The Kidnapped Bride (Redcakes Book 4) by Heather Hiestand Page A

a tale. She might well wish to hide from her brothers, much less their wives. “I never said ye did.”
    She sniffed. “But I love her. Her name is Hester and I’m responsible for her.”
    “Is Mrs. Shaw the old woman who glared at us when we came up?” John asked.
    “Possibly. I stopped in to tell her I was back, then I came up here to gather what I could.”
    “We thought you’d gone to the docks. What with the pistols ye stole,” Dougal said.
    Her back straightened. “You took the money Manfred had hidden, leaving me without resources. I took them in payment. And a volume of Keats.”
    “Interesting argument,” drawled John. “Given that the money was the profit of a jewel thief. But I appreciate the full accounting of your crimes.”
    “Ye weren’t aware of the hidden stash until I mentioned it,” Dougal added.
    “I’m still not sure your claims about Freddie aren’t a ploy,” she declared. “We did not live that well.”
    Dougal sighed. “It’s true, and when I take ye back to London, I can probably get you in to see him.”
    She shivered. “I’m not going anywhere near Newgate. Not after my own recent incarceration. Did you go to the docks?”
    “Yes. The ship was gone and the warehouse was empty. I’m afraid the other women are lost to us.”
    She swayed on her feet, and he used it as an excuse to touch her again. “That is terrible news.”
    She asked for more details, and Dougal told her what he knew, his arm around her waist, while John moved around the room. A couple of minutes later, he heard pounding. Lady Elizabeth frowned, and they walked together into the other room.
    “You put my bed back together,” she said, a smile widening her lips. Then she swayed again. Dougal lowered her to a chair that had the back partially broken off, though it was still functional as a stool. He wished he didn’t have to let go of her.
    “It was tongue and groove workmanship,” John said. “And the mattress was only ripped on one side.”
    “I should bring in the hamper,” Dougal said. “I don’t think Lady Elizabeth will make it down the stairs without nourishment.”
    “Can I speak to you in the other room?” John asked.
    Dougal checked Lady Elizabeth to make sure she was stable in the chair, then followed his brother out.
    “I think you should stay here with her,” John said.
    “Why?”
    “I can get the hamper for you. We have pillows and blankets too. I’ll cable the Marquess of Hatbrook and tell him to send a family representative.”
    “I was going tae deliver her myself.”
    “She doesn’t want to go, and she’s ill. You don’t want her getting sicker, especially on a train. It’s best to stay here and tough it out. Someone from her family should be here by tomorrow.”
    Dougal considered his brother’s words and decided they were wisdom. “I like the idea that this Mrs. Shaw would be on hand to explain the situation tae the marquess or Lord Judah. It will save Lady Elizabeth a lot of embarrassment.”
    “There’s that too. So, we’re agreed?”
    “Yes, bring in whatever we brought for her comfort and ours.”
    John nodded and stepped out. Dougal looked at the door. The lintel would have to be restored to make the lock work, but he could sleep across the doorway that night to keep them secure.
    He went back into the bedroom. Lady Elizabeth was standing unsteadily, holding the edge of the bed frame.
    “You need tae rest.”
    “I have to get food for Hester. Mrs. Shaw has been staying with her, and they have nothing to eat.”
    “My brother is bringing plenty of food, and blankets.”
    “You aren’t going to try to force me to leave just now?”
    He disliked the pale hue of her skin. “No. Ye aren’t well. I won’t fight you anymore. Just stay here and rest. After you’ve eaten, we’ll go downstairs tae collect your Hester.”
    “Where will she sleep? Her cradle is nothing but boards.” She gestured at a pile of kindling on the floor.
    “She can sleep on the