Chapter Forty-Four
Reverend Daniell pulled his daughter behind him and stepped forward to confront the tall figure. Charlotte scanned the room for something to use as a weapon but kept a tight rein on her fears—they were six against one, so unless the fellow turned a pistol on them, the odds were in their favor.
“What do you want?” demanded the parson, his stocky bulk quivering with indignation. “Shame on you, frightening God-fearing women in their own home at this hour of the night.”
Their unwelcome visitor was breathing heavily. He held no pistol, Charlotte observed, and his sword was still sheathed at his side. Surely, if he wished them harm, he’d be brandishing a weapon?
Just as realization dawned on her, the man removed his hat and yellow hair spilled out. He was still tugging down his mask when she swept forward to embrace him, greatly surprising her companions.
“Justin!” she exclaimed, hugging, then releasing him.
“Reverend Jessop’s son?” queried Reverend Daniell. “What in the Lord’s Name are you doing in that outlandish rig, boy? You’ve not turned villain, have you?”
“No, indeed. Forgive me for startling you all. This is but a subterfuge ordered by Lord Beckport—apparently, it’s a disguise he’s oft used himself.” Justin turned to her. “Miss Allston, I’m so pleased to see you free and unharmed.”
It seemed a bit silly now for him to be bowing politely and kissing her hand when she’d just thrown herself at him in so public a manner. Blushing furiously, she released him and stepped back.
“I promise Justin’s no highwayman,” she assured everyone. “We’re quite safe.”
“Absolutely.” He pressed his battered cocked hat to his chest.
She realized then how bedraggled he looked. There was a distinct smell of salt and gunpowder about his clothes. He must have come from the beach.
He’d know how Rafe fared!
Good lord. Was that why he’d come?
She dug her nails into her palms and tried to reassure herself he didn’t have the look of a man with ill tidings.
“Mr. Jessop! You know you’re forbidden my house,” Mama said, glaring at his outlaw disguise with obvious distaste. “How dare you come here, frightening myself and all my neighbors in this ridiculous manner? I should have Reverend Daniell seize you by the collar and throw you into the street.”
“Ma’am, until I know the particulars, I have no wish to lay hands on a colleague’s son,” the clergyman said with infinite politeness.
“Please, Mama, don’t,” Charlotte begged, stepping between her and Justin. “Can’t you see Mr. Jessop’s brimming with news?”
“Lord Beckport’s safe and unharmed, if that’s what you wanted to hear,” Justin said, and she was gratified there was no note of enmity in his voice. “He sent me direct from the beach to tell you the mission’s been successful. We’ve netted five English smugglers, a brace of French spies, their ringleader Culverdale and his henchmen, not to mention a shipload of enemy sailors who’ll be docking at Portsmouth shortly. Have we managed to miss one of the smugglers, perhaps?” he asked, eyeing the collapsed figure on the floor.
“My aunt’s handiwork,” Charlotte said proudly, her heart filled with relief that Rafe was safe.
“I’ll take him with me when I go. Mrs. Allston, could I trouble you for a glass of water? It’s been a very trying few hours.”
The Daniell family made themselves at home while Justin devoured the beef and pickles Flora quickly fetched for him. Having washed these down with a tankard of ale, he regaled everyone with the full story of the ambush by the beach. He assured them all danger from the spies and smugglers was now over. Once the head—meaning Culverdale—was cut from the body, it ceased to function and surrender came quickly.
Comforted by this reassurance, the reverend and his family said their good-byes and made their way home. On her way out the door, Thea gave Charlotte a smile, though her gaze strayed briefly to Justin before departing.
In a very business-like manner, he was tying the remaining traitor securely with a spare sash cord. Charlotte went over and knelt by his side, watching his long, slim fingers secure the knots.
“Did Rafe have to fight much?” she asked. “Was he in any danger? Did he overcome many of the brigands?”
“Much as it pains me to praise my rival, I have to say that, once he returned, Beckport made good account of himself, behaving as any good general should—though perhaps more foolhardy, since he was at the head of his men, not behind them. I, too, acquitted myself quite well, I believe, posing as him while he rescued you. Were it not for present circumstances, I might think twice about quitting the army.”
“It was a brilliant idea, changing places with Rafe,” she remarked, handing Justin another piece of sash cord.
“He feared the men might lose faith if he weren’t there leading them. So, I stepped in.”
She was still impressed that Rafe had given Justin command, after all the rivalry between them. It just proved how noble both men were.
Mama came into the room and said brusquely, “Charlotte! Do get up off the floor. That is not the behavior of a future countess. Must I keep reminding you about etiquette? You never were good at maintaining decorum.”
As she got to her feet, Justin turned his face away and his ears reddened. This was not the way Charlotte would have wished him to learn of Rafe’s proposal.
She shot a scorching frown at her mother, which did no good at all.
Once his work was done, Justin stood up, avoiding her eyes. “Yes, Lord Beckport mentioned you were to marry.”
He did?
Justin pushed at the unconscious smuggler’s body with his toe. “In any case, I must remove this fellow and be on my way.”
Charlotte moved to help him, but he waved her away. He dragged the sleeping smuggler to the front door, ruthlessly ignoring the bumps the hapless fellow had to endure. Once outside, he heaved him onto his waiting mount. Once his captive was settled across the horse’s neck, he lifted himself into the saddle. Wheeling the animal round, he raised a hand in farewell and trotted off into the night without looking back.
Charlotte’s heart was sore in the knowledge that she had hurt him, but maybe one day there’d be a chance to put everything right between them.
Shaken and weary as she was, there was one thing that buoyed her up.
The knowledge that soon she would be in Rafe’s arms again. He would kiss away her fears, and the world would cease to be upside down.
At least, she prayed it would be so.