Chapter 23

Colin woke ahead of the appointed meeting time, at least a half-hour before dawn. He tried to be careful and not wake Maddy as he slipped from the bed, but she roused. She looked worried for a moment, but she didn’t ask him not to carry through with the duel. Instead, she took his hand in hers and brought it to her lips, kissing the back. “Good luck this morning, my husband.”

He bent down and pressed a kiss to her forehead before standing up. “I shall have my valet help me in my room. I will return to you shortly with good news.” He briefly considered offering to bring her Stefan’s head in a bag, but he thought that might be a bit too much of the reality for her, though she clearly didn’t shy away from the idea of Stefan meeting his demise. In fact, she seemed to be anticipating that, and he could hardly blame her.

He was looking forward to inflicting the deathblow on the man for all the shameful things he had done to Colin’s wife, particularly when she had been such a tender age and unable to defend herself. He would’ve taken even greater pleasure at being able to dispense justice with his bare hands, rending the scoundrel limb from limb, but he would have to content himself with the sword. He had no doubt his skills were far superior to the other man’s.

After his valet had assisted him in dressing, Colin got on the horse that was waiting for him, unsurprised that Bellingford had coordinated with the groom to have the horse waiting at the appointed time, and after mounting, he rode swiftly to Hyde Park.

They had not bothered to designate a meeting spot, for every gentleman knew where duels took place. Rarely, did they end in fatal injury. It was generally accepted that whoever drew first blood was the winner, for gentlemen were normally not eager to kill each other, but Colin had no intention of sticking with convention today. He was going to end Stefan’s tyranny and remove any efforts of the man to control Maddy’s life.

He was pleased to see Nicholas waiting for him, so Griffins had clearly delivered the note as instructed last night.

Nicholas looked tired and a little uncertain. “Are you sure this is a good idea, old chap?” he asked as he got off his chestnut stallion.

“It is the only way forward. The man cannot be permitted to terrorize Maddy further.” He stood near the open area of the glade, looking for Stefan. The first tendrils of dawn were streaking across the sky, providing illumination, and it soon became obvious Stefan was late.

Worse than that, Colin had a sinking sensation in his stomach as he realized the other man wasn’t coming. Even worse, Stefan also knew Maddy would be home alone while he was here to meet him, and he cursed his own foolishness at giving the man an opening.

In a rush, he turned to Nicholas. “I must return home. I fear Hearthstone has stolen her away while we waited for him to show up, the bloody coward.”

Nicholas seemed furious too, and the two of them mounted their horses and rode as fast as they could. He was reassured by his friend’s presence behind him when they arrived at Kressley House moments later, leaving the horses in front of the house as they raced inside.

He didn’t have to go far to confirm his supposition. Poor Bellingford laid on the ground, bleeding profusely from a blade wedged in his side. It had first made a slashing motion down his torso, and he must’ve lost so much blood that Colin was amazed he could still be alive, let alone speak when his butler said, “The man took her, my lord.”

He didn’t have to ask which man, but he did ask, “Did you hear anything about where he was taking her?”

Bellingford shook his head, and then his eyes closed as his body relaxed. It was as though he had clung to the last bit of life he had in order to relay the information to his master. Knowing what a kind and loyal man he had been, Colin had no doubt that was the case.

Briefly, he lifted his hand to pull down Bellingford’s lids over his eyes in a sign of respect before getting to his feet and rushing up the stairs. Even though he knew it was futile, he still called Maddy’s name.

He heard a groan coming from her room, and he rushed inside, trying to avoid being crushed under the wave of disappointment that crashed over him when he recognized Glynnis was the one who had issued the sound. Truly, he hadn’t expected to find Maddy there, but he had hoped.

The maid was tied up, and she had a bloodied gash on her temple, so Nicholas held his handkerchief against it while Colin undid the gag in her mouth and started untying ropes.

“I am so sorry, sir, but there was nothing I could do. A man entered with three other big men, and they knocked me down. One of them tied me up, while two others subdued Lady Kressley, tied her up, and stuffed her into a bag.”

He frowned. “Did you see any logos on the bag?”

“I believe ‘twas the Fair Soap Laundry Service, Lord Kressley, but that don’t matter.”

He frowned. “I assure you: it could be quite important.”

Glynnis quickly shook her head. “No, sir. I heard him tell her once he got her home, he was going to teach her a lesson she wouldn’t soon forget. Surely, he must be referring to his home here in London?”

He nodded. “I do believe you are correct, Glynnis. You said he had three big men with him?”

“Yes, perhaps a few more available as well, sir.” Glynnis blushed then, looking down. “I do not like to admit it, Lord Kressley, but I have a brother who is…of questionable moral character. He belongs to a gang, and I believe you could secure his assistance and theirs, for a bit of coin.”

He almost leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead in gratitude, but he restrained himself. He was certain Tolley would have similar contacts but using Glynnis’s would be faster. “I would be appreciative of that. Would you feel comfortable if I entrust you to Lord Stratford, who will take you to find your brother and his men, and then you can all meet with me at Stefan’s home?” He would have to find the location, but he knew the address was in the paperwork Tolley had brought him, which he had brought back to London when they left the family estate.

She nodded eagerly. “I would be happy to assist, my lord. I have not worked long for Lady Kressley, but she is a kind soul, and she does not deserve this ill treatment.”

He nodded his agreement as he stood up. “Griffins?” he called loudly. He heard an answering groan in his bedroom and went through to that bedchamber, finding Griffins slumped against the foot of the bed, but he had not been tied up. He appeared to be regaining consciousness.

“I know you are injured, my friend, but I need you to get a sum of money from my safe. You are to give Lord Stratford and Glynnis whatever amount Glynnis thinks is required, plus another twenty percent to ensure she can buy what I need. Do you understand?” Normally, he would have no reservations about Griffins’s ability to understand or carry through, but his valet still seemed dazed.

The valet nodded, though he winced at the motion. “I do understand, Lord Kressley. I shall see to it that it’s done.”

At those words, he returned to the bedchamber and nodded to Nicholas. “I am entrusting you with this, but I ask you to come with me to my study so I can get you the address of where we will meet.”

“Of course, Kressley.”

With Nicholas following behind, he led him down the hall and went to the large desk. He knew right where he had left the papers, so he pulled open the pertinent drawer and removed the folder, soon rifling through it until he had found the information about Stefan Hearthstone.

He took a moment to write down the address for Nicholas before stuffing the original paper in his pocket. “I am going to ride ahead and see what I can determine. Try to meet with me as soon as you can.”

“We shall, but promise me you will not do anything rash, like try to enter and take on the man and his ruffians alone.”

Colin hesitated and then shook his head. “I am not one to make a promise I might not be able to keep. It depends on the circumstances.”

Nicholas sighed, but he nodded his acceptance. “Very well then. We shall see each other soon.”

“I have no doubt.” He was certain Nicholas and the abigail would do their best to procure the help of Glynnis’s brother, but he couldn’t afford to take the extra time to wait for them to accomplish it.

After he and Nicholas parted in the hallway, he rushed below-stairs to pound on Tolley’s door. He would feel better having the man at his side.

The door beside his opened, and a plain-faced maid peeked out. She looked startled at seeing Colin. “Sorry, sir, but Mr. Tribbs was called away. His mum be ill, he said.”

He stifled the urge to curse and issued a terse thanks to her as he turned from Tolley’s room and rushed upstairs again. He wished his companion were available, but he wouldn’t let it deter him.

Moments later, he was on Mephistopheles again, racing the stallion toward the edge of the fashionable part of the Ton. As in every other aspect of his life, Hearthstone was clinging to the edges with tenacity, for if he had gone two blocks farther south, his address would’ve no longer been considered acceptable to buy him entrance into society.