The Bride Thief

was…' he shrugged his thin shoulders and averted his gaze.

'Kind to us,' Sammie said softly.

Their eyes met and understanding flowed between them, two people more accustomed to ridicule than acceptance. His Adam's apple bobbed in his thin neck. 'Yes. I think that's why I like him-besides him owning a Herschel. It's because he was nice to you.'

Dear Hubert. Heavens, could she love the boy any more than she already did? She squeezed his hands again and smiled at him. 'What a coincidence. I like him because he was nice to vow.'

A lopsided grin pulled at one corner of his mouth. 'Well, everyone says we think alike.' He jerked his head toward the letter. 'Are you going to read it?'

'Of course,' She reached for the missive while Hubert seated himself opposite her and spread strawberry jam on a thick slice of bread for a second breakfast. After breaking the envelope's wax seal, she withdrew two ivory vellum sheets.

Dear Miss Briggeham,

My name is Anne Barrow and I live in a small village about an hour's ride north of Tunbridge Wells. Although we've never met, I am writing to ask, nay plead, for your help. I have been so very desperate, you see. When word of your abduction by the Bride Thief reached my ears, I knew you were my last chance.

My father has arranged for me to marry a man I loathe. I have begged and pleaded with Papa, but he refuses to listen. My betrothed is a cruel, ruthless man who has already tried to force himself upon me. In exchange for me, my betrothed will pay Papa's huge gambling debts. I am devastated that my own father would sell me like this. He will not stop gambling and drinking, and even though I do not wish debtor's prison on him, I cannot marry this man. Papa made his choice, and now I must make mine.

Please, Miss Briggeham, you are the only person who can help me. I've nowhere else to turn. My mother is dead, and I have no relatives other than Papa. Can you contact the Bride Thief and tell him how desperately I need his help? I greatly fear there is little chance that the Bride Thief would hear of my plight on his own as Papa has kept the betrothal quiet, perhaps in fear of a rescue actually taking place. I will go anywhere, do anything, to escape the nightmare my life will become if I am forced to wed this man. I would attempt to contact the Bride Thief myself, but Papa has gone so far as to lock me in my room, and even if I were free, I would not know how to reach the man. I am praying that this note even reaches you.

I am scheduled to travel to my betrothed's home two nights from now. Enclosed is a map I have drawn of the exact route my coach will take. Please, I beg of you to pass this information on to the Bride Thief so he will know how to find me. I realize this is a great deal for a stranger to ask, but I would not impose myself upon you if I were not desperate. Please help me save my life.

Forever in your debt.

Anne Barrow

A second sheet contained the drawing of the coach's route. Sammie laid the papers on the table and drew a shaky breath.

Hubert's eyes clouded with concern. 'I say, Sammie, you're white as chalk. What's wrong? Is the note from Lord Wesley?'

'No.' Wordlessly she pushed the letter across the table to Hubert, knowing she could never convince him nothing was amiss.

Hubert scanned the contents, then looked at her over the rim of the vellum, his blue eyes wide behind his spectacles. 'Upon my word, this is dreadful.'

'Indeed it is. I must help this poor girl.' Rising, she paced the length of the breakfast room. 'It is imperative that I get this information to the Bride Thief. But how?'

Hubert rose and paced along with her, on the opposite side of the long mahogany table. 'If we could find the cottage he brought you to, perhaps we could leave him a message there. I examined some hair and leaf samples I removed from your clothing the morning after your abduction, but-'

Sammie stopped pacing and stared at him. 'You did what?'

Color rushed into his thin cheeks. 'I was looking for evidence as to his identity. Unfortunately all I was able to determine was what you'd already said: he rode a black horse, and you'd traveled through the woods.'

'But why would you wish to know his identity? Surely you wouldn't be trying to collect the reward offered for his capture?'

'Of course not. Although I wouldn't hesitate if he'd hurt you in any way. No, I quite agree with you that the man is noble and is fighting a just cause. I merely wished to match my wits against his.' A sheepish grin curved his lips. 'You know I cannot ignore an unsolved puzzle.'

'Indeed I do, but in this case you must.' Setting her palms on the table, she leaned toward him. 'Not only might pursuing the answer prove dangerous for you, but for him as well. Once his identity is known, his life is over. And you might be hurt in the process.'

Hubert reached out and patted her hand. 'Not to worry, Sammie. I simply conducted a few experiments in the Chamber, and they amounted to nothing. And even if I learned his identity, I wouldn't tell the magistrate.'

She read the earnestness in his gaze and nodded. Resuming her pacing, she said, 'About finding the cottage- it's a good suggestion, but it could take weeks, months, to locate, assuming we'd even be successful. It was dark, and without my glasses, I lost all sense of direction. No, we must think of something else.' Tapping her fingers against her chin, she continued to pace. 'Let's apply logic to this. We need for the Bride Thief to find out about this girl's plight. How does he find out about the upcoming marriages of any woman he rescues?'

Hubert frowned and nodded thoughtfully. 'Yes, how does he? Seems unlikely that he would personally know all of them.'

'Precisely. And how did he find out about me? How did he know I did not want to marry Major Wilshire? My betrothal had not yet been announced, and even Mama wouldn't risk gossiping about it before it was formally agreed upon.'

They both paused, staring at each other across the table.

'Then there's only one way-' Hubert said.

'It must have been through-'

'The servants' gossip grapevine,' they said in unison.

Sammie clasped her hands together. 'Yes, that's the only logical explanation. I don't know why I didn't think of it before.'

'Most likely because you weren't trying to figure out a way to contact your abductor.'

Snatching up the letter and the map, Sammie rounded the table. 'The gossip could only have started in our household or Major Wilshire's.' She drummed her fingers on the table, her mind racing. 'I must immediately spread word of this girl's plight to the servants. Here at home, and at Major Wilshire's residence. There's not a moment to lose if we hope for the news to reach the Bride Thief in time.'

'I'll visit at the Major's,' Hubert offered. 'I share an acquaintance with his coachman's son. But Sammie, what if the magistrate hears the gossip and sets a trap to catch the Bride Thief?'

'We shall do our best to contain the rumor to the two households… and pray we're successful. 'Tis a dangerous plan, but the Bride Thief is clever, and we must try to help this girl.'

'And what if word doesn't reach the Bride Thief in time?'

She clutched the letter in her hands, her heart aching for Anne Barrow. She well understood the poor girl's desperation. 'I was fortunate that I was able to extricate myself from an unwanted marriage, but so many women cannot do so. If the Bride Thief can't help her, then we must devise another plan.'

'How?'

A frown pulled her brows. 'I'm not certain, but I'll think of something.'

With Hubert on his way to Major Wilshire's home, Sammie sought out Mama, who could spread gossip faster than weeds grew in the sunshine. After telling her mother of Anne Barrow's plight, she visited the kitchen and shared the news with Sarah, the cook. Confident that the entire household would know within the hour, she donned