Page 36 of Only Pleasure Will Do

“Good. And of course, I count on your discretion as always, Grayson.”

The butler bowed. “Thank you, my lord.”

“Report back as soon as you consult Mrs. Myers and John Coachman.”

“Of course, my lord.” After a crisp bow, Grayson executed a terse about-face and strode to the door, his back even straighter than usual.

Lord Dalbury turned his steely gaze on Amorina. “I hope you are incorrect in your assumption about my servants. However, we shall know shortly. Grayson will discover the truth within half an hour, unless I miss my guess. So for the time being, let us return to the notion of blowing up my house. Such an act would convince Redmond that you had accomplished your task and that my wife and I had perished in the blast?”

Gravely, Amorina nodded. “Especially if your servants put it about that you were in the room when it exploded. No one will doubt it then.”

“I won’t put my family or my servants in danger of such an explosion.” Dalbury held up a hand before she could offer a protest. “Nor do I wish to destroy this house. But I will not allow your daughter and Matthews come to harm if there’s a way to help it. We will explode the device exactly where it is, out in the garden.”

Amorina had opened her mouth to plead with the marquess but closed it abruptly. If the right story were put about, such an action could work as well, and with a smaller chance of injury to the household or the property. “That might do, my lord. A story that accounts for the clock not being in the house could be devised. Actually,” she smiled grimly, “the truth may serve up to a certain point. I can tell Redmond, who will certainly ask, that I found Lady Dalbury and the child in the garden and presented the clock to her. She insisted on calling for you and I slipped away before you arrived. Obviously, the lady couldn’t wait to hear the lullaby I’d told her the clock played, and that is why the explosion took place outside the house.”

“You weave a story as well as Scheherazade, Madam Vestry.” Mr. Morley chuckled. “That sounds quite plausible.”

“I agree.” Lady Dalbury took her husband’s arm. “After the explosion, we shall have to go into seclusion, my dear. So that our deaths may be believed both by our household and the city at large.” She gazed up at him and stroked his arm. “May I suggest we take Tye and repair to our chamber until Redmond’s turned over to the authorities?”

Dalbury’s eyebrows rose and he chuckled. “As much as I would love to accommodate your delightful suggestion, I want all of us out of the house when the device is detonated.” His face sobered. “I will not take any chances with you or our son.”

“Then where will we go with no one the wiser?” The lady ran her hand down the front of her husband’s jacket.

“Come stay at my house, Kat.” Lord Manning spoke up quickly. “It’s not far from here but perfectly safe.”

“Yes, Katarina.” Lady Manning added her approval wholeheartedly. “You should come to us. We can await word of what happens together.”

“That will be acceptable, thank you, Manning.” Dalbury nodded to his brother-in-law then smoothly laid his finger over his wife’s lips, just parting in protest. “It is settled, my dear. We leave within the hour. As it is imperative we go secretly, I fear we will not be able to take much with us.”

“As long as I have you and Tye with me, I will be able to manage splendidly.” The marchioness gave him a rueful smile, but otherwise seemed agreeable.

“How will you explode the device, Lord Dalbury?” Amorina returned them to the problem at hand. They had no time to lose for the shadows outside the drawing room had grown alarmingly long.

“A good question, Madam Vestry. Gentlemen?” Dalbury looked around his group of friends. “Suggestions?”

Lord Manning was the first to speak up. “I could put a ball into the thing from a safe distance.”

“Or I could.” Lady Dalbury piped up. “I don’t see why Jack should get to have all the fun.”

Dalbury looked down his nose sternly at her. “You, madam, are going to be lodged at Jack’s house, safely under lock and key if necessary.”

The marchioness sighed long and loudly. “We cannot get to Italy soon enough for me. Perhaps then I will be able to escape Duncan’s watchful eye for an hour or so and have adventures as we used to, brother.”

“I would not count on that, dear sister.” Manning laughed at the long-suffering look on Dalbury’s face.

“What are we to do after the explosion occurs, Lord Dalbury?” Amorina hated to sound sharp, but she couldn’t afford to waste any more time. The plan that was vital to the safety of her child and Reginald was not yet complete. “I am to meet Mr. Redmond at noon, but who will rescue Pearl and Sir Reginald?”

“Jack and I will leave at first light.” Mr. Morley nodded to Lord Manning. “And take as many of our servants with us as possible. A veritable army. With Redmond in London for his meeting with you, we can reconnoiter the area, find out the lay of the land, the number and make-up of the servants there, and then secure the estate. We will then be able to rescue your daughter and Matthews.”

“Why the blazes can’t we go tonight then?” Manning spoke up impatiently. “Redmond’s already gone. If we sneak in as darkness is falling, why couldn’t we simply break down the door and take them?”

“We don’t know enough about the situation, Jack, no particulars about who may have been left behind to guard them. The risk to the child and Matthews will therefore be greater in the dark. Even with superior numbers, we would be at a disadvantage. They may even expect some kind of rescue attempt and be waiting for us.” Mr. Morley’s cool head and military training showed. “If we leave early enough to arrive just before dawn, we could catch any guards or servants asleep. Then we could either overpower them or simply free Matthews and the child.”

Lord Manning huffed out a breath, but nodded.

“In the meantime,” Morley continued, “Trevor will act as guard for you, Madam Vestry. He’ll arrive at the rendezvous point well before the appointed time and remain hidden. As soon as Redmond arrives, give him the paper and leave. If he or his henchmen try to detain you, Trevor will make certain you do not come to harm. Then he’ll then escort you to Manning’s house. With luck, we will meet you there with the captives and then Matthews can bring Bow Street in to capture Redmond for attempted murder.”

“Shouldn’t Bow Street be called in to investigate the explosion?” Lady Dalbury added. “Won’t that add to the talk and make the public believe that we have been killed indeed?”