Chapter 16

Isabelle slept like she hadn't in days. Which is why the knocking on the door utterly confused her addled senses.

She lifted her head from Bode's shoulder, staring at the door as she attempted to understand what had woken her.

The knock sounded again, echoing through the room.

"Who is it?" Bode called without opening his eyes.

"Me," a gruff voice called back. "Lockton."

That name made Isabelle sit up, her hair falling in her face. The strands had still been damp, and the ends looked like a tangled mess now. She grimaced, swinging her feet over the side of the bed.

"What are you doing here?" Bode called back, sounding grumpy rather than confused like she was.

"Why don't we talk without the hindrance of a door?" Lockton rumbled even as Isabelle found a thick housecoat and wrapped it about her body.

She crossed back to Bode, pulling the covers back up his body.

He frowned even as he started to push up. Isabelle pushed him back down. "Stay," she said as she moved to the door, attempting to smooth her tangled hair.

Then she went back to the door. Sliding it open, she faced the large Scot on the other side.

He had dark circles under his eyes, and his clothes were rumpled and worn. "My lord." She dipped into a curtsy.

"My lady," he rumbled back, crossing his arms. "I need to speak with you and Armstrong."

"Of course, we just need a moment?—"

"I've traveled a very long way to have this conversation."

She winced, giving him a nod. "Bode's fever broke this morning, as I'm sure the Duke informed you, but he's slow to rise. We will ready ourselves as quickly as we can without injuring him?—"

"I'm fine," Bode yelled back. "Tell that beast of a Scot to cool his hot britches."

Lockton snorted. "Spoken like the man who stole my carriage and left me to fight alone in London."

Isabelle gave a cry, knowing that Lockton made an excellent point. "I am so sorry," she gasped, clutching the door. "I didn't mean to endanger you while I ran, I…"

The Scot softened, his stance relaxing. "Ye did what ye needed," he shook his head. "I'll take a bath while ye both get ready. We'll meet in say…an hour?"

"That sounds wonderful," she nodded. "And Laird Lockton?"

"Yes, lass?"

"Thank you for…everything. I'll make it up to you as soon as I'm able."

Bode appeared behind her, and while she mostly blocked him from view, a quick glance over her shoulder revealed he'd not put on a stitch of clothing.

"You will not make anything up to him, it's not your debt," Bode rumbled. "It's mine. And as grateful as I am, I also eliminated Makem, allowing this horse's arse to return to his bride. He can thank me for that after I'm dressed."

Lockton snorted a laugh and Isabelle realized neither was offended or even angry. "Is that how you usually speak to one another?"

Lockton winked then. "He's a pain in the arse. Can't have him thinking otherwise."

"Did James bring you up here via boat?"

"That's right."

Bode grunted. "I saved you the trouble of driving and now your carriage is here for you to continue north. I don't think we need to apologize at all."

Lockton laughed the louder. "One hour, Armstrong, and then I'm breaking down this door."

Bode grumbled back, "I'd like to see you try."

But all the same, Isabelle and Bode readied themselves, Isabelle helping Bode to shrug on his shirt. She tucked it into his breeches, Bode attempted to distract her by kissing her several times during her attempt.

But they managed to be ready inside an hour and made their way down to a sitting room where the Duke and Duchess of Upton waited, Lockton joining a moment later.

Bode lowered himself onto a settee, only a slight wince pulling at his features. Isabelle sat next to him, worried this was too much.

Then again, they'd done far more this morning…

Lockton cleared his throat. "I know we're all tired."

"We are that," Bode answered shifting in his seat. "And uncomfortable, so we'll get right to the point."

Lockton nodded. "Makem is gone."

"Cheers to that," Upton rumbled, crossing to a buffet where he poured three glasses of brandy and passed the bottle of rich gold liquid around to the men.

"But Makem's boss is still at large…"

"Makem's boss?" Upton asked, his brows furrowing as he glanced between Bode and Lockton.

"Calls himself the King," Bode answered. "We don't know much about him but if I were to guess, he's a man of wealth who has been funding Makem's activities. Most everything is in Makem's name, so this ‘King' wishes to be sheltered."

"He's of the peerage," Upton rumbled. "And, judging by the nickname, he's got designs on the crown."

A fourth man walked into the room.

Isabelle gasped to see Jack Wit once again.

Bode pushed to standing.

"Your arm," Isabelle gasped standing too.

"You and I are not all right." Bode lifted his other fist.

Lockton looked between the two men. "Explain."

Jack quickly told the story of how her father had hired him and how she was Makem's heir to all the property Makem held.

All eyes turned to Isabelle.

"If the ‘King' illegally funded those purchases through Makem, he's going to want them back," Lockton said as he ran a hand through his long dark hair.

Isabelle felt her insides twist. Did that mean she was still in danger? Her heart thrummed in her chest as she slipped her hand into Bode's, giving his fingers a squeeze before she let them go again.

"I don't think he'll care that Isabelle is a runaway bride, but the fact that she now owns a major percentage of the real estate might make him a bit more irritable." Upton winced as he took a sip of his drink.

Bode, who'd been about to drink, put his glass down. "As much as those businesses might provide, they also expose her to his wrath."

Silence fell about the room until Jack Wit finally spoke. "There is only one solution. Isabelle sells the properties."

"Sells to who?" She looked at Bode, knowing she was so far out of her depth. Had her father had any idea how much trouble he'd caused?

"The Smiths," Upton replied. "We'll make it known that they got to the distraught widow and made her offer she couldn't refuse, with her having no idea what sort of assets she held."

Bode's arm wrapped about her. "That's good."

"And then…" Upton frowned. "I'm not sure what your plans are, but it might be best if you went to Scotland with Lockton or Italy with Fulton. Just until we've dealt with the ‘King.'"

She cried out, looking at Bode. He wanted to join the Duke in business, and she needed to help her sisters. "For how long?"

It had been one thing to think of going to Scotland for a fortnight while Makem was captured, but they didn't even know who this other man was.

"Until you"re safe." Bode squeezed her waist and then he looked at Upton. "Change of plans, I'm going to London with Lockton and Jack to settle all these affairs. Then Lockton and I will return to collect Isabelle and travel to Scotland." He leaned close. "I'll speak with Drake about Kathryn and Anna."

She shook her head. "Are you sure he'll help? If he doesn't, I'll be leaving them under my parents' influence."

"He'll see the job done right, trust me." Bode gave her a nod. "And your father and I are going to have a little chat too. I'll take care of everything."

"Tomorrow," Lockton said, stretching and then taking another swallow of his drink. "I'm exhausted."

"As am I," Bode said, pulling her toward the door. He stopped in front of Jack Wit, his gaze no less fierce for his injury. "On the trip back to London, you are going to tell me the whole truth or you will not step anywhere near this business ever again."

Jack stared back. "You're welcome for saving your life."

"Trust is earned with truth," Bode rumbled before he pulled Isabelle out the door.

She was silent as they slowly made their way up the stairs.

"Are you all right, sweetheart?" Bode asked quietly, his voice softer than she'd ever heard.

"I'm not certain," she answered honestly. "I don't want to be parted from you or my sisters."

"I shall only be gone a week and then we'll go to Scotland, marrying whenever you see fit."

She stopped on the stairs, the words making her feel slightly better. "You haven't decided I'm too much trouble? Because yet another villain?—"

He stopped her with a kiss. "Protecting you is my duty from now until I no longer draw breath."

"Oh." That made her feel a bit better. "But Kathryn and Anna…"

"We'll get back to them as soon as we can. But know this, the Smiths have their financial backer and that is the Duke of Ducat. You will seal his supremacy with this deal and addendum number one is that he assists your sisters in finding men of excellent character and strength."

Her breath left her lungs in a whoosh even as she stepped closer, wrapping her arms about his waist. "Thank you, Bode."

"Trust, my love, that I will see all your needs, wants, and wishes fulfilled. I swear it."

How could any woman want more? She reached up on her tiptoes and kissed his lips. "I promise the same."

"That shall be easy then. You are staying here because my wish is to see to your safety."

She didn't want to be parted but she gave a nod of acceptance, trusting that Bode would see her needs met.