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A nervous tremor gripped Samantha’s shoulder as soon as Molly Atkins started to move. She’d no experience dealing with children. Had no idea what to say or do in this situation.

Molly’s eyes flicked open ever so slightly, then closed once more as though needing time to adjust to the light. A soft sound of sleep-induced disorientation passed between her lips as she opened her eyes again. And looked straight at Samantha.

“I’m Samantha,” Samantha said, sensing not only a need to introduce herself to the girl but to keep the introduction informal. “You’re safe now, Molly. The men who took you away from your parents can no longer hurt you.”

Molly pushed herself partially upright, distress showing in the deep crease of her brow. “Will you take me home to them?”

The question gave Samantha pause, made her realize she and Adrian had much to discuss. With three of the men they’d been relying upon now dead and Kendrick no doubt eager to haul her and Adrian back to London, their situation had drastically changed.

“I will make sure you’re reunited with your parents.” No matter what happened, this she swore she would see to.

“What about Charlie?” Molly sat up a little bit straighter, eyes so large and pleading they seemed to absorb everything they saw, including Samantha.

Discomforted by the sheer weight of it, Samantha threw a glance over her shoulder, allowing herself a brief reprieve. Adrian had mentioned the other children they’d found. The dead boy he and Kendrick had set about digging a grave for after they’d carried Hazel upstairs. She presently slept in the room where Samantha and Adrian spent last night.

A trickle of apprehension ran over Samantha’s nerves. “Is he one of the other children?”

“He held my hand.”

The importance of the simple act was gut-wrenching. “I’ll do what I can to help all the children find their way home. For now, I think we should see about getting you something to eat and drink. I’ll be back in a moment.”

Samantha turned from the room and went in search of food. While the pantry was not fully stocked, she managed to find a bag full of apples, half a loaf of bread, and several jugs of water. A quick sip from one assured her it was fresh, so she filled a glass, broke off a chunk of bread, grabbed an apple, and brought the items back to Molly.

The girl bit into the apple with gusto, chewing the crispy fruit so eagerly it was clear more substantial fare would soon be required. The front door opened, alerting Samantha to Adrian’s and Kendrick’s return. She excused herself to Molly, leaving her to eat, and went to speak with the men.

“We need to talk about what comes next,” she said before dropping her gaze to Snipes. “And what we’re going to do about him and his friends.”

“How is Miss Atkins faring?” Kendrick asked.

“She’s awake and would like to go home.” Samantha lowered her voice to a whisper. “She’s also concerned for a boy named Charlie. Apparently he offered her comfort throughout this ordeal.”

Adrian and Kendrick exchanged a brief look, the bleakness of it extinguishing whatever hope Samantha might have had of bringing Molly good news. “That would be the boy we just buried. I recognized him as one of Wycliff’s lads. I’m sorry.” Eyes dark beneath lowered brows, Adrian turned his attention on Snipes. “I would suggest we move him and Grant before the children see them.”

Agreeing with him, Samantha went to collect Molly, who remained in a corner, knees tucked to her chest.

Samantha lowered herself before her and spread her arms wide. “Would you like a big hug?”

The girl nodded and Samantha pulled her toward her, then whispered next to her ear, “Close your eyes and hold on tight.”

“Where are we going?” Molly asked, hesitance in her voice even as she wound her arms around Samantha’s neck.

Samantha stood with the girl in her arms. “To the other children.”

“To Charlie?”

The heartache that would soon overcome this poor girl speared Samantha’s breast. Unable to find the right words in the moment, Samantha said nothing as she carried Molly from the room.

Snipes groaned as they passed him in the hallway, and Samantha deliberately moved in a way that would keep Molly’s gaze averted from him just in case she opened her eyes. They climbed the stairs, Samantha’s footfalls slow and steady upon the sagging steps. Molly’s grip on Samantha tightened, her breath warming Samantha’s neck.

At the top of the landing, Samantha paused, allowed herself to prepare for what came next. She swallowed a breath, readjusted her hold on the girl, then forced herself to enter the room where the other children were gathered.

She set Molly down and took her hand, holding it while the girl searched for the one face she’d never lay eyes on again.

“I don’t see him.” There was uncertainty in the girl’s voice. A crushing kind of frailty that Samantha would never forget. And then Molly turned, her imploring gaze meeting Samantha’s. “Where’s Charlie?”

“With God.” The only words Samantha believed might ease the blow.

Molly’s face crumpled, tears spilling onto her cheeks as Samantha’s meaning sank in. The effect was heartbreaking and yet the words she uttered next broke something within Samantha. “At least he’s safe, where no one can hurt him.”

Blinking back tears, Samantha raised her gaze to Jackson, who gave his eyes a quick swipe before turning away. Eager to move past the misery welling inside her, Samantha drew Molly close for a quick embrace and stood.

“I’ve work to do,” she said, more to herself than anyone else, her voice sounding hoarse to her own ears. “If you need anything – any of you – don’t hesitate to let Jackson know.”

She returned downstairs with every intention of setting her mind to something else. Helping Kendrick and Adrian restrain Snipes served as a brief distraction. Even though the culprit’s injuries would make escape a challenge, there was no sense in taking chances.

“The children need to be helped,” Samantha insisted. Finished with their task for the moment, she’d removed herself to the parlor with Adrian and Kendrick. “Is that something you can manage, Kendrick?”

“I’ve every intention of ensuring their wellbeing,” Kendrick muttered.

“As have I,” Adrian said, his voice gruff. “The children must take priority. Not only these particular children, but those who may face a similar fate in the future if nothing is done to stop it.”

Samantha stared at him, barely daring to ask, “What are you saying?”

“I have the name of the man who’s behind these dealings.” Adrian’s eyes were hard and cold. “It’s my intention to meet with him.”

She swallowed past the sudden dryness in her throat. Every effort she’d made to save his life and get him out of the country was starting to crumble. Kendrick opened his mouth as if planning to comment, but she cut him off with the only thought filling her head. “That’s not an option.” An arched eyebrow from Adrian made her add, “As it is, we’ve still got Kendrick and Jackson to deal with, or have you forgotten that they’re not our friends but rather the men we ought to be fleeing?”

It was easy to lose sight of these things when there had been other problems to deal with. When Kendrick and Jackson had both abandoned their roles in order to help. But that didn’t mean they wouldn’t uphold the law in the end.

“I disagree.” The edge of Adrian’s mouth lifted, producing the sort of smirk that instantly put Samantha on edge. “In fact, they’re going to help clear my name.”

She sat back, confounded by what her husband was saying. “You can’t be serious.”

“Perfectly so.”

Pointing at Kendrick she told Adrian plainly, “ He arrested you for killing Benjamin Lawrence. Had it not been for him, nobody would have known the part you played in his death. You wouldn’t have had to stand trial. Nor would you have needed saving. There’s no way in hell we’re trusting him now.”

“I understand your apprehension.” Adrian kept his voice soft but firm. “But this is about more than helping those children. They just made my decision to stay in England a hell of a lot easier.”

Samantha stared into her husband’s dark eyes and saw the need that burned there. If he ran to France as planned, he’d be giving up on finding the man responsible for his sister’s death. He’d feel selfish. Cowardly. Less than the man she knew him to be. And the ensuing guilt would consume him. But at least he’d be free. Alive. It was hard for her to accept the risk he wanted to take – a risk that threatened to undo all they’d accomplished.

“What if I were to say that I’m able to prove your husband did the right thing? That he truly acted in self-defense against a man who meant to kill him?”

Kendrick’s question prompted Samantha to turn toward him with a glare. “Then I would ask you why you haven’t come forward sooner.”

“Gathering the necessary information took time.” Kendrick spoke in a measured tone that made him sound annoyingly sensible. “Especially since I was forced to work against my superiors’ wishes in order to acquire it.”

“The chief magistrate sacked him as a result,” Adrian said.

Samantha allowed that piece of information to settle before calmly saying, “In other words, you’ve no authority over either of us. No legal right or obligation to make an arrest.”

“No, but Jackson does.”

Samantha scoffed. “That’s hardly a threat and you know it, Kendrick.”

“Samantha.” The gentle pressure applied to her name by Adrian, made her pause. “Hear him out. I think you’ll agree that letting him help is the only way for us to reclaim what is ours. And to do away with some of the filthy corruption that’s put us in this position.”

“He ordered me to infiltrate your life,” Samantha argued. “To locate your files, gather evidence of your involvement in criminal proceedings.”

“Yet you didn’t.” Adrian leaned forward, his dark gaze holding her captive. “Why is that?”

“Because by getting to know you, I realized I was on the wrong side.”

All Adrian had to do at that point was arch a brow for her to see that Kendrick might be finding himself in a similar situation. If he disagreed with the orders he’d been given, saw Adrian as a tool to be used by powerful men to conceal the truth, there was a chance his allegiance might have shifted as well. Albeit a small one. Certainly not enough for Samantha to trust him. But she trusted her husband, so…

“Fine. Let’s hear you out, Kendrick.”

* * *

Peter repeated the information he’d given Mr. Croft earlier. It didn’t require much common sense to realize his wife was skeptical of him. She made no effort to hide it in her expression or in the questions she asked, making it clear to him that she feared a trap.

However, she did take a quiet moment in which to reflect on what he’d said once he was done speaking. Then she looked at her husband. “There’s no guarantee that returning to London will have the result you hope for. Too many things can go wrong, starting with Kendrick’s turning against us.”

“As I’ve sai—”

“Besides which,” she went on, silencing Peter not only with words but with a hard look, “Benjamin Lawrence’s butler might have been betrayed by this newspaper man you mentioned.”

“Abernathy is more than a newspaper man,” Peter said. “He’s the chief editor of The Morning Post .”

“Which makes him immune to bribes?” Mrs. Croft shook her head. “If there’s one certainty in this world, it’s that most people are self-serving, their loyalties constantly shifting according to their situation.”

“She’s not wrong,” Mr. Croft said, the look he gave Peter reminding him that both she and Peter fit those criteria well.

“As for the coachman you mentioned,” Mrs. Croft said, “the fact that you told the chief magistrate about him will have sealed that man’s fate. If the system is indeed as corrupt as you claim to believe, he’ll have met with an accident by now.”

Peter could not argue her point. He realized he’d made a serious blunder by mentioning Mr. Perch to Sir Nigel. But he’d done so before it became clear how compromised Sir Nigel was.

“Your wish to protect me is greatly appreciated,” Mr. Croft said, addressing his wife. “Indeed, I love you all the more for it.” A flush brightened her face, the concern in her eyes reflecting the contents of her heart. “That said, I cannot in good conscience allow what has happened – what continues to happen – to stand. Those who abuse their power, forcing the law to yield to their command as they prey on innocents, must be brought to heel.”

Even as he suspected what this might entail, Peter hoped Croft would prevail. Indeed, he had to admit that despite their differences in the past, there was much for him to admire about this man. Croft might be rough around the edges, he might even act outside the law, but he had a very clear sense of what was right and what wasn’t. It was evident in what had happened since they’d found him. And his words and actions since.

Considering their current situation, this was precisely what was required – a man with the wherewithal to unleash his wrath upon those who manipulated the truth and warped the judicial system.

Acknowledging all of this and the forces they would be up against, Peter said, “In that case, we’ll need one hell of a plan.”

* * *

Managing three dead bodies, a prisoner, a wounded woman, and seven children required no small amount of logistics.

The bodies had been moved to the parlor together with Snipes, after which Adrian had searched all their pockets. He’d not found much besides a few pocket knives, handkerchiefs, and some blunt. But Wilkes’s jacket pocket did yield something of value: the proof that Grant had been honest when he’d mentioned Hillford.

Miss Stevens, who’d apparently woken once while he and Kendrick dug the grave, had since fallen asleep again after drinking some water.

This left the children, a matter Adrian chose to deal with as soon as Jackson came to inform him that they were hungry. The pantry was equipped with only enough food to pacify them for a brief time.

“Before stopping here, my wife and I spotted what looks like a town that shouldn’t be too far away,” Adrian told the young constable. “Can you take one of the horses and go purchase provisions?”

“Shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Are you sure it’s wise to do so?” The question came from Samantha, who gave him a pressing look.

He understood her concern. Letting Jackson ride off on his own would surely test his loyalty. Since Adrian would rather do so now than later he answered Samantha with a quick nod, then said, “In the meantime, we figure out how to proceed. Kendrick, you may have ensured us the help of Lawrence’s butler, Mr. Hollander, and Mr. Perch, who can confirm that Lawrence was able to walk, but my wife’s point from earlier is valid. There’s a chance neither man will be in a position to help us by the time we’re able to reach them.”

“Abernathy will not have given Mr. Hollander up,” Kendrick said.

“You can’t be certain of that,” Samantha told him.

“She’s right,” Adrian said when Kendrick looked ready to argue. “He’s the man who elected to run the story that got Evie killed, after which he refused to give up the name of the source. Until I threatened him.”

“Protecting one’s source is critical to them stepping forward with valuable information.” Outrage over Adrian’s actions pulled at Kendrick’s features. “If they cannot trust those in whom they confide, they’ll live in fear of discovery and refuse to share what they know.”

“A sound piece of logic with which I’d agree, were it not for the fact that this particular source deserved no one’s protection.” Adrian’s skin tightened around his bones, his muscles tensing as his thoughts returned to his confrontation with Mrs. Riley. “She made assumptions based on something she heard and immediately went about spreading a vicious lie – a lie that turned my innocent sister into a target.”

“Nevertheless.” Kendrick remained unbudging. “I do not want to regret helping you, Croft. Swear to me that you will not threaten or harm innocent people.”

“I have never threatened or harmed innocent people.” Pressure was building inside his skull. He took a deep breath and expelled it in order to quiet the anger he felt in that moment. If they were to meet with results, he’d have to leash his emotions. “However, what we will attempt to do will easily require skirting the law, so if you don’t have the stomach for it, now’s the time to let me know. Before I’m relying on you to have my back.”

Kendrick held his gaze for a drawn-out moment before he finally dipped his head. “I want this as much as you do.”

“I seriously doubt that, but I’ll take it.” He caught that same look of warning in Samantha’s eyes that had been there before. This time, however, he answered with a discreet nod of assurance. We’ll take precautions and safeguard ourselves. Don’t worry . “In addition to Abernathy, Hollander, and Perch, I have my connections – associates with particular talents that may be useful. Besides this, I’ve numerous favors I can call in should that become necessary.”

“Having some powerful peers in your corner would no doubt be useful as well,” Kendrick said. “Your friend, Marsdale, would probably lend his support.”

Adrian froze at the mention of Edward’s title. Not because Kendrick was wrong, but because Adrian hated involving his friend in any matters that might be deemed questionable. However, this was slightly different. It was a straightforward case of right versus wrong. Having an honorable earl stand against the corrupt system could be beneficial, provided he was armed with the right information.

Adrian doubted it would suffice. Additional voices would be required.

He thought on that for a moment, aware that both Samantha and Kendrick waited for his response. And then it came to him, the obvious answer he had been seeking – the only peer his father had ever counted as a dependable man.

“I will ask the Duke of Eldridge for help.”

Samantha frowned. “I’d no idea the two of you were close enough for that or else I’d have gone to him after your arrest.”

“Nothing would have come of that. Not then, without a proper plan and others to lend the right kind of support. Otherwise, he would have ensured my freedom. Of that I am certain.”

“Why?” Kendrick sounded as stumped as Samantha.

“Because he’s not the sort of man to have the wool pulled over his eyes. Because he detests liars and cheats. Because he has proven himself to be unwaveringly fair and reliable, even when he could have chosen not to be.”

The comment his father had made about the duke supported this long-held opinion.

The rest of those entitled cretins will push their dearest friend off a cliff if it serves their purpose. Eldridge, on the other hand, is a man of substance upon whom even a stranger may confidently rely.

“And if we can gain his assistance,” Adrian added, “We may very well gain the Duke of Moorland’s and Wrengate’s as well.”