She melted against him and answered his invitation, her hands sliding up his arms, delighting in the taut flex of muscle beneath her touch, the cloth of his waistcoat pulled tight. She loved the feel of him, reveled in his masculinity, the sheer physicality of his body, so elegant one often forgot his exceptional strength.

She kissed him back with all the yearning she'd hidden, all the emotion she'd buried, as their hot breath mingled in want, and his hands spanned her waist to hold her in place. Pleasure burned through her with each stroke of his tongue, beginning at her mouth and pooling in her core. She moved her legs against his in a restless motion and he thrust his thigh to part her skirts, allowing her to slide closer still. His hands dragged over her gown, the silk rustling and smoothing, the sound as enticing as the power of his hold and the unrelenting hunger of his mouth.

Caught in a sea of emotion, she stroked her hand down his arm, beneath his coat and across the flat of his stomach, then lower, to settle her palm on his taut length. He gasped against her mouth, his breathing harsh and broken, and she paused, unsure of her actions until he murmured something, his mouth again making magic and she could not stop, her heart racing. She fumbled with the b.u.t.tons, his trousers pulled tight, but with the slightest adjustment she managed to open the front placket. Her hand slid inside and down his hard shaft. Her touch cool, his skin burned and throbbed as she wrapped her fingers around him, unwilling to listen to any vestige of sensibility, surrendering to emotion, all weakness and strength.

He broke their kiss and his cheek dragged across the line of her jaw before he stopped, his mouth pressed against her ear. "Penelope." His voice was thick, each syllable a pant of ragged breathing. His arms tightened, locking her to him in a powerful embrace.

She did not want the moment to end. Ever. She turned to him, his eyes smoldered with pa.s.sion, and she matched his brilliant amber gaze, unwilling to allow him to stop her. Fearing what he would say if given the chance, she grasped his chin and brought his mouth down to hers, while her other hand, the one that promised pleasure, wrapped tighter around his shaft, gliding down the silky hot skin and smoothly rising to begin again. He deepened the kiss and groaned into her mouth, the sound echoing to her soul as his tongue offered her unfathomable pleasure with every caress.

He felt so large, so hard and powerful, but she soon realized it was she who held the power. She, who caused him to shudder when her fingers neared the tip of his shaft. And she, who evoked the sensual groan deep in his chest as she smoothed her palm downward. She wanted to kiss him the way he had kissed her on the tabletop the night before, but they couldn't stay here in the hallway, their minds awash with endless sensation.

She withdrew and his hands came up to cradle her face, his maddening kisses holding her in place as much as his fingers and it was good of him to offer support because his magnificent spine-tingling kisses made her world spin right off its axis.

But they couldn't continue, could they? Right there in the hallway, when anyone could stumble upon them cloaked in the corner's shadowy darkness. She loosened her hold, only to convince him to follow her into her bedchamber, but it was too late.

"Wait."

His voice, velvet over steel, stopped everything, all thought and motion, and he pushed away gently with a groan of pleasure, one arm bracketed against the wall, his shirt tail concealing his completion.

The next few minutes were dedicated to rea.s.sembling their clothing and regaining their breath. Penelope searched for the right words. She never shared an intimate act, any intimate act, before Phineas and she refused to have it riddled with ambiguity and insecurity. Had she pleased him? The inkling of a question began to take hold and she looked into his handsome face seeking rea.s.surance. He pulled her close, the situation well under control, and pressed his lips to her forehead as he whispered against her skin and erased any doubt. "I must endeavor to miss dinner more often. Sleep well, my delicious minx."

Chapter Twenty-Three.

Early morning sun slanted across the steps as Phineas inserted his key in the lock on Kent Street. It was beyond routine to visit during the daylight hours, but he needed to make a break, wish his best to Mary and Benjamin and then move on, now that he'd found his rightful place in the world beside Penelope. He'd stopped first at the cemetery for one final visit. Time had lessened the sorrow, but not erased the deed. Still he was primed to release the strong hold past events held on his future. Nothing is as burdensome as a secret, a realization elicited by Penny's situation more than his own intuition.

With a twist of the k.n.o.b, he entered the hall, quiet and dim, and a whisper of clues indicated things were not as they should be. Two boxes piled high with personal items sat near the foot of the doorframe. Pictures had been removed from the wall. He called a greeting and awaited a familiar female reply or child's ecstatic laughter, but neither met his ears. Prompted into action, he moved to the back of the house.

"Leave here at once."

Startled, yet emotionally prepared for the confrontation, Phin held up his palm, not wishing to exacerbate the situation. "I've come to say goodbye. It appears I'm just in time. Are you leaving London? I saw the boxes." He motioned toward the cartons littering the floor.

"What we do and where we go is none of your concern. You killed my son and stole my future. You've done enough." Resentment flashed across the man's face, transforming to vehement hostility just as quickly. "Now get out."

"I understand." Phineas searched for the needed words. "There was no way to know boxing would cause Jonathan's death." Regret seared his throat. "He didn't complain after we sparred. I had no idea he was in pain."

"Your excuses matter little. He came home that evening, went to bed and never woke up." His scornful accusations sliced through the silent room. "Had you not rattled his brain he'd still be here to take care of his wife and son."

A voice near the back door drew their attention. "Phineas." Mary's look of surprise faded into stricken alarm as she eyed her father-in-law. "Please leave us. Benjamin is waiting for you in the yard." She aimed a pointed stare at the older man and after an unbearable pause he left, not sparing a glance back.

"He's still very angry." She wrung her hands as if choosing her words with care. "He can't accept Jonathan experienced difficulties long before he decided to visit the boxing saloon. My husband hid it well. Had the doctor not informed us of the appointments after Jonathan pa.s.sed, we would never have known. But my husband didn't wish to burden his family, so you've taken the brunt of that secret." She offered a tremulous smile. "It serves no purpose to repeat it."

"I'm so sorry."

"You've apologized dozens of times for an inevitable accident. The same result would have happened in due time were Jonathan to exert himself in another fashion. The doctor confirmed it. At times, I wonder if he didn't mean to end his pain by asking you to spar that day. I'll never know." She swallowed, her eyes seeking his in understanding. "My father-in-law would rather blame you than think his son flawed." She stepped forward, her expression one of grat.i.tude and serenity. "Your visits have done wonders for Benjamin and me. Not just your help with managing the house, but with your friendship and kindness. Inconveniencing you during the night to avoid gossip and my in-laws' wrath went beyond the boundaries of your duty as a gentleman. Know that we appreciate it greatly and will remember you fondly."

"It was my honor to a.s.sist you." His voice couldn't be more sincere.

"Be happy, Phineas. You deserve to be."

Penelope smiled shyly and accepted the message Jenkins delivered to the morning room. Phineas was full of sweet surprises and sentimental expressions. For such a large man, who enjoyed earthy occupations and a solid boxing routine, romance owned a piece of Phin's soul as much as his hearty appet.i.te.

Returning to her bedchamber, she settled on the corner of the mattress and with delighted antic.i.p.ation, opened the sealed envelope, her heart dancing a giddy beat; although as her eyes scanned the words, the message threatened to stop her heart altogether. Simon wanted to meet with her. Little other information was shared aside from location and time. She'd be every kind of fool to believe he could be trusted, but perhaps she could persuade him to return her mother's cameo. The loss of that piece caused her heart to ache more than any financial hardship or social embarra.s.sment.

She should leave Phineas a message or ask Aubry to intervene once he arrived home, but with all likelihood he would be angry she pursued the matter and might even come after her, ensuring Simon would be outraged that she hadn't followed the note to the letter and arrived alone in secrecy. Hadn't she burdened Phineas enough with her troubles?

A knock on the door interrupted her considerations as a maid brought in a breakfast tray. Penelope needed to make a decision and the comfort found in a cup of tea was just the answer, although she hadn't much time. Simon's note demanded she come at once.

Later that morning, Phineas and his friends gathered at Richmond Park to avoid alarming the ladies. He wanted to keep Penelope as far from the possibility of danger as he was able, and Isabelle and Lexi were included in his concern. The air was thick with tension more than mist, as the sun had risen hours before. Phin's patience wore thin as each minute pa.s.sed, his comrades aware conversation was the last thing he desired. The two dueling pistols resting on a blackthorn stump bore evidence he meant to get on with his end of the challenge. Still Ridley had yet to show and no apology had been forthcoming.

A sudden rustling of undergrowth from the copse of trees where they stood drew the attention of all four men, their senses acutely attuned in wait of Ridley's approach, yet two squirrels playfully on the chase proved all that came to bear.

Phin let loose a string of curses and turned to his friends, all acknowledging the same conclusion and not at all happy with the result. If no pistol was to be fired on this morning, Phineas hoped Ridley had left England, beaten at his own game and never to be seen again, but one could never be sure. The Trumpington issue remained unsettled and rumors concerning Ridley's poor behavior continued to circulate. They needed an efficient plan in case the cur's disrespectful actions persisted.

"We know of Ridley's licentious behavior and multiple ident.i.ties." Con stopped pacing and waited for his friends to engage the conversation. "I dug a little deeper and reclaimed a few favors. It has not been hard to discover Ridley's trail of lies. The women he deceived in the past suffered in shame, unwilling to come forward or otherwise helpless to reclaim what he'd stolen."

"That speaks well of Penelope's courage in attempting to seek Ridley after his fallacious misdeeds. She is uncommonly brave."

Phineas nodded his head in agreement of Devlin's remark. "Penny is anything but faint-hearted. She has suffered greatly because of Ridley's perfidious actions." He punched his fist in blatant agitation. "I've already shown extraordinary patience."

"I don't know how any individual could behave so duplicitously and manage to sleep at night." Harold expressed disgust and slashed his arm in a wide arc as if to be rid of Ridley's wrongdoings.

"Regardless of his past, he's stolen everything from Penny and I intend to hold him accountable even if I have to beat each penny out of him." The statement was spoken with an odd note of pleasure.

"Fists will get you nowhere if we can't first determine if he possesses enough money to repay the debt." Devlin took up Con's previous motion and paced before the dueling pistols. "In regards to Trump's grey, there are dozens of stables where Ridley may have hidden the horse. That is, if he has it." Devlin paused as if reconsidering what he'd said. "If Con's information is correct, Ridley is running out of time faster than funds. I don't doubt he'll soon be running altogether, most especially now that you have bodily harm on your to-do list."

Phineas turned toward his friends, his tone low and even. "That may be true, but I'm not satisfied with some decorous resolution. There must be something I can do on Penny's behalf. And what of everything I've told you about the cameo? My trip to Rundell and Bridge yesterday confirmed my suspicions. The brooch is a Dilgano and worth a handsome fortune. Whether or not Ridley knew what he stole remains a moot point. Considering his cupidity in misleading females and bilking them of their savings, I suspect he'll never be able to resist pursuit of the treasure." He blew out a frustrated sigh. "And that puts Penelope in danger."

She wept openly when retelling him of her past. The least he could do in the name of honor was beat Arlis Ridley to a b.l.o.o.d.y pulp. He didn't care about the money. He would happily replace every shilling she'd lost, but for the simple fact she and her sister shared a multiple of desperate days because of the despicable individual's ignominious deeds, retribution was in order.

"So then what is our plan?" Harry stepped closer, anxious to lend himself to the task.

"Perhaps we can appeal to his greed. Lure him into some type of trap. He had the Dilgano in hand and didn't know what he'd possessed. Now lost, he has no method to regain it, unless we offer him one." Devlin's suggestion garnered no comment, but Phineas snapped to attention.

"I'd rather offer him my left hook."

Harry interjected with a thread of rational thought. "If you seek to regain Penelope's savings and heirloom jewelry, but Ridley has no money and has sold off all of the jewels, it seems little is left to be done."

"Aside from making him miserable with a thorough beating."

"I find this intense preoccupation with fisticuffs distracting." Harold looked decidedly appalled. "What happened to your sense of honor?"

"I will never have behaved more honorably," Phin persisted undeterred.

"This is a waste of time," Con interrupted. "If you want to find the man and beat him senseless then go ahead. It's not as if London will miss the b.a.s.t.a.r.d when he sinks into obscurity and departs under the cover of night." He pivoted in Phin's direction. "At least you'll feel satisfaction at having defended Penelope's honor. Otherwise if you prefer to pursue a more obtund resolution I can supply the names of several excellent Bow Street Runners. They can arrest and incarcerate Ridley, but no matter how discreetly they operate, Penelope will be questioned and if I know you at all, her involvement is the last thing you wish. It's your choice. I'll back you no matter what you decide but waiting here and debating is nothing more than futility."

Devlin nodded, acknowledging the conversation had come to an end. "I agree. Your procrastination will lead you to naught but regret and the last thing you want is remorse as a bedfellow. Take it from someone who knows that well."

They all fell silent, perhaps in wait of Phin's decision.

"I need to confront Penelope to tell her about the cameo and danger it presents if Ridley pursues the matter."

"Then do so at once." Devlin punctuated his suggestion with a wave toward Abacus. "Don't take any unnecessary chances. The opportunity to adjust Ridley's appearance remains ever present."

Approaching his horse with anxious strides, Phin reached into his pocket to confirm the cameo remained safe before mounting. Abacus welcomed the challenge and galloped at breakneck speed, accomplishing the greens of Richmond Park and maneuvering through the crowds shopping the busy streets. He arrived home in less than sixty minutes.

Tossing the reins, he leapt from the saddle determined to find Penelope at once. Everything balanced on their conversation and telling her he possessed the cameo and Ridley might seek to reclaim it, burned with intense urgency. He almost collided with Jenkins as he rushed through the front door.

"Where is Miss Penelope? I wish to speak with her straight away."

"The lady is not in house. She left over an hour ago, anxious to be on her way."

"Left? To go where? Not visiting the Bretton's? I forgot about that little troll." Phineas eyes swept the foyer from wall to wall as if understanding would dawn sooner than Jenkins could reply. A shadow of ill-ease took hold.

"She did not inform me. Shortly after you left, your packet arrived and I delivered it to her. She returned to her chambers-"

"My packet. What packet? I did not send a packet."

Jenkins leaned closer, securing they spoke confidentially. "No one can hear us, my lord. You need not pretend for the lady's behalf-"

"I'm not pretending." He took the foyer steps two at a time, barking questions at the butler left behind in confusion. "From where did the delivery come? What did she say about it?" He nearly reached the top of the staircase and paused in hope of hearing an answer to shed relief on the fact he'd left Penelope alone and unprotected.

"I am sorry, my lord. I do not know."

His strides ate up the carpet as he rushed into Penelope's rooms, the lingering scent of vanilla in the air notching his anger higher, an insistent reminder of how precious the cost of losing her.

A quick survey of the room confirmed Jenkins' statement. The bureau doors stood ajar. A cup of tea and half eaten slice of toast remained on a tray near the bed where a littering of objects lay strewn atop the coverlet. His fingers brushed through the ribbons, papers and baubles. A wooden trinket box had been unceremoniously emptied. There was a short pile of letters, a packet of promissory notes and a man's pocket watch within the mix. A small velvet bag rested beside the letters with a miniature portrait of a woman who possessed Penelope's profile. As he moved to the window to examine it, he dropped the black bag to the floorboards, but as he stooped to retrieve it, he found his lucky penny and slipped it into his pocket without pause.

Running his fingers through his hair in frustration, he reached for the pile of letters in hope it would provide a much needed clue. His anger built, as time wasted, no further along in determining Penny's whereabouts. He opened the first envelope from the string-tied pile and read a few sentences before tossing the entire packet into the fire with a curse.

Ridley's days were numbered.

He pushed aside a few articles to uncover a single piece of foolscap buried beneath the other items. The note was written in the same hand as the letters he'd just incinerated. His eyes scanned the message and the world stopped.

His heart lurched and he was all motion. Seething anger took hold as he crossed the room in two strides, bellowing for his horse and demanding co-operation.

"Jenkins, I need Abacus. Have the grooms removed his saddle?" He bounded down the steps to pause near the entryway lowboy and scribble a missive while he questioned the distressed butler.

"No, my lord, I will call for your horse at once."

"And have this dispatched." He thrust the folded foolscap toward the servant and took firm hold of the door.

"Phineas!" His mother's voice rang through the foyer. "What is all this commotion?"

He could see Maman leaning over the top bal.u.s.trade, her expression grave with concern.

"Nothing to worry about." He strove to produce a steady tone, though his mind raced in a myriad of directions. "I will explain later."

He spared not another minute, angry at the thought of wasted time. About to take his leave, a young boy appeared on the doorstep, out of breath as if he'd run a long distance.

"I have a message," The lad pitched his arm forward, a white note clutched in his hand. "For Viscount Fenhurst."

The urchin, reluctant to release the paper until Phin produced a shilling, flew from the steps as Phineas tore into the envelope. "d.a.m.nation, he means to bargain with me for Penny's return. The devil take him before I see her hurt." He issued orders, the butler dodging his heels, as he grabbed the reins of his horse. "Have my note sent to Wharncliffe with expedience. It's a matter of life and death."

Twisting her gloves in nervous contemplation, Penelope waited on the corner where the hired hackney left her. Her eyes scanned the road for Simon's carriage. So far, everything proved true to his word. The hack showed at the Fenhurst townhouse as the note stated and when the driver reached the center of town, she had no choice but to follow his directions and disembark to wait for another conveyance. Had she made a terrible mistake by agreeing to meet Simon? Misgivings shivered down her spine.

When she'd received Simon's note and saw the waiting hack outside the window, she'd acted without pause, overcome by the goal of recovering her mother's cameo and recouping her father's savings. She realized now she should have practiced more coherent reasoning and left word for Phineas. The urgency of Simon's note and his insistence she come alone set her into motion, but no one knew her location and that realization instigated ill-ease.

Before she could torture herself further, a brown four-in-hand pulled to the corner and the square shuttered window opened from the side. Simon was seated within. The telltale white patch of hair at his temple ensured his ident.i.ty could not be confused with anyone else. She looked to the driver but he made no motion to disembark and Simon showed no intention of extending the steps. Left with no option, Penelope leveled her slipper against the suspended step and hoisted herself into the open drag door. Her ankle gave a wicked twist as she pulled herself up unceremoniously, but she did not stall.

The carriage, built for travel like a public stagecoach, did not make sense. Why would Simon need such an accommodating ride? But the question barely formed before he leaned forward, wrapping a cloth across her mouth and binding her into silence. She raised her hands in panic and attempted to pull the gag away, but this made his truculent actions easier as he grasped her wrists and bound them together with a length of rope. He knocked on the roof to signal the driver and then shoved her against the squabs, his laugh an unnatural, bitter sound.

He didn't speak for miles. Penelope concentrated on regulating her breathing. While her mind raced to formulate the appropriate approach in speaking to Simon, her heart ached with the solitary thought she might never see Phineas again. Thoughts of their time spent together served to calm the tremulous panic coursing through her.

"It seems I underestimated you."

Ridley hitched his boot on the bench beside her, as relaxed and comfortable as if he embarked on holiday, and not at all discomfited by the fact he'd kidnapped a woman, gagged her, and headed to some undisclosed location meant for no good.

"The other females were so much easier. Never pursuing me, their shame prevented their feet or lips from moving. But you make things difficult. I was surprised when you showed all polished up in that ballroom. You were happy to see me, weren't you?"

With a flick of his finger, he lowered the gag. Penelope gulped several breaths and forced a calm reply, not wishing to incite his anger for fear he would raise the cloth over her mouth again. The only way she held any hope of seeing Phineas was to best her captor with words.

"But why? I do not understand." She managed to keep her tone even, though her pulse thrummed in time with her heart.

"You can't possibly be that nave." He snickered before continuing. "For the money, darling. The money. Your father possessed a Dilgano. If I can manage to obtain the entire set, the possibilities are endless."

"My mother's cameo?"

"Yes, you have no idea of its worth." He laughed again, an ugly sound. "Truthfully I didn't either until it was taken from me, but I intend to recover it and leave this wretched country with my fortune in hand."

"You stole it. I don't have it, Simon." She wrestled with her emotions, striving not to incite his irrational behavior further.

"Arlis, my name is Arlis. Stop living in the past. Start thinking about our future."

He ran the back of his hand over her cheek and she couldn't hide her repulsive shudder.

"Oh you'll be willing by the time we reach Gretna Green, even if I have to force you to comply." His voice turned cold, edged with a sepulchral tone. "Don't doubt I won't have someone harm Aubry in order to ensure your compliance and achieve my goal."

Her eyes flared with shock but despite the difficulties she experienced digesting his words, she forced herself to think rationally as it was her only tool in enacting escape.

"You mean to marry me? You could have accomplished the same last year, but you left me at the altar." Her words were no more than an incredulous whisper.

"You are dull witted. I don't wish to remain married to you. Once we are wed, upon your death your property reverts to me and that includes the Dilgano." He snorted in open disgust. "As soon as Lord Fenhurst returns it to you."