Page 63 of Marriage with a Proper Stranger

Despite the circumstances, Riordan smiled. “I do like you, Mary. Garrett is half Scottish, always reminded me of a medieval Highlander. Please stay here. Look after Mittens, make use of the food, and make yourself comfortable. I’ll send word when I locate Sabrina.”

Mary clasped his arm. “You love her.”

“With all my heart. I think I have from the beginning.” He patted her hand. “I will find her.”

“I don’t doubt it, Mr. Black. I’ve every faith in you. Godspeed.”

Nodding, he reached for his bundle and dashed outside. After securing it on the saddle and giving Grayson another encouraging pat, he mounted his horse and started off with a trot. How tempting to push Grayson at full gallop the entire way, but he knew his horse well, what he was capable of.

Two hours later, he arrived at Wollstonecraft Hall. Martin opened the door and could not keep the look of surprise from his face, though he quickly settled his features into a passive expression. “They are all in the library, Master Riordan.”

They? Damn it, his father and grandfather were here. Well, that couldn’t be avoided. He marched into the library. Garrett, his father, and grandfather were looking at maps spread out on the desk. “I need assistance. Sabrina has been taken by her father to be sold to Sutherhorne. I pray I’m not too late.”

The men all started talking at once, peppering Riordan with questions. He held up his hand to quiet them, then quickly filled them in on the situation.

The earl shook his head. “Sutherhorne? He keeps his life private. Who is to know what a man is capable of?”

“He’s obsessed with Sabrina. Has lusted after her for years. Her father held an auction for her when she was but eighteen. Pepperdon outbid Sutherhorne.”

“A repulsive act, and one that can be prosecuted in court,” the earl spat. Then his eyes widened. “Julian, do you recall the invitation we received from Durning about ten or eleven years ago? He was vague on the grounds for the invite, claiming our complete secrecy was needed, and since we did not know him, we declined.”

Riordan’s stomach lurched. His father and grandfather had been invited to the auction?

Julian’s lip curled with disgust. “Yes, I do. Now he intends to try and sell his daughter for a third time.”

Riordan turned to his uncle. “Garrett, will you come with me to London?”

“I will. And before we leave, I’ll send a message to Edwin Seward.”

“The ex-Bow Street Runner looking for Aidan?” Riordan asked.

“The very one,” Garrett replied. “He’s in London. He can watch Sutherhorne’s residence in Mayfair, or have one of his lads do it until we arrive.”

Julian crossed his arms. “We will all go with you. Make a united front.”

His grandfather nodded. “We’d better prepare to depart. Best bring weapons.”

Jesus. Weapons? Absolutely. He was going into battle to rescue the woman he loved, but he did not think of himself as a hero—didn’t possess enough of an ego. For Sabrina, the woman he loved to distraction? He’d wear armor and ride in on a white horse in a heartbeat.

Chapter 24

Opening her eyes, Sabrina was met by hazy images. She blinked several times to try and focus. A room at an inn? It was not an expensive one, if the sparse furnishings were any indication. The bed was narrow and uncomfortable. She wrinkled her nose. This place reeked of horrible odors she did not want to guess at the origins of. With great difficulty she sat upright, the bedframe squeaking with her efforts.

“You’re awake.”

Her loathsome father. She remembered all of it. How he made her accompany him after taking the laudanum. Her mouth was dry and tasted bitter and her stomach churned. “Explain what you mean by Sutherhorne is willing to pay,” she said.

The baron crossed his legs. “A railway scheme I was involved in has collapsed. I’m close to ruin. There may be an investigation by parliament, as there have been many such schemes. I will not go to debtor’s prison.” He reached in his side coat pocket and pulled out a sheet of paper. “And this anonymous letter has destroyed my chances with Lady Irene and her substantial dowry. I’ve no choice but to sell you. Again.”

Her heart froze. “Sell?” The word came out as a croak. Again? No. She’d told Riordan her father had sold her to the highest bidder, but she’d used the exaggerated phrase to punctuate a point. Never did she believe she was literately sold. “What do you mean?”

“I held an auction when you turned eighteen. Quite a few peers attended, all for the chance of having a young virgin bride. Since there is a chance of being arrested for selling a woman for profit, they all signed confidentiality agreements before I allowed them to attend. The bidding became particularly intense between Sutherhorne and Pepperdon. The earl won, since Sutherhorne’s fortune was not as robust as it is now. Though I have to hand it to the stubborn marquess.” Her father chuckled cruelly. “When he wants something, he is determined. And he wants you.”

Auction. Her blood curdled. Sutherhorne’s cryptic statement now made sense. I have waited eleven years for this, Sabrina, and I have run out of patience. You see, your father chose Pepperdon over me. There was more than one suitor for your hand. Quite the…contest.

Oh. My. God.

“Imagine my surprise when Sutherhorne contacted me last week, claiming he wished to reopen negotiations.” Her father stood and walked about the room. “He met my exorbitant price. It will be enough to see me free and clear from my financial obligations and start again.”