The Bride Wore Scandal. Helen Dickson

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СКАЧАТЬ and successful prosecution of a highway robber? Which must surely mean that the highwayman’s greatest danger lay with bounty hunters and informers.’

      ‘It is true that highwaymen are more at risk from betrayal by an accomplice or someone after the reward money than from retaliation by one of their victims. You are well informed, Miss Atherton.’

      ‘Only in so far as what I hear, sir.’

      ‘Forgive me if you think me impertinent, but I would be interested to hear more. Your co-operation would be appreciated.’ He began to smile. His mouth curled at each corner and his charm, that which he used to capture the pretty ladies with whom he sometimes dallied, was brought into full play. ‘You would not go unrewarded.’

      The lovely sparkle in Christina’s eyes was gone, leaving only frosted blue. ‘I don’t think so, Lord Rockley. If I knew anything at all that might help you with your enquiries, I would be reluctant to divulge it, for if the highwaymen you speak of are as dangerous as you say, then they would not take kindly to my turning informer. Are—are you looking for anyone in particular?’ she ventured to ask.

      ‘Oh, yes, Miss Atherton. I am looking for the leader of a gang who has so far managed to evade the authorities, a man who has acquired a well-deserved reputation for exceptional viciousness. His robberies are carried out with a stamp of professionalism, I will grant him that, but he will not evade the law for ever. I have a way of discovering what I want to know. I have my instincts and they work well for me.’

      ‘And the name of this individual, sir?’

      ‘I prefer to keep that piece of information to myself for the present.’

      ‘Then I wish you every success in your search for this man, Lord Rockley. The sooner he is apprehended and under lock and key, the more easily we shall all sleep in our beds.’

      ‘I know what I’m up against. This particular band of thieves are no amateurs at the game—a highly lucrative game, I might add.’

      ‘Yes, I imagine it must be,’ Christina said.

      ‘So long as it lasts,’ Simon replied.

      Christina felt that Lord Rockley was conveying a warning to her in what he said. She averted her face to where William was helping himself to a glass of wine. What could she do? she thought desperately. How she would like to tell this man everything, to have him go down the tunnel and arrest Mark Bucklow so they could be free of his terrifying intimidation, but she dare not. He would find some way of carrying out his threat.

      Like the tolling of the funeral bell, she heard Lord Rockley say, ‘It will not be long. Sooner or later even the most cunning, clever criminal makes a mistake.’

      ‘Yes, I am sure you are right—and I wish you every success. Now, please excuse me. Duty dictates that I have to speak to our other guests.’ She smiled. ‘You are welcome here, Lord Rockley,’ she said graciously. ‘My brother is honoured by your attendance. But as to your purpose here, I am afraid he cannot be of help. Please enjoy the festivities and help yourself to refreshments. We have an exceptional cook, so the food promises to be simply delectable. There is also to be a firework display shortly, which promises to be quite spectacular. I hope you enjoy it.’

      He inclined his head. ‘Thank you for making a complete stranger feel at home, Miss Atherton,’ Simon replied. ‘You are very kind.’

      ‘It is my pleasure to be of service.’

      Quite unexpectedly, he laughed. ‘As it was mine yesterday,’ he said quietly.

      She flushed hotly on being reminded of the kiss they had shared. ‘Please forget what happened, sir, I beg you,’ she implored. ‘You made me lose my head …’

      His laughter stopped as suddenly as it had begun, as he stared at Christina with a gravity in which there was a challenging note. ‘Forget that I kissed you? Forget that I looked into your eyes and saw them change colour? Forget the sweet taste of your lips? That is asking too much of me.’

      Torn between a desire to hear more and fear of the feelings he would invoke, with her thoughts in turmoil she left him, not wanting one more word from him or glimpse of his handsome face or his overwhelming male presence to complicate her already muddled feelings. She realised she was trembling. She must not forget that Lord Rockley was their enemy and all the more dangerous because he was handsome and charming and because she felt that it was going to be impossible to hate him as she had been able to before she had known who he was.

       Chapter Two

      Christina paused to speak to Sir John Cruckshank, a short, stout gentleman, always amiable and with a warm sense of humour. He was also the local magistrate.

      ‘I see you’ve met Lord Rockley, my dear,’ Sir John said, his face overly flushed beneath his elaborately curled black wig.

      ‘Yes,’ she replied flatly, having already met the man with the rapier gaze, who possessed the instincts of a magician, the intellect of a genius, and the persistence of a blood hound. She pinned a smile to her face, giving Sir John no indication that this illustrious gentleman he spoke of had not impressed her in the least. ‘He … is to be our guest for the night, his home being too far away for him to travel late at night. I understand he was a military man.’

      Sir John nodded. ‘He has seen much service with Marlborough in the Netherlands. He is highly talented in his field and politically astute,’ he said, dabbing at the light perspiration on his forehead, the light powder of snuff stirring gently upon his person as he spoke.

      And with arrogance by the bucket load, Christina thought unkindly, yet unable to quell the emotional detachment she felt for their unwelcome guest. ‘You know him well, Sir John?’

      ‘We are acquainted. Like his uncles and his grandfather, he made soldiering his career, but unlike your ordinary soldier he has plenty of money behind him. At thirty-one years old, he has an outstanding record and is highly thought of by Marlborough himself, who has expressed his regret at his leaving.’

      ‘I have heard that he’s acquired a fearful reputation—that there are those who liken him to the Devil himself.’

      Sir John nodded. ‘That is true. But in battle it is no bad thing for his enemies to fear him. The man’s a legend.’

      ‘Why?’

      ‘A lot of reasons—his courage and exploits, some of which no one knows—to do with espionage and being able to flush out the enemy.’

      ‘That’s informative,’ Christina said with a smile.

      ‘You would have to be in the military to understand. Everybody expected he’d be made colonel in time, but that’s not going to happen.’

      ‘Why? What happened?’

      ‘Nothing. Six months ago he decided to retire and live a life of ease.’

      ‘I would hardly call taking on an assignment to track down a gang of highway robbers a life of ease, Sir John.’

      ‘Of course, you are right. Let us hope he can sort out this unsavoury business with these damned highwaymen—and then we might all travel in safety. Rockley isn’t noted for his sweet nature, and I can’t think of anybody who would СКАЧАТЬ