Chapter Twenty-Six
Victoria mentally ticked off the last item on her list. She’d changed into warmer clothing, packed a bag, spoken with Mrs. Taffy and Ainsley, and finally, checked on the twins. She’d done everything she could to quickly prepare for her departure, knowing Fletcher and the constables could arrive at any moment.
“Would you please cease racing about like a madwoman?” came a voice from behind her. “I’m trying to talk to you.”
Victoria glanced over her shoulder to see Ainsley following her down the hall. “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you.”
“That’s rather miraculous, since I was all but yelling at the top of my confounded lungs.”
“I’m a little distracted, as you can imagine.”
Ainsley grimaced as she joined her at the head of the staircase. “I didn’t mean to make light of your situation. But I’ve been thinking about all this, and I believe you should listen to Lord Arnprior. You should not leave Kinglas. Let the earl protect you.”
“If Fletcher has a warrant, it would be foolish to ignore it. Besides, I refuse to bring that sort of scandal down on this family.”
Ainsley waved a hand. “Who cares about a little scandal?”
“I do, and it’s hardly little. I killed a man, remember?”
The girl’s deep violet gaze went cold. “He deserved it. You did the world a favor.”
“The world—and the law—might not agree. And they certainly won’t if I’m not there to tell them the truth.” She turned and started down the stairs.
Ainsley followed her. “Then have Alec go to Glasgow to tell your story for you. I’m telling you, Victoria, you have no idea what will happen once this gets out. The ton will tear you apart. They’ll try to destroy you.”
“I’m afraid of all that, too. But hiding away at Kinglas will only make things worse. If I won’t stand up and defend myself, most people will assume I’m guilty of a crime I did not commit.”
“But they’ll probably do that anyway. People are . . . awful.”
That statement made Victoria even more certain that something terrible had happened to Ainsley. She wished she had more time to find out what it was, but time had run out for her.
“You’re right. But they can also be wonderful, and loving, and brave. My friends and family will help me. I will not be alone.”
The girl shook her head, clearly unconvinced.
“Keeping secrets has not made my life better or safer,” Victoria said. “It’s time to tell the truth, no matter the consequences.”
Clearing her name was the only possible way she could have a future, whether Nicholas was in it or not.
“I understand all about how secrets can poison your life,” Ainsley said bitterly. “Sometimes, though, you have no choice but to drink the poison and hope you’re strong enough to survive.”
Victoria gave her a quick hug. “I promise we’ll talk about what’s bothering you when I get back.”
Ainsley went as still as a hunted rabbit. “There’s nothing—”
The front door opened and Andrew rushed in. “Miss Knight, a carriage is comin’ up the drive. The bast—er, the visitors from Glasgow, I ken.”
Victoria managed a calm nod. “All right, Andrew. I’ll let the earl know.”
She took off toward the library, Ainsley in her wake.
“You don’t have to be present for this encounter,” Victoria said. “It likely won’t be pleasant.”
“Oh, good. I’m at my best when people are being unpleasant.”
Victoria threw her a wry smile, then tapped on the library door and went in. Nicholas stood behind his desk, talking to Alec, who paced in front of him like a caged animal. Royal had been sitting quietly by the fire but immediately hauled himself to his feet, his intent gaze going to Ainsley.
Surprisingly, the girl went to join him. Royal briefly rested a hand on her shoulder before turning his attention back to his brother.
“There’s a carriage coming up the drive,” Victoria said.
“Dammit,” Nicholas muttered. “It didn’t take them long.”
“I’m sure Mr. Fletcher is eager to get it over with. As am I.”
“You’re not setting foot outside this castle, Victoria. I will protect you here.”
“Protect me from what, my lord. The truth?” He looked torn between anger and worry and as frustrated as she’d ever seen him.
“The truth isn’t always enough. We both know that.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Really? If we’d told each other the truth from the beginning, we might not be in this mess.”
He seemed to debate with himself for a few moments. “All right, but I’m going with you,” he finally said. “I’m your fiancé, which I will be sure to communicate to the court. That should count for something.”
“But you know that sort of relationship holds no standing under the law.” Besides, Victoria didn’t want to expose him to scandal any more than she had to.
“I have another suggestion,” Alec said. “I was just starting to explain it to Arnprior.”
Victoria cocked a questioning eyebrow.
“The earl should depart for Glasgow immediately,” Alec said. “If he goes by horse and changes often, he can reach the city in time to speak privately to one of the justice commissioners and to see his barrister. Then, when we arrive, we’ll be well armored for anything Fletcher throws at us.”
When Nicholas started to object, Alec held up a hand. “Arnprior can also send an express to Dominic as soon as he gets to Glasgow. Dominic will know how to handle this.”
“He hasn’t so far,” Nicholas said.
Victoria couldn’t help but agree with that assessment. Still, it would be more than sensible to alert Dominic. Though unlikely, Fletcher might have slipped out of London without his being aware of it.
“I think that’s a sensible plan,” she said to Nicholas.
“It’s not, because I wouldn’t be with you,” he gruffly replied. “To protect you.”
She took in the warmth and concern on his normally stern features, and saw in his gaze the driving need to protect those he loved. It made her fear seem to shift and settle. “You will be with me after we get to Glasgow. Then you can be an overbearing, protective old bear, and I won’t mind at all.”
He came around the desk to take her hands. “I cannot stand the idea of you being stuck in a carriage with that madman without me there.”
She smiled up at him. “You know Alec won’t let anything happen to me. And if it makes you feel better, I’ll try to annoy Mr. Fletcher as much as I can.”
“I might have to throttle the idiot,” Alec growled.
“He’s a grieving father,” she said. “I’m sure he’s convinced himself that I’m the villain, not his son.”
“I understand his pain, but that doesn’t give him the right to ignore the facts or come after you,” Nicholas said.
“Grief makes us do many things we might eventually come to regret,” she said softly, gazing up at him.
Victoria saw the flicker of understanding in his gaze, but then he shook his head. “Or not, which seems to be the case with Fletcher.”
“She can’t hide out here forever, Nick,” Royal said, breaking his silence. “And it makes sense that you go on ahead.”
A rap at the door ended the discussion, and Taffy came in. “The officers are here, Laird.”
Nicholas glanced down at Victoria. “Are you ready for this?”
No. But she nodded.
He stepped in front of her. When Alec moved to stand beside him, Victoria blew out a breath.
“I’m fine, really,” she said, wedging her way between the two brawny men.
“Stubborn lass,” Nicholas murmured. “Let them in, Taffy.”
They waited in silence until the housekeeper returned with two men. “Sergeant Blair and Constable Gow, from Glasgow,” she announced in dour tones.
Small and wiry, with pale orange hair peppered with gray and an enormous mustache, the sergeant marched officiously into the room. The constable was considerably younger, a tall, broad-shouldered man with a diffident manner that suggested he was out of his depth. When he glanced around the room, he winced at all the scowling faces.
“I am Lord Arnprior,” Nicholas said, stepping forward.
“I’ll no thank ye for keepin’ us waitin’,” Blair said. “We’re here on official business of the Glasgow Justiciary, and we’ll no be put off by the likes of her.” He jerked a thumb at Taffy.
“My housekeeper takes her direction from me,” Nicholas said. “And you will address me appropriately, sir, is that clear?”
The man stiffened, his face turning a red several shades darker than his hair.
“Perfectly, my lord,” Constable Gow said. “We meant no disrespect.”
Blair shot his companion a dirty look but held his fire.
“Where’s Mr. Fletcher?” Victoria asked.
Blair’s contemptuous gaze swept over her. “I take it yer the one we’ve come to fetch.”
“This is Miss Knight, and whether you take her remains to be seen,” Alec said. “Now, please answer the question.”
“Mr. Fletcher remained in Arrochar, sir,” Gow said. “He thought the carriage might be a bit crowded if he came along.”
“A more likely explanation is he thought I’d throttle him if he set foot on my lands,” Nicholas said, giving the sergeant a cold smile.
“Probably not the most helpful of comments,” Victoria whispered.
“Sorry,” he whispered back, clearly not sorry. He held out an imperious hand. “Is that the warrant? Give it to me.”
Blair scowled but handed it over.
Nicholas perused the document before handing it to Victoria. “That is not a warrant. You have no authority to arrest Miss Knight.”
“No, but it is a very strong request,” she said. It wasn’t as bad as she’d feared, but the short, sternly worded missive from the Justiciary officer made it clear it would not be appreciated if she failed to appear before him.
Alec plucked it from her hand and quickly scanned it. “She’s right, Arnprior.”
“The lass will be comin’ with me if I have to bind her hands and march her out to the carriage,” the sergeant growled.
Ainsley took a hasty step forward. “Be quiet, you horrible little man. If you dare touch her, I will rip off that ridiculous mustache.”
“And ye’ll be goin’ with her, if ye try to interfere with the law,” the sergeant blustered. For a small man, he had a large and annoying voice.
Royal took Ainsley’s arm and reeled her back. “Your courage is duly noted, sweetheart, but we must let Nick handle this. I promise it’ll be fine.”
Ainsley blinked, looking a bit stunned. When Royal pulled her back to the fireplace, she started to berate him in a fierce whisper. He rolled his eyes before shushing her.
“Is there anything else, Sergeant Blair?” Victoria asked. “If not, I am ready to go with you.”
The man seemed startled by her acquiescence. “We can go.”
“I’ll be going with her,” Alec said.
“Ye will, eh?” Blair said. “And who might ye be?”
“Captain Alasdair Gilbride, Master of Riddick. My grandfather is the Earl of Riddick. Perhaps you’ve heard of him.”
Blair raised no further objections.
Nicholas took Victoria’s hand and led her out to the hall. She clung tightly to his fingers, trying to convince herself this wouldn’t be the last time she would feel his touch.
When they reached the hall, he took her pelisse from the footman and helped her into it. Then he placed her bonnet on her head, carefully tying the ribbons under her chin. His warm fingers brushed against her throat before he briefly cupped her cheek. Victoria swallowed hard as she stared up into his solemn features.
“You’d best be off, Arnprior,” Alec said. “Time waits for no man, especially a bastard like Fletcher.”
“I’ll see you in Glasgow, yes?” Nicholas murmured to Victoria.
She managed a nod.
“I won’t let anything happen to you, I promise.” He lifted her chin and pressed a kiss to her lips, one that held the taste of desperation. Then he released her, gave Alec a terse nod, and stalked from the hall.
Victoria watched him go with a hand pressed to her mouth, as if she could capture the warmth of his kiss.
Ainsley enveloped her in a fierce hug. “Take care of yourself, Victoria. I’ll see you in Glasgow in a few days.”
“Yes, I’ll see you then,” Victoria said, forcing a smile.
The girl hastily turned away, almost careening into Royal. “Get out of my way, you lummox,” she said, giving him a shove and disappearing in the direction of the library.
“Royal, you’ve got your hands full with Lady Ainsley, I fear,” Victoria said.
“I’ll handle her. Now, you try to relax and do what Nick and Alec tell you.” He bent and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “Everything will be fine, pet.”
All she could do was nod.
Alec escorted her to the courtyard. By the time Andrew appeared a few minutes later and finally got the luggage organized and strapped to the back of the carriage, the sergeant was dancing with impatience.
“We’re trying to slow things down so Nick can get a good head start,” Alec murmured as he helped her into the coach, then followed.
“Is it working?”
He nodded. “He rode out a few minutes ago, hell-bent for leather, according to Andrew. He’ll arrive in Glasgow hours before we do.”
Sergeant Blair hoisted himself into the carriage and plopped onto the bench opposite them. He threw an irritated glare at Constable Gow, who squeezed in beside him.
As the vehicle pulled away, she glanced out the window. Royal, Taffy, and Angus stood in the courtyard, watching them go. The old man had made himself scarce the last few days, since Nicholas was still furious with him. Now he stared after the carriage with a shocked expression on his wrinkled face. When he saw her looking out the window, he raised his hand in a forlorn good-bye.
Even though she was still annoyed with Angus, she had to blink back tears. She remembered that first dreary November day at Kinglas, when she’d been appalled at the idea of spending the winter in a drafty old castle with a rambunctious group of men. Now her heart ached to have to leave the place and the family she’d come to love.
Alec squeezed her gloved hand. “Chin up, my dear. You’ll be back before you know it.”
“We’ll see about that,” Blair said in a snippy tone.
“Sergeant, unless you wish me to file a complaint with your superiors about your unprofessional behavior, I suggest you keep a civil tongue in your head.” Alec’s gaze shot daggers at the man.
Although the sergeant fell into a grumpy silence, Victoria noticed Constable Gow repressing a smile. When the young man was certain his superior wasn’t looking, he gave her a wink.
It was a silly and entirely inappropriate gesture, but immensely cheering.
After several minutes of jostling along in uncomfortable silence, the sergeant glanced out the window. “At this rate, we’ll be lucky to make it halfway to Glasgow before nightfall.”
“The horses haven’t been changed since Arrochar,” Gow said. “I reckon the coachman doesn’t want to push the poor beasties.”
More likely, someone back at the castle had bribed the coachman to go as slowly as possible.
Blair shot his colleague a dirty look. “Constable, when I want yer opinion, I’ll ask for it.”
“Are you familiar with horseflesh, lad?” Alec asked Gow in a friendly voice.
The young man flashed him a grateful smile. “Aye, sir. My da is a farmer outside Glasgow. I grew up around horses and all sorts of beasties.”
“Really? How did you end up as a police officer?”
For several minutes, Alec and the constable had a friendly exchange about the young man’s life and policing in Glasgow. Alec was clearly trying to decrease the tension in the confined space, and perhaps gain an ally. Eventually, the conversation tailed off and silence again fell over their little group. The sergeant fell into a doze, and the constable occupied himself with studying the scenery.
There wasn’t much to see. They’d just gone through the pass with Victoria cravenly wishing for another avalanche, and were rolling slowly through the forest that marked the edge of Arnprior lands. She shivered, although she couldn’t tell if it was from a chill as they passed into the shadow of the trees or the thought of leaving Kinglas behind.
Possibly forever.
Alec touched her arm. “Are you cold, lass? I think there’s an extra—”
A massive jolt cut him off. As Victoria started to slide off the seat, Alec grabbed her. A moment later, the carriage rocked to a halt at a considerable angle. From outside they heard shouts and the thud of horses’ hooves.
Victoria pushed her bonnet out of her eyes. “What’s going on?”
Alec peered out the window and cursed. “Do either of you have pistols?” he asked the officers.
The sergeant, groggy from his doze, blinked in confusion. “Ah, what?”
“Are you armed?” Alec growled as the shouts outside the carriage increased in volume.
“No,” Gow said. “Mr. Fletcher thought it best we go unarmed, saying it would anger Lord Arnprior if we came with pistols.”
“Perfect,” Alec said in disgust.
“What’s going on out there?” Victoria asked.
“Whatever happens, just try to stay behind me.”
She gaped at him. “Are we being held up?”
“I—”
The door to the carriage flew open, and a veritable hulk of a man loomed in the doorway. He was certainly not an appealing sight. A jagged scar ran across his face from jaw to ear, and the most deplorably dirty cap she’d ever seen was squashed down on his forehead.
Those details, however, were rendered insignificant by the sight of the large pistol he had, pointed at her face.
“Ye’ll be gettin’ yerself out of the carriage, wench,” he barked. “And ye’ll be doin’ it smartly if ye don’t want to be dead.”