Huzzahs rang out around them. Rob pulled her back into hisarms. One kiss, to seal their future. One kiss, to promise her love.
One kiss that confirmed she had made the right choice.
“Thank you,” he said as he disengaged. “You cannot know howhappy you’ve made me. I promise to do all I can to see that you don’t regretthis decision.”
“Oh, Rob,” she said. “How could I regret marrying the onlyman I’ve ever truly loved?”
His eyes lit, and he was kissing her again. As if from along distance, she heard a cough.
Rob pulled back and frowned at Ike. “This had better beimportant, Bascom.”
The young footman nodded solemnly. “It is,my lord. I thought you and Mrs. Todd would want to see.”
Rob slipped his arm about her waist, and they both turned tofind everyone gazing out at the Channel. It seemed the women who had followedthe smugglers to the ship had lost their skirmish, for the vessel was veeringout into the Channel, borne on the tide and wind.
“No!” Hester cried, stiffening. “They shouldn’t be gettingaway. Where are Captain St. Claire and his men?”
Abigail sheathed her sword to stride back to their sides. “MaybeMaisy couldn’t find him. I would have liked to have stopped the entiresmuggling band, but perhaps it’s enough those sailors know they are not welcomein Grace-by-the-Sea.”
“I heartily agree,” Rob said. “The Women’s Militia has donethe village a service.” He glanced around at those gathered near.“You all have done the village, and me, a service. I will not forget it.”
From those closest to the cliffs, a shout went up. Robinclined his head, as if he thought it commendation, but Hester saw whatexcited them. Another ship, black sides sleek, was cutting through the water,giving chase to the smugglers.
“It’s the Siren’s Call,” Ike declared. “The captain’s after them!”
More huzzahs echoed as Captain St. Claire’s ship gainedground on the smugglers’ vessel. Something boomed, loud enough to be heard onthe shore, and water fountained next to the criminals’ ship. When the secondboom came, Hester spotted the flash of gunpowder.
The smugglers’ ship canted, and the Siren’s Callswooped closer. Slowly, as if reluctantly, the other vessel turned toward shoreto anchor off the headland.
Rob looked to Hester. “I imagine St. Claire will be rowedashore shortly. I’d like to hear what he has to say.”
“So would I,” Hester assured him.
In the end, all the members of the Women’s Militia, Rob’sstaff, and Lord Featherstone and Donner were waiting when Quillan St. Claireand Alexander Chance strode into the yard. Alex had his pistol trained on asmall, slender man, who stumbled along, clutching his portfolio to his chest.
Rob started grinning.
“Who is that?” Hester asked as they approached.
“That,” Rob said, “is my steward and a traitor to England ifthere ever was one. Nice job, Chance.”
“Tell that to Hester,” Alex said. “We wouldn’t have known toset sail if she and Abigail hadn’t sent Maisy to us.”
Mercer managed to wrest himself away from Hester’sbrother-in-law. “This is the outside of enough. I am an English citizen.”
“An English citizen bound for Switzerland after carryingtales to France,” Rob amended. “I’m sure the War Office would like a few words.”
Donner stepped forward. “We would indeed, particularly as tohow it became known that Lord Peverell and I were working to capture the Lordof the Smugglers.”
“Were you?” Captain St. Claire drawled. “Well, we are happyto oblige, aren’t we, Chance?”
“Of course,” Alex agreed.
Aunt Maudie, who had been standing nearby, leaned closer to Hester.“Did you see that?” His ears twitched. That means he’s lying.”
Lying? Why would Alex not be happy to capture the Lord ofthe Smugglers?
The steward struggled in his grip. “You’ll pay for thisoutrage, Captain St. Claire,” he vowed. “Your name’s already on Napoleon’s listof enemies. After today, you’re a dead man.”
St. Claire shrugged. “I’ve been considered one too manytimes to count. If Napoleon wants me, he’ll have to fetch me himself.” Henodded to Ike. “Mr. Bascom. Would you be willing to lend a hand?”
“It would be my privilege,” Ike assured him before joiningAlex in hustling Mercer around the house. As if determined to watch, AuntMaudie trotted after them.
“Where will you take them?” Hester asked as more smugglerswere escorted past by the members of the Women’s Militia and the Peverellstaff.
“To Castle How for the time being so your brother canquestion them,” St. Claire replied. “The castle cellar is large enough to holdthem, and it has a stout lock. We won’t lack for guards after this. You’re wellregarded among the locals, my lord. I doubt they’ll take kindly to you beinginconvenienced.”
Rob pulled her closer. “It was an adventure, one mybetrothed and I hope not to repeat.”
Captain St. Claire glanced between them. “Ah, love. Acurious affliction.”
Hester smiled. “One I hope someday afflicts you as well,Captain.”
He inclined his head. “I’m afraid that ship may have sailed,Mrs. Todd, but time will tell.”
~~~
Rob led Hester and his remaining guests inside. “As soon asMr. Fitch is ready, I’ll have him take you back to the village,” he promisedLord Featherstone and Donner.
Donner gave him a tight smile. “I have work at the castle. Ithink I’ll walk. Care to join me, my lord?”
“Delighted,” Lord Featherstone said. “But I should return myweaponry first.”
“Allow me,” Mrs. Denby said, juggling her mace so she couldaccept the baron’s sword as well. “I’ll need to stay. Someone must help MissPeverell chaperone her brother and his bride.”
She and Elizabeth exchanged pleased smiles.
“Thank you, my lord,” Rob said, trying to ignore hisirrepressible sister. He and Hester saw Donner and Lord Featherstone off, then Robled Hester, her mother, and Elizabeth to the formal withdrawing room, where Mrs.Denby returned the sword to its hanger on the wall and the mace to the grip ofa suit of armor. Elizabeth hung up her sword as well.
“Those haven’t been sharpened in years, you know,” Rob feltcompelled to point out.
His sister winked at him. “A good thing the smugglers didn’tknow that.” She made a show of settling herself on one of the chairs near the hearth.Mrs. Denby went to join her.
Rob sat instead on the sofa, with Hester beside him.
She sighed. “I can’t believe it’s over and we won.”
“Because of you,”
