Beguiled. Shannon Drake

herbs into amazingly small pieces, frowned, wiped his hands off on his apron and hurried to the cabinet.

      In a moment, Ally found herself seated by the fire, the earl before her, taking her hands, staring into her eyes. “Now, slowly and completely. What happened?”

      “Well, as Shelby said, we were waylaid by the highwayman.”

      “And what did he want?”

      Ally shook her head. “Actually…he took nothing. All he wanted was to search the carriage—and then to know who I was and where I was going.”

      The earl looked very anxious for a moment. “And he didn’t hurt you in any way?”

      “Not at all,” she murmured.

      The earl stood, running his fingers through his hair. He was a tall man, well built, and though his title might well have brought him anything he desired without the least effort on his part, he was a scholar, a patron of antiquities and ready to delve into the day’s social issues. He had done his duty in the army, as well. Ally adored him, as she did Camille, and wondered how she had come by such amazing luck as to have them choose to take her beneath their wings. She wasn’t being as forthright as he deserved, and she knew it. Had the highwayman hurt her? Indeed, he had wounded both her pride and her ego. But…

      She was loathe to say too much.

      She realized that she did not want the man caught. She could not bear to imagine such a gallant thief hanging by the neck until dead.

      “Honestly, my lord, there was not much to it. After the first few seconds, I knew I was in no danger.”

      “The man is a criminal,” he said sternly.

      “Yes, of course. But I wasn’t harmed in any way, and nothing was taken.” She hesitated. “I’m afraid that poor Shelby prides himself on his courage and ability, and he is truly a wonderful man and an expert guardian. He was ready to die for me. But the highwayman carries a long whip, and he used it to disarm Shelby. I imagine that he is as much embarrassed as anything else,” Ally said.

      The countess came into the kitchen. “I have reached the police, and Inspector Turner is on his way. Sadly, he spoke quite honestly to me. There’s little he can do now. The ruffian and his fellows have surely long fled the scene. But, Ally, the inspector will be anxious to learn what he can from you about the man’s look and manner. So, now, please, tell me what happened.”

      Ally looked at the earl. He gave her a slight smile. “I’m afraid that you’ll be repeating your adventure over and over, my dear.”

      “Adventure?” Camille protested.

      “Well, indeed, it seems that she is none the worse for it,” Brian said.

      “That does not in the least alleviate what she must have endured,” Camille protested. A stray lock of hair fell across her forehead, and she looked at her husband indignantly, hands on her hips. “Well, the police will do what they can. It’s quite frightening, though.”

      “Ally!”

      “Ally!”

      Two little voices called out to her. Brent and William, six and five, respectively, came running into the kitchen, skirting around their mother to throw themselves at Ally.

      “Boys!” Camille protested.

      “They’re fine,” Ally assured her, hugging the children, delighted with their cheerful smiles. They weren’t worried or asking her to repeat herself; they were just happy to see her, and she adored them. Brent, the future earl, was continually full of mischief, and William was delighted to follow along, a worthy companion for all his brother’s exploits. At the tender age of five, William had already announced that when the time was right, he would be heading off to the Americas to make his own fortune.

      “Brian,” Camille implored. “Please tell our young gentlemen that they must not crawl all over Ally right now.”

      “They’re fine,” Ally insisted. She wanted the boys there to distract her questioners.

      “Boys, Ally will be along to play with you after you are bathed and settled for the evening,” Brian said, picking up the children, one beneath each arm. They giggled as he walked them to the hallway. “Up to the playroom, my loves,” he commanded. “And no dismantling the new telephone today, eh?”

      “No, Father,” William swore. He was still laughing.

      “Really, this is not insignificant,” Camille said softly. “What if the children had been in the carriage? What if…if they had tried to run? Or fight?” she asked worriedly.

      “The children weren’t in the carriage, Ally was, and she apparently handled herself quite well,” Brian said, releasing the children and turning back. “My dear, we’ll see that two men ride with the carriage at all times now,” he told Camille. “Will that make you feel better?”

      Camille nodded. “Yes, it will. Until the rogue is stopped. Anyway, Lucy has run a bath for you, Ally, and taken out your clothing for the party tonight. I do wish your aunts would have agreed to come…well, I can’t make those darlings do a thing they don’t want to do. But it’s disturbing that this should happen on such a day, when we’ve guests arriving so soon.” She smiled at her husband. “But then, I suppose people would be quite disappointed to come here without some excitement going on.”

      “Ally must go up right now and refresh herself,” Brian said. “I’ll ride out, and, Camille, you must speak with the inspector first when he comes, and by then, perhaps Ally will have remembered more about what happened.”

      “What exactly is going on tonight?” Ally asked, glad that they seemed to be putting her “adventure” into some sort of perspective. “Your summons was quite mysterious.”

      “Something terribly exciting,” Camille assured her. “So, as Brian suggests, perhaps we should start preparing while we await our policeman.”

      “Yes, a bath would be lovely,” Ally agreed. She didn’t add that she would also dearly love a few minutes of privacy. The earl’s eyes had seemed to look into her soul, and she was very afraid that she was giving away the fact that she felt as if she’d had an adventure. She was stunned by the way she had felt, talking to the man. The thief.

      Was her life so truly sheltered and dull that she could be so easily swept away by such an encounter?

      Sadly, that answer was yes.

      “Come, Ally. Brian, perhaps she should have another brandy in the bath, a bit more to steady her nerves?”

      “I rather think her nerves are quite steady already,” Brian said. “But she’s more than welcome to another.”

      He turned, shaking his head over the fact that highwaymen could be terrorizing the countryside in this modern age. Theodore was already pouring out a new measure of brandy.

      Ally murmured “Thank you” as she hurried after Camille, lowering her eyes to keep the earl from seeing so much.

      “I’m off in search of this brigard. I’ve read that he rides with three companions, Ally. Is this true?”

      She nodded. Shelby would tell him anything she didn’t, anyway. He would no doubt be riding out with the earl, as well. “Yes, there are four in all,” she said.

      “And you can tell me nothing else?” he pressed.

      She shrugged. “They wore cloaks, hats and masks. I’m afraid there’s very little I could say that would help.”

      “Could say? Or would say?” Brian murmured very softly.

      “Brian! The men are criminals,” Camille said.

      “Yes, they are,” Brian said firmly, staring at Ally.

      “I’m sorry, my lord. I can’t even tell you their height or hair color. I’m sorry.”

      “When