Lack of decision from the palace slowed down the efforts to stop the fire, sewage and debris choked the waterways, limiting access to water. More homes and shops were destroyed, and the flames were making their way toward the more opulent homes. Collins House being out of danger, was located much farther away.

Taylor, and James took a much-needed break, they had been working to clear a huge pile of refuse from a waterway, the stench of it making them ill. “What was that man saying to you over there?” James asked, resting back on his elbows.

“He was ranting about the palace taking so damned long to decide on making a fire break by pulling down some of the old buildings. I’d have thought it would have been an easy decision to make.” Taylor took a drink of water from his wineskin, it was terribly old, but still worked and had served him well in the Army.

“Aye, those buildings are nothing but slums, and eyesores, it would be doing us all a favor to be rid of them, fire or no,” James spat out, accepting the water.

“The crown is thinking about the cost, new buildings will have to be built to house the poor. He’ll not find many willing to invest their fortunes in such a project,” Taylor added, before getting up and going back to work. The sun should be starting to set, but the thick black smoke made it hard to tell. They would know when the black got blacker.

It was slow going home, the sun had been down for over an hour. His body ached in different places tonight, despite the thick gloves he’d worn, there were cuts on his hands making it difficult to hold the reins, and his stomach felt like it had been deprived of food for days, rather than hours. It was at times like this he wished he’d taken one of the barges that went up the Thames, stopping at each private dock. Collins House was perched on a hill overlooking the river, a gate with a guard stood just beyond the dock and led directly to the house through a well-kept tunnel. However, he hadn’t, so here he was plugging his way along on a horse.

James was equally tired, no lighthearted banter, not even his easygoing smile was present. As a rule when in London he would stay in his own home, the fire and the nightmare it was causing made it nearly impossible to get there. He thoroughly enjoyed spending time at Collins House, having been accepted as one of the family long ago.

There had been speculation that he would one day wed Julia, Taylor’s sister. She had fallen head over heels in love with Lord Steven Greenleaf, not that James minded. Taylor’s family firmly believed in a love match, and so far, they had all enjoyed one, except Taylor, and his youngest brother.

Finally home, both men headed directly for a nice hot bath, each finding new cuts and bruises on their bodies. Taylor took his time dressing to his valet Hudson’s delight. For once he was content to sit while the man fussed over him. He didn’t shave himself tonight, his arms were too tired. It was good to be clean and in dry clothes again, then he sought out his father to have one of their regular discussions, it was always the highlight of his day.

Gerald was sitting in his study reading a packet that had arrived only moments ago. “How did it go, son?” he asked, pushing the brandy decanter in his direction.

“What a mess! It is a testament as to how poorly this city is ran. The rest of the country can’t be any better.” Over his brandy, he gave a full accounting of what they had to deal with, ending with the verdict that proved it was poor management. “Good thing the army isn’t run this way!”

Taylor had spent six years in the Royal Army after the death of Cynthia, and it had been his saving grace. He’d thrown himself into the work, traveling wherever the Crown needed him to be. It had been nearly a full year since he resigned his commission, and in many ways he missed that life. It was time, however that he prepare for the next stage of his life as a Duke.

“You’ll not be returning to the fire tomorrow. I’ve just received this from Whitehall, Parliament is to meet tomorrow morning,” Gerald explained, waving a piece of paper. He then sat back and stared at his beloved son. “I spoke to Charles today. Since Montrose is away I asked him to stand as Tori’s guardian.” He was speaking of none other than Charles ll, King of England.

“Why am I not surprised?” Taylor asked with a wry smile. “What did he say?”

“You’ve got yourself a bride,” Gerald grinned. “The documents have already been drawn, and once the banns have been read the baronage will be placed in your capable hands on the day of your wedding.”

“You don’t muck about, do you?” Taylor took another sip of his brandy feeling a lump forming in his gut. He knew this day would come, still a small part of him felt that he was being unfaithful to Cynthia. “I imagine that Mother is over the moon.”

“I haven’t told her yet, I wanted to speak with you first. And yes, she’ll be over the moon. She has always wanted a union with the Spenser family. Actually she had planned for you and Christina, but you fell in love first.” Gerald lifted his glass as a toast.

“I came close to being pickled!” Taylor shuddered at the thought of Christina.

“Your Mother is with Tori now, let’s get this taken care of,” Gerald said as he stood up.

It had been a long day of pain, both mental and physical. Tori found herself counting the minutes until her next dose of medicine, needing it to relieve the tremendous pain in her legs, and bring the blessed relief of sleep. Every time she awoke, she relived that morning, the confusion, and the fear. The Marquess scared her terribly, despite being so kind to stay with her last night, he was just so big.

Simply thinking of being married to him made her want to run as far as she could, and not look back. She’d been praying that his parents would realize that it was something innocent and not force a marriage. How could a simple errand to fetch a bottle of scent go so terribly wrong?

Gerald rapped lightly on the door before entering, and Eleanor quickly covered Tori’s legs. The added weight and heat from the covers increasing her pain, with or without medicine. “Enter,” Eleanor called out, smiling brightly as her husband and son sauntered in. “Taylor, you look much better now. Tori, he was covered with filth from helping to fight the fire!”

“I’m feeling much better.” Taylor came closer to the bed and kissed his mother, then pulled a chair closer. “I sincerely hope that you’re feeling better as well,” he said to Tori, holding back a chuckle as color flooded her face.

“Yes, a bit. Thank you for asking, My Lord.” She couldn’t bring her eyes up.

“Only after her medicine, dear. Sadly, the covers over her legs increase the pain,” Eleanor added, not aware that discussing her legs in mixed company was very embarrassing for her.

“Is it the pressure from the covers or the warmth?” Taylor asked, sitting forward to study the area.

“Both, I’m afraid. Do you think you can come up with a way to help?” Eleanor asked hopefully, she knew that her son was terribly clever when it came to situations like this.

“Yes, I have a thought.” He settled back to continue his thoughts, without actually hearing most of the conversation around him. His mind was putting together what materials he would need when he heard Tori gasp. ‘Father’s dropped the news.’ he thought. Slowly, he raised his eyes to her face, cringing at the complete horror written there.

“Surely not! The King must have more to do with his time, especially now.” Tori’s voice was wobbly and frail sounding.

“Oh not when it comes to his favorite cousin,” Eleanor answered, obviously proud and happy. “This is wonderful! I know that your dear mother would be thrilled, Tori. She adored Taylor!”

“To hear her talk everyone did,” Taylor laughed. “I’m well pleased with the match,” he assured her. “I’ll be right back,” he announced, getting up to leave the room.

The sound of rushing water filled her ears, and the light in the room seemed to dim despite the several lamps and branches of candles. How could this happen? He was pleased, but what about her? Not a soul had asked for her thoughts. Taylor’s parents were deep in conversation, seemingly forgetting she was there. Both palms had turned damp, and her forehead felt as if it might explode.

Before she knew it, Taylor came back carrying an odd table like structure. “This will fit over her legs and hold up the covers,” he explained, nodding for his mother to pull up the blankets to allow him to put it in place. “I believe that it will also suit your modesty, Tori. Even with the covers pulled back it will keep you properly covered.”

They didn’t hear her squeak as he set the contraption in place. “There! That’s better!” Eleanor clapped her hands.

“It provides protection if something should be dropped, or a lummox accidentally leans on you.” Taylor was pleased with his creation; if it was needed, he had plans for another one that might be lighter and cooler.

“Thank you, I’m very grateful,” she murmured, saved from having to say more by the arrival of Dr. Marks.

After a few moments of small talk, the doctor shooed the men from the room so he could examine his patient. He stood for a moment looking at the strange thing covering her legs. “Well, that’s interesting.”

“It’s one of Taylor’s contraptions; it keeps the covers from adding to her pain,” Eleanor explained.

“It’s a good idea. It can be pulled closer to her and used as a table when she eats, or reads. I may suggest that for some of my other patients.”

She held back the tears as best she could as the doctor removed the bandages from her legs, and stood back to think about what he was seeing. “These burns are worse than I thought they were. I’m going to use a new method for treating them. Hopefully it will speed up the healing time, and ease your pain as well.” Fortunately, the burns weren’t very deep, they covered a wide area, but would heal relatively quickly.

Eleanor assisted him, holding Tori’s hand through the worst of it. Dr. Marks had given the laudanum to her before he began, but the small amount did little to mask the pain.

“We’ll have to do this every day, I’m afraid. I’m going to give a set time that I’ll be here, and you can give her the new dose that I’m prescribing about thirty minutes before my arrival. That will give the full benefit of the laudanum.”

“Thank you,” Tori told him, her teeth chattering from the pain.

Relaxing in the parlor, slouched in a chair with his right ankle atop his left knee, Taylor was enjoying the stunned reaction of James.

“What the hell?” James exclaimed, rocking forward in his chair and nearly spilling his wine. “Yesterday your father saves a girl, and today you’re going to marry her?”

“She happens to be the daughter of mother’s dearest friend. Besides, last night I discovered her trying to escape and foolishly put her back to bed.” Taylor half grinned, staring at his wine as he swirled it around in his glass.

“Don’t tell me, you fell asleep and was discovered in a compromised position!” James hooted.

“On the dot, my dear fellow. Works out well enough, it’s time to marry and get started on the heir my parents are desperate for,” Taylor replied, the lump growing again.