Breaking the Governess’s Rules (31 page)

‘Listen to Miss Sibson!’ Annie pleaded. ‘Let her speak. She has money of her own, I tell you!’

‘No one will hear her screams here.’ His filthy hands tore the gag away. He held her chin between his meaty fingers. ‘What do you have to say for yourself, Miss Sibson? How are you going to save yourself? What are you going to offer me … your virtue?’

‘You promised to release Mrs Sims,’ Louisa said loudly. ‘You lied to Annie. She only brought me here because of her concern for her mother. You do not need either one of them. I can pay for your passage elsewhere if you let them go.’

‘Just like that! You really think his lordship would not set the law on me.’ The man laughed. ‘Why should I release any of you without that?’

‘Because you gave your word.’

‘You were a fool to trust me.’ He reached out and slapped Annie’s cheek. ‘I told her I wanted the snuffbox. But she brought an alternative. Now I am stuck with you.’

‘It is my final offer—let everyone go and I will pay your passage,’ Louisa said, twisting her arms behind her back. There had to be a way of getting the ropes to loosen. ‘Did you use Nanny Hawks as well? Did you threaten to expose her niece as a loose woman if she did not let you into the house and turn a blind eye? She dotes on her niece.’

Trevor gave her a black look and she knew she was right. He had made the connection. It was why he had seduced Annie in the first place and then threatened Nanny Hawks. ‘A man has to use his opportunities when he ain’t born with a silver spoon.’

Louisa fought against her bonds, but the rope just drew tighter, cutting into her wrists. ‘You are going to rot in hell.’

‘I hope so!’ He gave a crooked grin. ‘Now, Annie, my love, you are going to do just what I say. And maybe your mam won’t get hurt any more. You are going to deliver a little message for me.’

Tears started to flow down Annie’s face.

‘Annie, remember to do what is right,’ Louisa called out as a massive fist connected with her jaw. ‘Remember who looks after you and your family. And always will do. This man here lied to you and hurt your family. He does not deserve your loyalty.’

The only answer she heard was running footsteps.

‘I have found Miss Sibson’s reticule!’ Nella Blandish called out from the long grass and Jonathon wanted to kiss her.

He ran over to where Nella stood. The reticule did indeed look like Louisa’s. Annoyingly, Nanny Hawks could not say where Trevor had taken Louisa. Her only thought had been for Annie and her sister’s return, rather than a rescue party. Jonathon had had Thompson lock the woman in the pantry so that she could not escape. When this sorry mess was over, and Louisa safe, he would turn her over to the Justice of the Peace. But that was for later. Right now, he had to find Louisa. ‘Good work, Miss Nella.’

The young woman beamed. ‘I did not think it possible for two adventures in the space of a few weeks, but here I am!’

‘I doubt Miss Sibson would have abandoned her
reticule,’ his sister said. ‘She was most particular about such things when she was my governess.’

‘Do you have any suggestions for how we discover Miss Sibson’s whereabouts?’ Jonathon longed to hit something. The world suddenly seemed a far lonelier place. There were so many things he should have done and said to Louisa. He had to find her before something happened to her.

‘What about using the dogs?’ Rupert Furniss shouted. ‘Some dogs are good trackers. They can’t have gone that far. They were on foot.’

‘It is worth a shot.’ Jonathon held the little purse out to Tyne and Tees. The dogs sniffed it, but sat down looking puzzled. Jonathon cursed and, ignoring Mrs Blandish’s raised eyebrows, cursed again far louder. He knelt down and held the reticule out for the dogs again. They had to do it. By the time a rescue party was organised, Louisa could be dead. ‘Tyne and Tees, try to pick up the scent. Find Louisa.’

‘She went this way,’ Nella called out. ‘The undergrowth is stamped down and there is a bit of thread on one of the brambles.’

‘Miss Nella, you may have found your calling!’

Jonathon guided the dogs over to where Nella pointed. They lifted their muzzles, barked sharply and set off. In the distance, he saw a woman running towards them.

Louisa watched with frustration as Trevor stalked the room. She had lost track of time since Annie had gone. The rope remained fastened about her wrists. Why was it in Minerva Press novels the rope always seemed to
come undone easily and the heroine was free to save the day? The only thing she seemed to have done was to twist the rope tighter.

‘That witch should be back by now,’ Trevor said, coming back into the hut. Instantly Louisa stilled. ‘If she has double-crossed me, it will go ill for the both of you.’

‘If Annie has any sense, she will have confessed everything to Lord Chesterholm,’ Louisa said. ‘You had best allow us to go. Even now, a large search party may be coming for us. How do you think you’d fare against such an army?’

‘If she betrayed me, you both will die. She knows it. Do you know how long it takes to cut a throat?’ Trevor pulled out his knife and held it to Louisa’s throat. ‘Not so brave now, are we?’

Louisa closed her eyes and tried to concentrate as waves of helplessness washed over her. There had to be a way. Something she could do. She heard a faint noise. Her heart leapt. Someone was out there. She had to hope that it was not Annie back from her errand. ‘Exactly how long does it take to cut a throat?’ Louisa said in her loudest and most governess-like voice, the one she used when she expected to be obeyed. ‘Will I have enough time to say my prayers? You will allow me to say my prayers.’

‘Here, what is this?’ Trevor spun around.

The door crashed open with a loud thump. Trevor started towards the door with his knife gleaming in his hand. Louisa stuck her legs out in front of him and he stumbled. Before Trevor had time to regain his balance, a fist connected with his jaw and sent him flying
against the wall. Louisa’s breath caught as Jonathon flew through the door and landed several more punches on Trevor’s face. A group of stable hands and footmen armed with pistols and cudgels rushed in after him.

‘Get up! Get up and fight like a man!’ Jonathon grabbed Trevor by the lapels of his coat before hitting him again. ‘Annie Sims has confessed everything! How you forced her to try to steal the snuffbox in exchange for her mother’s life. She refused to let you murder two people!’

‘I should have never trusted a woman!’

‘It depends on the woman,’ Jonathon said. ‘I would trust Louisa Sibson with my life.’

He threw Trevor to the ground and gave the order for him to be guarded while his accomplice was rounded up.

Louisa collapsed back against the table. She was not going to die today. Jonathon had saved her.

She moved her hands and felt the ropes give way.
Now
it happened. ‘Jonathon,’ she called out.

Jonathon crossed the floor in a few strides and knelt by her side. His beloved face was creased with worry. He put his arms around her and held her tight to his chest. Louisa rested her head against him and heard the reassuring thump of his heart.

‘Keep still, Louisa,’ he commanded and quickly cut the bonds with a knife. Then he tossed the knife to his valet, who cut Mrs Sims’s bonds.

His hands rubbed the blood back into her wrists and feet. ‘Are you going to finally admit that you do need help from me?’

‘Yes, yes, I will. I love you, Jonathon. I always will.
I want to be with you. I want to share my whole life with you.’

His hands stilled. ‘You must only say that if you mean it.’

‘I love you, Jonathon.’ She lifted her hand and caressed his face.

He knelt down beside her. ‘Now are you going to tell me why you tried to save the day?’

‘It was not planned. I just knew that there was something not right.’

‘You were willing to sacrifice yourself for my son. Do not deny it. Annie has told me everything,’ Jonathon said with a loving smile.

Louisa shook her head. He had to understand the whole truth. ‘I wanted to get away from Annie. I thought I could get her back to the house. Events overtook me. I am not brave.’

‘I heard you taunting that piece of filth before we burst in.’ His eyes grew sober. ‘But next time…’

‘There will not be a next time.’ Louisa nodded towards where several of the footmen stood guard over Trevor. ‘What will happen to him?’

He glanced over his shoulder. ‘His days of thieving and violence are over, Louisa. He will be turned over to the law and will face justice for his crimes. I told you that I was a passable pugilist. It was only with great difficulty that I did not kill him. Has he hurt you?’

‘A few bruises. That is all. It could have been much worse.’ A shudder went through her. ‘He held a knife to my throat.’

‘I know.’

She grasped his fingers with hers and his hand
convulsed around hers. And she knew that she never wanted to let go. ‘I suspect a good many people want to see justice done.’

‘And it will be done, properly.’

A series of shivering convulsions went through her. Jonathon motioned to his men who removed Trevor. Then they led Annie and Mrs Sims from the hut. Suddenly the hut was empty and it was just them.

Jonathon placed his jacket around her shoulders and she drank in the warm scent that was uniquely him. Giving in to temptation, she laid her head back against his shoulder. He put his arms about her and steadily stroked her hair until the shuddering stopped.

‘How did you find me so quickly?’ Louisa asked.

‘Annie came to deliver the message, but I already knew the full story from Nanny Hawks.’

‘Nanny Hawks confessed to helping her?’

‘With a little persuasion.’ He cupped Louisa’s face between his hands. ‘You were right about me, Louisa. I have kept too much of life in separate boxes. I did not make the connection until today. It was wrong of me. You paid attention to little details and I just assumed…’ He paused. ‘But you are wrong about me as well. I want you in my life. All of my life. I want you as my life’s partner, not as some doll who cannot do anything without consulting me first. I had that sort of marriage with Clarissa and I hated it. I thought you understood. I want a marriage of equals.’

She turned her face to his palm. Jonathon wanted what she wanted. She simply had not wanted to see it before. ‘Jonathon, I was so frightened.’

‘Frightened of dying?’

‘No, not that. I was oddly calm about that. I was frightened of not seeing you again. Of never being able to touch you.’ Her breath caught at the sudden look of tenderness that crossed his face. ‘Of not being able to tell you how much I love you and how I have never stopped. You are the only man for me and I want to grow old with you. I never want to leave your side. I want you in my life … wherever that life takes us.’

‘If that is what your heart desires. And we can live wherever you like, even Sorrento. It is my family—you and Arthur—who come first, not my inheritance.’

Louisa bit her lip, knowing what he was offering. He would give up everything to be with her. She did not need Sorrento. That had been an excuse, a way to hide from the beckoning future.

‘I can grow lemons and vines in Northumberland, if we have a glasshouse.’ Louisa stopped and struggled to get out of Jonathon’s arms. ‘Oh, no.’

‘What’s the matter?’ His face creased with concern. ‘Are you injured, Louisa? What is going on?’

‘Miss Daphne.’

‘Miss Daphne is safe with Mrs Blandish. She is anxious for you, but allowed me to conduct the rescue.’

‘Miss Daphne is sure to be insufferable from now on. She will feel that she has had a hand in this.’ Louisa leant back against his arms. ‘Our marriage. She is sure to claim credit for it.’

‘And why not let the elderly lady have her illusions?’ Jonathon laughed softly and gathered her in his arms again. And she gave herself up to his kiss.