Safe! Katarina could scarcely comprehend the sudden fairy-tale ending to her journey through hell. Her shoulders heaved as great wrenching sobs tore from her throat, relief rolling through her as though she had escaped the gallows.
Matthews sat beside her and eased an arm around her in comfort. The gentle touch sent a wave panic through her. Her elbow shot out, connecting with his stomach. A grunt escaped him and he slid to the other end of the settle, breathing heavily.
“She don’t like bein’ touched, that’s fer sure. Bashed Collins a right good one out on the street,” volunteered the elder watchman, who got elbowed by his companion for his pains.
“So I see.” Matthews stood slowly, checking his ribs for damage. “Lady Katarina, neither I nor anyone in this house wishes you harm.”
Her crying slowed as she sniffed and Matthews passed her a plain, square linen handkerchief. Blotting her face, Kat rallied her courage. The biggest unknown right now– “Where is my brother?”
Reginald Matthews’s mouth tightened. “He was removed to your home and is being cared for by one of the best physicians in London, but he has not yet regained consciousness.” Ice stole toward her heart. “The blow hit your brother quite close to his temple, which I’m told can be dangerous. A footman is stationed at the house to bring me word of his recovery.”
Horrified by this news, Katarina struggled to her feet. The ice that froze her heart now flowed out through her veins, numbing her. She clutched the blanket around her shoulders like armor. “You must take me to him. I must go to Jack!”
She glared defiantly from one man to the next, and when none moved, shouted, “Get out of my way! You will not keep me from my brother!” She pushed past the cowed watch.
“My lady.” Matthews’s low voice, designed to soothe, remained calm. He pistoned an arm out to the wall to keep her from the doorway.
She shoved against him in vain before he curled a large hand around her shoulder in gentle but firm restraint. She went still, staring at him in accusation.
“I give you my word, you will see your brother soon. As he seems in no immediate danger, I must insist on questioning you now about your abduction. Getting all the information as quickly as we can will make all the difference in apprehending your kidnappers.”
Katarina closed her eyes to get herself in hand. Such a wild display would not help Jack. Though part of her had been spoiling for a fight all evening, if she was going to trust any man tonight, Matthews was the one.
She forced herself to take a breath and relax. Matthews apparently remembered his sore ribs and moved away from her. “I do beg your pardon, Mr. Matthews. I am not always so violent toward strangers, but my ordeal this evening has left me...defensive.” A deep breath, slowly exhaled, and she could meet his light blue gaze. “If you would question me, may we begin now? I would like to see my brother as soon as possible and change out of these disgusting clothes.”
Matthews nodded. “Of course, my lady. If you would be so good as to sit down again?” He motioned toward the settle and glanced at the matron. “Mrs. Dove, please bring more tea for Lady Katarina, and a change of clothes if such can be found this time of night.”
“Yes, sir.” The cheery Mrs. Dove dipped a curtsy and left the room, followed close at heel by the night watchmen.
Left alone with Matthews, she returned to the settle, drawing the blanket around her shoulders more securely. “You have questions for me, Mr. Matthews?”
“Yes, my lady.” His tone was low and inviting. “And perhaps it will put you at ease to know that we are distantly related.”
“We are?” She stared at him, incredulous.
“Yes. Bow Street doesn’t usually take an interest in such things as kidnapping. But I am a cousin on your grandmother’s side. I was also your late uncle’s namesake–William is my second name–so he took an interest in me and my career here. That’s how Simons knew to contact me about your disappearance.”
Kat continued to stare, but relaxed a trifle as a glimmer of hope emerged. Perhaps this man would be able to help her after all. A relative would have only her best interests in mind.
“That does indeed make a difference, Mr. Matthews. A connection, no matter how distant, is always a comfort.
“Very well, my lady. Can you please describe the events of tonight in as much detail as possible, starting with your departure from your townhouse in St. James.”
“My brother and I were going to Lady Beaufort’s masquerade ball in Mayfair,” she began carefully. He might be a relation, but her trust had limits. “We left the house perhaps half past eight.”
“You were dressed as you are now?”
She gave him a baleful stare. “I was dressed in this gown, yes. It hardly looked as it does now.” He shifted uncomfortably at her censure, but she continued. “I also had a half mask of silver that they discarded when they–”
“Do not get ahead of your tale, my lady. How far had you gone when you were accosted?”
She scowled at his impertinent interruption. “I am not at all familiar with London, sir. I cannot tell you where they stopped the carriage. But we had been traveling perhaps ten minutes? We were near a stand of trees. Jack and I were planning to ride in one of the parks tomorrow and I was insisting we go into the countryside instead so that we could have a long gallop like we used to in Virginia.” She stopped abruptly, glanced away. “I told my brother just this morning I wished we had never left.”
Matthews took one of her hands and rubbed it. “I can see how that statement would now seem almost prophetic.”
Kat allowed him the liberty, until it reminded her of the man in the black cloak. Startled at the memory, she withdrew her hand and forced her thoughts away from that dangerous road. “You are kind, sir.”
“And then?”
“We heard horses approaching, but thought nothing of it. People do go about on horseback. But then the carriage slowed. Jack rapped on the trap and asked what was wrong. We heard a pistol shot, a dueling pistol, and...”
“Your brother mentioned this?”
Katarina clenched her hands into fists and pressed her lips together so tightly they hurt. “I mention it now, Mr. Matthews. I heard the shot myself, and in my opinion it was a dueling pistol, not a carriage pistol. I have fired enough of both to know the difference in the sound of the caliber.”
Matthews’s eyes widened and he peered at her as if studying her anew. “Your pardon, my lady. I had no idea you were schooled in weaponry. And after the shot was fired?”
His cool acceptance of her claim sent him up several notches in her estimation and mollified her somewhat. “The carriage stopped and both doors were jerked open. One man pulled Jack out and the other grabbed me. I heard my brother cry out, then nothing.”
Matthews inclined his head. “You fought them?”
“I tried. You may have gathered I am not one to easily acquiesce to force.” She flashed him a brief smile. “But I was taken by surprise and could not get to our pistols before they dragged me from the carriage. If I had, the evening might well have turned out differently.”
“What did the kidnappers look like?”
“I don’t know.”
His eyebrows rose then drew together. “You cannot tell me what they looked like?”
She shook her head and studied her hands in her lap. “They knocked me out. I woke up by myself in a strange room.”
Kat risked a glance at him. His incredulous stare said he had a hard time accepting her story.