“Some men do not give up easily,” Charlotte said. “I was abducted twice.”
“I never heard the whole story.” Perhaps her sister would tell her.
“It is rather sordid. I was abducted for the same reason you were. An ineligible gentleman wanted to marry me. However, he thought complete ruin was in order. He hired someone to abduct me. Con happened to be driving by when Thorton stopped him and sent him after the carriage I was in. To make a long story short. I was saved, but another woman was taken, and I was abducted again in the process of trying to save her.” The corners of her lips tilted up. “I suppose it was not all bad. Con and I fell in love and married.”
“It was the most harrowing time of my life,” Con said from the side of the gig. “I hope never to repeat it.”
They slowed and turned into the inn’s yard. A sleepy stable boy ran out to meet them. “Don’t think we have room for all of ye.”
“We are not looking to spend the night,” Giff said. “I want to know which chamber has been given to Lord Normanby.”
“Don’t know the name, but I carried a bag for some lordship up to the last room on the first floor. It’s on the right side of the corridor.” Giff slipped the lad several coins.
The boy grinned. “Let me know if I can help you some more.”
“You can do so now. How do we get in without waking everyone?”
“I’ll show you the way.” He waved his arm, and they followed him to the back of the inn. “This door’s always open. Go through it and up the stairs. You’ll be right in front of the room you want.”
“Thank you.” Charlotte smiled at the boy, and his jaw dropped. She led the way, stopped at the door, took out a small bird-shaped tin of oil, applied it, then used her tool to turn the lock, and stepped back. “Gentlemen, after you.”
Giff shot Alice a grin. “I’m going to like being part of your family.”
She started to enter the room, but her sister stayed her. “You do not know his state of dress. Wait here until we are needed.”
Alice was not completely certain what part she would play, or if she would be allowed to do anything at all. “Very well.”
Charlotte patted Alice’s arm. “Matt will not keep you out of the discussion.”
That made her feel better.
The sound of a slap and a groan emitted from the bedchamber.
“What in the bloody—ooof.”
“Mind your language.” Matt said. “There are ladies present.”
“What are you doing in my room?” Normanby blustered.
“Making very sure you do not cause my sister any more harm.” Alice had never heard Matt’s tone so hard.
“You should be happy for her to wed me. I’m a marquis.” She rolled her eyes. Why did peers always think their rank mattered? Aside from that, so was Giff, and he was going to be a duke. If that was the competition, Giff won.
“What did you not understand about never approaching her again or there would be consequences?” Matt’s tone was menacing.
“By any rule of propriety, she should marry me. You don’t know what happened in that coach. Only she and I do. She was not unwilling.”
The next sound was one of bones crunching.
Alice sighed. “You were right. Some men do not know when to stop.”
“It would save the world a great deal of trouble if they did.” Charlotte matched Alice’s whisper.
“You have made your point, now go,” Normanby wheezed.
That was not going to happen. She stepped into the room. “Why on earth should we believe a single thing you say when you have lied to us? You must think we are all feather-brained wigeons.”
Matt rubbed his forehead. “We could lock him up in your dungeon.”
“We could,” Giff agreed.
“I have a better idea.” The gentlemen turned to look at Alice. “I think we should keep him locked up near Town. I would hate for his betrothed to be waiting for him at the church and he not appear. It would not be fair to her.”
“Richmond,” Merton said. “There are cellars, and no one will breathe a word.”
“Excellent.” She glanced at Normanby. “What is the surname of your betrothed?”
“Why should I tell you?” His words were slurred as if he was having a bit of trouble speaking.
She shrugged. “You do not have to, of course. I will find out another way.”
Normanby glared at her. “You are unnatural. You and your entire family.”
The nerve of the cad. How dare he cast slurs on her family. “Simply because we are progressive thinking does not make us at all unnatural.”
Williams entered the room. “We’re ready to take him, my lord.”
Normanby opened his mouth, and Giff punched him. “Just to keep him quiet, you understand.”
