward to leave, closing the door behind her. He looked down at George’s blackened eye and swollen lip. Damn, they had really worked him over. “Came to track you down this morning after you stood me up last night.”
“Ran into some trouble,” George replied.
“I can see that. Is this what had you so jittery last night?”
George shook his head and then winced. He closed his eyes briefly. “No, didn’t see this coming. Couldn’t talk my way out with these fellows. Father owes them money. Used to his debts being to other gentlemen at the tables. Always able to figure out something.”
“Has it to do with the stolen artifacts?”
Surprise flared briefly in George’s eyes. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I could be discreet. If you gave me the pieces, I could return them without implicating you.”
“I can’t. Father…” His good hand flexed into a fist. “I simply haven’t any idea what you are referring to.”
So, it was going to be like that. Malcolm sighed. “What did you want to talk to me about last night?”
“Wanted to ask you…” George struggled to take in a deep breath.
“Are you all right? Can you breathe?”
“Fine, just hurts. Need you to watch out for Adeline. Things are complicated. Now, dangerous, maybe. Can you keep an eye on her for me?”
“Absolutely, but your father has accepted Lord Bellamy’s offer for her.”
“What? No. I have some extra money hidden from my father. I can pay off the debts. They wouldn’t listen last night; I couldn’t even get them to tell me how much. This morning, Father wouldn’t even look me in the eye.” George closed his eyes for several moments. “Can you take Addy to my estate in Wiltshire? I will deal with things here. I can keep Bellamy at bay for a while.”
Even though he doubted that George could deal with anything in his current state, Malcolm nodded in agreement. Getting Adeline out of town and somewhere safe had just become his top priority. “What about your mother? Shall I take her as well?”
“No, she won’t go. Hates to have her routine disturbed. She never leaves the house anyway. She will be safe in her tower.”
Malcolm stared down at his friend. He was going to hate to get him in trouble, but he had to report what he knew to Daniels. Scandal was inevitable for the family, but he would do what he could to protect Adeline. He could marry her and give her his name and the protection that being a marchioness would provide to her reputation. The trouble was she was far too analytical to be swept off her feet by hasty proposals, but he vowed to spend every moment of their trip to Wiltshire convincing her that he was the right choice in her husband hunt.
“George, if I take your sister under my protection, I am going to make her mine. I won’t allow her to marry Bellamy.”
George nodded. “I couldn’t imagine a better match. Keep her safe.”