tall gentleman frowned, certain now that Blake was lying about the girl’s willingness to be abducted. His instincts told him to walk away. He should go to a magistrate and tell him what he knew—but if he did that someone he cared for would lose everything. He was caught between the devil and destruction. Besides, he did not even know the young woman’s name; if he did not help Blake the abduction would still take place. Blake would find someone else to do his dirty work and then there would be no chance of thwarting him.
‘Where will you be whilst this deed takes place?’
‘I shall be nearby, watching you. My men shall take the young lady to a fresh carriage that I shall have waiting—you will accompany her until we get to the rendezvous point and then you will go your own way.’
‘And then you will return my property?’
‘You have my word on it.’
The word of a cheat and a liar. He did not for one moment believe that the girl was willing, but if he walked away now more than one lady might be ruined. If he agreed to this outrageous proposal, he might be able to spirit the lady away from under Blake’s nose—and still get the letters that could ruin the good name of the sister he loved.
‘Very well,’ he said and offered his hand. ‘I shall act as your go-between—and you will give me the letters?’
‘Have I not given my word?’
‘Renege on it and you will be sorry.’ He looked at Blake, his gaze narrowed. ‘When and where is this abduction to take place?’
Chapter One
‘I have been dreading this visit,’ Mariah, Lady Fanshawe, said and turned to look at her companion in the carriage, which was taking them to the house of her late husband’s sister. ‘I do not think I could have borne it had you not agreed to accompany me, Jane. Winston’s family never approved of me, you know. His sister and Aunt Cynthia thought me too flighty—and accused me of marrying him simply for his fortune.’
‘It is not like you to give way to a fit of nerves,’ Jane Lanchester said, putting out a hand to touch her companion’s hand. ‘They cannot harm you, you know, Mariah. Winston left almost his entire fortune to you. His relatives may not like the situation, but they cannot change the will you told me that your husband went to some lengths to make certain you were protected.’
‘The income is certainly mine, but the capital is tied up in a trust,’ Mariah confided. ‘I intended to ask Justin what I ought to do, but Lucinda has been a little unwell because of the baby. After all they’ve been through, I decided that it was best not to involve him in my affairs.’
Jane nodded, understanding perfectly. Justin, Duke of Avonlea, had been too worried about his wife, Lucinda, to become embroiled in Mariah’s troubles, but it seemed that she was anxious about something and needed to open her heart to someone.
‘You can tell me everything, you know,’ Jane said. ‘I am certain that my brother would do everything in his power to assist you were he here. Unfortunately, he was called suddenly to Paris on some business for the government.’
Mariah nodded, an odd look in her eyes. She had thought Lord Lanchester’s visit to Paris might have been for another reason, but nothing had come of it. He remained there after Lucinda, the duke and Mariah had returned to England and no doubt his sister knew more of his affairs than she.
She smothered a sigh. ‘Andrew is a good friend, but he is suffering himself at the moment. You do know that he was very much in love with Lucinda Avonlea?’
‘I know that Andrew found her charming and was concerned for her when she was embroiled in that unpleasant business of the blackmail,’ Jane agreed. ‘I also know that he admires you greatly, Mariah—particularly the way you handled yourself when that dreadful man tried to murder Lucinda.’
‘Lord Lanchester is a decent and honourable man,’ Mariah agreed, a little nerve flicking at her right temple. ‘He is a good friend—but I am not sure that he could help with this problem.’
‘Why do you not tell me? Perhaps a lawyer …’
Mariah hesitated. ‘My husband’s lawyer told me that the bulk of the fortune Winston left me is in the trust fund. I can draw the income, which is generous, and I have a small amount of capital—but the rest will not be released until I remarry. Winston thought I might fall prey to fortune hunters. The problem is that my trustees must approve my marriage.’
‘Ah, I begin to see …’ Jane saw her friend’s mutinous look and smiled. ‘You do not wish to be told whom you may marry by these trustees.’
‘And they are Winston’s sister, a querulous old woman, and her meddling husband,’ Mariah said and pouted. ‘My lawyer said that if the man I wished to marry was of good birth and above suspicion they could not withhold their consent, but why should I be beholden to them?’
‘Surely they would not seek to interfere?’ Jane asked, looking at her anxiously. Mariah was both brave and beautiful but she was also stubborn and at times contrary. ‘Is there someone you would wish to marry?’ she suggested gently.
‘Well, I thought there might be, but—’ Mariah broke off as they heard two shots followed by a scream, then the horses came to an abrupt halt and the two ladies were thrown into a heap on the floor of the carriage.
‘Lawks a’ mercy!’ an uncultured voice exclaimed. ‘There’s two of ’em, guv. What do we do now?’ Jane registered the fact that the man was pointing a wicked-looking pistol at them. He jerked it at them, indicating that they should step down from the carriage. ‘Which one of yer is Mariah Fanshawe?’
Mariah was holding a kerchief to her forehead and appeared not to hear the question. Jane thought quickly. If she were not mistaken, this was an abduction. Mariah was an heiress and it was more than likely her fortune they were after than her.
‘I am,’ Jane said looking at Mariah. ‘Say nothing, Jane. We are in some danger.’
‘No …’ Mariah had become aware of the situation. ‘You can’t … I shan’t let you.’
Ignoring her, Jane got out of the carriage. There were four men, two of them had pistols trained on the coachman and groom. The groom was holding his arm, blood seeping through his fingers, and his own pistol was lying on the ground, where he’d obviously thrown it after he was shot.
‘I am Mariah Fanshawe,’ Jane said. ‘What is the meaning of this outrage? How dare you attack my coach and wound my groom?’
Mariah had followed her from the carriage. She was clearly a little dazed from the accident and still held the kerchief to her temple.
‘She’s the one we want.’ One of the men holding a pistol trained on the coachman jerked his head at Jane. ‘Let the other one get back inside.’
‘I ain’t sure she’s the right one,’ another of the rogues said. ‘We’d best take them both to be certain. Blake will kick up if we get the wrong one.’
‘We are not going anywhere,’ Mariah put in, suddenly coming to life. ‘Besides, I am Lady Fanshawe and my friend is lying to protect me. I demand that you allow us to continue our journey.’
‘That
