To Taste Temptation (Legend of the Four Soldiers #1)(79)
Author: Elizabeth Hoyt

“You killed a woman in America,” Samuel said quietly. “They’ll hang you for that.”

Mr. Thornton cocked his head, completely unperturbed. “I don’t know who you mean.”

Jasper expelled an impatient breath. “Cut line. We know you’re MacDonald, know you killed that woman, know you betrayed us to the French and their Indian allies at Spinner’s Falls.”

“And how will you prove all that?”

“Maybe we don’t have to,” Samuel said low. “Maybe we’ll just drown you in the Thames and be done. I doubt anyone will miss you.”

“Samuel,” Rebecca whispered.

Samuel looked at her, and although his expression didn’t change, his voice softened slightly. “But I don’t think we’ll have real trouble convicting you in court. There’re a few survivors who must remember both MacDonald and Thornton, and if nothing else, we can ask your father-in-law.”

Emeline sucked in her breath.

Samuel nodded. “Yes, that’s one of the things I found out today. Thornton has an elderly father-in-law whom he hasn’t seen since he married the man’s daughter. The father-in-law lives in Cornwall, you see. The man is in poor health, but he’s been suspicious ever since his daughter supposedly fell down the stairs. He’s been pestering various solicitors to investigate the death, and I met one who finally took on the old man’s case on my search today. I have no doubt that if we provide a carriage, he will come to London and testify that this is not the man who originally married his daughter.”

Mr. Thornton went into a veritable spasm of winking and grinning. “Try it! The old man’s on his last legs. He’ll never survive a trip to London.”

“Let us worry about that,” Jasper said, shaking Thornton again. “You, I think, should be more worried about the gallows.” Jasper turned to Samuel. “Do you mind if I borrow your man to escort these three to Newgate?”

Samuel nodded. “Go ahead. I’ll take the ladies home in your carriage.” He turned with Emeline to walk to Jasper’s carriage, but a shout from Thornton stopped him.

“Hartley!” the nasty little man cried. “You might get me for the woman in America, but you won’t for Spinner’s Falls. I didn’t betray the regiment at Spinner’s Falls. I’m not the traitor.”

Samuel glanced at the man, his face disinterested.

His lack of reaction seemed to inflame Thornton. “You’re a coward, Hartley. You ran at Spinner’s Falls; everyone knows it. You’re a coward.”

Vale flushed scarlet and Emeline heard Rebecca’s horrified gasp.

But amazingly, Samuel smiled.

“No,” he said softly. “I’m not.”

Chapter Twenty

Princess Solace cradled her dying husband in her arms, her salty tears bathing his face. And as she wept over him, the dawn broke, the golden rays of the sun flooding the earth. Iron Heart opened his eyes and, looking into the face of his wife, uttered the first words he’d spoken in seven long years….

—from Iron Heart

“He needs a doctor,” Rebecca said as she helped Emeline push Samuel into the carriage.

Emeline didn’t voice the thought out loud, but she had to concur with Rebecca. Samuel looked white under his naturally swarthy skin, and a cut over his eye was bleeding, painting the side of his face with blood.

“No doctor,” Samuel mumbled, which didn’t exactly help his case.

Emeline met his sister’s eyes over his head and saw she was in agreement. Definitely, a doctor.

The slow pace of the carriage made the drive back through the streets of London nightmarish. By the time they arrived home, Samuel had been silent for half an hour, his eyes closed.

“Has he fainted?” Emeline whispered anxiously to Rebecca.

“I think only fallen asleep,” the girl replied.

It required two sturdy footmen to get Samuel up the steps of the town house and into his own bed. Then Emeline sent for the doctor.

An hour later, Rebecca entered the library to give the doctor’s report.

“He says it’s merely exhaustion,” Rebecca said on finding Emeline sitting by the fire half-asleep.

“Thank goodness.” Emeline let her head slump against the back of her chair.

“You look exhausted yourself,” Rebecca said critically.

Emeline started to shake her head. She didn’t want to leave Samuel. But then she found herself dizzy, so she stilled the movement.

Rebecca must’ve seen. “Go home and rest. Samuel’s asleep, anyway.”

Emeline humphed. “You’re a dear child, but a trifle bossy.”

The younger woman smiled. “I’ve learned from the best.” Rebecca held out a hand to help her up, but then a commotion started in the hall.

Emeline looked to the library door in time to see Jasper blow in.

“Emmie! Are you all right?” he asked. “I went to your house, but you weren’t there.”

Emeline frowned. She was constantly amazed at how little Jasper knew her. “Shhh! I’m fine, but you’ll wake up Samuel with that bellowing.”

Jasper glanced at the ceiling as if he could see through plaster and wood. “I suppose he’s had a bit of a day, too, what?”

“Jasper—” Emeline began, about to give him a set down, but Rebecca interrupted.

“Do you mind if I leave you? I need to…to”—she knitted her brow, obviously trying to think of an excuse—“make sure O’Hare is all right.”

Emeline stared. “Who is O’Hare?”

“My footman,” Rebecca said, and sailed from the room.

Emeline was still frowning after the girl when Jasper interrupted her thoughts.

“Emmie.”

She turned because his voice sounded grave, and really looked at him. She’d never seen the expression that was now on his face—a kind of weary acceptance.

“We’re not going to be married, are we?”

She shook her head. “No, dear. I don’t think so.”

He slumped into a chair. “Just as well, I suppose. You never would’ve been able to put up with my foibles. Probably isn’t a woman alive who would.”

“That’s not true.”

He gave her a comically old-fashioned look.

“It might not be easy,” she amended, “but I’m sure there’s a very nice lady out there for you somewhere.”

One corner of his mouth curved. “I’m three and thirty, Emmie. If there was a woman who would love me, and more importantly, could stand me, don’t you think I’d’ve found her by now?”