The Tantalizing Miss Coale (The Notorious Coale Brothers) by Sarah Mallory

will finish this once and for all.’
    ‘No, Ben,’ she said, stepping in front of him. ‘That would put
you in trouble with the law, and I cannot marry a
felon.’
    ‘I am glad to see you have some scruples left, madam,’ retorted
Henry, ‘If you have any sense you will send this, this villain on his way and I will take you to Gretna.’
    A drawling voice interrupted him.
    ‘Sorry to disappoint you, Nettleton, but you are not taking our
sister anywhere.’
    All three turned and stared at the two gentlemen standing in
the doorway, their fashionable topboots and elegant riding jackets dusty from
the road. Sally gave a little gasp.
    ‘Jasper, Dom—what are you doing here?’
    ‘We’ve come to fetch you home, my dear.’
    ‘Begging your pardon, gentlemen.’ The landlord pushed his way
past the two travellers and stopped, goggling at the disordered room. ‘What
the—!’ He drew himself up, saying severely, ‘This is a respectable house, sirs,
and I would be obliged to you all if you would leave. Now.’
    ‘Oh, go to the devil.’ Jasper waved him away. ‘You will be paid
for the damage, never fear.’
    ‘Aye, go and bring us some ale!’ barked Dominic. ‘Riding hell
for leather on these dry roads is thirsty work.’
    Ben watched the two men bustle the landlord out of the room and
close the door. He knew Sally’s brothers, of course.. Identical twins, they were
tall, athletic and devilishly good-looking. Even after five years at school
together he had difficulty telling them apart. Only the cut of his superbly
fitting coat and a certain neatness about his dress distinguished Dominic the
soldier from his more flamboyant brother. Ben suddenly found two identical pairs
of eyes slide from Nettleton and come to rest upon him.
Recognition followed quickly.
    ‘Hensley. What the devil are you doing here?’
    ‘Good morning, Dom,’ he replied calmly. ‘I am on the same
errand as you. To rescue Sal from Sir Henry.’
    ‘But what are you two doing here?’ Sally broke in. ‘I thought
you were both in London.’
    Jasper Coale grinned as he stripped off his York tan
gloves.
    ‘We arrived at Markham unexpectedly, only to be told you had
eloped with our neighbour, so we set off in pursuit. You’ve been in some madcap
scrapes before, Sis, but nothing like this.’ He shook his head and added gently,
‘Nettleton ain’t the man for you, Sal, so we’ve come to fetch you home.’
    Sally clasped her hands together.
    ‘Jasper, I cannot go back. You have no idea how awful it has
become at Markham.’
    ‘Yes, but don’t see why you had to run off with Nettleton,’
objected Dominic, throwing his hat and gloves onto the table. ‘If Pa was cutting
up rough, why did you not apply to us?’
    ‘No time for that,’ said Sir Henry unexpectedly. ‘Markham was
trying to force her into marriage, so I had to act. Damned scoundrel threatened
to have his doctors declare her a lunatic.’
    ‘The devil he did!’ exclaimed Jasper, his handsome face
suddenly grim. ‘Is this true, Sal?’
    She nodded. ‘Papa told me I must marry Lord Cromer, but—’
    ‘That old roué!’ Dominic glanced at his brother. ‘Doing it far
too brown, Jas.’
    ‘He had a special licence ready,’ added Henry. ‘Said if she
didn’t marry Cromer then he would call in his doctors. She would be locked
away.’
    ‘Aye, he would do it too.’ Jasper rubbed his chin. ‘You know
what a rascal Doctor Rathbone is. Cunning old devil! Well you have no need to
worry now, Sal. Dom and I will protect you.’ He nodded to Sir Henry. ‘Good of
you to offer to help her, Nettleton, but no need for you to fly to the border
now. We’ll look after her.’
    Sally threw up her hands.
    ‘He did not look after me. Henry
was part of the plot and had the doctor’s letter with him. If Ben had not come
along he was going to make me marry him.’
    ‘Well that’s not going to happen now, Sis.’ Jasper turned to
Sir Henry. ‘You may as well go home, Nettleton.’ He