A Most Peculiar Circumstance (25 page)

She ignored his request. “Surely we’re not going to be sold tonight?”

“Surely you don’t think I want to suffer one more minute than I have to in your company?” Wallace countered. “Carter and I had a sweet thing going in Gilman until you showed up. We were making a fortune, but then you brought the law down on us and we had no choice but to move on. You have only yourself to blame for your predicament. If you’d left well enough alone, we might not have felt the urge to come after you. You left us with a nasty mess when you stole that young girl from under our noses. Carter had already taken the money, you see, and we didn’t want to give it back. Not that we could’ve, mind you. We spent almost every cent that man gave us, and then you stole our prize.”

“You should have been more frugal.”

“We’ll pay the man after we collect the fee for you, and then we’ll find him another sweet young thing.”

“Do you ever consider the life you’re forcing women into?”

“The ladies shouldn’t have too many complaints. It’s not like I’m selling them to poor, desperate beasts. I’m doing women a service, setting them up with a better lot in life. You’ll be pampered and adored in India. I hardly see why you feel you have room to complain.”

“Oh yes, I don’t understand why I’m not falling at your feet in gratitude over the idea I’m to become some man’s slave.”

“Is that really any different from becoming some man’s wife?”

Before Arabella could respond to that piece of insanity, Carter let out a whistle from behind them.

“It’s up there, Wallace, just past that light.”

Arabella peered through the darkness and saw the outline of a large building loom into her sight. From what she could discern, there was no one around to lend them assistance. She closed her eyes.

Please be with me, Lord.

She opened her eyes, took a deep breath, and launched herself from the horse, rolling over in the slush and jumping to her feet before Wallace realized what she’d done. She ran to his side and pulled her pistol out of his boot, but before she had a chance to pull the trigger, she was knocked to the ground by a blow to the back of her head. She kept her grip on the pistol even as a heavy boot planted itself on her back.

“You’ll not be shooting anyone again,” Carter said, grabbing her by the back of her dress and hauling her to her feet. Stars exploded once again as Carter backhanded her across the face.

A menacing growl sounded from behind her. “That was a mistake.”

Arabella found herself flying through the air to land in
another pile of slush as Theodore’s body plowed into Carter’s, the sound of his fists pummeling the man loud in the eerie fog surrounding her. She watched in horror as Wallace jumped from his horse and entered the fight.

Her fingers tightened on her pistol.

She jumped to her feet, shook her head to clear it, and raised her hand.

“Don’t shoot,” Katherine screamed. “You might hit Theodore.”

Before Arabella could even nod in agreement, another figure hurtled out of the darkness.

It was George, and it was immediately clear he’d spent his life in dangerous situations, because although he was almost eighty years old, he didn’t hesitate to grab Wallace by the back of his shirt and swing him around, planting a fist in the man’s face.

“Good one, Father,” Samuel yelled, who seemed to appear out of thin air, jumping into the fray.

Less than two minutes later, it was over.

Wallace and Carter lay on the ground, both men unconscious as Theodore, Samuel, and George made short shrift of tying them up.

Arabella turned and found Katherine by her side. She reached out and put a shaking arm around Katherine’s shoulders, pulling her in for a good squeeze. “That was a close call.”

Katherine let out a watery snort. “Indeed it was, but at least we’re safe.”

Arabella frowned. “Not quite yet.” She dropped her arm from around Katherine and slid her way over the slushy ground, stopping by Theodore, who was just finishing tying a knot around Wallace’s wrists. “Wallace told me there’s another man waiting around here somewhere.” She shivered. “He was waiting to buy us.”

Theodore glanced at the pistol she was still gripping in her hand before he lifted his gaze. “Is that loaded?”

“Of course.”

He nodded to Samuel. “I need you to take Arabella’s pistol and make certain you keep it trained on these two. Grandfather and I will go and see if anyone else is around, but if we’re not back in five minutes, get Arabella and Katherine out of here.”

Arabella shook her head. “We’re not leaving without you.”

“This is hardly the moment to argue, Arabella. I’m concerned for your safety.”

“I’m not arguing, but we’re not leaving without you.”

“Fine, stay here then. Maybe someone else will come along who wants to do you in.”

Arabella felt her temper flare ever so slightly as Theodore and George strode away. She turned to Katherine. “Did you just get the impression Theodore blames me for this whole abduction business?”

A trace of a smile teased Katherine’s lips. “I’m sure that’s not true. He’s probably just worried about us because danger is still nipping at our heels, and he only has Father here to protect us.”

“I do believe I’ve just been insulted,” Samuel muttered.

“I certainly didn’t mean to insult you, Father, but I have a feeling Arabella is better equipped to handle that pistol of hers. We’ll let her keep it until Theodore and Grandfather come back.”

Samuel looked as if he wanted to argue the point, but the sound of muffled carriage wheels drifted to their ears on the brisk breeze. Everyone froze for a second, but then Arabella spun around and leveled her pistol toward the sound. Her arm lowered when Samuel let out a sigh just as the carriage came into view.

“I should have known,” Samuel said.

Katherine took one step forward and stopped. “Good heavens, what is Harold doing here?”

“He arrived just about the time we discovered you were missing,” Samuel answered.

The carriage slowed, but Harold was out of it before it came to a complete stop. He charged up to Katherine, looked at her for a brief second, then pulled her into his arms, burying his head into her hair. “Don’t ever, ever, ever scare me like this again.”

Katherine pushed her way out of his embrace and tilted her head. “What are you doing here, Harold?”

“You didn’t think I’d remain at your grandparents’ after I found out you were missing, did you? I was preparing to unhitch the horses in order to join the rescue team, but realized Samuel, Theodore, and George had already left. Then Ethel and Louise descended on me, and I had no choice but to offer them a ride in the carriage. Good thing some of Theodore’s men were in front of us or we would have never found the trail.”

“Theodore’s men are here?” Samuel asked.

“They rode up ahead when they saw Theodore and George heading for that building.” Harold looked down and frowned. “Are those the men who abducted you?”

Katherine nodded.

Harold walked up to them and prodded Wallace with his boot. “Did they hurt you?”

“They didn’t hurt me, but the one to your right hit Arabella.”

Harold sent Arabella an odd look, moved to stand by Carter, and then calmly kicked him in the stomach. “Would you like a go at him?” he asked, turning his attention back to Arabella.

Arabella realized her mouth was gaping open, but before she had the presence of mind to snap it shut, two bodies barreled out of the carriage, and she was soon enveloped in a strong hug.

“My dear, you and Katherine have given us such a fright,” Ethel said in a shaky voice as she released her and stepped back.

“Where did Theodore and George go?” Louise asked, giving Katherine a hug before looking around.

“They went to see if they could find the gentleman those two men on the ground were going to sell our daughter and Miss Beckett to this evening,” Samuel said, moving to Louise’s side.

Harold blinked. “Did you say
sell
?”

“They said we would fetch top price,” Katherine explained. “Although that man you just kicked insinuated I wouldn’t fetch as much as Arabella. He seemed to think I was quite a bit older than she is, and I know we’re of the same age.”

“Give or take a year or two,” Arabella said with a grin.

Harold pointed to Carter. “He insulted you?”

“He did, and he divested me of my gun. But instead of keeping it, he threw it into the snow. It was my favorite pistol, and now it’s lost to me forever.”

“I’ll buy you a new pistol, darling,” Harold said. He then walked over to Carter and gave him another kick, earning a smile from Katherine. “What’s happened to you?”

“What do you mean?”

“For one, you’re here, and forgive me, but you’re hardly your normal mild-mannered self. I’ve never seen you lash out at someone before, and I must admit I find it somewhat perplexing.”

Harold crossed his arms over his chest. “Would you like me to apologize to the unconscious men?”

“Certainly not. They deserve a sound thrashing for what they attempted to do to Arabella and me.”

Harold nodded and delivered another swift kick to both men, causing Katherine to laugh nervously. “I think that will
be quite enough, Harold, although I do sincerely appreciate your unexpected support.”

“You say that as though my support has taken you by surprise.”

“It has.”

“You sounded surprised by the mere fact I came after you.”

“And you sound annoyed by my surprise,” Katherine returned.

“I came for you three days ago.”

“I know. I
was
there when you broke the window.”

“You allowed me to leave.”

“I didn’t know you expected me to call you back.”

“Of course I expected you to call me back. I thought that, just perhaps, you’d come to realize you missed me as much as I missed you,” Harold muttered.

“You missed me?”

Harold rolled his eyes. “There’s that tone of surprise.”

“I’m afraid I’m confused.”

Arabella stepped forward. “I think Harold’s trying to tell you that he wants you to come home because he’s discovered, while you were away, that he enjoys your company.”

“That’s exactly what I’m trying to say,” Harold said with a nod. “Thank you, Miss Beckett, for summing it up so nicely for me.”

“You’re welcome, and . . .” Arabella’s voice trailed off when a shot rang out in the distance. “Theodore!” she yelled, spinning on her heel and dashing off in the direction the shot had come from, ignoring the shouts of protests that sounded behind her. She got no more than a few yards before strong arms caught her.

“And just where do you think you’re going?” Theodore asked.

“I heard a shot.”

“And you thought you were going to do what? Come to my rescue?”

“It would make for a nice change of pace.”

“Grandfather found the coward hiding behind some timber. He thought it would be fun to flush him out.”

“But where is your grandfather?”

“He’s still back there with my men. Grandfather wanted to question the criminal before we hand him over to the police.”

“Why aren’t you questioning him?”

“I wanted to check on you and Katherine, and my grandfather is perfectly capable of proceeding without me around.”

“Will there be torture involved?”

“Of course not,” Theodore said with a laugh, keeping his arm around Arabella as he steered her back where everyone was still waiting. “What odd ideas you come up with at times.”

Arabella ignored the fact that his touch was causing her knees to wobble and tried to stay focused on the conversation. “It’s not such an odd idea, given that your grandfather was a spy, and everyone knows spies use diabolical methods to get their targets to talk. And speaking of spies”—her eyes narrowed as she met his gaze—“your grandmother mentioned something about you and spying, and your sister told Wallace you worked for the government. Why didn’t you tell me you were following in your grandfather’s footsteps?”

Theodore stopped in his tracks and sent her an exasperated look, but then his eyes sharpened on her face and he lifted a finger to her cheek. “Did you suffer all that damage to your face from the blow I saw that man give you, or did he hit you more than once?”

Arabella couldn’t help but notice the barely suppressed rage visible in Theodore’s eyes. He’d been so affable while they’d spent time at the farm that she’d somehow forgotten that the heart of a warrior beat underneath his charming exterior.

“Umm, well . . .”

“I’ll just ask Katherine.”

“Carter hit me once before because I refused to get on the horse.”

“Is Carter wearing the blue or the red coat?”

“Ah, red.”

Theodore walked her over to Ethel before he stalked back to Carter, who was stirring on the ground. He knelt down and shook the man, causing Carter’s eyes to flash open.

“I understand you hit Arabella.”

Carter didn’t respond.

“That’s going to cost you,” Theodore said in a quiet yet lethal voice. He leaned further over the man until he was almost nose to nose with him. “I’m going to make certain you land in front of the toughest judge in New York, and unless you tell me what you did with those prostitutes, you’re never going to get out of jail.”

“I didn’t do anything to any prostitutes,” Carter bit out. “The only harlot I was dealing with was your lady love.”

Theodore smiled, drew back his arm, and then Carter quickly descended into unconsciousness. Theodore straightened, got to his feet, and set his sights on Arabella even as he shook his head.

“I think the only way I’m going to be able to keep you safe is to marry you.”

 20 

T
heodore eyed the festive bunch of mistletoe dangling over his head and quickly strode to a different spot, glancing up first before coming to a stop. It was just like Mrs. Murdock to use that particular plant for decoration at her Christmas ball. Granted, it was a Christmas custom, but really, did it have to be strung so thoroughly about, almost as if it were just waiting to take some poor, unsuspecting gentleman by surprise?

He’d always been more than happy to embrace the charming tradition of a kiss on the cheek under the mistletoe. Now, however, he only wanted to give his kisses—even those just reserved for a cheek—to Arabella.

“Ah, Theodore, there you are,” Zayne exclaimed as he strolled over to Theodore’s side, glanced at the ceiling, and grinned. “I don’t think I’ve ever known Mrs. Murdock to be quite this diligent in her hanging of that delightful plant.”

“I’m not moving from this spot.”

“Now, that’s no way to think,” Zayne said before he turned, snatched two glasses of bubbling liquid from a passing servant, and thrust one of them into Theodore’s hand. He took a sip of his own and tilted his head. “Sulking, are you?”

“I’m hardly sulking at an explosion of mistletoe.”

“Arabella speaking to you yet?”

Perhaps he
was
sulking just a bit.

“Your sister is avoiding me.” He took a gulp of his drink and caught Zayne’s eye. “I’ve tried to see her, numerous times every day these past ten days, and yet the exasperating lady is making herself remarkably scarce.” He shook his head. “I hate to admit this, given my reputation with the fairer sex, but it would seem as if I have no understanding of the female mind. None of the women in my family are currently speaking to me much, and when they do, it’s not in a pleasant manner. Even
your
mother has taken to rolling her eyes every time she sees me. Granted, I was a little abrupt with your sister when I stated my intentions, but I thought Arabella would welcome the idea of marriage, as I’d come to the conclusion she liked me.”

Zayne snorted into his glass. “I don’t think Arabella is opposed to marriage in general, only marriage to you.” He shook his head. “Truth be told, I think she
did
like you, up until you told her you
had
to marry her.”

“My grandmother claims I made a complete muck of the entire situation.”

“I would have to agree with her.”

“I’d be more than willing to make amends if only Arabella would afford me a few minutes of her time.”

“How would you make amends?”

Theodore shrugged. “I’m not certain. As I said before, it’s clear I have little understanding of women.” He eyed Zayne for a moment. “You could help me. Women seem to adore you, and I’ve never seen any woman, except Agatha, give you a difficult time.”

“Women fail to give me a difficult time because I don’t hurt their delicate feelings.”

Theodore narrowed his eyes. “Arabella’s tougher than most
gentlemen I know. She didn’t even cry when I found her at the mercy of those men, which proves she’s hardly delicate.”

Zayne narrowed his eyes right back at him. “That’s where you’re mistaken. Arabella is a romantic at heart. She devours romance novels, dresses in pink whenever possible, and cries whenever she goes to the opera.”

“She can cry on cue.”

“True, but she can also cry for real.” Zayne shook his head. “Honestly, Theodore, what were you thinking? Your grandmother told me you punched a man and then casually told Arabella you’d have to marry her in order to keep her safe. That’s almost as bad as telling her she needs to marry you for her own good.”

“I
did
punch that man on her behalf,” Theodore muttered before he took another gulp of his drink, swallowed, and then grimaced. “You’d think I’d get a bit of credit for that.”

“I’m sure you would have if you hadn’t followed up your chivalrous act by behaving like an idiot.”

“I suppose my attempt at proposing was a bit clumsy, but I’ve never asked a woman to marry me before, and it just burst out of my mouth.”

“Perhaps if you had asked Arabella to marry you instead of blurting out the first thing that came to mind, you wouldn’t be in this situation.”

“I suppose you planned your proposal to Helena down to the last detail?”

Zayne looked down and began to study the cut of his sleeve. “I never actually asked Helena to marry me.”

“What?”

Zayne looked up. “It’s always been assumed we would marry.”

Theodore threw up his hands. “Why am I wasting my time asking you about women? You know even less than I do.”

“I know Helena would never resort to the dramatics you’re
experiencing with Arabella. We enjoy a stable relationship and understand each other completely.”

Theodore arched a brow. “How can you enjoy a stable relationship when she’s traveling out west and you’re still in New York?”

“I really don’t think we need to delve into my relationship at the moment, Theodore. Your problems are entirely more daunting than anything I might be experiencing with Helena.”

“I wouldn’t consider my problems ‘daunting.’”

Zayne blinked. “Did you not know that Arabella came here with Grayson, as in the debonair and charming and, let us not forget, wealthy Grayson?”

“Yes, thank you for that.”

“So you did know?”

“Mrs. Murdock made mention of it the moment I stepped through the door.”

Zayne laughed. “
That
explains her extremely happy demeanor. She believes you’re back on the market.”

“No wonder Felicia saw me and bolted from the room. Mrs. Murdock is probably encouraging her to entertain me this evening.”

“Felicia’s a lovely lady.”

“This coming from a man who takes an almost fiancée out of his pocket anytime an earnest mother comes sniffing around.”

“Again, not talking about me at the moment,” Zayne said. “We were discussing you and my sister.”

Theodore blew out a breath. “I have no idea how to proceed.”

“You could always try groveling,”

“I’ve never groveled in my life.”

“Maybe now would be a good time to try.”

“Your sister would hardly think well of me if I suddenly threw myself at her feet.”

“She might find it a lovely gesture.”

“Or she might decide I’ve taken leave of my senses.”

Zayne grinned. “True.” He tapped his finger on his chin. “You could donate a large sum of money to her cause, or better yet, find reputable employment for Violet and all her friends.”

“Didn’t Arabella tell you? She and my grandmother have already settled Violet and her friends into positions. They are now working permanently on the farm.”

“Doing what?”

“Well, Violet and Lottie have a great liking for cooking, so they’re in the kitchen. My grandfather has taken it upon himself to convince Hannah and Sarah that farming is a reputable and fulfilling profession. I heard him mention something about helping them set up a small shop to sell herbs.”

“That’s unfortunate,” Zayne muttered.

“It’s unfortunate the women have gotten off the streets?”

“No, it’s unfortunate your grandparents and Arabella came to their rescue. It leaves you with one less option to try to impress my sister.”

“They might decide they’re ill-suited to a respectable lifestyle,” Theodore said slowly. “If that happens, I could swoop in and save them.”

“They won’t,” Agatha said, stealing up beside them. “God is watching over them, and He helps those who seek to live a better life.”

“A very poignant point, Agatha, but tell me, how do you think God feels about eavesdropping?” Zayne asked.

“Oh, I highly doubt God would judge me too harshly for that. Besides, it was not as if you were even attempting to lower your voices.”

“Did you hear anything of importance?” Theodore asked.

Agatha let out a dramatic sigh. “Alas, no, nothing I was hoping to hear, such as what your plans are concerning Arabella.”

“Zayne thinks I should grovel.”

“Groveling might be called for, but may I suggest prayer?”

“It couldn’t hurt,” Theodore muttered.

“If you’re not comfortable saying a prayer on your own, Theodore, I’d be more than happy to intercede on your behalf,” Agatha said.

“I don’t know why everyone has this propensity of questioning my faith,” Theodore said. “I’m completely willing and able to say my own prayers, and I can assure you, my relationship with God is growing. If it makes you feel any better, my time at the farm has strengthened my faith.”

“Hmm, well, fine then, but I’ll still say a little prayer for you even if you’re capable of doing it yourself. You’ve made such a mess of things that you’re going to need a lot of assistance.”

“I keep hoping that you’ll someday become less annoying.”

Agatha sent him a cheeky grin. “I wouldn’t hold my breath, but enough about my annoying tendencies.
I’ve
come up with a plan to help you win Arabella.”

“This should be good,” Zayne mumbled.

“Your only suggestion was for Theodore to grovel,” Agatha said with a sniff. “Mine will win him the love of his life.”

“I never claimed Arabella was the love of my life,” Theodore said.

“And that’s why you’re not currently engaged to her,” Agatha returned. “You must make the grand gesture.”

“I told him that,” Zayne said.

“Actually, Zayne, you didn’t suggest a
grand
gesture,” Theodore corrected. “You simply said that if I did throw myself at Arabella’s feet, she’d see it as a
lovely
gesture.”

Agatha made a
tsk
ing sound under her breath. “Arabella deserves more than you groveling at her feet, Theodore. You must give her romance and love.”

“I’m not really adept at proclaiming my affection.”

“Hamilton wasn’t either at first,” Agatha said, “and look how well his relationship with Eliza turned out.”

“Agatha’s right. Hamilton did make a complete disaster of
his first proposal to Eliza, and if you will recall, it happened in this very same house,” Zayne said before he winced. “It’s almost as if I’m experiencing his pain all over again, but with you instead as the bumbling suitor.” He blatantly ignored the fact that Theodore had taken to sputtering. “It was not well done of my brother to infer he only wanted to marry Eliza because she’d make a wonderful mother for Piper and Ben. Luckily for Hamilton, she gave him another chance.”

Agatha grinned. “And now we get the supreme pleasure of watching them exchange lovey-dovey eyes on an annoyingly frequent basis.”

“I don’t think I’m prepared for lovey-dovey eyes,” Theodore said.

“You might want to give it a try,” Agatha suggested. “You are a very handsome man with intriguing eyes you could use to your advantage. I doubt Arabella could resist you if you turned on the charm and groveled a bit at the same time.”

“Was that supposed to be a compliment?”

“Maybe a small one,” Agatha said. Her eyes suddenly widened. “Good heavens, here comes Mrs. Murdock, and it looks to me as if she’s actually dragging Felicia behind her, and . . . oh dear. I wonder why Felicia is wearing a gown with red and green bows attached to it. She looks like a Christmas tree.”

“It must be her way of getting in the holiday spirit,” Zayne said weakly.

Theodore turned his head and swallowed a laugh. Poor Felicia really did look like a Christmas tree. Her gown was bedecked with flounces and bows, and they weren’t simply red and green. They were bright, almost blinding red and green. Her expression was entertaining. Appalled certainly, but resigned too, and a little amused.

He realized then and there that Felicia Murdock was more than she appeared. It was unfortunate his heart was settled so firmly on Arabella because Felicia was a woman of whom
any man could be proud, even in a hideous gown and possessed of a mother with high social ambitions.

“Mr. Wilder,” Mrs. Murdock exclaimed as she pulled Felicia up beside herself and came to a stop. “Mr. Beckett, Miss Watson, I do hope you’re enjoying the ball.”

“It’s lovely,” Agatha replied before she winked. “I have high expectations that something of a dramatic nature will occur, given what happened at your last ball.”