The Bride Thief

'Did she?'

'Yes. Kept glaring at me and insisting the man's actions were heroic. Rather than being outraged at him, she was annoyed with me for casting aspersions on his character.' He shook his head. 'A most unusual woman.'

Eric fought to suppress a smile. 'Obviously.'

'You mark my words, my lord, the Bride Thief won't be at large much longer. The botched Briggeham kidnapping proves he's growing careless. He's bound to make another mistake, and when he does, I'll be waiting.'

'I wish you the best of luck, and I hope your new information proves helpful.'

'As do I.' Straton spent several seconds adjusting his gloves, then asked, 'How is your sister faring, my lord?'

'She's coming home. I expect her within the next several days. Darvin passed away.'

Straton seemed to freeze in place. He swallowed once, then said in a strained voice, 'I'm sorry for her loss.'

Eric didn't bother to point out that Darvin's death was no loss to anyone, least of all Margaret. 'I'll be certain to pass along your condolences.'

'Thank you. Good afternoon, Lord Wesley.' With a curt nod, Straton applied his heels to his horse's flanks and trotted down the road leading toward London.

Filled with grim satisfaction, Eric turned Emperor toward the path leading to Wesley Manor. It would take Adam Straton at least two days in London to investigate the 'information' Eric had arranged for him to receive about the Bride Thief.

It was more than enough time for Eric to carry out everything he needed to accomplish without the magistrate's sharp eyes nearby. He disliked tricking Adam, for he admired the hardworking man's honesty and integrity. But since success for Adam on this particular matter meant the hangman's noose for Eric, he managed to bury his guilt.

Just before he entered the dense forest, Eric glanced back over his shoulder. The sight of a carriage appearing from around the bend in the road leading to London made him rein Emperor to a halt. Shielding his eyes against the sun's glare, he studied the vehicle. His entire body tensed when he recognized not only the vehicle but the chestnut-haired figure inside.

What the hell was Samantha Briggeham doing riding back from London?

Hubert pounced on Sammie the instant she entered the Chamber.

'Well?' he demanded. 'Were you successful?'

She patted her reticule and nodded. 'I have everything right here. The money, and a ticket for passage aboard the Lady Seafarer, departing for America tomorrow morning.'

'Did Cyril suspect anything?'

Guilt suffused Sammie for deceiving the loyal coachman. 'No. The dear man believed I was in the bookstore the entire time.'

Hubert nodded his approval. 'Now let's go over the plan one more time to make sure you're prepared.'

'All right.' She paced in front of Hubert, ticking off each item on her fingers. 'After dinner I shall claim fatigue and go to my bedchamber. Cyril retires at nine. At half after, you and I shall meet in the stables, where you'll help me saddle the horses. I'll ride Sugarcane and lead Dancer to the spot Miss Barrow indicated in her letter. I estimate it will take an hour to an hour and a half to arrive-sufficient time, as Miss Barrow is not scheduled to pass by until after midnight.'

Hubert nodded. 'Excellent. Go on.'

'When I arrive, I'll tether Dancer so she's close to the road, but hidden from view. I'll then hide and wait for Miss Barrow's coach to approach. If the Bride Thief appears to rescue her, I'll simply remain bidden and then come home. If he doesn't appear, I'll stop the coach, claiming my horse has gone lame, and ask for help. While her coachman examines Sugarcane, I'll slip the money and ticket to Miss Barrow and tell her where to find Dancer. I'll then distract the coachman for as long as possible to give her a chance to escape.'

'Have you written the directions to the ship and the instructions about where she should leave Dancer, so Cyril can retrieve her?'

'Not yet, but I shall do so before dinner. According to the agent who sold me the ticket, there is a livery within sight of the dock. Miss Barrow should have no trouble finding it.' She pushed her glasses higher on her nose. 'Did we leave anything out?'

'I did think of a potential problem, Sammie.' His eyes turned troubled. 'What if you are not able to distract the coachman long enough for Miss Barrow to escape? And even if she does manage to get away, what if he realizes she's gone? He might suspect you aided her, and then there's no telling what he might do to you.'

'An excellent point.' She tapped her fingers against her chin. 'But what can I do? I wouldn't want to cosh the fellow.'

'Indeed not. You might not hit him hard enough.'

'I was actually thinking I might strike him too hard.'

Hubert blinked. 'Oh. Well, that would be equally as disastrous I suppose.'

A wry smile curved her lips. 'It's too bad he wouldn't voluntarily take a little nap until Miss Barrow was safely gone.'

The instant the words left her mouth she stilled. Her eyes met Hubert's startled gaze and a long look passed between them.

'I could give you something,' Hubert said, his voice low and excited. 'It's derived from a combination of herbs that I developed based on my studies of South American tribes. It's very useful for putting animals such as chipmunks temporarily to sleep so I can examine them without risking injury to myself or them. It would ensure the coachman takes a nap.'

'It wouldn't harm him?'

Hubert shook his head. 'He'd simply fall asleep. For an hour or two.'

Sammie raised her brows. 'But how would I give it to him? I can't very well hand him a cup and say drink this.'

'Do you have a hat pin?'

'A hatpin? Why on earth would I-'

'I'll coat the pin with the substance. All you'd have to do is stick him with it.'

'And you don't think he'd notice?' she asked, unable to keep the incredulity from her voice.

'By the time he realizes it wasn't a bee sting, he'll be asleep.'

A slow smile pulled at Sammies lips. 'Why, Hubert. I believe you're a genius.'

A pleasure-filled flush colored his cheeks. Peering at her over the rims of his glasses he asked, 'Did you ever doubt it?'

'Not for a moment.' Reaching out, she ruffled his unruly hair. 'I believe we have now thought of everything.'

'Yes… except for the fact that I'll worry horribly about you. I wish you would allow me to come with you-'

'Absolutely not. I need you to remain here to distract Mama should she discover my absence.' She didn't add that she couldn't risk involving him in an outing that might prove dangerous. She grasped his hands and squeezed them tightly. 'I love you for wanting to protect me, but I'll be fine. All I'm going to do is give Miss Barrow the money, instructions and ticket, and if the Bride Thief shows up, that won't even be necessary.'

'In that case, it's not fair that you get to have all the fun,' Hubert mumbled. 'You've already seen the Bride Thief.'

'And if I see him again tonight, it shall be at a distance. You make it sound as if we'll be sitting about, chatting and visiting, sipping tea and nibbling biscuits.'

Hubert ducked his head and scuffed the floor with the toe of his shoe. 'I know it won't be like that, but I'd still like to come.'

'But you cannot.' Sammie drew a deep breath. 'Now that that's settled, I'm going to go write out the instructions. I'll see you at dinner.' She left, closing the door gently behind her.

Hubert planted his hands on the long wooden table and blew out a long breath. He knew the real reason