Free Thick as Thieves by Catherine Gayle Page B

their home. But what? Lady Stalbridge could remarry, of course, but that would not guarantee protection for her two daughters.
    Then there was Lady Edwina. The youngest Bexley-Smythe sister was still not out, and really oughtn’t to marry just yet. What could guarantee her protection if Lady Stalbridge’s new husband refused?
    The lady on his arm was more than eligible, but again, her marriage would not necessarily protect the mother and the sister. She seemed the most likely solution to their problem, however, should she find the right gentleman who would also offer protection to Lady Stalbridge and Lady Edwina.
    The trick was going to be finding the right gentleman for the task, since it clearly couldn’t be him.
    As they passed into the final clearing, a solitary horse and rider came into view coming down the lane toward s the house. Preston knew Upton Grey wasn’t expecting any more visitors now. He’d made certain, insisting that both the earl and Rachel tell him the whole of it so he could prepare himself. They had both sworn there was to be no one but family and Lady Stalbridge and her girls.
    Nevertheless, someone was coming.
    “Percy?” Lady Frederica’s breath caught, and she tensed. “Percy!” Before he knew what was happening, she took off at a near run to meet this man.
    Percy? But that had to mean… Stalbridge . How utterly convenient.
    Preston increased his pace. He wanted a word with the marquess.

    Freddie nearly flew into her brother’s arms as he dismounted from his horse.
    She instantly recoiled from the stench enveloping her and masquerading as his arms , fighting not to gag.
    “What…?” She blinked up at him in astonishment. His hair was haggard; his jaw hadn’t been shaved in a week or more; he looked to have been wearing the same clothing for at least the same amount of time. He’d taken it a bit farther than the typical devil may care look, but through it all his handsome charm came through, even if he was more than just a little unkempt. “What are you doing here?”
    There could be no denying the overpowering smell of whiskey that seemed to be flowing through his veins instead of blood.
    “An excellent question,” Lord Preston said as he came up behind her.
    She jumped slightly when his hand settled against the small of her back in what felt entirely too much like a protective—or even possessive—manner. There was no reason he would need to protect her from her brother, of all people, and he certainly didn’t own any right to her. Yet his touch didn’t feel unwelcome.
    Percy smiled even as he staggered. “Went to Bexley Court for Christmas, but Stillwell said you’d all come here.” He grabbed hold of the horse’s bridle, more to support himself than to keep the animal still.
    He’d wanted to come home for Christmas? Percy hadn’t joined the family for anything in over two years. Perhaps he was finally ready to settle down and take up his responsibilities.
    Freddie’s heart felt lighter for the first time in a long time. “We would have sent you word that we were here, if we’d known where we could reach you.”
    His eyes were bloodshot and unable to focus. He squinted at her for a long moment. “Not a place for…a lady,” he finally said.
    It seemed as though putting words together coherently was a struggle. Was he that deep in his cups? Heavens, it was a miracle he’d arrived at Padmore Glen safely. He could have fallen from his horse or been accosted by a highwayman, or God only knew what else.
    “Come inside.” Freddie reached for his hand to help him up the steps. “We can discuss it inside once you’ve had a bath and some clean clothes.”
    “Lady Frederica,” Lord Preston said with a warning tone, but she paid him no heed.
    Percy released the horse’s bridle, but then nearly dragged her down as he fell to his knees. Indeed, he might have done, if not for Lord Preston prying Percy’s hand free from hers and pulling her backward.
    At just that