"Do you think they were bribed?"
"I don't know." But a quick search of the stable revealed the two men had been hit over the head and dumped into one of the rear stalls. John was relieved that they were alive and hadn't suffered much worse than a lump on the head. They'd have a splitting headache for a week, but hopefully nothing worse.
It took most of the morning and into the early afternoon before Somersby's men were taken into the magistrate's custody and placed in confinement. The magistrate, a burly giant of a man with bushy, white hair and a heavy brogue that John had trouble following, took to his task with enthusiasm. Dougal MacLean was his name, and he was no lover of these "Sassenach invaders," as he called Somersby and his ruffians. "Lord Bainbridge, I'll hold these troublemakers for as long as ye need me to hold them," he assured, giving John a hearty slap on his sore shoulder.
John suppressed a yowl. Perhaps the man swinging that shovel had landed more than a glancing blow. He'd have the bruises to show for it before the day was out.
He and Jordan rode back toward the tavern, taking a roundabout route that took them past Somersby's hunting lodge. Although they were to return this evening, John still needed assurance that Nicola had not been harmed.
Somersby probably hadn't touched her. He would not dare put a hand on her yet.
But what if he had?
John put the notion out of his head before it drove him mad.
However, a little twinge of worry kept creeping in. Nicola was defenseless. What could Darnley do to protect his niece? He wasn't a young man.
Have I failed her?
"Be careful," Jordan said when they reached the outskirts of the hunting lodge.
"I'm always careful." John dismounted before Jordan could offer up another lecture. He cut through the hedgerows to steal closer. Dark thoughts continued to whirl in his head, and although he felt quite certain he'd put enough fear in Somersby to make him behave, John still needed to know that Nicola was safe and would remain so even after she refused to marry the man.
"Uh oh. I recognize that look." Jordan groaned. "We're merely on a scouting mission for now. Remember that, John. Ye can't storm into the marquis' hunting lodge like a wounded boar with a spray of porcupine quills up its arse and take off with the lass."
"No, I'll wait until the party. It's the best time. Somersby can't do anything about it while half of London Society is watching."
Jordan groaned lightly. "This is a mess. Somersby's going to come after you with a vengeance. A few broken bones won't be enough. He'll kill you this time."
John was already feeling sore from the glancing blows he'd received to his shoulder, ribs, and hip from his earlier fight. But that only served to firm his resolve. "Let him try. I look forward to gutting the bastard."
Jordan's expression turned thoughtful. "Don't do anything rash. Never forget that Lady Nicola will be caught in the middle of this fight."
"When have you ever known me to act without deliberate care? Protecting Nicola is my first priority. I'll beat the stuffing out of Somersby if he dares threaten her. I'll keep her safe." John curled his hands into fists. "The thought of her under his roof for even another hour turns my stomach."
Nicola came into view just then, strolling in the garden on the arm of the marquis. She seemed to be without a care in the world, her tears and heartbreak of last night all but forgotten.
Jordan continued to study him with concern. "The lass does not appear to be in any danger. Somersby's vindictive, no doubt. But his anger seems aimed at you, not at his intended. Jealousy does things to a man that he might not ordinarily do."
John grunted in frustration, for he'd taken the measure of the man and knew exactly what sort he was. "He's a ruthless, possessive cur."
"And you're not?"
"There's a difference. I'd never purposely hurt an innocent."
Jordan sighed. "Just promise me that you'll be careful. Assess the situation before you act."
"I always do."
"Och, but your senses are addled when it comes to the lass. And we have an assignment to finish." He sighed again in the face of John's silence. "Very well. If she truly is in danger, then do what you must. If it comes to that, we'll escort her and Lord and Lady Darnley to my cousin's estate in Moray. They'll be safely out of the way with Graelem and Laurel."
John nodded, for Graelem Dayne, known as Baron Moray, would protect them. Few men would ever dare cross him. His wife, Laurel, was a beautiful young woman, but just as fierce. "Then we'll return here and pick up the trail of those smugglers again."
"Assuming they're still around."
"That's a risk we'll have to take." He'd deal with the consequences if his mission failed. Assuming there would be any consequences. In truth, there was little Prinny could do to him, for he was one of the Crown's best agents. Likely nothing serious would happen.
Nicola and Somersby were now joined by Lord Darnley and his wife. While the two men walked ahead, their heads bowed in earnest conversation, Nicola and her aunt locked arms and leisurely strolled behind them as though neither had a care in the world.
This made no sense. Nicola was not the sort to be hysterical one moment and then happy as a cat in cream in the next.
What was happening?
What was he missing?
"NICOLA, I FORBID you to go through with your mad plan," Lady Darnley said, moving to block Nicola from leaving her bedchamber once they'd returned from their walk. "We're supposed to be resting before this evening's party. What if you are caught? Pretending that you are searching for your lost locket will fool no one."
"Do you have a better idea?" She attempted to dart around her aunt and scamper out the door, but her aunt proved to be an immovable barrier and Nicola was not about to forcibly push her out of the way. "Please, Aunt Bess. I must do this."
"Child, you are attics-to-let. We shall speak to your uncle Darnley and make hasty preparations to leave. That's all we shall do. Somersby won't dare make a scene."
"You're wrong. He'd dare anything once he realizes I won't marry him."
Her aunt sighed. "Nicola, leave this matter to me and your uncle. Go about the rest of the day as planned. We may not be able to leave before tomorrow morning. So, I want you to act as though nothing unusual is going on. You must look your best for this evening's party, no matter what unfolds."
"It isn't enough," she insisted. "I have to search his study. We must have something to hold over him or he'll do his worst. Why won't anyone believe me? Somersby is a wicked man who must be stopped. I think my plan is excellent. If I'm caught, what's wrong with telling him that I've lost my locket and am hunting for it?"
Her aunt rolled her eyes in obvious dismay. "Everything is wrong with that excuse. Is he supposed to believe that you lost it in his private study? A room you've never entered before and have no right to be in now?"
Nicola stubbornly tipped her chin up. Perhaps her aunt was right, but she needed to do something. "I'll tell him that I thought one of his servants might have found it and brought it to him for safekeeping. Please, Aunt Bess. We must find out why I'm the one he is determined to marry. We know it isn't for love."
She spoke the last with a hitch of pain that her aunt noticed at once. "Oh, my dear. I understand your feelings are hurt, but few couples ever marry for love. Your brother and Rose are the exception, not the rule."
"So are you and Uncle Henry. You love him."
"I do now, but I detested him at first." She shook her head and chuckled. "He was handsome as sin when he was younger, but insufferably arrogant. I cried for days when told I was to marry him. I even ran away. Fortunately, he was as stubborn as a donkey and would not give up on me. That same sort of man will come along for you. Just be patient, Nicola. He's out there waiting to open his heart to you."
Nicola gave her aunt a hug. "Thank you."
If only it were true, but she doubted anyone would ever care for her that deeply. Certainly not John.
"He is out there, Nicola. Just be patient," her aunt repeated.
Nicola shook her head and laughed. "Patient? We all know that will never happen." But her laughter quickly faded. "Aunt Bess, Somersby means to hurt someone we love. What if it's Uncle Henry? Or Julian? We can't allow them to come to harm. We must uncover his plan and fight back."
Her aunt and uncle were loving guardians. They had taken her and her siblings in with open hearts after their parents had died. She knew they would risk their own lives to protect any of their nieces and nephews, which was why Nicola had wanted to search Somersby's private papers on her own. But her aunt was too sharp and had caught on to her plan immediately.