Page 56 of Scandal with a Sinful Scot

Abbie frowned. “Unfortunately, there are more than a few peers like the marquess. Entitled, arrogant, thinking they are above the law. Many have gotten away with lawless acts for centuries. It is past time they were held accountable.”

Placing her teacup on the saucer, Abbie turned her attention to her meal. She glanced upward. The sooner she finished eating, the sooner she could return to Garrett. A stab of pain lodged in her heart. He had to recover. He must. For she had not come all this way and exposed her vulnerable heart only to lose him.

It was not easy to admit, but her heart was still in a susceptible state, their rekindled love and passion balanced precariously on the edge of a cliff. It would not take much to fall either way, into darkness and despair, or a future and happiness. And it worried her. Greatly.

Chapter 18

“I believe the fever will break later tonight, or should I say early this morning?” Dr. Faraday murmured.

Glancing at the mantel clock, it was already close to one. The Wollstonecraft men had yet to return from their quest. “Doctor, why don’t you rest? I will call you if it comes to a crisis.”

“I am rather fatigued. Three hours, mind. No more. Then you must do the same. Promise me.”

Abbie had grown to like and admire the young doctor. His unwavering care and competency proved the earl had not been mistaken in laying his trust with Faraday. “I promise.”

“Good. I’ll be in the next room. Continue with the cold compresses.” The doctor departed, leaving the bedroom door slightly ajar.

They had ceased using the ice and tarps the previous afternoon, as Garrett’s skin had started to turn blue. Dipping the flannel in the basin and wringing out the excess water, Abbie then laid the cloth on Garrett’s perspiring forehead. At the moment he lay quiet, but earlier, he thrashed about yelling about wolves and snow. He was naked except for a pair of drawers, so Abbie swiped the cloth gently across his muscular chest. “Oh, Garrett. You are obstinate enough to fight this. Fight, my love.”

He murmured in response, but she could not make out the words.

At half past one, Abbie heard commotion below stairs. Oliver, Julian, and Riordan strode into the room and stood at the foot of Garrett’s massive bed.

“How is he?” Oliver asked worriedly.

“Calmer than earlier. Dr. Faraday predicts the crisis will come within hours. He believes the fever will break.”

“Thank God,” Julian murmured.

“What happened? Were you able to locate this man of Sutherhorne’s?” Abbie asked. “Where is Jonas?”

Riordan frowned. “We escorted Jonas home before returning here. Locate Sutherhorne’s man? Not exactly. We started at the inn in Sevenoaks, then branched out to the guest houses. Once completed, we expanded our search to surrounding towns and villages. Only one place acknowledged the possibility of a man of Delaney’s description. He may have stayed there last week, for two nights. Of course, he did not use the name of Delaney. This is hardly solid proof.”

“We can only surmise the marquess did not stay overnight. He is not easy to miss, with his fancy carriage and entourage. A carriage traveling at a swift clip could make London from here in an hour and thirty minutes. Even less.” Julian crossed his arms. “We assume that is how he and his man communicated.”

“What’s the next step?” Abbie could plainly observe the frustrated expressions on the Wollstonecraft men’s faces.

“Confronting the marquess will get us nowhere. I have a better solution: We appeal to Prince Albert directly. While prosecution remains unlikely, we may be able to persuade his Royal Highness to agree to banishment. A forfeiture of money and properties not entailed along with a guarantee that if he leaves Great Britain, and never returns, his oldest son will inherit the title. It has been done before with peers who think themselves above the law.”

“But we need solid evidence,” Julian said.

“You have it. Me.” They all looked in the direction of the doorway where Sabrina stood, wearing her silk wrapper, her golden hair in a braid lying across her shoulder.

Riordan’s look softened, the love clearly showing through, and it made Abbie’s heart ache. “My darling, we agreed.”

“This situation has moved far beyond any potential stress or embarrassment. We can no longer sweep it under the carpet. We are speaking of attempted murder.” Sabrina moved to Riordan’s side. “I’m not sure that the prince will allow me an audience, but I will tell everything, either in person or in a written account. How my father colluded with Sutherhorne to kidnap and sell me—more than once. If I remember the accounts in the papers, the prince is a tireless anti-slavery advocate. This will anger him, I am sure. For isn’t what they tried to do a form of slavery?”

Oliver nodded. “You are correct, Sabrina. It will anger him. Counter it with this attempt on Garrett’s life, and we could find success. Do you think your father would agree to a written affidavit stating Sutherhorne’s part in your kidnapping?”

Sabrina snorted. “Only if it will benefit him. I know my wretched father well. He will no doubt ask for you to clear his debt and his name, ensure there will be no repercussions from his statement.”

“Perhaps we will be able to come to a sort of pact. It will bear thinking about. Are you sure you wish to do this, Sabrina?”

Riordan’s wife nodded, a determined look on her face. “In hindsight, we should have gone to the prince as soon as it happened. I appreciate you all trying to protect me, but it’s well past time I stood up to these evil men, and truly place this all behind me. I have a future. And well…” Her hand trailed across her stomach. “Forgive me, Riordan, for making this announcement public, but I believe I am expecting.”

Riordan cupped her cheeks, his eyes glistening. “My dearest love.” He kissed her deeply, oblivious to anyone else in the room.

Abbie was not used to such a public display, and she blushed in response. Though why was a puzzle, considering her wild relationship with Garrett. Expecting? Hadn’t they been married only last month? Oh. Right. The marriage started out as a convenient arrangement earlier in the autumn. Obviously, it had moved beyond such before their winter wedding here at the hall. When Riordan broke the kiss, the men closed ranks, congratulating them.