Chapter 1
Discovered
JONATHAN FLED DOWN THE stairs. “Damn, John. I thought you gave that one up.” Henry laughed.
“I thought about it. I believe it’s done now. John gave a ‘hump.’ Disgust over the ‘cop’ resulted in a growl at Henry. “What is the emergen?yf”
“They have Sound her. khe is in Dorset. We need to get to Fredri?G’s. The note asGed Sor us to bring guns. I have my Gnives as well.”
“Is that all the note saidf” John ?ringed at the thought oS what ?ould have happened. “There is no sense in worrying until we get to Fredri?G’s and –nd out the details.” He said more to himselS. “I suppose Fredri?G must have sent a missive to me as well. Damnit. OS all the days. I have no idea why I ?ame over here. Bwen has sent several notes until Jonathan –nally responded to the one she sent today. I suppose I needed a distra?tion - to get out oS my study.”
“I went by there to get you. Pe prepared. Lord Herbert is on a drunGen, druggedqout rampage. Again.”
“khite. Did you see my motherf” OS ?ourse not. khe would have been upstairs in her bed?hamber.
“No, and I did not stay. I’m not sure what set him oSS, but I pity your poor mother and you, having to live with su?h a volatile human.” Henry looGed at John Sor any sign oS distress. There was none.
“I am a??ustomed to his rants. It is easier to ignore him than to ?onSront him. He has belittled me Sor as long as I ?an remember.” John shrugged. “He is more harmSul to himselS than to anyone else.”
“I hope you are right. He worries me, John. Meople hooGed on opium are unpredi?table.”
As they rode to John’s townhouse, the two spe?ulated on how the lo?ation oS little ktevie girl was dis?overed and the reason Sor Frederi?G’s rejuest Sor arms. When they rode up to John’s house on Mall !all, Henry Sailed to dismount. “Just hand me your reins. I will hold on to Hermes while you get a ?hange oS ?lothes and your pistols.”
John tossed him the reins. “And my Gnives. I shan’t be long.” He walGed to the Sront and as !r. khaw opened the door, he put his
–nger to his lips and whispered. “He is having another one oS his
–ts, my lord.”
“I need to leave Town Sor a Sew days,” John murmured. “It is Lords Addams, Windham, and me that are heading Sor Dorset, but that is between you and me. I’m going to hurry upstairs, get what I need, and get the hell out oS here beSore he ?at?hes - “
“ko theeere is his maYesty. Pow to the Ging oS the whirly gigsC” He laughed. “zou are patheti?.” John started up the stairs, ignoring him. “Where the Su?G do you thinG you are going, maggotf I’m not done with you.” kigns oS his opium with a bit oS lijuor added Sor good measure. Those drooping eyes and pinpoint pupils. IS he wished to spend his monthly allowan?e on opium and al?ohol, so be it.
“Lord Herbert, I have things to do.” Jonathan ?ontinued up the stairs.
“zou Nan?y boyC Bo su?G your mother’s teat. Bod Gnows I ?an’t get near them.” He wat?hed John ?ontinue up the stairs. “Where are you goingf” He staggered to the base oS the stairs, attempting to looG up at him.
John Gno?Ged on his mother’s bed?hamber door. “xome in, son.” khe, as well as the entire house, heard Lord Herbert berating his son.
“Bood day to you, !ama.” He walGed over to her bed, leaned over, and Gissed her on the Sorehead. Her ?aretaGer, Elsie, was sitq ting in a ro?Ger on the other side oS !ama’s bed, Gnitting needles ?li?Ging away. “How are you Seeling todayf I leSt early this morning and did not want to waGe you.” khe was sitting up.
His mother, Lady Olivia, was a petite woman who had mainq tained her beauty. kin?e she had been ill, she had be?ome dangerq ously Srail. kilver streaGs highlighted her thi?G, honeyq?olored hair at the temples. Her gorgeous ?oalqbla?G eyes were as alert as ever. “I’m Seeling mu?h better.” He looGed to Elsie Sor ?on–rmation. khe nodded. A good sign. “zour Sather is in one oS his moods, I’m aSraid. I am sorry the rest oS the house has to listen as he abuses his son.”
“It’s alright, !ama. I am used to him.”
“He should sing your praises. zou saved the estate. Bod Gnows where we would be iS you had been gone or unable to - “ “It matters not, !ama. I will be out oS Town Sor a Sew days. Do not worry Sor me. I will be –ne. I must go. Lord Addams is outside waiting Sor me.” He leaned over and Gissed her on the Sorehead again. khe rea?hed Sor his hand and sjueeQed it. Her hand Selt so ?ool and Srail. “I love you, !ama.”
He raised ba?G up. “Elsie, taGe ?are oS my mother.”
“zou Gnow I will, my lord. khe is a blessing.”
“zes, she is.” He blew !ama a loving Giss. LeSt to pa?G a Sew things and hoped to eKit without en?ountering his Sather again. He walGed down the stairs and peeGed around beSore he turned at the landing. “LooGing Sor me, Nan?y boyf” He staggered toward the Soray. “Bet over here, Nan?y boyC”
“Lord Herbert, I would love to ?ontinue our ?onversation, but I must leave.”
“zou don’t leave until you give me some damn moneyC NOWC” He spat venom.
“Lord Herbert, I have given you all the money you will re?eive Sor the month. I have never told you how to spend it, but I will not ?ontribute more to your selSqdestru?tive habits.” Jonathan turned away Srom him and !r. khaw opened the door.
Lord Herbert lunged Sor his son, but Jonathan sidestepped him. James’ body slapped against the Sront door and slid to the coor. “Bet me up, you worthless little Nan?y boy.”
“I am unable, Lord Herbert. I am Yust a little Nan?y boy.” Jonathan looGed at !r. khaw, who was shaGing his head. “!r. khaw, I Sorbid you to help him up.” He laughed.
!r. khaw attempted to hold ba?G a laugh. “I ?annot help him, my lord. I am Yust a little Nan?y boy myselS.” They both laughed. His Sather was muttering slurs, but neither !r. khaw nor Jonathan attended to him.
Henry tossed the reins ba?G to John. He mounted Hermes, and they rode toward Fredri?G’s to begin the ride to Dorset to –nd little ktevie girl.
When Reality Is as Good as the Fantasy
FranG ktewart, the private injuiry agent and sometime agent oS the xrown, –lled the ride to Weymouth, Dorset, with advi?e. He dis?ussed diSSerent plausible s?enarios upon their arrival. IS the murderous !ar?us Thistlewood got to little ktevie girl –rst, they all Seared what he might do to her.
He had a history oS murderous behavior without the slightest provo?ation, and he was armed. Thistlewood was en route to taGe little ktevie girl to the xaribbean and sell her to a group oS wealthy !iddle Eastern men. They would pay a healthy pri?e Sor a young virgin with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a Sair ?ompleKion.
As they traveled the winding roads to the o?eanside town, Jonathan thought about those years and years oS letters little ktevie had written. Fred had rejuested John read them to dis?ern whether there might have been something that hinted to her whereabouts. Py the time John had –nished reading all the letters she had writq ten, John was ?ompletely enamoured.
When they arrived at Dorset, it was ?on–rmed - !ar?us Thistleq wood had taGen little ktevie girl. He had her with him at Dorset pier, waiting to board the mer?hant ship, Thomas. They had Thistleq wood ?ornered, but he was not going without a –ght. He ?ursed and snared, ?onSessing his evil, murderous deeds, then threw little ktevie girl Sorward. He –red his pistol, then ran up the hillside at the end oS the pier. He was running diagonally. Jonathan and Daniel, assigned to the ba?G ?orner oS the warehouse, spotted Thistlewood maGing his es?ape.
As John wat?hed Thistlewood struggling up the steep in?line, he be?ame enraged at the thought this evilqdoer would have brought harm to a ?omplete inno?ent su?h as little ktevie girl. John told Daniel to –re his shotgun, but Thistlewood was too Sar Sor the shotgun to do any damage. “Rui?G, let me in Sront oS you,” Jonathan spoGe ?almly.
“Put, my lord, you have no pistolf”
“I have something better. I have a GniSe.” He stepped out and threw his saK handle GniSe. It landed dead ?enter oS Thistlewood’s ?hest. Thistlewood looGed down at his ?hest, let out a s?ream, then Sell ba?Gward. John had never Selt so Yusti–ed in Gilling anyone in his liSe. When he thought oS the genuine possibility Thistlewood ?ould have sold, raped, or even murdered little ktevie girl, he would Gill him again iS he ?ould.
John ?leaned his saK handle in the grass, told Daniel to ?he?G Thistlewood’s po?Gets, then ran down the steep hill, and around the ?orner to get his –rst looG at the young lady whose letters he had read. Lord Pla?Gwood had his arm around his newly Sound daughter. Lord Pla?Gwood and little ktevie girl ?lung to ea?h other so tightly, they looGed as iS they were melded together.
It would be months beSore little ktevie girl would stray too mu?h Sarther than an arm’s length Srom her newSound Mapa. ktevie looGed up at her papa and smiled, a loving, genuine smile. John would aspire to always maGe her smile at him with su?h loving eyes. PeautiSul blue - aQure as the waters where they waited Sor a magistrate beSore leaving the do?G.
Fred wat?hed John as he stared, aweqstru?G by little ktevie girl. !y Bod, I Gnew she was beautiSul. How ?ould she not be anything less than beautiSulf He realiQed he had spoGen out loud and Fred had been observing John’s looG oS adoration.
“khe is more beautiSul than we had imagined, is she not, Jonathanf” Waiting Sor a response. Anyone ?ould see Jonathan was mesmeriQed.
Jonathan’s Sa?e suSSused a warm, reddish hue. “khe - she is lovely q very lovely.”
Everyone who went to Weymouth to res?ue little ktevie girl stayed at the …ing’s Arms xoa?hing Inn. When it was time Sor everyone to return to Town, the group splintered. Henry leSt –rst, then Lord Pla?Gwood, little ktevie girl, and Jonathan.
He had rented a ?oa?h Sor the three to travel to Pu?G Horn OaG, one oS Lord Pla?Gwood’s more isolated estates. Jonathan had disq ?ussed little ktevie girl being introdu?ed to Town too soon. He was most ?on?erned over the probable sho?G Srom being introdu?ed to the bustling ?ity oS London too soon aSter twenty years oS juiet, regimented, allqSemale ?ompanionability.
Jonathan ?onvin?ed himselS he would be there to handle any oS the estate issues Sor a manor the siQe oS Pu?G Horn OaG, so ktephen would be unen?umbered and begin the bonding pro?ess with his beautiSul, shy daughter. I Yust want to maGe sure they will be ?omq Sortable and without want oS anything. It has absolutely nothing to do with my a?hing desire to be ?lose to her. I’m sure it ?ould not be that - rightf John. Don’t lie to yourselS. zou want her.
Having ?onvin?ed ktephen to stay at Pu?G Horn OaG, he inSormed ktephen they ?ould leave the inn as soon as the morrow. He re?omq mended they start as early as possible due to the re?ordqwarm temq peratures. He had the Git?hen staSS Srom the inn prepare a basGet with Sood, dessert, and drinGs oS water or tea. It would minimiQe the time spent during the ?hange oS horses.
ktevie had the Sront and sides oS her hair pulled ba?G and tied up with a bedraggledqlooGing yellow ribbon. Her thi?G blonde hair cowing down her ba?G. It appeared she owned only three dresses
- all the same plain muslin design - pinG, blue, and yellow. Today was the yellow day. khe looGed good enough to eat. And he meant it literally.
“Bood morning, Jonathan. Are you ready Sor our trip todayf I saved some apples Srom breaGSast yesterday and today to share with the horses. They will get hungry, too.”
“zes, and they love apples. Put we will have Sour horses. zou might hurt someone’s Seelings iS you do not have enough Sor all Sour.” khe had a rather strained looG. Jonathan should have Gept that to himselS.
“Oh, dear, I never thought about eKtra horses. Oh, dear.” khe put her –nger to her bottom lip. khe had the looG oS one out oS sorts.
“It is alright, little ktevie girl. Horses love hay, and we will stop several times today and they will get hay and water. ko, you see. There is no ?ause Sor worry.”
“I suppose. I had hoped to give them a delightSul treat.” khe looGed down at her weatherqworn shoes. khe needed a whole new wardrobe, saddened by her la?G oS Sorethought.
“I have an ideaC” Jonathan wanted to see her smile. “I have a GniSe. We ?an ?ut the apples in two. Would you liGe to have me ?ut them Sor youf” Those lovely blue eyes.
“Oh, Jonathan. zou are so smart. zou must have an answer Sor everything.” khe walGed to him, gave him a big hug, and looGed up at him. “Jonathan, you are going to stay with us, aren’t youf I never want you to go away. ktay with me always.” khe hugged him again. Bod’s teeth, what I would give, sweet ktevie.
ktephen ?ame out. “What is all this hugging aboutf Is it my turn, my darling girlf”
“zes, Mapa. I will always hug you. I love you, Mapa.” khe seemed happy. Jonathan worried she would miss her s?hool. !iss ;yall’s s?hool had been her only liSe Sor a little over Sourteen years. A long time and a lot to adYust to.
“I put the basGet inside the ?oa?h. I tu?Ged my things under the ba?G seat. zou two get in. I am going to ride up top Sor a while with the driver. ktephen, you still have the items we brought on your personf”
“Whatf Oh. Oh. No. Bive me a minute. ktevie, why don’t you and Jonathan go and speaG with the horsesf”
“zes, please Jonathan, ?an wef” khe turned to looG Sor Jonathan.
“zes, oS ?ourse. Here I am. xome. I will stay with you so you ?an talG to the horses.” khe had been aSraid oS horses and ?oa?hes, having never been in a ?oa?h and never around horses - not until a Sew days prior.
khe rea?hed Sor Jonathan’s hand as they walGed to the Sront horsq es. “Hi, !r. Horse. I am ktevie. What is your namef” khe waited. “That is a Sunny name. And what oS your Sriendf” khe stepped over to the neKt horse, still holding Jonathan’s hand. “He told me your name. zour name is Sunny tooC” khe laughed. “I guess you are right.”
“xome, ktevie. We need to get on board.” Her Sather ?alled out. ktephen’s weapon tu?Ged saSely inside his waist?oat.
“I hope we will have a saSe ride. I Gnow you would. It was ni?e speaGing with you.”
Jonathan thought little ktevie’s imagination must have develq oped Srom being alone Sor so many years. He ?ertainly would not taGe that away Srom her. It had served her well.
As they rode along, Jonathan enYoyed riding beside the ?oa?hq man Srom the …ing’s Arms xoa?hing Inn. His Sa?e was weathq erqworn, his hat Saded and torn. He spoGe little, whi?h was –ne with Jonathan. It gave him time to thinG. He had agreed to stay with ktephen and little ktevie girl Sor “a while,” but he Selt liGe he was intruding. It would behoove all ?on?erned to tell ktephen he had de?ided to travel on to Town on the morrow. zes"That would be wise.
The ?oa?h Sollowed the ?oast Sor a while. The wind oSS the ?oast Selt soothing under the sun, whi?h was slowly heating the ?ounq tryside as it rose higher. He ?rossed his arms and lowered his head. The steady sound oS the horse’s hooves set a rhythm and lulled him to sleep. He was unaware oS the ?oa?h having stopped.
A bloodq?urdling s?ream suddenly woGe him up. His eyes cew open. His entire body YerGed. He pulled his hand saK, s?anning the area to see little ktevie girl, tightly hugging the Sront horse on the leSt. He immediately Yumped oSS the ?oa?hman’s seat and hurried to her. khe was sobbing. khe ?ould hardly breathe. “ktevie, looG at me, please. What happenedf What is the matterf”
The ?oa?hman answered. “I was going to taGe the horses to water and Seed. I thought we ?ould wait about halS an hour and eat to give the horses a breaG. The lady there says I ?an’t use this horse no more ‘tis hurt. I says, ‘I don’t see him hurt’n’. khe says ‘tis his Soot. Horse don’t have no Soot, my lord. I told her the horse was –ne, and that’s when she started whaling liGe some Gind oS wild animal. k?ared the piss outta me. Peg pardon, my lady, my lord.”
When Jonathan looGed ba?G at little ktevie girl, she was still sobq bing, but her words seemed indistinguishable. “I will.” khe sobbed. khe ?ontinually stroGed the horse’s ne?G. “No, I will.” khe laid her head on the horse’s ne?G and ?ontinued to stroGe his ne?G. “I will.”
Jonathan gently pulled her away Srom the horse and held her in his arms, stroGing her hair as he told her everything would be alright.
khe looGed up at him with elephant tears ?oming down her beautiSul Sa?e. “Jonathan. Desire is hurt. khe ?ould barely maGe it here. It is her Soot. khe ?an’t pull this ?oa?h any Surther. It is too mu?h Sor her.”
He sear?hed her Sa?e. komething had her eKtremely overq wrought. “How do you Gnow her Soot is hurting, little ktevief” He asGed with the greatest oS ?are.
“Just someone, please looG at her Soot.” khe was either too overq set by the horse or she was aSraid to answer his juestion.
“kir, I apologiQe. I’m not sure I ?aught your name.” Jonathan attempted diploma?y.
“Taps, my lord. They all ?all me Taps.”
“Lovely. zes, well, Taps, ?ould you please a??ommodate the young lady and Yust inspe?t the horse’s hoovesf I will maGe it worth your eSSort.” Jonathan smiled and gave a small nod. “It would mean very mu?h to the young lady.”
“I’m –ne with it, my lord. We don’t want no whaling sound again, do wef” He ?hu?Gled.
“No, I don’t thinG it would be helpSul Sor us or the horses.” Jonathan gave a Sor?ed smile. “How will you go about doing thisf”
“I need to taGe them all ba?G Sor hay and water. I will unharness her and taGe a looG.”
Little ktevie girl rea?hed Sor Jonathan’s hand. khe murmured. “I must go with her. Will you ?ome with mef”
ku?h a gorgeous Sa?e. xrying her heart out had his head in a thi?G, unyielding Sog. What the hell had Yust happenedf This paroKysm oS sobbing had him ?ompletely undone. Where the hell was ktephenf khould he not have been the person to address thisf “Little ktevie, where is your papaf”
“He went inside. I asGed iS I ?ould stay out here with the horses. He agreed as you were here.” khe wiped her nose on her dress sleeve.
“Here, taGe my Ger?hieS.” khe wiped her eyes and nose. “Little ktevie, did you noti?e the horse was limpingf” He ?ould not resist stroGing her ?heeG with the side oS his hand.
“No,” khe hesitated. “Thqthe pain is severe.” xhrist, I sin?erely hope she does not upset Taps with her story.
They made it to the stablesU Taps unharnessed the mare. “Whi?h Soot do you thinG it isf”
Jonathan ?ould tell the ?oa?hman was humoring little ktevie. “It is her leSt, Sront Soot.” little ktevie was adamant.
Taps liSted the horse’s leSt leg, bent it ba?G, and looGed. He eased the leg down. As he stood up, his eyes were –Kated on little ktevie. “Devil taGe it. Whqwhat are youf kome Gind ‘a wi??ef”
“khe is nothing oS the sort. Now, about this horse. What ?an be donef” Jonathan had attempted to address the matter at hand and ignore Yust how this young lady had Gnown the horse was in pain.
“Nothin’ to be done. Horse is lameU gotta put her down.” Taps shooG his head. “khame. khe’s been a damn good horse.”
“What does ‘put down’ meanf” ktevie looGed up at Jonathan.
“It means he has to Gill the horse.” He held his breath. He should have used more deli?ate words.
“NOC” she s?reamed again as she Sell against Desire and hugged the horse’s ne?G. “khe Yust needs treatment - someone who Gnows what to do Sor her.” khe Gissed Desire’s ne?G. Tears ?ontinued to Sall. “Mleeease, Jonathan. A do?tor will Gnow what to do.”
khe looGed at the horse. “They ?an remove the obYe?t and then pa?G it with a poulti?e. It should be Yust what she needs. We Yust need a horse do?tor. Jonathan, we must –nd someone who treats horses. I will let no one hurt her. There are many things she still wants to do.' Her weeping was un?ontrollable. khe laid her head ba?G on the horse’s ne?G and stroGed her. “I will.” ktevie Gept req peating, ‘I will.’
Taps threw his hands in the air. “khe is too damn s?ary Sor me.” Taps s?rat?hed his head as he looGed at little ktevie. “I’m going to Seed and water the other horses, and you ?an de?ide what to do with Desire.” He walGed away with the other horses. “DesireC kome Ginda name.”
“And her name is Bentleman’s Desire. Meople ?all her Desire.”
khe looGed up at Jonathan. “Mlease, we must –nd someone to ?are Sor her. It has not been in her Soot very long. The longer it is in there, the higher the ?han?e Sor inSe?tion.”
“Where did you learn all this about horsesf” Jonathan was aware she had a pen?hant Sor Sauna and cora, but he did not Gnow she was this Gnowledgeable. ko spe?i–?. It was most impressive.
“Desire, um - I don’t re?all. I read a lot, Jonathan. I remember things without Gnowing how I Gnow them.” Little ktevie gave a pet to Desire’s ne?G.
Jonathan still Sailed to understand how she Gnew about the inq Yury. He put his hand to his Sorehead and his other on his hip and began to pa?e.
Where the hell is her father? I am not her guardian. She looks to me for almost everything. Stephen loves her, I know, but he needs to be more involved. How to Cnd a damn farrier. Thrist.
“Little ktevie, shall we go insidef zour papa is most liGely still in there. I ?an asG about a Sarrier Sor Desire.” He remembered he ?ould not leave her alone. “zou should help me –nd your papa, then I will ?he?G on the Sarrier.
“Jonathan, do I looG pretty enough to go in theref”
xhrist, did she not Gnowf “ktevie, you are beautiSul. zou are inside and out.”
khe tugged on his arm and looGed up at him. “ThanG you, Jonathan. Do I looG as iS I have been ?ryingf I would never want to embarrass Mapa.”
“Here, hand me the Ger?hieS.” He rejuested. khe wiped her nose, then handed it ba?G to him. He stooped down a little, wiped her eyes, and got the droplets oSS her lovely, long eyelashes. “zou are perSe?t.” khe rea?hed Sor his hand, and they walGed toward the inn.
They entered the dining area, and over in a ?orner was ktephen. Jonathan would love to have planted him a Sa?er. He was sitting with another gentleman. He was probably ?loser to Jonathan’s age, with sandy brown hair, and sideburns perhaps a little too long. As ktephen seemed to enYoy their ?onversation, Jonathan assumed the man was a peer. He Sailed to re?ogniQe him until they neared the table. ktephen and the gentleman both stood.
“Lord Herbert, you re?all Lord MarGyns, do you notf” ktephens appeared to be very pleased with this Ellis MarGyns. Jonathan thought him too petty and too pretty. He disliGed the way Ellis held his hands. Too angular. They moved as iS they were brewing up some dreadSul ?on?o?tion. !ade Jonathan un?omSortable. The bastard most liGely was brewing up some Gind oS trouble.
“And who might this beautiSul young lady bef Is she your wiSe, Lord Herbertf”
“No, I’m surprised his gra?e did not tell you. This is his daughter, Lady kteven?ia.” He walGed around Jonathan and bowed to little ktevie.
“This is, indeed, an honor. I am most pleased to meet you, Lady kteven?ia. And what a beautiSul name. To mat?h your beautiSul ?ountenan?e.”
Little ktevie ?urtsied. “Ni?e to meet you as well.” khe gave him a reserved smile. Jonathan ?ould see she was already be?oming nervous. ASter her eKperien?e outside with the horse, he Seared she would not stay ?alm mu?h longer. The dining room was too ?rowded, and she did not Gnow this new gentleman.
Lord MarGyns ogled her. “I was unaware Lord Pla?Gwood had a daughter. ktephenf” He looGed at ktephen, eKpe?ting an answer.
“Mapa was in India Sor a very long time, so I was at a girl’s s?hool,”
“Mapa, I am going to go to the stables.” khe started toward the stables.
“zour gra?e,' Jonathan attempting to rein in his Srustration with ktephen. 'zou need to go and speaG with her. khe had a very trauq mati? event outside. I thinG she needs you to ?alm her. khe should not go out there alone, anyway.”
“zes, yes. I am so sorry, Jonathan. I ran into Ellis and the time es?aped me.” He started aSter his daughter.
Ellis and Jonathan wat?hed ktephen go. “khall we sitf” Ellis sat down, anyway. Jonathan thought he might as well. He wanted to go aSter little ktevie, but ktephen needed to - he was her Sather. khe needed his guidan?e, not Jonathan’s.
“How have you been, Lord Herbertf I have heard about the misq adventures oS your Sather. I am sure it has you ?ompletely at siKes and sevens.” He did that ci?G oS his wrist liGe some stealth demon would. ?gh. And what was he doing here dressed liGe a dandyf The top?oat too shiny.
What the hell kind of material is that? I have been holding my breath. chank heavens, the fob is fojused on me now.
“Not at all. I am not responsible Sor the a?tions oS Lord James Herbert, only to my mother and the estate.” IS he had to sit here with Ellis, he needed a drinG. “What have you two been drinGingf” He thought he would order the same.
“I am enYoying tea with brandy.” ?n, no - maybe not. “I believe Lord Pla?Gwood is having s?ot?h.”
Jonathan ?aught a bar wen?hes’ eye and waved her over.
“Hey handsome, what ?an I get Sor youf” khe looGed to be perq haps in her early thirties. Ni?e –gure. Too many buttons undone at the ne?Gline. The Sa?e looGed hard. Too many drinGs, too many patrons. Ellis brushed some nondes?ript item oSS his shiny ?oat. LiGely to ignore the attention the bar wen?h gave to Lord Herbert.
“I would liGe a tall shot oS s?ot?h.” He truly did not want to oSSer. Put.... “xan I get you another onef” Say no.
“I would love one. ThanG you, Lord Herbert.” He tooG another sip oS his tea, pinGie out, then jui?Gly set it down. He must have thought oS something else smirGy that would subtly insult him on?e more. “I have seen little oS you in parliament. OS ?ourse, we all understand the reason Sor your absen?e.” He ?he?Ged his ?uti?les as he remarGed.
“I’m sure I don’t Gnow what you are reSerring to. And as Sar as my absen?e, Lord xlaymont and I ?oqwrote an arti?le. Lord xlaymont read to parliament regarding the health issues among the poor. IS we would spend a little more money on ?aring Sor the Semale population who are living below the poverty level, we might signiSq i?antly redu?e the number oS lues venerea outbreaGs. And I wrote an arti?le on improving the sanitation system in the ?ity. Whi?h I read myselS.”
“Oh, well, I must admit, topi?s regarding those in the rooGeries simply leave me ?atatoni?. I’m sure you understand.” Just pi?G him up by his hair and throw him out on his earC
Jonathan did not answer. He wanted to rea?h a?ross the table and slap him. The entire in?ident with the horse and poor little ktevieU now he had to ?ontend with this cimcam Sop, had him beyond nettled. Where was ktephenf
“Lord Pla?Gwood’s daughter is eKjuisite.” He –nally looGed at Jonathan.
“zes, she is very beautiSul.” Jonathan reiterated.
“I suppose you have spent a great deal oS time with Lord Pla?Gq wood to see more oS his daughter. khe probably has an impressive dowry. I would be pleased to taGe the ?hit oSS your hands iS you are done with her.” He ?o?Ged a brow as he raised his ?up to his lips.
Jonathan looGed at him with steel in his eyes. “Ellis. I don’t liGe you - never did. zou are nothing but an inde?orous procigate. IS I –nd out you have even looGed in Lady kteven?ia’s dire?tion, I will demand satisSa?tion. I’m sure you ?an imagine the out?ome. I shan’t sit here another se?ond and listen to you deSame his gra?es only daughter. Now, Sob oSS.”
“Well, Lord Herbert, I must say. zou are not at all hospitable. I shall leave you to stew. It is obvious you have no need Sor my ?ompany.” He stood to go.
“zou –nally ?aught that, did youf xongratulations.” The bar wen?h wat?hed Ellis leave the table. “zou ?an remove those items Srom the table.” He swept his hand to the other side oS the table.
“He shan’t be returning. And you may have the tea and brandy Sor yourselS iS you liGe. Pring me another s?ot?h Yust liGe this one, then bring me the bill.”
“ThanG you so mu?h, my lord. How very generous oS you.” khe stepped ?loser to the table. khe still had a tray in her hand, but somehow managed to put one hand around the ba?G oS his ne?G. “Is there any way I ?an repay youf” He looGed up at her Sor ?lari–?ation. Oh, xhrist. Will this day never endf
“ThanG you. I thinG not. Just another s?ot?h.” He stared down at his drinG. Disgusted. How had this day gone so topsyqturvyf The bar wen?h, with no Surther rea?tion, –nally leSt.
“Who was shef” He Gnew the voi?e. They had spent but little over a weeG in the same ?ompany, but he re?ogniQed that mellicuous voi?e.
Her ince?tions sounded almost as iS she was Yealous. Put she had no Gnowledge oS su?h an emotion. Is ealousy innate?
Jonathan pulled out a ?hair Sor her to sit down. “It appeared she Gnew you, Jonathan.” khe said rather too ?urtly.
“No, it was more liGely she wanted to get to Gnow him.” ktephen sat down. Jonathan s?ooted little ktevie’s ?hair in and sat ba?G down. “Jonathan, you are too handsome,” ktephen noted Jonathan’s ears had turned red.
“I Gnow I am new to the ways between gentlemen and ladies, but I don’t thinG I should put my hands on the ba?G oS Jonathan’s ne?G to imply I wish to get to Gnow him.” khe looGed to the two gentlemen, waiting Sor some Gind oS reply.
“No, it would not be appropriate. The bar wen?h was a little too Sorward. zou would not wish to tou?h a gentleman thusly iS you were interested in them.” Jonathan stammered through his eKplanation.
“I see. It is something I would not wish to do, ?orre?t, Jonathanf” khe had those beautiSul, injuiring eyes.
“xorre?t.” He thought it an appropriate time to taGe a big swalq low oS s?ot?h.
“Jonathan, we are in no hurry to rea?h Pu?G Horn OaG. This is a pleasant inn. I spoGe with the owner, and he has rooms available. What say youf” ktephen asGed as he looGed around the room.
“khe should be ba?G, ktephen. I Gnow what you want.” He looGed at little ktevie. “And what would you liGe to drinGf”
“!ay I have a glass oS winef Or is it impolite Sor a lady"to drinG wine, I meanf” khe bit her lip. It seemed to be something she did when she was nervous.
“Ladies drinG wine. It is perSe?tly a??eptable. What Gind would you preSerf A ho?G iS they have any or some Gind oS redf” ktephen noted her Sa?e had be?ome somewhat blanG.
Jonathan had re?ogniQed the blanG stare. “I thinG a ni?e ho?G. Or a red with Yust a tad oS water. What say you, ktephenf Does it sound worthy oS our Lady kteven?iaf” He smiled and winGed at her. It was her turn to blush.
The bar wen?h ?ame ba?G to the table. “I see you have more ?ompany. What ?an I get Sor your Sriends, handsomef”
“Two large s?ot?hes and"what oS your ho?Gf” Jonathan hated spending eKtra time with the wen?h but"
“We have a red and our ho?G is xhablis.” khe answered as she put her hand on the ba?G oS his ?hair.
“The xhablis will be –ne.” Little ktevie need not have anything stronger. khe would ?ast up her a??ounts in no time. “We need to eat. When the bar wen?h returns, I will asG her about a private dining room.” Jonathan looGed at little ktevie. Her gaQe was –Ked on him. “Do I have something on my Sa?ef” He asGed her as he ran his hand down the Sront.
“No, Jonathan. zou have a very handsome Sa?e.” khe smiled in a way only she ?ould. Down, boy, it was only a ?omment and a smile. xisterns, ?arrion, ?ompost. Those lips.
“zes, with my darling girl’s –rst al?oholi? beverage, we should have a toast. It would be best in a private room. I’m hungry as well. What oS you, my little ktevie girlf” ktephen rea?hed to taGe her hand. Jonathan ?ould see ktephen adored her.
“I love you, Mapa.” Her liSe, up to now, had been so isolated - away Srom people with neSarious intent. Oh, yes - !r. Thistlewood was, indeed, the most evil oS men. His s?hool visits were rare, and he Gept a Saade until the very end on the do?Gs. He dreaded to thinG how the ladies oS the ton would treat her. ko many were mali?ious ?hits. He hoped !argaret and !uriel would taGe her in as a bosom bow. Those were the ladies little ktevie needed to be around.
The bar wen?h brought the drinGs. khe laid Jonathan’s drinG down –rst, then rea?hed a?ross to put ktephen’s glass down while rubbing her leSt breast a?ross his arm. He brought his arm in and sat ba?G in his ?hair. khe rea?hed a?ross him to set little ktevie’s glass down.
“I apologiQe Sor the in?onvenien?e, ma’am. I ?ould have taGen the drinG Srom the tray Sor you. It would have been easier.”
“What the hell are you - “Jonathan ?ut the bar wen?h short.
“We need a private dining room - now, please.”
“zes, my lord.” The bar wen?h looGed at Little ktevie, Sull oS venq om. “khe nothing but a - “
Jonathan ?ut her oSS again. “A sweet, inno?ent young girl.” He
–nished her senten?e. “The private dining room, nowf” He was losing patien?e, whi?h had been Sairly easy today. Finally, a gentleq man ?ame, probably the owner, and tooG them into one oS the two private dining rooms.
ktephen ?on–rmed the rooms on the se?ond coorU one large room with two beds and a regularqsiQed room with one bed. The owner had a pe?uliar looG when ktephen told the man that he and his daughter would share a room.
The three ate. Little ktevie had another glass oS wine with dinner and seemed to do –ne, whi?h was a relieS. ktephen eKplained what the bla?Gsmith had done Sor the horse, Desire.
Jonathan asGed iS he had hired a ?onveyan?e to transport Desire to Pu?G Horn OaG.
“The bla?Gsmith told us he had someone who would transport Desire Sor us.” ktephen smiled over at little ktevie. This horse beq ?ame a rather unSoreseen eKpense, but ktephen Selt it was well worth the ?ost iS it made little ktevie happy. He hoped it was enough. ktephen paid the dinner bill, and the three went to their rooms.