Passionately Yours (Hellions of High Street 3)

“That was a damnably foolish thing to do,” growled Alec. “Brave, but foolish.”

“Alec!” huffed Isobel in reproach.

Caro made a face. “You would rather I had meekly submitted to letting those men kidnap your sister and me?”

His mouth thinned, but his only reply was a noncommittal grunt.

A typical male reaction when defeat was inevitable in a battle of words, thought Caro.

“Speaking of kidnapping,” she began. “I cannot believe such a gang of men would try such a desperate act so close to Bath. Surely it was obvious we had no valuables worth stealing.”

“They must have thought you the daughters of well-to-do families,” replied Alec, “who would pay handsomely for your return—and for the matter to be hushed up.”

“But who—”

“There are many soldiers returning from the war who can find no work,” he said quickly. “They are desperate men.”

Caro knew that was true, and yet something did not feel right about the explanation. No matter how desperate, the men had to know they would be signing their own death warrants. The local gentry would quickly be up in arms and clamoring for blood if their daughters started being snatched off the roads.

“But surely—”

Alec speared her to silence with a sharp look and a tiny nod at his sister. “Time enough for talk later,” he growled. “Right now I would rather get you two young ladies back to town without delay. You both must be hungry and exhausted.”

Caro bit her lip. A sidelong glance at Isobel showed her last reserves of strength were fast ebbing away.

His gaze came back to her. “I imagine your mother will be beside herself with worry.”

“Actually she won’t. The plan was for me to take supper with your sister and your aunt.”

He exhaled a measured breath. “Then it seems we have an excellent chance of keeping this little incident a secret.” It was said as a half question. “That would be best for a number of reasons,” he went on. “Including the effect it might have on your reputation were it known the pair of you were out wandering alone after dark.”

“You may think my tongue ungovernable, but I think when it comes to keeping secrets, I have proved my discretion can be counted on, Lord Strathcona,” replied Caro a little tartly.

Despite her obvious fatigue, Isobel had been following the exchange with great interest. “I say, are the two of you acquainted?”

“Yes,” replied Caro.

“How—”

“As I said, let us leave long-winded explanations for another time, Bella.” Alec tucked her shawl a little tighter around her shoulders. “You’re chilled and exhausted. I wish to get you home without delay.”

“There’s no need to fuss like a mother hen, Alec. I’m not quite so fragile as I look.” But the tremor in Isobel’s voice belied her words.

“How did you come to rescue us, sir?” asked Caro, as he hurriedly fetched his horse and lifted his sister into the saddle. Bath was not a large town, and she was surprised that she had heard no mention of his being there. Gentlemen—especially unmarried, titled gentlemen under the age of sixty—did not go unnoticed. “I was under the impression that you are loath to spend any time in England.”

“I am occasionally obliged to travel to the south,” he replied, but offered no further explanation. “My plans on this trip include a stay in Bath while my sister is here taking the waters. I arrived this afternoon, and naturally went straight to the townhouse that my aunt has rented. She was becoming concerned about Isobel, and since she knew your intended plans, I decided to ride out and make sure there had been no sprained ankle or other mishap.”

“How very lowering to find that you all think me helpless as a kitten.” Isobel managed a smile, but pain pinched at the corners of her mouth.

“Do you mind walking, Miss Caro?” said Alec softly. “The truth is, my sister has been ill—in fact, that’s why she’s here in Bath. I am concerned that she doesn’t suffer a relapse from this little adventure.”

“Of course not,” she answered. “I should never have suggested the excursion had I known—”

“How could you?” he interrupted curtly. “Besides, it is not your responsibility to have a care for my sister’s welfare, it is mine.”

Caro knew that fear and worry had him on edge. Still, she felt a little hurt by his tone. “Then let us be off without further delay, sir.”

A small frown momentarily creased his brow, but he merely gave a gruff nod, gathered the reins, and started walking.