Quinn took in Mr. Gently’s shock at seeing them with great pleasure. If not for his groom’s quick thinking, Theodora would have come to harm in the hands of this monster. The men Quinn employed for his carriage had all followed the stolen vehicle on borrowed horses, sending back urchins wearing pieces of their livery to Newberry House, to warn him of their heading.

He took in the poor state of the stables, Mrs. Dalton bound on the ground, Theodora’s bruising cheek as she backed away, and his temper soared. He’d arrived too late to protect Theodora from harm. Whoever had struck her would pay dearly for that.

“Drop the knife,” he demanded of the man his late sister had once loved.

“I ain’t got no knife,” Nelson complained, then glanced at his partner in crime. Clearly slow to comprehend that he’d been moments away from being stabbed, it took another painfully long moment for him to see the knife Gently held at the ready. He turned to face the other man when he did. “Why do you have a knife?”

“Shut up,” Gently growled.

“You were going to hurt the ladies?” Nelson tilted his head to the side, blinking in surprise. “You can’t do that. It ain’t right to hurt innocents.”

“Women are never as innocent as they seem.”

Nelson tackled Gently suddenly, and wrestled the knife from his grip very easily. He waved it about. “Knives are dangerous. People misunderstand when you hold a knife for too long. You told me that.”

Nelson threw it across the stables, embedding the point in a post far from reach. Quinn breathed a sigh of relief that he wouldn’t have to shoot the dumb ox and moved closer to them, never taking his attention from Mr. Gently, who he now judged the only threat in the room.

“So I understand you’re the man who murdered Mr. Dalton.” Mary had loved this man, a fellow who had abducted his Theodora and her mother. “I believe you also knew my younger sister too.”

Gently’s face transformed for a moment then hardened. “Slut.”

“How dare you say that?” Deacon bellowed.

“It’s the truth.”

The force of Deacon brushing past Quinn nearly knocked him from his feet. Deacon fell upon Roman Gently and slammed a fist into his face. “You used her and then abandoned her!”

“She used me too,” Gently snarled, struggling against the much larger Deacon.

“Stop!” Theodora shrieked.

Quinn clenched his jaw briefly. “Why should I stop him doing what needs to be done?”

“Because he must be punished under the law for my father’s murder.”

Deacon threw Gently away across the room so hard the man staggered. “I’m glad Mary’s not here to see the type of man you’ve become.”

Quinn gaped. “You knew about Mary and him all along.”

“I introduced them,” Deacon mumbled, looking down at Gently in disgust. “Mary unwittingly helped your father undercut the business.”

Quinn blinked. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I promised Mary that I wouldn’t ever speak of him again or tell you what she’d done,” Deacon confessed. “She was ashamed. She knew you’d try to punish him for her mistake. But he was never supposed to return to England.”

“Her mistake?” Quinn swallowed hard and quickly gestured to Hastings who was blocking the exit with his men. “Bind their hands.”

“Don’t hurt Nelson,” Mrs. Dalton pleaded suddenly.

Quinn dropped down behind Mrs. Dalton to loosen her bonds before helping her stand. “Madam, he abducted you and forced you to come to this filthy place.”

“He was only doing what he was told.”

“Who are you?” Nelson asked, as he was restrained, though he did not fight them off.

“Lord Templeton,” Quinn said.

The big man paled and struggled to retreat. “Lady Mary’s father?”

The way that sounded, Nelson had some experience with his father, and it seemed not to be a pleasant sort of remembrance. “Our father died. I am Mary’s elder brother, and the new Lord Templeton.” He studied the blinking idiot. “I am nothing like my father, but I warn you not to cross me.”

The big man relaxed, and allowed his hands to be bound by Hastings without further protest. He tested the bonds, and then glanced at Theodora. “You said Lord Templeton wouldn’t come for you,” he protested. The oaf’s eyes widened. “You lied to me like Gently said you would.”

Quinn stepped between Nelson and Theodora. “Miss Dalton misunderstood the depths of my feelings about our engagement. Of course I would want to rescue her,” Quinn promised. “A gentleman always protects the woman he adores.”

He glanced at Theodora quickly and grinned at her shocked expression. He shrugged, looking around for Deacon without finding him. “Loves, actually. We’ll discuss it later.”

Nelson began nodding. “I took good care of them. Made sure they had nice warm straw to sit upon. I only had one coat for one of them. It’s warm and cozy here, so I didn’t think they’d suffer.”

Quinn nodded too, baffled by the man’s polite manner. Surely he didn’t think this location was suitable for any lady? Had the jug only been half full when Nelson was created? Gently was the real villain here, and the one to watch. “Take them out.”

The men hurried to do Quinn’s bidding, forcing a resisting Mr. Gently out to the waiting carriages. Nelson looked back once or twice, appearing confused by his situation. Quinn felt a moment of pity for the man. Clearly, he’d been used ill, but that was no excuse. He’d suffer for his actions today, probably without fully understanding why it must be so.

Once they were away, Mr. Banks poked his head back through the door. “I have heard and seen enough to press for hanging. What was that business about with your sister?”

“Nothing to concern yourself with,” Quinn said quickly. “An old grievance.”

And something Deacon knew more about than Quinn did, apparently.

Quinn turned toward Theodora once more, lifted her chin to look at her face and, seeing that she appeared fine but for that, kissed the top of her head. It was clear Theodora had survived the ordeal relatively unscathed, freed herself, and was even now gathering a fine temper, given the way she scowled at her abductors. “Are you well, love?”

“My cheek hurts,” she confessed.

Quinn cradled Theodora’s damaged cheek in his palm. “I wish I could take away this pain for you.”

“Do not worry for me.”

“But I always will,” he promised.

“He never hurt us. Nelson, I mean. He doesn’t deserve to hang for Mr. Gently’s crimes.”

“That will not be for me to decide,” he warned her. “It is Banks who must be convinced to be lenient.”

“Mr. Banks,” Theodora called, pulling away from him. He smiled as she spoke eloquently on behalf of Nelson’s situation and alluded to his misuse by the much smarter and more cunning Mr. Gently.

Quinn glanced down and plucked up a garment from the straw. Once nestled beneath Mrs. Dalton, laid over a pile of thick, clean hay, was a poor man’s crumpled coat. He shook it out, noting the unusually large size, and then showed it to Mr. Banks. “Look at this. Mr. Nelson appears to be a gentleman abductor?”

“Interesting, but hardly relevant,” Banks claimed. However, he did make a note in his pocketbook that Quinn hoped might help the man escape the noose.

“It is Roman Gently who is truly evil, Mr. Banks,” Theodora insisted. “Mr. Nelson merely went along with everything he said like a child. He didn’t know what Gently planned for our future, or for my father, I’m certain of that. He’s not to blame. You must see that and help him.”

“He assaulted the Duke of Rutherford’s grooms, aided in the kidnapping of yourself and your mother, then held you against your will in filth. What sort of man would I be if I allowed him to suffer no consequences at all?”

“He should not hang,” Theodora insisted. “But he could be helped by someone with the power and compassion to do so.”

“Indeed, he should be, if such a man existed,” Mama agreed before Lord Deacon escorted her outside.

“We will have to see what we can accomplish together then, shall we?” Quinn offered. He held out his arm to Theodora. “Hold on to me and let us leave this hellhole.”

Theodora wrapped her arm through his and sighed. “How did you know to look for us here?”

“The grooms survived the attack on them and followed you.”

“I wondered what had become of them. I am so glad they are all right.”

Mr. Banks stood before Mrs. Dalton, his hands spread wide. “We never imagined he’d be as brazen as to try for an abduction. I should have acted as soon as Lord Templeton’s suspicions were confirmed.”

“We all should have,” Quinn added, feeling guilt replace his anger.

“You knew he lived?” Theodora looked up at him with huge eyes.

“I saw him, but didn’t believe my eyes at first. Only today did I know it was him for certain. When I went to warn you to remain at home, I was told you and your mother had gone out.” He frowned at her. “Next time, please do me the courtesy of leaving a note behind.”

“Very well,” Theodora murmured, suddenly meek and mild and quite timid for a change.

It was most likely from the shock of today and surely couldn’t last. He put his arm about her shoulders and squeezed. “You could always take me with you.”

Mrs. Dalton grasped his arm suddenly. “I wish to go home.”

Quinn considered Mrs. Dalton’s request with the seriousness it deserved. “Your old home was leveled yesterday to make way for the rebuilding of the property.”

Mrs. Dalton smiled quickly. “I meant Newberry House. I discovered today that it has become home to me after all,” Mrs. Dalton confessed, with an apologetic smile. “If it is no trouble, I would like nothing more than to remain a guest there. Your mother has already asked me to consider it a permanent arrangement.”

Quinn was not surprised by anything his own mother did lately. Mother gathered good people about her like his father had collected grudges. Quinn nodded slowly, sensing an opportunity to be alone with Theodora and express his hopes for the future. “Shall I tell the driver to take you there now, madam?”

“Please,” Mrs. Dalton replied. “I’ve had more than enough excitement for one day. Or a lifetime, for that matter.”

“Mother, the matter of father’s murder can be proved. We have much to do, now that Mr. Gently has been arrested.”

“Mr. Banks will tie up any loose ends, so you will not be bothered by the matter again,” Quinn promised the older woman. “There’s nothing for you to worry about anymore, Mrs. Dalton. Your husband’s killer will be dealt with and punished. As for Nelson, we can speak up for leniency in his case, provided he’s placed in honest employment far from you and Theodora.”

“Thank you, my lord.”

Hastings, who’d been a silent observer until now, joined them. “I’ll escort Mrs. Dalton back to Newberry House and leave you both to sort this out. Lady Templeton will be quite anxious to know your bride and future mother-in-law are safe and sound.”

“Thank you,” Quinn said, happy with Hastings’ decision to leave.

Hastings winked as he helped the older woman into a carriage, leaving Theodora standing at Quinn’s side. Quinn smiled down at her. “Shall we finish this business together, love?”

For a moment, he thought she would protest, but she eventually nodded. “There is one thing we must do first.”

Theodora approached Deacon, who was nursing his bruised knuckles outside the stables. “Are you all right, Lord Deacon, is it?”

“Right as I’ll ever be, I suppose. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

Theodora bit her bottom lip as she examined his hand. “About Lady Mary. I’m sure she would understand that Quinn needs to know a few things now, if he is ever to have peace about her death.”

Deacon looked around and then sighed. “I suppose she would understand after today.”

Quinn only needed one question answered. “Why?”

“She fell for Gently at first sight, but your father was only interested in what she could discover about his business dealings. She fell in love with Gently and thought your father would help him succeed so they could marry. But then she learned what your father was up to and told Gently. He became very angry and blamed her. Mary would have eloped I think, but Gently refused to marry her without a dowry. By that point he’d already lost his employment. She pined for Gently and always thought your father would come around, but instead he sought to marry her off. To me, actually. I went along with the talk at first, hoping Gently would come for her still. But Mary was never happy again. She met with Gently only once, with my help, and then she left London suddenly for Newberry Park, leaving a note to me, saying goodbye. She was carrying Gently’s child the day she died.”

Quinn closed his eyes, at the news. “You loved her.”

“Like the sister I never had,” Deacon swore. “After news reached me of her death, I went looking for Gently, and when I found him weeks later, he swore he’d never touched her. But Mary wasn’t a liar. I took Gently to the docks. I told him never to show his face in England again.”

Theodora sighed. “And my father found him and took him to India, and when it was decided that we would sail for England, he insisted Gently return with us despite his protests.”

Deacon nodded. “I thought I saw him the night of the fire, but lost him in the crowd.”

Quinn remembered something of that. He grasped Deacon’s shoulder. “Thank you for telling me about Mary, my friend.”

Deacon nodded, turning away to join the Newberry carriage before it departed with Hastings and Mrs. Dalton inside.

Quinn glanced at Theodora. She’d lost her beloved father because of what his own had done to Gently, perhaps sending him on a path of revenge and greed. He’d known his father wasn’t to be trusted but never how far the consequences could reach. He shook his head slowly. “My father.”

Theodora grasped his hand tightly. “We couldn’t have known of the connection. Gently never spoke of his past.”

“Lord Templeton,” Banks called out.

He glanced at Theodora. “I don’t think I will ever become used to hearing that title.”

“In time you will,” Theodora promised him. “You give it meaning again.”

He smiled quickly and led Theodora to Banks, where Gently was being questioned.

Theodora leaped into the thick of it immediately, helping Gently incriminate himself further by goading him to be indelicate. He was astonished by her effectiveness, and so proud of her zeal in righting a wrong. When Gently had said enough, Banks had him taken away.

Quinn caught the investigators eye. “Mr. Banks, you will keep us informed.”

“Indeed, I will, and may I say, Lord Templeton has made a fine choice in his bride. My congratulations to you both on your impending marriage. I’ve just heard the happy news.”

“Thank you.”

Theodora blushed. “Thank you, sir.”

Quinn led Theodora to his carriage and, once alone and on the way back to Newberry House, he turned to her. She did not need him. Not really. But he could have lost her today, and knew he’d never survive it again.

He took up her hand, playing with her fingers. “Marry me, Theodora Dalton.”

“What?”

“Marry me,” he repeated. “Become my bride in truth, and not because of that nonsense my mother told you in private the day you agreed to this charade.”

Her eyes widened. “How do you know what we spoke about?”

“I listened,” he confessed. “You were right not to entirely trust her that day, and you managed her nonsense exactly the right way—and you may manage me to your heart’s content for the rest of my life, too, if you want to.”

Theodora tugged her hand back. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Say nothing yet, but think of all we could accomplish together. Your ambitions and experience combined with the wealth of the Templeton estates behind you. It could be a vastly satisfying life for both of us, I’m sure. You can even dismiss Mr. Kemp if he continues to put forth less than his best efforts. You would be his employer.”

She wet her lips. “You couldn’t want me as your wife.”

“Of course I do. I have fallen a little more in love with you each day from the first night I held you in my arms. We belong together, Theodora. After the shock of almost losing you today, I demand you never leave me again.”

Theodora fell silent, and Quinn clenched his hands together in his lap, knowing there was a risk she might never respond favorably to his proposal. He would give her time to consider the matter with a rational mind. He could be very patient to win her love.

“You love me?”

“Isn’t it obvious? I have no secrets from you. No desire to have any other woman in my life. How many men allow strange women to sweep into their home, reorganize their furniture, and take over their lives so completely as I have allowed you to do? You stood up to my mother, too, and I couldn’t be prouder of you for that. You dismissed my mistress and yet won’t take that place, and quite rightly, too, because you deserve better. I want to share your bed for the rest of my life, so…marriage seems the best way to accomplish that.”

Theodora pressed her hand to her chest.

“I’m not saying our marriage will be easy. There will be many challenges ahead. But I want you to know that I appreciate everything you do for me. I respect you more than you know. I would worship the ground you walk upon most likely, if given a chance. You make me happier than I ever expected to be.”

Theodora turned into him suddenly, wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. “Oh, stop.”

He pulled her fully onto his lap to hold her closer. “Why must I, love?”

“Because I love you, too,” she cried before bursting into tears that lasted the whole trip back to Newberry House, where they both belonged together, forever.