Page 59 of The Captain Claims His Temptress

Maddie moaned since she’d probably looked just as ridiculous hiding in Stephen’s chamber.

Aunt Henrietta and Benjamin met Sir Saxton, Hugo, Pierre, and Major Blythe at the entrance. Their bodies seemed to expand as they attempted to shield the concealed criminals from thebleedin’ army.

“What are you doing in the music room?” Sir Saxton asked.

“Enjoying our morning constitutional,” Lady Saxton said.

“In the music room?” he asked.

“We are walking inside Herald Hall. “’Tis breezy outside this morning.” Aunt Henrietta shivered.

From the back of the room, Arabella cleared her throat. Maddie held her breath, waiting for the woman to foil their plan.

“I do not like the cold.” Arabella wrapped her arms around her torso. “And I am a lovely singer, and I play the pianoforte quite well. That is why we stopped here.”

Enraptured, and chest puffed with pride, Benjamin faced the men. “Gentleman, may I have a moment of your time? We should leave the ladies here and step into a room down the hall for privacy.”

“We are busy right now. It will have to wait,” Sir Saxton said. “Enjoy your walk.”

Dupont simply glared at Maddie.

“Just stay away from the tower,” Hugo added. “We still have dangerous men running amok.”

Luckily no one but Maddie seemed to notice the indignant huff from the window, or the beady eyes peeking out around the drapery. She shot the fools a glower, which they ignored as they continued to watch.

Benjamin rubbed his chin. “Well, ’tis important that I speak to you about….um….” The man was honest and adorable. However, they desperately needed someone with a devious mind to save them with a brilliant tale.

Arabella lifted her skirt so high her knees stuck out. Every gaze in the room settled on her as she pranced to the men, stuck out herdécolletage,and fluttered her lashes. Sugary seductiveness replaced her nasally tone.

“Benjamin and I must speak to you immediately.” Swinging her hips, she glided to the door. Thereupon, looking over her shoulder, she curled a finger in a come-hither gesture. “Gentleman, join me in the room down the hall. Please.”

Fascinating. Arabella Beaumont hid a seductress beneath all that spiteful viciousness. For the first time, Maddie felt a twinge of kinship with the woman.

A beaming Benjamin trailed behind hisinamorata. Then the men followed her out of the chamber as if they were marching in a parade.

“Oh, Uncle Elias,” Maddie murmured under her breath. The awestruck man would find himself the object of his wife’s wrath once this farce was behind them.

Myrle and Diggins came out from hiding. Drooling and goose-stepping, they tagged along.

Maddie hindered their exit by tugging on their collars. “Not you two. We have to get to Stephen.”

“Bullocks,” Diggins grumbled.

“Bloody hell,” added Myrle.

Lady Saxton rolled her eyes, then swatted at them as if they were willful children. “Focus!”

When the party stepped into the hallway, they were met with an unpleasant high-pitched cacophony.

Diggins covered his ears. “Christ. The chit sings like a banshee.”

Maddie chuckled as she pictured the men’s grimaces once they realized they’d been enticed into a one-woman Arabella Beaumont concert. Although the smitten Benjamin was probably enamored of her unholy wailing.

“Hmm,” Maddie murmured.

The sentiment went both ways since the second lieutenant no longer required Shakespeare’s play. He’d tamed his shrew using flattery, a charming grin, and oh-so-appealing form-fitting trousers.

Chapter twenty-one