Kindred Spirits by Allison Lane

Author:Allison Lane [Lane, Allison]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency Romance
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 2002-08-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Standing at the window on his wedding night, Jack watched a carriage race around and around Grosvenor Square, its lanterns dancing wildly as it clattered across the cobblestones. He could identify with its occupants, for his life was on a similar journey to nowhere. And today had been the most bizarre yet.

After Marianne had agreed to the only counteroffensive he could devise, Jack had sent Jones back to Essex to investigate Barnett in greater depth, then dispatched a letter to Poole. It enclosed Marianne’s letter to Hastings and ordered Poole to fetch her staff and send them to London without alerting the guards.

Fitch had returned to London to open Blackthorn House, procure a special license, and find Francine Dubois. Devall had sent others to investigate Carey, gather detailed evidence of Barnett’s finances, and enlist the aid of his most powerful friends to counter Barnett’s gossip, lest society reject Marianne before giving her a chance. Barnett was probably using the gossip to keep Lady Barnett at home. He had no need to hurt Marianne, who would never hear the stories if he was successful in court.

To avoid spending the night at an inn – something Marianne was not ready to face – they had risen well before dawn and set out for London. The journey had been arduous, making him grateful that Marianne had been unconscious the night he’d brought her to Wyndhaven.

Marianne had tensed as they’d approached the carriage, clearly bothered by the horses, though once inside, she was able to relax. But the first time they’d stopped for a fresh team, she had nearly fallen apart. He could only pray that Barnett had not recognized her aversion to stables. She had already been so hysterical from the abduction that he might not have made the connection.

Jack had stayed in the carriage with her at each stop, holding her, murmuring soothing sounds, and burying her face in his coat so his scent could dispel the memories. Twice, he had stopped well away from villages so they could walk through meadows and spinneys as they had so often walked at Halworth. It had seemed to help.

By the time they’d reached London, both had been exhausted, but Jack had immediately fetched a vicar. Within the hour, they were wed. Come morning, he would launch the next phase of their campaign.

Jack closed the draperies, blocking further view of the still-circling carriage. He had no idea what its drunken occupants were doing, but a wager doubtless lay at the bottom of it. Number of circuits in an hour, perhaps. Waiting until the wee hours reduced competing traffic.

Marianne was asleep in the next room. At least, he hoped she was asleep. Old fears might be keeping her awake, nightmares brought on by the hard journey. But he couldn’t go to her. Nor would she expect it. Claiming her would revive her terror.

He cursed. Even a kiss had precipitated flight, so he dared not consummate the marriage – not that he could risk inflicting the Caldwell weaknesses on another generation anyway.

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