Belong To Me (book 4) (The Fielding Brothers Saga) (35 page)

The commissioner laughed and shook his head. It was rather unnerving, waiting, praying, and hoping against hope to be rescued, but that was all she could do in her position. She had to pray
Benji
would deliver her ransom note before the commissioner gave up restraining himself. She also hoped Ian was as good at investigating as she’d been told. He just had to find her at the commissioner’s country cottage. She deeply hoped Ian knew the man of the law had two residences.

Benji
stumbled through the cellar door, bringing in the wind as he entered. He turned and latched it
tight,
holding the piece of wood as if the horrendous wind would blow more leaves and dust into the house. After he accomplished his task, he walked into the room and smiled. “Mr. Fielding should be reading ’is note any time now.”

“Where did you deliver it?” Jeffrey asked.

“To the castle.
That’s where you told me to.”

“Why the castle?” asked Henry. “I thought ye said Ian wasn’t there.”

Jeffrey bestowed upon Charlotte a wicked grin. “That’s what Lord Thatcher and Mrs. Fielding told me, but I think differently. If I know Ian the way I think I do then he wouldn’t stay very far away from his lovely wife.”

“So, how long should we give ‘
im
to arrive?”

“Not more than twenty-four hours.”

“And if he doesn’t respond?” asked Henry.

“Then we’ll kill her,” Jeffrey answered with a shrug. “But not until after I have had my way with her.”

Charlotte panicked. She’d rather die than let him touch her. With a silent plea, she prayed Ian would come rescue her. He just had to come. But he could not get caught. She wondered if these men knew of his many disguises. She certainly hoped not. Her salvation depended on it.

* * * *

Lord Thatcher needed to make another performance. That was the only way to save Charlotte. If Ian was spotted, he’d be arrested. Ian gathered the hooded cape around him as he descended the carriage.
Ahead of him stood the commissioner’s cottage.
Taking deep breaths, Ian tried to calm his anger. He was Lord Thatcher now, not Ian. He reached the door and rapped hard. Within a minute the heavy oak opened, the commissioner peering into the near-dawn morning as he held a lamp.

Recognition must have struck the imbecile, because he gasped, his eyes widening.

“Lord Thatcher?” Jeffrey swallowed hard. “What do I owe the pleasure of your company this early in the morning?”

“I have an urgent matter which needs discussing. May I come in?”

“By all means.”
Jeffrey stepped away, opening the door wider. “Would you like some tea?”

“No.” Once Ian was inside, he removed his cloak, showing the commissioner his gruesome scarred face. “I’m here to pay the ransom for Mrs. Fielding.”

Jeffrey lifted his brows. “What ransom?”

Ian swept quickly upon the insipid man, trying to intimidate him with his large frame. “You know what I’m talking about, so I suggest you get to it. I have the money to pay for Mrs. Fielding’s ransom, so if you will please get her for me, I’d be most obliged.”

Jeffrey remained standing where he stood. His expression wavered between fright and confusion. “Well now, Lord Thatcher, I don’t believe I can do that,” he said, stepping away. “If you’re as smart as I think you are, coming here to find the lady when the ransom note clearly said nothing of her whereabouts. I’m certain you can also figure out that I’m a desperate man. And you must be aware of the animosity between Ian and
myself
. So, I really must insist that Ian deliver the ransom.”

Ian clenched his fists, reminding himself this was not the time to pummel the commissioner. “Fielding isn’t coming. He’s far away and smarter than you think. He knows you’ll ambush him as soon as he approaches your property.”

Jeffrey scowled. “I cannot turn the lady over, my lord.”

Ian moved like a panther, swift and effortlessly. He took Jeffrey’s lapels in his fists and lifted him off the floor. The man of the law gasped and tried to kick out, but Ian ignored his protests. “I said, get her—immediately!” he growled.

Through Jeffrey’s frightened face, another emotion crossed his features, and he lifted his brows. “I think we can work something out.” His voice took on a conspiratorial tone as he tried to peel Ian’s hands from his shirt. “I think if we can act like gentlemen then we’ll be able to come to some sort of compromise.”

“A compromise?”

“Well, it occurs to me you are in love with the woman.”

Ian hardened his expression. He didn’t say anything, but Jeffrey probably guessed the answer.

The so-called man of the law chuckled. “Now my lord, we might be able to help each other out. You want Mrs. Fielding, and I want her husband. If you help me get her husband, she’ll be free for you to have for yourself.”

“What makes you think I can get Mr. Fielding?”

“I have a strong feeling Ian is hiding in your castle.”

“Why would you think that? You and your men searched it thoroughly and left empty-handed.”

“True, but I still think he’s there.”

“Why?”

“Because, Lord Thatcher, if you had a wife as lovely as Mrs. Charlotte Fielding, would you be away from her side for very long?” He paused, shaking his head. “I think not, my lord.”

“And are you willing to risk a woman’s life on that theory?” Ian snapped.
“Shame on you, Commissioner.
I thought you were smarter than that.”

Jeffrey lifted an eyebrow. “Can you prove differently? Has Mrs. Fielding been in your company twenty-four hours a day so that you could honestly say that Ian has not been with her?”

Ian scowled. “No, I cannot honestly say I’ve kept watch on Mrs. Fielding twenty-four hours a day, but from what she has confided with me, she hasn’t seen her husband since you accused him of thievery.”

“Then she’s lying,” Jeffrey stated. “The woman is obviously seeing her husband.”

“How are you so certain?”

He shrugged. “Why else would she proclaim he’s innocent and that he’s going to rescue her if she doesn’t know where he is?”

Ian’s heart softened, yet emotion tightened his chest. Charlotte waited for him to rescue her. Ian prayed he could fulfill her wish. “I don’t see how Mr. Fielding could possibly know where she is, because I was the one who received the ransom note.”

Jeffrey laughed. “You don’t know the man as well as you might think. Fielding is clever and full of surprises. Are you not aware of his investigating talents?”

“Very much so.”

“Well, that proves right there he’ll come for his wife. Trust my words, Lord Thatcher, he’ll be here soon.”

With a nod, Ian turned and limped to the nearest chair, sitting down on the expensive piece of antique furniture. “I suppose I’ll just wait right here until the time comes.”

Anger creased the lines on Jeffrey’s face. “I have a better idea. Why don’t you return home and tell your servants to spread the story of Mrs. Fielding’s kidnapping? That way, Fielding will eventually hear.”

Ian grinned haughtily. “That has already been done. Don’t you think the servants knew when I did? They were Mr. Fielding’s servants before coming to my castle.”

“Well, Lord Thatcher, you’re welcome to wait.” Jeffrey’s eyes narrowed and his mouth pulled into a thin line. “If you’re quite certain Fielding will get the ransom note then feel free to stay.”

“I will, Commissioner, but while I’m waiting, I’d like to see Mrs. Fielding—just to make certain she’s unharmed, mind you.”

For a split second, panic crossed Jeffrey’s features. “Um...well, my lord, I really don’t think that’s necessary.”

Ian tightened his hand over the golden handle of his cane as he glared at him. “Now, Commissioner, you wouldn’t want to get me upset, would you? Need I remind you what happens when you make me angry?”

They stared at each other coldly, each man assessing the other. Ian’s heart beat anxiously, hoping the man of the law would follow with his cowardly ways as Ian had been used to.

The commissioner’s Adam’s apple dipped in his throat and he straightened his shoulders.
“No, milord.
You need not remind me. I’ll get Mrs. Fielding.”

Turning on his heels, he marched out of the room. Ian sighed with relief, yet he worried if his anger would make its debut once he saw Charlotte.
If the commissioner or his men have touched one hair on her head...
Ian breathed deeply, trying to control his emotions. He couldn’t come out of character yet.

Although he could take on the commissioner, he knew he’d not be able to fight the man’s bullies lurking around the cottage. Which means he’d have to act quickly, and not let the commissioner out of his sight.

Just as Jeffrey reached the stairs to go down into the cellar, Ian hurried upon him, making his limp distinct as he neared. “On second thought, Commissioner, why don’t I just follow you?”

A low curse rattled from the commissioner, and triumph flowed through Ian. But he hadn’t won yet.

Jeffrey led Ian down a flight of stairs to the cold, dark, musty cellar. The hallway in which they walked was not lit very well, but the room ahead had enough light to help them see their path. Although Ian couldn’t see as well as he’d like, a woman’s loud voice directed his footsteps. He grinned. Even in the face of danger, Charlotte was very spirited.

“I can see why my father discovered you and your friend stealing from him,” she snipped. “The two of you are nothing but a couple of bumbling oafs!”

“Listen, ’
lil
lady. I’ve ‘ad just about enough of
yer
squawkin
’,” one of the men shouted.
“If ye don’t shut
yer
trap, I just might ‘
ave
to shut it for
ya
.”

She laughed harshly. “You cannot lay a hand on me and you know it. The commissioner has you and your friend wrapped around his little finger.” She snickered. “And I can’t believe you haven’t seen that yet. I also can’t believe you still trust him. Look around you and see what he has taken, blaming my husband, of course. Has the commissioner even offered to share any of this wealth with you? In fact, I’m willing to bet after you get my ransom money from my husband, the commissioner will take it from you and kill you both.”

Ian gritted his teeth. Charlotte didn’t know the commissioner was so nearby and could hear. He knew his wife and how her vicious words could cut a man. Jeffrey quickly rushed ahead of Ian and moved to Charlotte. Ian held his breath, hoping the man wouldn’t lay a hand on her.

“Charlotte,” Jeffrey said, red-faced. “Henry and
Benji
may not be able to lay a finger on you, but I still can, and if you don’t keep that luscious mouth of yours closed, I’m going to do it for you. Do you understand? And you’ll not like the way I keep you from talking, either.”

Charlotte threw him a glare. “I’m most certain I’ll not like it, especially if you have any part in it.”

Ian couldn’t help but chuckle aloud from her stubbornness. Everyone’s attention flew toward him. Charlotte’s eyes widened and she gasped.

“Why, Commissioner,” Ian began, continuing in his beastly voice. “I don’t believe you have won over this young lady. Perhaps she knows you too well to feel anything but pity.”

That comment brought a chuckle out of Henry and
Benji
. Jeffrey glared at them, so they quickly became quiet.

“That’s enough,” the commissioner yelled. “I won’t have my name slandered in my own home.”

“You’re right, of course,” Ian said in a sarcastic tone. “I’ll try not to do that again.”

While he spoke, Ian’s eyes remained fixed on his wife. She didn’t appear to have been injured, nor violated. He wondered what could have happened to prevent the commissioner from touching her as Jeffrey had threatened to do.

Her face relaxed when she looked upon Ian, but her eyes watered when she smiled. “My lord, what are you doing here?”

Keeping in character, he limped to her. He examined her face and body as much as he could, checking to see if there were any marks of any kind. Thankfully, there were none. “I’ve come to pay your ransom, but the commissioner won’t take it.”

Right away,
Benji
huffed. “Ye won’t take it?
Why not?”

“Shut up,” Jeffrey hissed.

Charlotte glanced at the commissioner and scowled. “Yes, why won’t you take the money?”

“Because I want your husband, that’s why. He’s going to hang. I’ll see to that personally.” He turned to Lord Thatcher. “Now that you know I haven’t harmed her, are you satisfied? Will you return home?”

“I’m satisfied. In fact, I believe you and your friends are worse off than I first realized. I’m certain I don’t know how you have put up with her complaining this long.”

Franklin laughed as Ian turned.

“You’re right,” Jeffrey said. “It’s been hard. She has a sharp tongue, that’s for certain. But all you have to do is look at her, and she stirs your loins. I don’t think I have to tell you that.”

Ian glanced over his shoulder to look at her again. Tears were in her eyes and her brows were drawn with worry.
Just looking into her lovely face made his heart melt.
He had to rescue her. But finding a way without showing his true identity was going to be a great effort. And if he wasn’t careful, they would both end up in more danger…or dead.