Mistletoe and Mayhem: A Regency Holiday Romance Anthology, page 34
She walked because she’d been doing so for most of her life and it wasn’t very taxing, but her head swirled with thoughts. What did “you will” mean? And why did those two words fill her with hope and excitement?
Chapter Thirteen
The weather was cold with the promise of snow in the air as Rory made his way to the Redfern townhouse. His family was leaving shortly and would meet them at the inn where they would spend the night before journeying together to Greystone tomorrow. He had decided to travel with Ivy, Jackson, and their aunt, to ensure they reached it safely.
Determined that Madam Layla would be punished for her crimes, Joseph and Rory also met with Squire Ringwald yesterday to discuss what had taken place at Le Plaisir. The man was a magistrate, and Rory thought he would help expedite matters; clearly he’d been wrong in his assumptions.
Ringwald had been determined to make light of what happened to Jackson, even stating that young high-spirited men got into all kinds of trouble. Rory had pointed out that as he was the man who had found his friend tied to a bed and then had a pistol pointed at him by Madam Layla, he felt there was a great deal more to it than young men getting into trouble. Things had declined after that.
The magistrate had dismissed the blackmail letter as a woman’s hysteria, which angered Rory, as Ivy was not the type for hysteria. Joseph had pointed out that he was not happy with Ringwald’s defense of Le Plaisir and that he would be taking the matter higher if it was not dealt with to their satisfaction. Ringwald had stormed from the room, leaving the brothers concerned over just how far Madam Layla’s tentacles reached.
Stopping outside the Redfern townhouse, Rory handed over his horse and was soon knocking on the door. He was pleased to see another carriage loaded with luggage waited as well as the one his family had loaned them.
He’d almost expected to receive a note from Ivy stating they no longer wished to leave London, but at least in this she was now showing sense.
Ivy. Rory wasn’t sure how it had happened, but she’d come to mean something to him. As yet, he was unsure what. However, he did know that her lips were soft and sweet, and her body pressed to his made him lose reason. What he wanted to do about that, he was unsure.
“Good morning, Parslip. Is the household ready for departure?”
“Indeed they are, Mr. Haddon. And in a flurry of activity.”
“Excellent.”
“At present they are taking tea in the front parlor.”
He found Aunt Bea and Jackson seated before the fire. Of Ivy there was no sign.
“You look better.” He shook the hand Jackson held out to him.
“Much, thank you. I have slept for two days and eaten constantly and am almost recovered.”
Almost, but not quite, Rory thought. He was still pale, and the shadows were there in his eyes. But he saw the return of his old friend.
“Is Ivy not taking tea?” he asked casually.
“She should be down shortly. I’ll go and find her,” her aunt said, gaining her feet.
“Ivy cannot be rushed and needs to check at least twice that everything she may require is packed,” Jackson said.
“My sister is the same.”
“I really must thank you again, Rory.”
“You have already done so, Jackson. There is no need for more.”
“I told Lord Trockler yesterday what you had done. He came to invite us to his house for Christmas.”
“I believe my sister said he will be alone, as his wife is visiting family and he had no wish to go,” Rory said.
“I wouldn’t want to go with her.” Jackson shuddered. “Horrid woman.”
“Couldn’t agree more.”
“Quite a surprise, him issuing the invitation, but very kind of him. I think Aunt Bea and he get along well.”
“Ivy is not in her room.” Aunt Bea appeared looking worried. “According to Parslip, she and her maid slipped out to attend the lending library.”
“I told her she wasn’t to leave the house!” Jackson growled. “That woman has no sense when it comes to books.”
“The lending library on Knocks Street?” Rory got to his feet, heart pounding.
“Yes, that is the one she visits,” Aunt Bea said. “I’m sure she will be fine. Ivy just wanted a book for the journey.”
“I will walk her home. Excuse me.” Rory made for the door. “When did Miss Redfern leave, Parslip?”
“An hour ago, sir.”
“On foot, I presume, as the carriage is outside?”
“Miss Redfern walks most places, Mr. Haddon.”
I will kill her. He was on the street in seconds. Knocks Lane was left, so he headed that way.
It was blisteringly cold as he struck out along the street with anger dogging his every step. She was a fool… a reckless, extremely disturbing fool. He had no problem with independence—indeed, he was surrounded by independent women—however he had little tolerance for stupidity.
Fear had him soon running down the road. Rory hoped he didn’t step on a patch of ice and end up on his backside.
The lending library was only a few feet away when he saw her. Stopping, he watched her walk out the door, smiling at her maid who was talking. She wore her gray coat and scarf and looked delicate and fragile. Of course, she was none of these things, but the façade presented that way. In her arms were books.
Rory stayed where he was, still some distance away, allowing his heart and rage time to settle before he spoke to her. Because his first instinct was to shake her, then yell. That would get him nowhere.
She was safe.
Something made him look to her right, and he saw the man approaching. In his hand was a pistol. There was no doubt in Rory’s mind that his intent was to harm Ivy. He started running.
“Ivy, run!” She stopped, looking his way. Rory pulled out his pistol, but the man had seen him and fled. He did not bother to give chase, as he would be fleeing down the narrow lanes and alleys in seconds, which he likely knew a great deal better than Rory.
Pocketing his pistol, he took the remaining steps to where Ivy still stood. Grabbing her arm, he hauled her to his side. Her maid was cowering in the doorway behind them.
“Do you not know what run means?”
“You surprised me. What is going on, Rory?”
“You are a bloody idiot!”
He turned and retraced his steps, dragging Ivy with him. Rage dogged his every step, and the words he wanted to spew forth were fighting for ascendancy.
“You are walking too fast, Rory.”
He didn’t lessen the punishing grip he had on her arm, but he did shorten his stride.
“The thing is, Rory—”
“Not one bloody word, Ivy, or everyone in these buildings and on the street will hear exactly what I think of your irresponsible behavior!”
To her credit, she shut up. Looking over his shoulder, he noticed the maid was following at a trot.
Minutes later, they entered the Redfern townhouse.
“Direct me to an empty room, if you please, Parslip,” Rory said.
“Second door on the left, Mr. Haddon.” The butler looked wide-eyed from him to Ivy.
“Please take these books to my room, Parslip.” Ivy threw them at the butler as she passed.
Rory walked, towing her behind him, into the room. He shut the door behind them with his boot.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think there was any danger in just a brief dash to the lending library.” Her words were falling one on top of the other as she backed away from him, which was not far, as the room was small. Tiny, in fact, and housed only a chair and small writing desk.
“You,” he pointed a finger at her as he advanced, “could even now have been in the hands of someone who wants to harm you! Not just harm, but violate!”
There had not been a great deal of color in her face to start with, but what there was leached away.
“That man wanted to grab you right of the street before me, Ivy, and was likely sent by the woman who kidnapped Jackson. Her threat was that we would be made to pay if we pursued charges against her. It seems she worked swiftly.” Which he would consider soon when he could again think clearly, as surely that strengthened his belief that Squire Ringwald could not be trusted.
“I’m sorry. I did not give the matter enough consideration.”
A gray velvet bonnet framed her face, tied with matching silk ribbons. He felt it again, that pain in his chest, but now it was worse, because just minutes ago Ivy Redfern could have been kidnapped… taken from him.
“I credited you with a great deal more sense than you are currently displaying. Clearly you have been used to doing as you wish without restraint or censure.” He was snarling now, like a rabid dog.
“That’s unfair.” The color returned to her face. “You make me sound brainless and rash. I assure you I am neither.”
He moved closer. “Your behavior today would suggest you are both those things. Especially considering both Jackson and I told you that there was danger.”
She looked like he’d slapped her.
“You could have disappeared, never to be seen again, had I not arrived when I did, Ivy. Do you understand that?”
She nodded, and he saw that the truth was hitting her hard.
“I do not want you to disappear, Ivy.” He closed the distance. “It would upset me greatly.” His anger fled as he saw the tears she was fighting to keep at bay.
“I-I am sorry. I have this furiously determined streak, and it tends to blind me to all else. I can also rationalize everything I should not be doing into something I should.”
Rory barked out a laugh. He then took her in his arms and held her close, as much for her as for him. He needed to feel her, needed to know she was safe here with him.
“Promise me you will not take such a risk again.” He cupped her cheeks.
“I promise.”
The kiss was gentle, and yet held so much. Passion, yes, but also desperation from both of them.
“We need to leave London now, Ivy.”
She nodded, and he saw the questions in her eyes, but now was not the time to answer those. When they were safe at Greystone there would be time to discover what lay between them.
“Come, we must alert your family to what has happened.”
“Oh, but—”
“They need to know, Ivy.”
“Forgive me, Rory, you are right, my behavior was selfish and irresponsible. I am not usually like that. Things have unsettled me, and I am not myself.”
“I understand that, and realize the last few days, weeks actually, have been extremely difficult for you, Ivy. But you must show caution now.”
“I will, I promise.”
“It is only because I care about you that I was so angry, Ivy. You scared me.”
“Thank you for being there, Rory.” She kissed his cheek, then walked past him out the door, leaving him to follow.
I’ll always be there for you.
Chapter Fourteen
He waited in the front entrance while they gathered their things, watching the street for anyone who may be lurking there with nefarious intentions.
As predicted, Ivy’s aunt and brother had let her know exactly what they thought of her behavior when he’d told them what had taken place outside the lending library. Chastened, she’d left the room.
He watched her stop halfway down the stairs as she noted no one but he was there.
“Ready?”
She continued slowly.
“You will like Greystone, Ivy, I promise.”
“It is very generous of your brother to invite us, Rory.”
“I hear a but?”
“I know we need to go after what happened today, and I want us to now. But we usually spend Christmas just the three of us. Often we decorate the house together and observe other traditions.”
“And you have no wish to observe any with my family?”
“It is not my intention to sound ungrateful in the face of your generosity, but surely your family wish to spend this time alone also?” Her face was serious, eyes somber.
Today someone had tried to grab her off the street outside the lending library, and that alone would have been enough to put some of the women he knew in bed for a week. But not Ivy. She was strong and resilient, just two more things in a long list for him to admire about her.
“We often have guests at this time of year. But if it eases your mind, we also decorate, and there are many events and happenings in the village that I know you will enjoy.”
“Of course.”
“Of course, none of those are the real reason you have no wish to leave London with me, are they? It is that you are confused about what lies between us.”
“You are right. I don’t understand what is between us.” She reached the bottom step where he stood, their eyes now level. “This kind of thing,” she waved a hand about, looking flustered, “is new to me.”
“I’m not used to it myself.”
Her smile flashed the dimple. “That’s good to know.”
“Leave it for now, Ivy. We can get to know each other better at Greystone. We will have plenty of time to talk there. Let us start our journey before the snow worsens or someone else finds a way to come after one of us.” Rory ran a finger down her cheek, then kissed her.
“Go and rally the others.”
She didn’t hesitate, just turned and ran back up the stairs to collect her brother and aunt.
Soon they were all loaded inside the carriages. The family in one, and the servants in the other.
“Surely it is too cold and dangerous to ride,” Ivy said as she prepared to step inside the carriage. “You would be best served in the carriage with us.”
“I like to ride.” He could also see if anyone approached them if he was on horseback. “And I have many layers on, so I will be warm. But thank you for your concern.”
She hesitated, then looked at him. “I don’t want anything to happen to you, Rory.”
“It won’t, I promise.” He squeezed her fingers softly. “In you get now, it’s cold out here.”
They rolled out of London without further incident, which relieved Rory. As the miles passed, he had time to think about just what he felt for the very sweet Miss Redfern and decided it was a great deal more than he’d felt for her last week. Added to that, it was a great deal more than what he’d ever felt for a woman before. His fear earlier, when he saw that man and couldn’t reach her, had bordered on desperation. Was that how Joseph felt for Milly?
Whistling softly to himself, he rode alongside the carriage so he could catch a glimpse of her sleeping with her face pressed to the window. Perhaps he was beginning to understand the emotion he felt for Ivy after all.
Ivy woke as the carriage lurched sideways.
“Dear Lord, the wheel has broken!”
“It’s all right,” Ivy soothed her aunt. “We have Mr. Haddon with us.”
“And me,” Jackson said, throwing off his blanket. “I am not that weak, you know.”
“Yes, you are, and if you stand about in the cold you will be more so. Stay here, and I will see what has happened, although as we are listing to the right, I think it fairly obvious,” Ivy said, opening the door.
The road before them was dappled with snow that had started to fall over the last few miles. Rory had dismounted and was standing with the driver and Timothy, helping to unharness the horses.
“The inn we are to stop at for the night is not far from here,” he said as she approached. “Get back inside where it is warmer, Ivy.”
“It will be some time before that wheel can be fixed, so my aunt and Jackson can squeeze in with the servants and I will wait here—”
“You will not!” Rory glared at her. “You will go, and Timothy and I will deal with the wheel.”
“I can stay,” Jackson protested, having stepped from the carriage.
“You are still weak,” Rory said. “Get your aunt and go to the other carriage. It’s freezing out here. You too, Ivy.”
“I will stay. There are plenty of blankets, and Timothy will keep me company. There is not enough room for all of us to travel in that carriage, as you very well know.” Ivy stomped her feet to keep them warm.
Snow touched the brim of Rory’s hat, and his collars were raised. Cold tinged his face with color, and Ivy felt the funny feeling in her belly again just looking at him. Large and vital, she thought, and extremely disturbing.
“I really won’t fit, Rory,” she said again.
His eyes went from her to the carriage. He then went to investigate himself, clearly not believing her.
“I did tell you I wouldn’t,” Ivy said, joining him in the doorway. Her aunt was pressed to Jackson on one side, and the other was squashed with servants.
“One of the servants can wait, and you can go,” Rory said.
“That’s hardly fair. No, I will stay with Timothy while you find someone to fix the wheel.”
“It’s not about being fair, Ivy.”
“I will not leave any of our servants here in the cold. Melanie has a sniffle anyway, and Lilly is my aunt’s maid and her age. Peter is—”
“I’m sure I could strap you to the roof.” Rory cut off her words.
“Extremely amusing.”
“I will ensure Ivy stays safe, and she has Timothy here also,” he said to Jackson. Before her brother could reply, Rory had closed the door and stepped back, taking Ivy with him.
Rory waved the driver to navigate around their carriage, then looked up. “The snow is getting heavier. I will take you up with me on my horse, and we shall follow. Timothy will have to stay with the carriage and horses. And before you open your mouth to argue, the answer is no. I won’t leave you here on the road unprotected.”
“I’m not sure that is proper.”
“And staying here with three men is?”
Ivy snapped her teeth together.
After ensuring the driver, Timothy, and the horses would be all right, she followed Rory to his horse.
“Will your horse mind?”
“Carrying you?” Rory took her hand and led her closer.
“Yes.”
