Page 76 of Only Scandal Will Do

“I’ve had you watched every day since your marriage, but Duncan, damn him, never let

you out of his sight.” He grinned, the nastiest look she had ever seen. “Did you ever wonder why you saw me so often in Hyde Park, my lady? I would have grabbed you there, but even in the early mornings you had more escorts than a royal princess. And when you sailed for Italy, I lost all hope of gaining my fortune. But Nigel has friends down on the docks who promised to let me know when your ship returned.” His expression took on a faux innocence. “Imagine my astonishment, when word came that your five month absence had been reduced to a mere month or so. When the ship docked in early July with the information that you were returning overland from Cornwall, I was jubilant. I’ve had your house watched every day since. Today was simply my lucky day. Not only did you return, but Duncan was so distraught about something he left you alone for once. A fatal mistake, I fear.

“I have just dispatched a ransom note to him. Ostensibly from Amorina, for I’m sure Duncan suspected her involvement in the original kidnapping. He is to bring five thousand pounds to Hyde Park at nine tonight. You will be waiting there for him. When he sees you across the pond, he has been instructed to drop the satchel with the money and run around the pond to affect your rescue. Meanwhile, Nigel will retrieve the satchel, and I shall be on my way to

America on the morning tide.”

“What makes you think he won’t come after you?” She tried to keep her voice from rising, as fear clutched at her.

Redmond chortled, spreading his fingers wide. “I don’t plan to leave any loose ends. If he regained you, you would certainly inform him of my identity and he would, as you have so graciously pointed out twice now, kill me. I do not intend for that to happen.” He shook his head in mock sadness. “No, you will be tied to a tree, bound and gagged. In the darkness he won’t be able to see that you are dead until it is too late.”

Despite the devilish whirling in her mind those chilling words provoked, she forced herself to focus on Redmond alone. The emergence of the cool objectivity that always cleared her head when she faced an opponent with a sword steadied her. She would only win the coming battle by retaining her wits and awaiting an opportunity. Pray God, one would present itself in time.

CHAPTER 33

As the minutes ticked by, Kat considered her options. She had to get free or get word to Duncan. Who of the people here would be most willing to help her? Redmond, of course, was a lost cause. Nigel and Will were too afraid of their master to even try to bribe. That left Redmond’s mistress. She had remained silent the entire time they had been in the room. Was there a reason for that? Either she was loyal to this monster or cowed by him. But he’d said nothing of taking her with him to America. Perhaps there was little between them except a business arrangement. What if she could persuade the woman she could make a better offer? At this moment she would clutch at any idea at all. The madam must know how wealthy Duncan was, that he would pay any sum she cared to name if she helped her. It was worth a chance because there was no other chance. But how to get her alone?

“Excuse me, Mr. Redmond,” Kat said, with only a touch of her true aversion, “but I need use the necessary.”

He stared at her as though she had lost her mind. “You think I will untie you, my lady, and give you another chance to escape me?” He nodded to Nigel and Will. “They can take you and watch to see you have no tricks to try.”

“I’ll piss right here on the floor before I let them do any such thing,” she shot back. “And then you will have to deal with the stench.”

Redmond narrowed his eyes. “I’ll wager you have made Duncan’s life a merry hell these past months. I’ll be doing him a favor to rid him of you.” He stared at her, as if gauging her mettle. “Then do your worst, Lady Dalbury.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ll not let you slip through my hands again.”

“For God’s sake, I’ll take her.” The madame spoke for the first time that night. “I’ll keep her hands bound so she can’t escape.” She glanced at her partner, a tightness about her lips voicing her displeasure. “I know she would do it and I will not have a mess to clean when this is all over. Come, Lady Dalbury, but be quick about it. I must go tend to my business soon.”

The woman untied her legs and pulled her up out of the chair, Kat wincing at the pain in her shoulders from her bound arms. Taking the candelabrum from the mantle, the madam grasped her arm and trotted her down the hallway to the small room that brought back more fearful memories.

As soon as the door closed, Kat opened her mouth, only to find Amorina’s hand clamped firmly over it.

“Speak low, my lady, for my two henchmen have followed us.” Amorina eased her hand away. “I would have you know that I have not been a willing participant in any of this.” She stared meaningfully at Kat. “Not tonight’s work, nor that in March.”

Kat met her eyes but said nothing, a flicker of hope springing up in her chest.

“I had hoped to renew my association with Lord Dalbury when he returned from Italy,” Amorina said. “I did not wish to continue with Mr. Redmond as my protector.” She seemed to choke on the word. “He, however, had other ideas and I had no power to change them, as women so often do not. I am sorry to have been party to your ruin, and even sorrier to have involved Lord Dalbury.” Her look was hard, but true regret lurked deep within her eyes. She had some affection for Duncan, then. Pray God, that would work to their advantage now.

“I believe you, Miss...” Embarrassed at not having a last name for the woman who stood between her and disaster, she stopped short.

“Vestry. It is as good a name for you to use as any other.”

“Miss Vestry. Can you help my husband and me? Is there some way you can get word to him? Or, better, to Mr. Reginald Matthews at Bow Street?”

A strange smile played over Amorina Vestry’s face. “You know Mr. Matthews?”

“He rescued me the night I left here. He was kind to me when I needed kindness.”

Amorina placed a hand on Kat’s shoulder, a tentative touch. “I am glad he helped you that night, my lady. If you can believe me, I am not unaware of the trials of your ordeal. I only hope life has been kinder to you since then.” Then she seemed to recall herself, resulting in a brisk change in manner. “If you need to use that chair, you should do it now. They will think we are plotting or you are trying to overpower me.”

With assistance from Miss Vestry, she managed to relieve herself.

When she stood up, Amorina leaned close and whispered in her ear, “I will do what I can to send for Mr. Matthews. I dare not send to Lord Dalbury. If he does not come in time I...” For once, the small woman seemed at a loss for what to say.

“Thank you for your kindness, Miss Vestry. I pray God this ends well.” Sudden tears stung her eyes, and Amorina turned away, perhaps affected, perhaps just for privacy’s sake.

“What the hell’s the hold-up in there?” Nigel boomed behind the door. Pounding ensued,

loud enough to deafen everyone in earshot. “It don’t take a racehorse this long to piss.”