Simon's Brides (21 page)

“I don’t think anyone should talk to those two but Simon. They look disreputable and unfriendly,” Dora added.

Amy frowned, “If they want Harold I doubt they are nice men. I wonder if they came because of us. After all, Harold did threaten to sell one of you if I didn’t agree to marry him.”

“Which is why you must wait for Simon,” Dora stated.

“Is Aunt Agatha awake?” Amy inquired.

Dora nodded.

“Then ask her to come with me. You and Caro slip out the back door. Ben and one of the Foleys stayed behind. Signal them to come to the house. Aunt Agatha and I will find out what these gentlemen want.”

“They aren’t gentlemen,” Dora grumbled, as she followed Caro back to the rear door.

Once Ben and Chester were in the house, and Agatha had descended to the hall, Amy told her, “We must at least see what they want. Then we can send them on their way. If they want to talk to Simon they can come back later.”

Agatha nodded, her eyes wide.

“Perhaps, Amelia, dear, we should wait. Then again...”

“At least we will know what they want. Ben and Chester can stand here in the hall. We’ll be safe enough.”

For a second, Amy wondered if these men knew anything about Ellie’s disappearance, then she bit her bottom lip. Simon would not return for some time and if they did have information...

“Come, Aunt Agatha, let’s go see what they want.” Amy strode toward the front parlor, glancing back at the disapproving expression on Ben’s face.

Bolton stood waiting for her before the closed door.

“Miss Amy, they appear to be disreputable men. Shouldn’t you wait for Lord Kirkley?”

Amy shook her head and drew back her shoulders.
Should she wait? No! These men just might know something about who took Ellie.

She swept into the room and surveyed the two men standing close, their heads together as they engaged in a quiet but animated conversation.

“What may I do for you gentlemen?” Amy asked, allowing Agatha to step to her side.

One of the men bowed to them and took a step closer. Amy moved back a step.

“We want to talk to Mr. Bottomsworth. He gave us this address.”

“I’m sorry,” Amy tried to look sincere and knew she failed when they scowled at her, “Mr. Bottomsworth no longer lives here at the Manor.”

“Well, bloody hell,” the older of the two muttered then glanced at Agatha. “Sorry ma’am.”

Amy watched as Agatha straightened.

“I don’t approve of that sort of language. What business do you have with this Mr. Bottomsworth?”

The older nodded at the younger. They seemed to come to some kind of agreement.

“He owes us money.”

“Well, as my charge told you, he doesn’t live here anymore. In fact, he never belonged here. He stole from us and--”

Amy laid her hand on Agatha’s arm. She didn’t want the woman saying more.

“You have the information for which you came. Harold is not here. We have no idea where he is. Now, Bolton will see you out. Aunt Agatha,” Amy turned and waited for Agatha to precede her.

“Bolton, see the men out,” Amy directed, amused that Bolton stood poised at the opening.

From the parlor Amy heard the older fellow say, “Damn it. I had a feelin’ that bum would renege on his vouchers. Well, if he don’t want to pay his gambling debts, maybe we’ll have to break a leg or two.”

The other man responded, “I’ll wager he don’t own any property either. With the kind of money he owes we ought to snuff `im out.”

“Shut up, you fool,” the first man responded. The men strode from the house.

Amy shivered, as she and Agatha started up the stairs. Now they knew why Harold had stolen from them and sold the horses. He had gambling debts to pay. And, from the sounds of it, Harold’s debt was large enough to threaten his life.

Thirteen

Amy watched from her upstairs window as the two men strode toward a hack, and a cheap one at that. They seemed to be in some disagreement as they climbed into the conveyance. Amy shook her head wondering if they were planning some mischief. She would have to tell Simon about them as soon as he returned.

After the vehicle moved off, all the women assembled in the back parlor. Tea arrived but no one had any appetite.

“I hate waiting,” Dora muttered.

“None of us likes this,” Amy assured her.

“I can hardly wait for Simon to return.” Caro stood, smoothed her skirts and sat beside Amy.

“I’m positive about that small mill,” Caro added. “And, to my way of thinking, it makes a perfect hiding place.”

“Oh, Carolyn, don’t say things like that,” Agatha scolded.

“But, it’s true, Aunt Agatha,” Beth offered. “I doubt anyone from the village has gone to that building for years. There’s nothing there, but it is shelter, there’s water, and a person could come and go without being detected.”

“Well, let us hope that Simon finds Eleanor. We need to get Amelia married before word of her imprudence becomes common knowledge.”

Amy glared at her. She was not going to spare a thought to a wedding she didn’t want. The most important thing now was to find Ellie. She opened her mouth to voice her feelings but she spun around at the loud noises coming from kitchen.

“What the...” Caro began.

“What is going on?” Agatha stood, putting everyone’s thoughts into words.

Ellie dashed into the room.

Amy shouted with delight, “Where--”

“How on earth--” Caro shouted, drowning out Amy’s softer word.

“Ellie,” Dora yelled.

“Oh my, dear me,” Agatha crooned and sank into her chair.

“I’m home,” Ellie exclaimed.

“What happened?” Beth asked.

“Well,” Ellie grinned as they gathered around her. “When Caro was thrown, I rode for help. I didn’t get far when this stranger grabbed my horse’s reins.” She glanced at Caro. “You weren’t hurt, were you?”

“Nothing of consequence,” Caro answered, “now, go on.”

“He mounted behind me even though I tried to fight him off. He was much stronger than I thought. He twisted the reins about my hands then guided Dandy away from the path. All of a sudden, another fellow jumped out of the brush, but the man who tied the leather around my wrists didn’t seem to know him, so I figured it must be one of Simon’s men. Besides, he looked like a sailor.”

She took a deep breath.

“I yelled that I was being kidnapped, but the man holding me in front of him, kicked Dandy and then the sailor tried to pull him off the horse. Before I could do anything, the sailor dropped to the ground and the man behind me clamped a hand over my mouth.”

“I bit him,” she said glancing around.

“So,” Caro snapped.

“Well, it didn’t do any good. He took me to the old mill and tied me up.”

Ellie brushed at her filthy riding habit. “I escaped,” she declared proudly.

“How?” Beth whispered.

“This morning Uncle Harold came to the mill. He and the man who captured me went into the woods and I could hear Uncle Harold screaming about money and why wasn’t some letter delivered. You know, I think there is something wrong with Uncle Harold, something with his mind.”

“Eleanor,” Agatha scolded, “will you please continue?”

Ellie nodded.

“Before Uncle Harold and his man returned, I worked the ropes loose. You see, the man guarding me didn’t pay any attention to me after that first day. I noticed that when he untied me so I could eat he didn’t bother making certain the knots were tight.”

“Are you all right? He didn’t hurt you, did he?” Amy asked.

“I think he was afraid of me. That first day, I called him all sorts of foul names, and I told him Simon would draw and quarter him when he found him. Do you believe, I had to explain to him what draw and quarter meant!” Ellie placed her hands on her hips, “I scared him to death. It was almost as if he didn’t want to be there and he didn’t want to have anything to do with me.”

“So, what happened after you got the ropes loose?” Dora asked, leaning toward Ellie.

“Before Uncle Harold came, I heard the horse snorting every time that man took me into the woods to take care of--well, you know.” She paused for a moment. “I tried to escape the first day, but I didn’t get far. After he caught me, that’s when I told him all about being drawn and quartered. After Uncle Harold came today, I unknotted the rope and then--” Ellie stopped and glanced at her sisters.

Amy could have strangled her. Ellie was enjoying this attention too much.

“Ellie!” Amy snarled.

Ellie grinned and took another breath. “When they were outside arguing, I snuck out the door, mounted the horse and walked him out of the pen. When we were a good distance from the mill I coaxed him into a gallop and rode for home. I’m surprised you didn’t hear Uncle Harold yelling at me. He and the other man gave chase, but they were on foot.” She giggled. “Uncle Harold didn’t even get on his horse, he just took off running. I would have ridden all the way home, but I fell off. I don’t ride as well as Caro without a saddle.”

“And Simon?” Agatha had gained her voice.

“I was walking along when Simon and his sailors came toward me. You know, Simon’s men don’t ride well either,” she gestured toward the back of the house. “I rode home with Simon.”

“Ellie, what did you mean when you said you thought there was something wrong with Harold?” Amy asked.

“Well, for one thing, he was cursing everyone, Mother, Father, Simon, you Amy. I don’t think I ever heard him swear like that before. When I first saw him, he was foaming at the mouth as he sputtered at my captor. And, he yelled. Much of what he said didn’t make a whole lot of sense, at least not to me. At the time, I thought it was because he was so excited. I’m not so certain now.”

“We had some excitement here as well,” Dora said.

“Oh?” Ellie glanced from the door to Dora. “What happened here?”

“Amy and Simon are getting married,” Beth informed her.

“When?”

“Amy’s marrying Simon right away,” Dora explained.

“And, we must send someone for the Reverend Mr. Sudsberry immediately,” Agatha commented.

“Today?” Ellie asked, glancing at Amy. “Well congratulations. I knew as soon as I saw you and Simon together you would make a marvelous couple. But, wait a minute. I thought you said you didn’t ever want to marry.”

She didn’t wait for Amy’s comment. “Well, if we’re having a wedding today, I want a bath. I feel filthy.”

Agatha stood and brushed her hands together, “Now girls, Eleanor must have her bath, and we must get Amelia dressed. You will all want to look nice for your sister’s wedding.”

Amy gritted her teeth and glared at Agatha. “We should wait until tomorrow. Ellie needs to recover from her experience.”

“No, my dear, today is the day. I’ll send for the vicar and inform the household. The rest of you take Amelia and Eleanor upstairs. I’ll have the maids start heating water.” She clapped her hands in dismissal.

Amy wanted to scream.

~ * ~

An hour later, Amy stared at herself in the mirror then gazed at her sisters behind her.

“I don’t want to do this. I told Simon’s aunt we should wait until tomorrow, that we should wait until Ellie has had a chance to recuperate. I mentioned that Simon needed time to sort out what Ellie had to say and then there were those two men who came here today. Agatha overruled every recommendation I made.”

“She didn’t overrule you, she out-talked you,” Caro chuckled.

“She does like to talk,” Dora offered.

“No, I think it’s rather that she likes to hear herself,” Amy commented. “But, no matter. She insisted the wedding be today. I don’t want to marry, not Simon, not anyone,” she confessed.

“And, I’ve already told you, you don’t have a choice,” Caro muttered. “Amy, I know you like things your own way and you are stubborn, but you must marry. You know it, I know it, and the others know it. Even Simon knows it. Come, let’s finish getting you dressed.”

Amy stared down at the ivory silk gown Agatha had selected for her to wear and groaned. “I’d be happier in black or dark gray. This is no time for a wedding celebration. We should be celebrating Ellie’s return.”

Amy gazed at herself again. The balloon sleeves were trimmed with the same delicate lace that graced the collar of the bodice. A dozen tiny buttons stretched down the front of the gown. It was one of her new dresses, one she had not worn yet.

“Isn’t this gown too tight,” she muttered, struggling with the front placket.

“No, and quit yanking at it,” Caro ordered. “You’ll tear the fabric.”

“At least your gown is more appropriate,” Amy pulled at the sleeves.

“You don’t look good in burgundy. It will clash with your hair,” Caro answered laughter sparkling in her eyes.

Amy wanted to shout that there was nothing to laugh about, but she didn’t think Caro would agree. She slipped into the ivory slippers that matched her gown. “I don’t want to do this.”

Caro murmured her sympathy. “Come on, stand up straight and let me smooth the skirt. Dora is waiting to do your hair.”

With her sisters fussing around her Amy prepared herself for her wedding, a union that would never be consummated. After her nightmares last night her resolve had grown even stronger. She had no intention of ever occupying Simon’s bed and after the wedding she would tell him so.

~ * ~

As Simon bathed he considered the changes about to take place. Most amazing was the fact he wasn’t upset. He’d already admitted that he rather enjoyed the challenge managing the property gave him. Suddenly inheriting a big family also thrilled him. Oh, he didn’t intend to give up his business. The sea was too much a part of his life, but somehow, Amy and her sisters made his shipping company take second place in his thoughts. His company no longer held his total interest as it had once had.

Strange, he knew he wasn’t in love with Amy--at least, he didn’t think he was. He wanted her, there was no question about that. She stirred something in him that he’d never before experienced. He thought about his original observations. He’d watched her glide toward him like a schooner in full sail. And, he couldn’t forget the temptation he’d had to squelch about planting a sensual kiss on her lips. And tasting her had only increased his desire. Oh, yes, he wanted her all right.

He grinned thinking about this large master suite a century of Barons Kirkley had occupied. Now, it was his turn. Neville must have known that something like this would happen when he named Simon guardian. Simon wondered if the older man had guessed that Simon and Amy would be attracted to each other, that they would marry and Simon would have the responsibility of the estate.

He glanced around the room. If he were honest with himself, managing the estate provided real satisfaction. He enjoyed being the force to make things happen here at Kirkley Manor. And if truth be known he also liked the title of Baron.