Chapter Twenty

 

Lord William Agar waited patiently in the study ready to conduct business with Lord Silas Lambert. Although he had thought he would need more time to secure the money Lambert expected, William was able to collect a majority of the funds without leaving Rumsbury. The remainder would require minimal travel and would be available to him in less than thirty days.

Running his fingers through his silver hair, his mind drifted to Miss Annabel, the bride he would purchase this day. She was an innocent, a woman full of life. She would be a prized possession that he could show off to his peers. They would do everything they could to hide the shock when they laid eyes on the beautiful creature on his arm, the woman who would be his wife and who would soon carry his child. His heir.

Miss Annabel had told him in no uncertain terms that she thought him much too old for him. She also said that she did not love him. Her words only enhanced her innocence, for she was exactly the type of wife he deserved. She would resist at first, of course, but it would not be long before she realized just how quickly any attempt of disobedience would be met with a swift hand.

“Ah, Agar,” Mr. Lambert said, interrupting William’s thoughts. “Forgive me for keeping you waiting. I did not expect to see you for some time, and I only returned myself yesterday to find my home in disarray.” He went to the chair behind his desk. Who did this man think he was? A king on his throne?

William pushed away the agitation. Silas Lambert was an imbecile and did not realize it, so he could not be blamed for the slight of not at least sitting in a chair beside William. If he did not lose his temper, William would leave today with exactly what he wanted. The man’s lovely daughter as his intended.

They had conducted many business transactions over the years, but this had to be the most valuable transaction yet, at least to William. For the money he was willing to pay was much like acquiring a priceless work of art. It had no monetary value—no shopkeeper would take it in exchange for payment—but it held a great value to William.

“I was able to secure funds far quicker than I had anticipated,” William said. “In fact, I believe I shall have the remainder in just a few weeks.”

The man across from him set his jaw. So, he had not expected this. What had the man done behind William’s back?

He reached into his coat pocket and produced a bundle of notes. “I have brought a deposit of good faith.”

Mr. Lambert eyed the notes greedily, and his tongue traced his lips as he counted the money. “Excellent,” he said. “This is a generous deposit indeed, and it demonstrates your seriousness on purchasing my daughter’s hand in marriage.”

“You doubted me?” William made little attempt to hide his incredulity.

Mr. Lambert laughed. “Doubted? No. I know you have a true interest in Annabel, and I had little doubt you would find the necessary funds. I was a bit dubious about your financial situation, however.”

“And your finances are better?” William snapped. Mr. Lambert grinned, only increasing William’s ire, yet William forced calm into his tone. “Have you sold another painting perhaps? Or how about…”

Mr. Lambert raised a hand and William smiled. His words had hit a nerve, and he hoped it stung. He did not like this man, but he was a necessary means to an important end.

“I will have you know that great luck has come my way this past year. In fact, my wealth is such that my wife and I will be traveling to Paris soon.”

“Oh?” William asked. “And how soon will you be leaving?” The declaration was not all that exciting, for the Lamberts spent a great deal of time away from home. They could be gone a month or even six at any given time.

“A few more weeks,” Mr. Lambert replied. “We are on the hunt for more property. One day we would like to live there. Paris is far better than Rumsbury.” He said the last with a laugh, but William narrowed his eyes. “My leaving for Paris for a month upsets you?” the man asked in surprise.

“I wonder if you wish to take your daughter with you,” William said in an even tone. “We have done many business deals together, but this is your daughter. She is far more valuable to me than sheep or fabrics.”

The man laughed and opened a drawer in his desk. “We have been friends for many years. I suspected you would believe such a thing, so I prepared a document to seal the deal.” He passed a folded piece of parchment to William, who looked over it, a smile forming on his lips almost immediately.

“You already signed it?” William asked in disbelief. “I could go straight to Scarlett Hall from here and take her away with me without paying you a farthing more than what I gave you now.”

Mr. Lambert nodded. “You could. However, I believe that our friendship would take precedent over your desires, at least for the time being.” He placed his forearms on the desk and leaned forward. “That document grants the sale of my daughter’s hand to you. It is a gesture of good faith, much like the deposit you gave me.”

William smiled and placed the parchment into his coat pocket. “Forgive me. I have been worried as of late concerning the funds, and that worry has impeded my judgment.”

“Such issues can bring about great concerns,” Mr. Lambert said. “However, be pleased to know that Annabel will grant you your every desire—and the envy of every man in England.”

William tilted his head at the man. “Tell me, Lambert. Why do you care nothing for the girl? She has spent more time at the home of your brother than she has at your own.”

Mr. Lambert smirked and leaned back in his chair. “Joanna and I had hoped for a boy. What we received we never wanted. Annabel is far happier with her cousins than here with us. As to the selling of her hand? I figure it is what is best not only for her, but for my coffers, as well. Now, unless you prefer to spend the remainder of the day discussing my daughter, I suggest we talk of other matters.”

William frowned. “But you have no heir. You do not have a title to pass on but at least you have a vast wealth to leave behind. I cannot help but wonder why you have not made the proper steps to remedy the situation as I have.”

A tiny smile played at the corner of Mr. Lambert’s lips. “Who is to say that I have not?” he asked with a wink, and William barked a laugh.

The door opened, making William start, and Mrs. Lambert entered the room. He stood and gave her a diffident bow. The woman always conducted herself as an obedient wife, or at least she did when in his presence, and William hoped her daughter had also inherited such a wonderful trait.

How she entered the room today, however, made him wonder why she now had broken her discipline.

Mr. Lambert gave his wife a stern glare. “You are never to enter my office while I am conducting business; you know this.”

“Oh, Silas,” the woman said as she hurried over to the desk, a letter in her hand, “this came from Eleanor. The messenger said it was urgent.”

“Let me see that.” Mr. Lambert grabbed the folded parchment from his wife’s hand and tore it open.

“What is it?” Mrs. Lambert wrung her hands in clear distress. When Mr. Lambert did not respond, she gave him an urgent “Silas?”.

Mr. Lambert threw the letter on the desk, his hands shaking. “It appears our daughter has been kidnapped and is being held for ransom.”

“No!” Mrs. Lambert gasped before collapsing to the floor in a heap, her husband rushing to her side.

Many thoughts went through William’s mind as he considered what he had just heard. “What will we do?” he demanded, wishing Mrs. Lambert would stop her incessant wailing. He could not hear himself think! “We have an arrangement.”

“I know that, you fool!” Mr. Lambert snapped. “I shall leave for Scarlett Hall at once. How could this woman allow something like this to happen?” He helped his wife stand. At least she was no longer sobbing. “Do not worry,” he said to William. “Once she is returned, I will send word. Our agreement is still in place.”

Without so much as a farewell, Mr. Lambert escorted his wife from the room.

William stalked out to the foyer. Not only had Mr. Lambert been outright rude expecting William to see himself out, his precious Annabel had been taken away. He hoped the person that held her did not spoil his bride-to-be.

For a moment, he considered joining Mr. Lambert on his journey to Scarlett Hall so he could assist in her return. However, a new thought caused him to smile. Reaching into his coat pocket, his fingers trailed over the document tucked away there. He had every right to Annabel and would spend the next weeks securing the remaining funds. If the woman was somehow spoiled when she was returned, he would simply have to renegotiate the terms. How could he pay a premium price for used goods?

***

Eleanor braced herself for the arrival of her brother-in-law, whom she expected at any moment. She had considered not informing the man of the disappearance of Annabel, but when he sent a letter requesting to see his daughter, Eleanor had no other choice.

She had sent Forbes to search for Annabel three days prior, and as of yet, she had received no word. Each passing day was torment, and she prayed her niece would be returned to her unharmed. She was willing to pay anything to see that happen, and her financial adviser was seeing to the money collection even now.

The sound of an approaching carriage sent her hurrying to the window. Silas’s carriage stopped in front of the house, and the man exited the carriage.

Summoning her courage, Eleanor straightened her back and exited the house. Although the weather was quite warm, the news she had to share with Silas was anything but.

Silas helped a sobbing Joanna from the carriage, and Eleanor readied herself for the coming storm.

“Where is my daughter?” Silas demanded as he hurried Joanna to the portico. “Who took her and when is she to be returned?”

“If you give me a moment to explain…”

Silas grabbed hold of her arms and shook her. “You fool! What has happened to my daughter?”

Eleanor kept back a grimace from the pain and attempted to free herself. Once she did, she took a step back. “A letter arrived nearly three weeks ago. In it were demands for her safe return.”

“Three weeks!” Silas shouted. “You waited three weeks to inform me of this travesty? How dare you!” Joanna placed a hand on her husband’s arm, and he drew a deep breath. “Where is this letter?”

Eleanor pulled the letter from her reticule, and Silas snatched it from her hand.

As he read, his wife, no longer weeping but with a fierce expression on her features, said, “We have entrusted Annabel to your care for years,” she said in her quiet voice as she dabbed at the tears in her eyes with a kerchief. “However, it seems that Charles was right about you; you were always an unfit mother. You disgust me.”

“Quiet, woman!” Silas snapped. Joanna did as her husband bade, and when he finished the letter, he said, “I presume you are already gathering the required funds?”

“I am,” Eleanor replied. “However, it is much more difficult than it would seem. You of all people should know this.”

“But will you have it in time?”

Eleanor nodded. “I certainly hope so, but I cannot be certain.” Although this statement was true, it was not the entire story. Arrangements had been made with the bank and an old friend of Charles to purchase one of the more lucrative businesses, but the man had not decided if he wanted it or not. What she failed to mention, and she would not if she did not have to, was that she was certain that Forbes would find Annabel before the appointed time and therefore would need no ransom.

“You have more jewels than the King has on his crown,” Silas said. “I imagine you can sell those to secure the funds.”

Eleanor nodded. “I have considered that as a means to pay, among others. However, even if I sold every piece of jewelry I own, and that of all my daughters, I still will not have enough to cover the required amount.”

Silas thrust the letter back to her. “Tell me,” he glanced around, “where is your faithful butler? I do not see him, and the man is always nearby.”

“Forbes is away on personal business,” Eleanor replied, doing everything in her power to keep her tone even. How she despised this man! What business was it of his to inquire about her butler? Then she frowned. “Do you mean to imply that he has something to do with this?”

Silas smirked. “He was there, Eleanor. I suspect him because he is simply a butler, even if he is close to you.”

“You do not know of what you speak,” Eleanor said in a low threatening tone. She pursed her lips to calm herself; precious time could not be spent arguing with this man. “Nonetheless, the point remains; Annabel has been kidnapped, and I will need your help in acquiring the funds.”

Joanna turned and headed back to the carriage, shaking her head.

“My help?” he asked with a cynical laugh. “You are responsible for her safety when she is here, and you failed, not I.” He took a step forward, and Eleanor went to take a step back only to be stopped by one of the tall columns. “You will see my daughter safely returned, but do not expect me to help in this matter. The fault is yours, Eleanor, and therefore it is for you to pay for it!”

Eleanor widened her eyes in disbelief. “Are you listening to yourself?” she asked. “Whoever took Annabel may kill her. Does her life not matter to you?”

“In matters of principal such as this,” her brother-in-law said through clenched teeth, “no, it does not.” He smirked and looked her up and down. “It is a pity Charles married you, for I would have made a far better husband and taught you respect.”

“You disgust me,” Eleanor replied with a glare. “Your daughter is missing, and you speak with no regard for your dead brother.”

“And you disgust me,” Silas said, gripping her arm until Eleanor winced. “You had a simple life. All you had to do was make certain your daughters were respectable.”

Eleanor’s anger flared. “They are respectable. All of them are ladies and are held in high regard.”

Silas released her once again, but he did not step back. “Isabel married a duke who is lame. Juliet has run off with the stable boy.” His laughter made her skin pebble. “And my precious Annabel, who was left in your care, is now missing and possibly dead. What does that say for your skills in bringing up respectable women?”

“Do not say such things! She is not dead. She will be back.”

“See that she is, for if any harm comes to her, you need not worry about ransom demands. I will tell everyone what happened that day myself!”

Eleanor’s stomach knotted. “You would never do such a thing! It would destroy your brother’s children. Your own name would be ruined!”

Silas sighed. An exaggeration of a sigh. “Gather the money, Eleanor. Lord Agar is awaiting his bride, but he will not wait long.” He turned and walked away.

Eleanor clenched her fist. Neither Silas nor Joanna cared one whit about Annabel, and the man’s words since his arrival confirmed it once again. For not once did he speak of worry for her safety, but rather only the inconvenience it was causing him and Lord Agar.

As the carriage pulled away, Eleanor had to support herself against the column. “Do not worry, Annabel,” she whispered as if her message would reach the young woman, “I shall have you back here safe with me.” Then she thought of Lord Agar, and of Silas. “And no one will stop that!”