Surrender to a devil, p.16
Surrender To A Devil, page 16
They moved closer to him.
“Do you have a place to go to?”
They nodded. One of them talked about her aunt.
“And she is to meet you here?”
They nodded.
“But she is not here, so you need to make your way to her. Do you know where she lives?”
One of them pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Forrest. He read the address. It was in one of the more notorious slum areas in London, but it would still be better than what the Merchant had planned for them.
He caught a movement out the corner of his eye, and watched Nix appear.
“Nix, come here,” Forrest said as the sound of running feet reached his ears. Men were approaching; his cousins needed him.
The informant approached.
“Mr. Howarth,” he nodded. “What do you need?”
“I must stay with my cousins and help. Please get these women to a hackney.” He handed over the address and some money. “Hurry, Nix, get them away from here!”
The man didn’t hesitate, just took what Forrest held out to him.
“Go with this man, he will keep you safe,” Forrest urged the women. “You have no reason to trust me, but those men mean you harm.”
They went, thankfully. Terrified and confused, but they ran after Nix. Forrest rejoined his cousins. The two Indian men were behind them.
“Where are they?”
The one who spoke stopped a distance back from them. He had addressed the two men who stood beside the Deville brothers.
“They are gone,” Gabe said, “and safe from you and where you would send them.”
“No!”
“Yes, and now we would like some information, if you please,” Nathan said calmly. “About your employer.”
“Don’t know anything about him only that he gives me orders and pays well.” He grinned at them showing two missing front teeth. “Get them!”
The men ran at them, and he had no time to think, only act.
Forrest’s head snapped back as he took a fist to the jaw, and he staggered a few steps. The sting of pain made him angry, so he lashed out with his foot, and the man dropped to the ground.
The fight was fast and dirty; he used every move he’d been taught. Fists, feet, he even headbutted a man who was too close to do anything else to. It felt like it took forever but was over in minutes.
“Damn,” Gabe swore as the men picked each other up off the ground and ran away. “The two Indian men have fled also. We wanted to question them.”
“We need to leave here in case they return with more men,” Michael said.
“We should go on board and question the crew.”
“The crew won’t be on board, they’ll be drinking and whoring,” Nathan said. “We must leave and regroup. For now, we have saved those women. We will save more, but not tonight.”
“Someone must be on board that ship to question,” Forrest protested. Anger and the thirst for revenge coursed through his veins.
“We will come back in the daylight. Right now, we need to go,” Gabe said.
Michael grabbed his arm and started moving. Reluctantly, Forrest followed. They ran the way Nix had taken the women.
“Psst!”
“Hello, Nix,” Zach said to the shadows.
“Did they get away?” Forrest asked.
“They did, sir. Safe and sound.”
“Many thanks.” Forrest took more money out of his pocket and held it out. The man slunk out of the shadows and took it. “For shoes.”
“I’m mighty grateful.”
“We need names, Nix.” Gabe’s voice was hard. “These are just the middlemen, and I doubt they would know who the Merchant is.”
“I know one of those men who was there tonight. He’s Briggs, and a right bad bugger.”
“Where can we find this Briggs?”
“He’s often found at the Salty Sailor. Got a girl in there called Nina.”
This time Gabe held out some money. “For the violin lessons.”
They waved down a hackney and climbed in. Michael had a bloody nose, Zach a swollen jaw. The others had bruises forming, and Forrest knew by the ache in his cheek he’d fared no better.
“Now is a good time to lay out the rules, Forrest,” Nathan said.
“Rule one. Do not do anything without first letting your cousins know what it is you are going to do,” Zach said.
“Rule two,” Nathan said. “Don’t walk into danger without first alerting said cousins you are walking into danger.”
“Which is the same as rule number one,” Forrest said.
“But clearly it needed reinforcing,” Gabe snapped.
“Rule three,” Michael said. “We watch each other’s backs but cannot do that when rules one and two are not adhered to.”
“Rule four,” Gabe said. “Never do that again. My heart nearly stopped. However, I’ll add to that, well done, Forrest, you saved the lives of those women tonight, and your actions were very brave, if stupid.”
“There was no time to talk it through.”
Zach sighed. “It’s like he’s been part of Alexius for years.”
“You came in handy tonight, cousin, being able to understand and communicate,” Gabe said.
“There have been times in my life when I have known fear,” Forrest said. “But it was different tonight.”
“When have you known fear?” Michael asked.
He looked at Gabe; his eyes were steady. It was up to Forrest if he chose to tell them his story. Was it time to move on from his past? He thought that perhaps it was. His life was good. His child happy and loved. There was Miss Ruby Knight, but as he didn’t know what to do about her, he’d ignore that for now.
“It’s a long story.”
“We have time,” Zach said, yawning. “But speak in a loud voice so I stay awake.”
So, he told them his story as he had Gabe. He answered the questions they asked, and when it was done and they’d reached the townhouse, he realized that more of the pain inside him had eased.
Tonight, he and his cousins had saved two women. Tonight, he had unburdened more of the dark inside him. Sinking into his bed after checking on his daughter, he fell into a deep healing sleep, and dreamed of Ruby.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Ruby walked as quickly as she could on her journey home. She had spent the day with Ella in the nursery. The child had a sniffle, so they’d played inside.
When the little girl had told her, her father and uncles were from home, she waited until Nanny had returned and excused herself briefly.
The house had been quiet, and she’d encountered no servants on the way to the room Lord Raine and his brothers often gathered in. Once there, she’d closed the door and run to the desk.
Heart thudding, she’d searched the drawers. Two were locked. She’d found nothing, only a note stating more ink was required. She’d left and run back to the nursery disappointed, and at the same time relieved.
Mr. Howarth had arrived with his bruised face as she was to leave for the day and tried to engage her in conversation. She’d said she must leave, as Adam was awaiting her. Dropped a quick curtsy and hurried away.
For days she’d done this. Done everything she could to avoid him and his family, except of course, Ella.
Guilt over what she was doing sat heavy on Ruby. These people had been so good to her, and she was betraying them.
She’d wondered about the bruises Mr. Howarth and his cousins bore, especially now she knew it was likely they were working for the king, but she had not asked questions.
Five days had passed since she’d gone to the docks. Her nerves were fraught as she waited for someone to appear on every street corner or down every opening, telling her what was expected of her next.
She listened in to one conversation between Mr. Michael Deville and Mr. Howarth while she and Ella were looking at the books in the library. Their voices had been lowered, but she’d caught the word “ship,” which could mean anything.
When the man stepped out in front of her as she walked home, she nearly ran into him, but stopped herself in time.
“He wants to speak with you.”
She managed a jerky nod.
“His carriage is around the corner. Come.”
Ruby followed. He knocked on the door and then opened it. She climbed inside to darkness.
“You have done well, Ruby.”
She loathed that voice. “I did what you wanted.” What she’d done, she had no idea, but knew it was both underhand and criminal.
“And have you gathered any information from the Deville brothers’ household?”
“I searched a desk. Two drawers were locked. I overheard a conversation but only made out the word ‘ship.’”
“You need to try harder. After you left the docks that night, a group of men stepped in to thwart our plans.”
“I saw no men.”
“They were there and caused us a great deal of trouble. They were gentlemen; witnesses were sure of that. We believe it was the Deville brothers and their cousin, Mr. Howarth.”
“They have bruises,” she said quickly. Dear Lord, was Forrest Howarth there that night? Had he seen her? No. He would have said something. She dismissed the idea.
“Do they now? That is interesting. But I want more, Ruby. Do what you must to get me information.”
“No. I c-can’t. If they find me, it will cost me my job.”
“Remember, the health of your brother and the residents of 11 Nobby Lane is at stake, Miss Knight.” His fingers wrapped around her wrist. “I need you to find out what you can about their movements. If they were there that night, and what they know. They thwarted us once, but it will not happen again.”
“I don’t have access to their locked drawers or to overhear their conversations!”
“You better find a way.” The words sounded ominous in the confines of the carriage.
“I can’t do it!” She grabbed the door, but his fingers gripped her wrist. Ruby turned, and it was then she saw his face. Their eyes held and then he retreated into the shadows once more.
“You need to remember what is at stake here, Miss Knight. Your brother’s health is in your hands and always will be. Betray me, and he will die.”
“I don’t know you!”
“Keep it that way, for Adam’s sake.”
“My employers have been so good to me. Please!” She would beg if she had to.
“Open the door!”
It swung wide. Another hand took her arm and she was tugged out the door. Ruby fought to get free.
“Show her what happens to people who defy me. Walk her home and meet her brother.” The carriage door slammed.
“No!”
“Come along, Miss Knight.” The man dragged her as she heard the vehicle rolling away.
She struggled to get free.
“Just a little lesson, so you’re not tempted to rebel again.” The man sneered. “I’m going to walk you home, and you can introduce me to your brother.”
Ruby tried to get free, but it was hopeless. He was stronger than her.
The sound of another carriage had them turning. The door was flung open, and an angry Forrest Howarth appeared.
“Release her!”
The roar had the man who held her doing just that. Ruby stumbled and fell onto her bottom. The man ran, the sound of his feet loud to her ears.
“Are you all right, Ruby?” He reached her side.
“Mr. Howarth.” She scrambled upright and dropped into a curtsey.
“I don’t need a bloody curtsey. Are you all right?”
“I am. He-He was just asking directions.”
“With his fingers around your wrist while he leaned into you in a menacing fashion? You were struggling to get away from him, Ruby.”
“I wasn’t.” She shot him a look and saw the rage etched in his features.
“You’re lying to me.”
If only you knew.
“I’m not.”
“Come, I will take you home.”
“No. Thank you,” she added.
He sighed. “Don’t be foolish. A man just frightened you even though you won’t admit it. You have worked a long day, I am going the way you are due to an appointment. I may as well give you a lift.”
She looked down the road ahead of them, and then behind them. He could get her home quicker, and that man would not be able to approach her again if only for tonight. But then—
“Get in the carriage, Ruby.”
He usually called her Miss Knight. The familiarity surprised her.
“I am Miss Knight to you.”
“Ella and my cousins call you Ruby,” he said, sounding a bit testy. “Now get in the carriage, please.”
What was with these people always ordering her into their carriages?
Her eyes went to the driver, who she’d shared a pot of tea and cake with in the kitchens before. He gave her a steady look and then nodded to the carriage.
“Sam is showing a great deal more sense than you, Ruby,” Mr. Howarth said, looking at his driver.
“Thank you. I will accept the ride home.”
“There now, that wasn’t difficult, was it?” He opened the door and waved her inside.
Ruby sat in the corner of a seat, and he took the opposite.
“Drop me at Hammers Park, please.”
“I know where you live, Ruby, and it is nowhere near Hammers Park.”
She didn’t huff, but it was a near thing. “You are very forceful.”
“You need to be, in that family.”
The carriage rolled on, and she kept her eyes on the window. What was she to do now? Perhaps she and Adam could run away again. If she did that, she would not need to spy on this man or his family, and hopefully that horrid man would have no more leverage over her.
“Tell me what that man wanted with you.”
“Nothing. He was asking directions.”
“That’s a lie.”
She remained silent.
“The Duchess of Yardly wanted me to give you these.”
The change of subject had her looking at him. He was getting something from beneath the seat. Two walking sticks. They were taller than Adam’s and had long handles she could tell would fit under his arms.
“The duchess said she no longer needs them. They were made when she damaged her ankle. Do you think Adam would make use of them?”
Ruby looked at the two canes and then up at his face. It held only kindness. Tenderness too, and it was that which had her bursting into tears.
She heard him drop them to the floor, and then he was there. On the edge of his seat across from her, reaching for her hands.
“I did not mean to make you cry.”
She sniffed, sobbed some more. He released one of her hands and took out his handkerchief. She took the white square of linen he handed her. Tugging her other hand free, she buried her face in it, mortified.
“Will you tell me what is wrong, Ruby? Tell me what that man wanted? Tell me why you have been sad, and why you had been crying when Dimity, Beth, and Freya took you home in their carriage.”
She sniffed, drew in several deep breaths. Only then was she under control and dared to look at him. He was close now. If she reached out, she could stroke the line of his cheekbones, and run a finger over his mouth. She curled her hands into fists to stop them reaching for him. Reaching for the man that she cared far more for than she should. His long legs were now on either side of hers, surrounding her.
“Talk to me, Ruby. I want to help you.”
“I need no h-help. Thank you, Mr. Howarth. I will wash and return your handkerchief to you.” Ruby inhaled and his scent filled her lungs. The heady combination that was his alone and often lingered in the nursery after he’d visited.
“I don’t care about a bloody handkerchief, Ruby. Tell me what is wrong. Why you run away every time I see you. Why that man scared you, and what you are hiding?”
“I-I have no idea what you speak of.”
“You are not telling the truth, Ruby.”
“I am!”
“What is going on?”
She folded her arms. “There is nothing going on.”
He pulled her to the edge of her seat, so their faces were only inches apart.
“Tell me, Ruby.”
“N-Nothing is going on. Release me.”
“You are not a very good liar, Miss Knight. Your breathing is rapid and you will not meet my eye.”
He traced a finger down her check, and Ruby fought the shudder, it felt so good. She wanted to fall forward into his arms.
“Do you remember what I said the last time we kissed, Ruby?”
She gave a jerky nod. “We cannot do that. It is not right.”
“Very likely you are right, but it does not mean I don’t want to.”
She loathed crying. Her mother had cried constantly—in fact, most days—and yet in that moment, the desperation inside her had tears falling again.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “Don’t cry.”
He pulled her closer. So close that her face was now pressed into that hard wall of his chest. It was a wonderful place to be.
“Please let me go.”
“I don’t want to.”
“And yet we both know you have to.”
She felt the brush of his lips in her hair, and then he eased her back into the seat and settled in his. His eyes locked on her. She could feel the intensity even though she was looking at her hands.
“I loathe weeping,” she whispered.
“Yes, it makes you feel quite horrible. Scratchy eyes, sore head. Your nose runs.”
She looked at him.
“I know what it feels like to cry, Ruby, and have done so many times in my life. It does not make me less of a man to admit that.”
Her father would never have shown such a weakness. Nor her brothers, who were molded exactly like he was. Except Adam, of course, and perhaps Ezekiel.
“I’m sorry something in your life made you cry, Mr. Howarth.”
He really did have a wonderful smile even with those bruises. Dared she ask how he got them now?
“We get through life experiencing things that make us who we are, Ruby. Those experiences cannot all be happy or exciting; some are sad and terrifying. But I look at those times as moments to make me realize how lucky I am.”
