Page 55 of Scandal with a Sinful Scot

Abbie glanced at Oliver, and it was plain he struggled to hold his temper.

Megan laid her hand on Jonas’s. “It’s all right. No one is angry with you. Please tell us everything.” Megan’s touch and soft words mollified Jonas. Looking at him, one could forget he was still a child in many ways, and because of it, there was no use in becoming annoyed with him.

Jonas looked up. “I couldn’t see much, but I heard two men talking. I hid behind one of the large oaks. One man called the other ‘my lord.’ The lord said something like, ‘Stay here, see if the Scottish barbarian dies, then return to London.’” Jonas paused, as if replaying the conversation in his mind. “I remember! He called the other man Delaney.”

Riordan vaulted to his feet. “Delaney is Sutherhorne’s bullyboy, the one who attended debtor’s court with him.”

Abbie blinked rapidly in confusion. “Sutherhorne? The marquess that kidnapped Sabrina?”

Oliver slammed his fist on the table. “The very one. This is all on me. I encouraged the family not to take any steps in bringing him to justice. I thought it futile. Damnation, I should have at least attempted it.”

“No, Oliver. We all agreed,” Sabrina stated. “We’re well aware that peers are rarely penalized for any crime. As you said, Sutherhorne has Prince Albert’s ear. And his friendship.”

“Regardless, I should have made a case to garner some sort of punishment.” Oliver banged his fist once again. Abbie had never seen the earl this angry.

“You all did it to protect me, to spare me censure from society. I hereby remove the impediment.” Sabrina’s mouth pulled into a taut line. “Bring him down, whatever it takes.”

Riordan sat, leaned in, and kissed his wife on the cheek. “My darling. Consider it done.”

“Did you see them at all, Jonas?” Julian asked.

“I did peek. One man is nearly as big as me, but I didn’t see his face. The other man had a white beard. And he was skinny.”

“Sutherhorne. Damn him. There is no mistake. Grandfather, we should head to Sevenoaks immediately. See if this Delaney character is still about,” Riordan said.

“The sun has set. If he’s at the inn, he will be there in the morning,” Oliver replied.

“Oh,” Jonas cried. “I remember, the old lord told the man not to stay at the inn.”

“Where else could one stay?” Julian asked.

“There are a small number of homes that take in guests. Perhaps we should head to Sevenoaks after all. Riordan, come with us. You have seen this Delaney and will be able to identify him,” Oliver replied.

Jonas stood. “I want to come, too. This man tried to hurt my Meg. And Abbie. He hurt Garrett. I can help.”

The men exchanged dubious looks, then Julian said, “Of course, lad. Garrett is usually the muscle of this clan. You will stand in his stead.”

Abbie was awed as the Wollstonecraft men sprung into action. In less than ten minutes they were ready to depart, with Julian carrying a large revolver. Abbie, Megan, Alberta, and Sabrina were left alone in the parlor.

“We might as well finish our meals. Megan, would you please refresh our tea?” Alberta asked.

Megan nodded and stood to fetch the teapot from the sideboard.

“Goodness,” Abbie murmured. “They are not to be crossed, are they?”

“No. They are fearsome men when provoked. You should have seen them when they broke in the door to rescue me from Sutherhorne.” Sabrina sighed. “I was anxious to put the episode behind me. When Oliver suggested not pursuing justice on the matter, I was silently relieved. But not because I was ashamed or feared Society’s wrath.” She dashed a lone tear from her eye. “Regardless of how my father treated me with such cold indifference, and the fact that he tried to sell me in marriage more than once, he is my father. I did not want him sent to Newgate Prison. A small part of me still loved him. How utterly pathetic.”

Abbie smiled warmly. “It speaks well of your kind heart that you feel empathy for him. And it’s perfectly understandable. When I had discovered I was pregnant at eighteen, my parents turned on me. Branded me a sinner, and worse. They threatened to throw me to the cobbles if I did not marry. Our relationship is strained to this day. Yet a small part of me will always love them, despite their abhorrent treatment of me.”

Megan stood with teapot in hand. “Truly, Mama? They treated you horribly! I am glad I’ve never met them.”

“I fear you never shall.”

“Well, you have a family now,” Sabrina smiled. “We stick together, and are loyal to a fault. And I include you in this, Alberta, if the heated looks that Julian gave you tonight are any indication.”

Alberta blushed and smiled in return. “We shall see where it leads.”

Megan refreshed everyone’s tea and took her seat. “I do hope they will be safe and find this terrible man. How can a marquess be capable of such a heinous act?”