Page 50 of Only Pleasure Will Do

“I think that a bit extreme, Sir Reginald. The woman is, in fact, alive. I don’t believe the courts would find the case particularly compelling, once they know the facts.” Edgemont spoke very matter-of-factly, which infuriated Reginald even more. “A case of mistaken identity.”

“Your son kidnapped her, threatened to kill her child if she didn’t kill Lord Dalbury and his wife, and you mistook her for whom?”

“For the whore who helped maim my son and who, according to the most current broadsheets, had killed my godson.” Edgemont’s stony visage sent a chill through Reginald.

Especially when he considered that the earl knew Amorina Vestry quite well. He might even recognize Aimee Forrester in her. It might be tragically unfair that this man would not pay for his crime, but life was seldom fair to those with a less elevated status in society.

“Anyone might make such a mistake, don’t you think, Sir Reginald?”

“Perhaps those a little more shortsighted than they should be, my lord.” Who knew what other crimes this earl had committed without punishment? But as it was not really Reginald’s job to inquire into such things, he would make discretion his watchword this time. If he ever heard of any other such goings on in Morden, however… “I would keep an eye peeled in the future to make sure no other such mistakes are made.”

The earl nodded. Message received.

“Dalbury has made the offer of my carriage for Madam Vestry’s journey back to London, I presume?”

“He has, my lord. That is very generous of you.” If Maddy could’ve ridden, Reginald would’ve spat in the earl’s eye rather than take his conveyance. However, beggars could seldom be choosers.

“N’tall. Sanders has gone into Croydon to hire a carriage to take me back to London. All’s well that ends well.”

After a curt bow, Reginald strode away before he actually did take a swing at Edgemont. He returned to Maddy to find her sitting up, still gingerly rubbing her throat. “Can you not take instruction from anyone but my cousin, Dalbury? I said to keep her lying down.”

“I’m perfectly capable of deciding what I’m able to do, Reginald.” Maddy cut her gaze over to Dalbury and gasped. “Sir Reginald, I mean.”

“I think that ship has already sailed, Amorina.” Dalbury laughed. “Or am I also allowed to call you Maddy now?”

She blushed and glanced away.

“Perhaps we should hold that conversation until Madam Vestry is feeling better.” Her voice was still quite raspy, and Reginald wanted to take as few chances as possible under the circumstances. “Can you ask Lord Edgemont for his carriage, please? I don’t trust myself around him at the moment.”

“I understand. I’ll have the carriage converted and brought around.” Dalbury sauntered over to his godfather, and the two fell into an animated conversation.

“Can I help you to stand, love?” He offered his hand.

Eyes widened, she took it and rose slowly. “I believe I thought you would carry me into the coach rather than risk me getting in of my own volition.”

“Well, I’ve decided you probably understand best what you can and cannot do at this juncture. When we return to London, though, I’d like to have Dr. Pritchett take a look at you.” He squeezed her hand. “He was tending to Jenny when I went to the House of Pleasure to try to find you this morning.”

“Oh, God, is Jenny all right?” Maddy started toward him then winced. “Redmond shot her when he was kidnaping me.”

“Carefully, my dear. Yes, I know what happened, and she seemed to be doing rather well. The ball went through her arm. The doctor bandaged it and seemed to think she would be fine, even though she’d lost a bit of blood.”

“If I could have killed him myself, I would’ve done it.” She coughed again. “If I can find him, I might do it yet.”

“Fortunately, you’ll miss your chance at that, my love. He’s scheduled to sail on the afternoon tide for Virginia. I doubt we’ll ever see him again.” At least, that was Reginald’s fervent hope.

“Do you not think we can catch him if we leave now? There’s still a good bit of light left.” Maddy grasped his hands and he thrilled to her warm touch. “Don’t you think he should pay for what he’s done to all of us?”

Reginald raised her hands to his lips. “I do indeed.” He looked around and discovered Dalbury still talking to Lord Edgemont. “Dalbury. The carriage? We want to get to…” Damn. He’d almost put his foot in it. “We need to get Madam Vestry to a physician as soon as possible.”

“Here it is now.”

The carriage rolled up, and Reginald resisted the urge to sweep Maddy into his arms and put her in it. Instead, he opened the door, revealing a comfortable looking bed, made up with sheets and covers. “Quite the nest here. Dalbury, a moment?” Reginald called the marquess over. “How are you proposing to get back to London?”

“Well, certainly not in that.” Dalbury nodded to the converted bed. “Three would be one too many there. No, I propose to ride Saxon back. You should tie your horse to the carriage, and he can trot back with you.”

“We may wish to move rather swifter than that. Maddy wishes to try to thwart Redmond’s bid for freedom across the seas. Do you think there’s time to get to the docks before he sails?”

After a prolonged look at the sky, Dalbury shook his head. “Do I think there’s a chance? Yes. Do I think we’ll make it to the docks before he sails? Likely, no.”

Maddy gave him a withering look, and Dalbury laughed. “I see who we’re taking our orders from now. Very well, Amorina. We will attempt to apprehend Redmond before he sails. Climb aboard. I’ll give the coachman his instructions and follow along beside you.”

Handing Maddy in took but a moment. Settling her comfortably took longer, but at last she lay relaxed on the bed, and beckoned to him. “You will join me, won’t you, Reginald? I would take comfort in having your arms around me now.”

Inwardly, he groaned at the invitation. He would, of course, lie beside her and reassure her that she was safe if she wished it, but he could imagine the tortures his body would undergo so near to hers. With a nod, he went off to tie Marlow behind the carriage. Despite the gelding’s poor usage earlier, he seemed to be in fine fettle, whickering at Reginald fondly. He could as well have ridden Marlow and left Maddy the carriage to herself. But he was unwilling to lose the opportunity to be with her, especially as she wanted him near. They’d had so little time together, and he’d almost lost her for good today. He would make each precious moment with her count.

At last, Reginald climbed in beside Maddy, lay down as best he could without actually touching her, and gave the word to the coachman to start. He lay staring at the ceiling of the carriage, willing his unruly cock to cease its clamoring. Maddy needed rest now, nothing else.

He turned to look at her to discover her lying with one hand tucked under her head, her cheek pillowed on that, fast asleep. With a heartfelt sigh, Reginald stretched out on his side, determined to watch her sleep the entire way back to London. Not too much later, he closed his eyes…just for a moment…and knew no more.