Gentleman's Guide 02 - His Contrary Bride) (26 page)

Gently, so as not to disturb his wife,
Marius drew on pants and a shirt. Picking up his gun he silently
made his way down the stairs. As he approached the landing in the
foyer the acrid smell of smoke burned his nostrils and he rushed
toward the kitchen, afraid he had left something on the stove. He
came to a halt at the entrance of the dining room quickly filling
with smoke and Marius ran toward the kitchen. It was completely
engulfed and he knew he would not be able to put the fire out on
his own. Racing back through the dining room, he paused briefly in
the entry as a light from the parlor caught his attention. The back
wall was burning in this room as well. On the other side of the
wall was the library and Marius hurried to see if the fire had
spread. This room too was on fire, but was burning in a separate
area. All three fires were independent of one another and not all
three could be accidents. By the time he returned to the foyer, the
dining room was engulfed and the fire in the parlor had spread to
the draperies. Running up the stairs, he slammed all the doors to
his chamber shut and began shaking Sabrina awake. “The house is on
fire. You need to wake up.”

Slowly she opened her eyes, a bit dazed.
Within a fraction of a second her eyes widened. “Fire.”

“Yes.” Marius called back to her. He began
searching the wardrobe for something she could wear. The white
night gown would be too noticeable and he planned on escaping the
house undetected. He found a pair of dark pants and shirt and
tossed them to her. “Put these on. Your nightgown will be too much
of a hindrance.”

Sabrina scampered to dress while his back
was turned and Marius located dark jackets for both of them.
Escaping by the front door would alert anyone watching that they
had survived, even if it were still possible. The kitchen door at
the back of the house was impossible to get to. Smoke was slipping
beneath the bedroom door and he was afraid they were running out of
time. After stuffing a rug against the crack beneath the door, he
went to the window. Cautiously he opened it glancing out. Nobody
was within the small enclosed garden. Even though it was a dark
night, the fire from the inside of the house illuminated the area
well. His only concern was getting safely to the ground.

Sabrina came to stand next to him and looked
out as well.

“It is only two stories. We should be fine.”
Marius climbed out the window. “Do what I do and I’ll catch
you.”

Holding on he let his body stretch until he
let go and dropped to the ground. Once he had his footing he looked
up and encouraged his wife to do the same. Sabrina didn’t hesitate
and climbed out the window after him. He should have known she
wouldn’t cower. She held on and let her body drop. After a moment
she let go and fell into Marius’ arms, but her sudden weight
knocked into his chest and Marius ended up on her backside losing
hold of his wife. Marius quickly kneeled over her. “Are you
hurt?”

Sabrina sat up and dusted off her hands. “It
would take much more to injury me.”

Marius stood and offered his hand. Sabrina
took it and he pulled her to her feet. They turned to look up at
the room the just vacated. Light was now coming from within which
meant the fire had breached the second floor and their room. They
escaped just in time.

Marius grabbed her hand and led her away
from the house. “We need to keep to the shadows. Don’t let anyone
see you. I’ll explain when we are away.”

Sabrina nodded mutely, grasping his hand
tightly and followed Marius down a back ally. Less than a block
away he lifted her onto a stone wall and was quickly over the side,
helping her down. This was the closest and safest place Marius
could think of and prayed at least a few servants were in the
kitchen to help him.

At first he tapped on the door lightly. He
didn’t want to alert anyone who may be lurking in the ally of their
presence. When no response came and he knocked a little louder,
silently cursing for someone to answer the door. He just prayed he
didn’t bring danger here as well.

“Mr. Parker.” The none-too-formal valet
stated in surprise as he opened the door.

“Yes, Jones. We need to come in.” Marius
pushed past the man.

“Of course.” The valet stood back and closed
the door behind them.

Marius ushered Sabrina into the kitchen
where she sank into a chair. Her eyes were wide with shock and she
was pale.

“Do you know where Chambers went this
evening?” Marius asked, turning to the servant.

“I believe he was to attend the Chesterfield
ball, Sir.”

Sabrina looked at Marius in surprise.

“Their home is only a street away from ours.
Someone has probably already noticed the fire,” Marius said with
some thought. He had completely forgotten the ball.

“Jones, I need you to find Dillon as quickly
as possible. It is imperative that nobody knows we are here for the
moment.”

“Yes, sir. I understand.” Which Marius
didn’t doubt. The servant had an uncanny way of knowing everything
that went on in the lives of others and he didn’t doubt Dillon had
probably told him everything.

“Could you bring us some brandy before you
leave?” Marius asked, worried about his pale wife.

“Of course, sir. Shall you remain in the
kitchen?”

“Yes, I don’t want to be seen through the
windows and I doubt anyone will think to look here anyway, but this
room is safest.”

“Very good, sir,” Jones said before leaving
through the back door.

Marius poured a drink for both of them and
sank into a chair beside his wife. Sabrina took a small drink
before turning her eyes on her husband. “You don’t think the fire
was an accident, do you?”

Shaking his head, “No. I know it was not.”
And he went on to explain what he had found below.

Tears began to form in her eyes. “Oh, Marius
I am so sorry. We should have never married. It only put you in
danger.”

“That is nonsense. Had we not married, I
don’t doubt your uncle would have tried something similar because
you have reached you majority. You could have been killed because
you would have been alone.”

Sabrina shuddered. “Your home was
destroyed.”

Marius reached over and squeezed her hand.
“It was only a house. Everything can be rebuilt and new items
purchased. The important thing is that we are alive. You are the
one thing I can never replace.”

Sabrina smiled at him weakly.

Jones was gone barely a half an hour before
he came through the back door. “I know you wanted to keep you
presences quiet, Mr. Parker, but I am afraid Lords Meadows and
Sandlin may have caught on.” The man looked away. “They know I
don’t leave the house at night.” He focused back on the two. “They
will be here shortly.”

“Is the house still burning,” Sabrina asked
while tears pooled in her eyes.

“Yes, I am afraid.” He shook his head and
put a pot of water on to boil. “There was quite a crowd gathered.”
He turned to them. “Your parents are very distraught, Mr. Parker. I
suggested your mother come here to await news as this home is
closest to yours. And, I know you want your presence to remain
secret, Mr. Parker, but I couldn’t bear to see the ladies so upset,
or the gentlemen either.”

Marius shook his head. “It is fine Jones. I
can trust each of them completely.”

The valet sighed. “Those were my beliefs as
well. However, your wife’s uncle was standing not too far away so I
suggest you stay hidden until we can be assured only those you
trust arrive.”

Agreeing, Marius took a seat next to
Sabrina. Jones left to prepare for the guests.

It was another half hour later before they
were all seated in Dillon’s parlor and Jones was serving brandy,
wine and tea. The group was strangely quiet and Marius waited out
of sight listening. “Is this all that will be joining us sir?”

“I believe so, Jones,” Dillon answered.

“Then I can be assured that Lord
Chesterfield will not be appearing?”

“I can assure you, that man will never be
welcome in this house.” Dillon spit out with hatred. “I have no
doubt he is responsible for the fire and I won’t rest until I have
that proof.”

“Very well, sir, but there is something you
should know.” The valet stated, closing the draperies. “Mr. Parker
and his wife escaped the fire. I couldn’t say anything further
until I knew only those you trusted were present.”

Surprised gasps followed his statement.
“Where is my son?” Lady Wilkes asked, standing.

“I am right here, Mother.”

Marius had barely stepped in the room before
his mother was hugging him and crying. Phoebe embraced Sabrina in a
similar fashion. It was some moments before the group had calmed
and was sitting again. Marius explained about the three separate
fires and how he and Sabrina had made their escape.

“I walked around the house. The windows were
all closed,” Taylor stated, surprised.

Marius looked at Sabrina confused. “Did you
close the window somehow after you climbed out?”

Shaking her head. “No. It never occurred to
me to even try.”

“Then who closed the window?”

“I did.” A voice came from the end of the
hall. “I was about to climb up myself and alert you when I saw you
escape. I closed the window after you and followed until I knew you
had reached safety.” Timothy Shields walked further into the room.
“Since I last talked with you, I have had a few men keeping an eye
on your wife. As soon as I heard of the marriage I knew
Chesterfield wouldn’t wait long.”

“Shields, is that you? What do you know of
this?” Dillon asked.

“He has been trying to keep alive and find a
way to bring Chesterfield to justice. Shields was with Sabrina’s
father when he was killed,” Marius explained.

Sabrina looked at the man with interest.

“One of my men saw a few unsavory characters
around your home earlier. There were too many for him to confront
alone and by the time he returned with help, they were gone and the
fires had been set.” He accepted a glass of amber liquid. “Because
you remained hidden I knew you suspected the truth so I closed the
window to lead Chesterfield to believe you were still inside.”

“Thank you, this should buy us some time. At
least until they comb through the destruction and find no bodies,”
Marius stated as Sabrina shivered at his side.

“I would suggest you disappear for a while.
Once Chesterfield realizes you are missing and not dead, he may
panic and hopefully finally make a mistake.”

“I agree with him,” Taylor stated.

“Never underestimate your enemy or take
safety for granted,” Phoebe added seriously.

Marius clasped Sabrina’s hand and thought
for a moment. He wanted to confront the man now but had no proof.
Besides, it would only bring another attempt. The best thing they
could do is make the man worry or perhaps draw him out when they
were prepared to face him.

“You are right, of course. However, Sabrina
and I can’t go anywhere at the moment. This is the only clothing we
have and I don’t dare draw on my accounts or he will know we are
alive.”

“Just make a plan of where you can disappear
to. I’ll find clothing for you both. Meet me at the end of the ally
in two hours, before the sun rises. It is best to be away from
London before Chesterfield is any wiser.”

Marius nodded his head and turned toward his
father, who began digging in his pockets. “It is not much, son.
Lady Willaby took me at Whist tonight.” His father handed over the
remainder of his funds.

Each of the other gentlemen pulled out the
purses they carried and handed it to Marius while Dillon went to
his desk and pulled out a lock box, handing over yet more to
Marius. It was enough to see him and Sabrina through for some time,
depending on where they went. “I appreciate your generosity.”
Marius was touched at their offering. “I’ll see that each of you
are paid back.”

“Don’t worry about it, Marius. Just stay
safe.” Taylor clapped him on the shoulder.

“Do you know where you will be going, Son?”
His father asked.

Marius thought for a few moments, before
turning to Sabrina to answer him. “I have an idea but I will send
word once we get there and have our bearings. It will be safer if
you don’t know.” He knew none of them would ever betray him but
felt it was safer, for them as well, if they knew very little. He
squeezed his wife’s hand.

*

Sabrina looked into his eyes. Despite all he
had lost and that he was being forced to leave London at the
beginning of the Season, all she saw how much he cared for her.

“Why don’t you gentlemen go discuss possible
plans in the library,” Phoebe suggested. “I want to be sure Sabrina
is fine.”

Marius looked at her closely.

Sabrina smiled at him. “I am fine. I just
think she wants to talk to me alone.”

“Are you sure you are alright?”

“Go on.”

As soon as the gentlemen left and closed the
door, Phoebe opened her reticule, taking out money of her own funds
and pressed it into Sabrina’s hand. “I want you to take this.
Marius shouldn’t be the only one with funds available.”

Sabrina started to protest, but Janine and
Lady Wilkes stepped forward. “I agree dear. Though I know my son
would make sure you are provided for, one can’t be too careful.”
Lady Wilkes pressed more notes into Sabrina’s hand.

Janine was grinning when she handed over her
a small bag. “I won this off of Lady Willaby after Lord Wilkes
vacated his seat.”

“It’s good to know that even if my husband
couldn’t provide for his son, he was able to provide for his
daughter-in-law.” The ladies chuckling as the tension began to
subside.

Before she knew what was happening the tears
welled in her eyes, her chest tightened and Sabrina was sobbing.
“My cousin. Someone needs to get word to him. Juliette is
increasing and shouldn’t be upset needlessly.”