Lucretia’s first instinct was always self-preservation. She bolted, but Ralston was a large man, and in two quick strides, he’d restrained her.
He held her while Lord Barrett peeked into the pouch. They were her jewels, gifts from Gregory over the years, but with her concealing them in the bag as she had, she appeared horribly guilty.
“We’ll just be keeping these,” Lord Barrett said.
“They’re mine!” she insisted. “You can’t have them.”
“Tell it to the judge,” Barrett snidely retorted.
Ralston marched Lucretia outside. He was still clutching her arm, and though she struggled to free herself, she couldn’t.
There was a carriage in the drive, the door open, Gregory and his father slouched on the seats. Ralston dragged her over to one of the ruffians.
“This woman is Gregory’s paramour,” Ralston said. “She should be arrested too.”
Lord Barrett approached and showed the satchel to the men. On their observing what she’d hoarded, she was met with reproachful glowers, and Barrett said, “She’s as big a thief as Samson and Gregory Grey. She might be even worse.”
Lucretia’s wrists and ankles were bound, then she was lifted into the carriage. Despite how she protested, despite how she cursed them and their descendants forever, no one listened. The door was shut and latched so she couldn’t jump out. The driver shouted to the horses, and they lurched away so rapidly she was nearly flung to the floor.
“Mmm, mmm,” Gregory mumbled through his gag, his eyes wide with panic.
Samson said, “This is a fine pickle, isn’t it, Mrs. Starling? How shall we fix it?”
She shot a glare that could have melted lead. “Don’t lump me into your pathetic problem.”
Samson laughed viciously. “You’re in a deeper hole than I am. I, at least, can beg Caroline for mercy. What can you do?”
He snorted with contempt, then peered out the window, and the vehicle grew very quiet. The only sound was wheels crunching on gravel.
She gaped at Gregory, gaped at his father, but neither of them would look back at her. She was on her own, and it was the loneliest spot in the world.
Caleb stood in the driveway as the carriage rolled off. Gregory, Samson, and Mrs. Starling were locked inside.
It had been a whirlwind of days, and he never ceased to be amazed at the power an aristocrat like Luke Watson could wield. Caleb might have wasted months, obtaining the documents to have Gregory and Samson arrested. Luke had accomplished it in a matter of hours.
The sole task left was to marry Caro, the trick being to get her to consent without too much arguing.
Luke sauntered up and said, “That trio of scoundrels just might be the most disgusting people I’ve ever encountered.”
“You’d be right.”
“Caroline seems very normal and pleasant to me. I can’t imagine how she could possibly be related to them.”
“I’m told her father was very different from the rest of them. She must take after him.”
“Thank goodness,” Luke said. “Will you have them hanged?”
“I would love that punishment, but Janet and Caro would never want them executed. They’re kinder and much more forgiving than I am.”
“What will you do with the manor?” Luke asked.
“I’ll leave the housekeeper, Mrs. Scruggs, in charge. She’s plenty fierce, and she’ll keep things on an even keel until I can come back with Caroline. Then I’ll let Caro decide about the property.”
While Caleb didn’t have all the records yet, it appeared Caroline’s grandfather had taken out numerous mortgages on Grey’s Corner. When Samson had inherited, he’d used a huge chunk of Caroline’s trust to pay off what his father had borrowed.
Caleb supposed that made it Caroline’s estate. If it wasn’t already, it would be when the court hearings were concluded.
“Will you live here after you’re wed?” Luke asked.
“I have no idea. I have to convince her to have me first. I’m not all that certain she will.”
“Libby is expecting it,” Luke said like a threat, “and I have no ability to disappoint her.”
“You poor man. I see a humiliating life ahead of you, where you never wear the trousers in your own home.”
Luke chuckled. “Just wait until Caroline puts that ring on your finger. You’ll discover how low you’ll stoop to keep her happy.”
The carriage carrying the three fiends vanished in the trees, and Luke whipped away and stared up at the manor.
“This is a fine residence,” he said. “There are worse places you could end up.”
“I know.”
“Will you give up your gambling club for her? I’m afraid you might have to. From the comments she shared with Libby, she’s not keen to have a gambler for a husband.”
“Gad, I hadn’t thought about my club.”
“You’ll be marrying an heiress, so it’s not as if you’ll be a pauper. You could manage her fortune. You’re adept at handling money, so maybe that could be your new job.”
“I’d be my wife’s accountant?”
“It’s better than not winning her and being nothing to her at all.”
“Touché,” Caleb said.
“Have we dealt with all your problems? We haven’t forgotten any issues, have we?”
“I don’t believe we have.”
“Then can we return to Barrett? My nuptials are in a few days, and Libby will be starting to wonder if I’ve gotten cold feet and run away.”
“You can’t run away. We’re both about to be leg-shackled. If I have to tie the knot, so do you.”
“I complain about it, but I’m not serious,” Luke said. “We’re lucky they agreed to have us.”
“Speak for yourself. I still have to persuade Caroline.”
“I’d like to be a mouse in the corner to listen as you grovel.”
“Isn’t it interesting how we view ourselves as tough, virile men, but two pretty females have brought us to heel?”
“It’s not interesting. It’s embarrassing.”
Caleb sighed with gladness. “Let’s get you to Barrett. I’m suddenly desperate to talk to Caroline, and I’m eager to watch you walk down the aisle. I’m invited to the wedding, aren’t I?”
“Yes, and Libby will probably demand you marry Caroline right after she and I finish reciting the vows.”
“The
