Free Kissing Cousins by Joan Smith Page B

Samantha rose and gave Salverton ’ s shoulder a buffet. “ The lady says she is not your wife, ” he said. Salverton ignored the words but returned the buffet. Within seconds, a full-fledged brawl ensued. Without having the least notion who was in the right, the others chose sides and enjoyed a fine battle. Even the women took part. Lacking strength to deliver a telling blow, they availed themselves of vases and wine bottles.
    When Samantha saw that Salverton was being attacked by two men at once, she grabbed up one of the wine bottles and lowered it over the head of one of them.
    “ Salverton, you idiot! ” she said, and was rewarded with a murderous scowl.
    “ There ’ s gratitude for you! ” he growled.
    Neither of them noticed the female behind Salverton as she lifted a sturdy china jug and lowered it with considerable force over Salverton ’ s head. Samantha heard a menacing thump as it came in contact with his skull. Salverton cast a darkly accusing eye at her as he fell to the floor.
    A brace of bruisers came flying in to find the cause of the disturbance, and settle it.
    “ ‘ Ere, this is going to cost someone a pretty penny, ” a man of mule-like proportions exclaimed. "That ’ s it, folks. Fight ’ s over. ”
    The regulars recognized in the bruiser the proprietor of the establishment, Mike Skelton.
    After a little scuffling, the battle dwindled to mere verbal abuse. “ He ’ s the one started it, ” the man who had been protecting Samantha said, pointing at Edward ’ s inert body. He was upheld by others who felt it safe to lay the blame on the unconscious.
    Samantha made some effort to revive her protector. When fanning him didn ’ t work, Mike poured a jug of water over his face. Salverton made a gargling sound, but he didn ’ t regain consciousness. Samantha was becoming worried. When she asked for a doctor, Skelton gave her to understand he didn ’ t want the body discovered on his premises.
    “ I suggest you get him into his carriage and take him to town, ” he said, but his tone made it a command. “ As soon as he ’ s settled up for the damages here, that is to say. ”
    It was all too much for Samantha. “ Would you ask Mr. Sykes to join me? ” she said. “ He ’ s playing casino. ”
    Sykes soon came hastening in. “ I thought I heard a racket. I was winning, and didn ’ t care to leave the table. Ah, it ’ s him, ” he said with a weary glance at the body on the floor. “ Is he hurt much? ” He bent over Salverton, lifted his eyelids, and announced he was hale and hearty.
    “ We ’ ll take him home, Miss Oakleigh. ”
    “ There ’ s damages! ” Skelton said, pointing to the various bits of broken crockery and wine bottles.
    Without batting an eyelash, Sykes put his hand into Salverton ’ s jacket and drew out his purse. He took out a couple of bills and handed them to Skelton.
    “ This'll cover it, Mike, and a little something for your trouble. ”
    Mike ’ s satisfied grin as he left the room told Samantha he ’ d been generously rewarded.
    “ Are you sure Salverton is all right? ” she asked Sykes when they were alone.
    “ Just a tap on the head. Did you find out what you wanted to from Amy? ”
    “ Yes. A cottage in Tunbridge Wells. ”
    “ Then we ’ ll go back to the hotel. ”
    He hoisted Salverton ’ s inert form over his shoulder as easily as if he were a rag doll and carried him out to the carriage. Samantha rushed to open the carriage door. When Salverton had been stowed within, she hopped in to watch over him.
    “ Oh, you ’ re riding in there, then, are you? ” Sykes said, disappointed. “ I thought you ’ d sit with me on the perch, as you did coming, since you enjoyed it so. ”
    “ I ’ d best keep an eye on him, Mr. Sykes. ”
    “ Suit yourself. I wonder how he got here. He wouldn ’ t have borrowed —” He called for the stable boy, who had been watching them.
    “ That ’ s the bloke as rode your Caesar here, ” the boy