Page 47

He had believed that more readily when he hadn’t proven her correct.

He couldn’t stop thinking of the look in her eye when she’d called him a traitor.

She hadn’t said that exactly, of course.

She’d simply implied that his choices would make him a liar.

In the moment he’d believed himself within his rights to be offended by the assertion.

But now… if he had left her to face those people alone only to return with nothing to show for it how would he be able to justify his absence?

“You have more confidence in that than I do.”

“He isn’t a normal working-class person. He has too many resources and connections here for us to afford to lose him. If he goes to ground then it’s going to be a wait and see.”

“I understand that.” Yet another reason he needed to succeed.

This was about more than his ego. Once they moved tonight, once the trap had been sprung, there would be no way to regain the element of surprise and whatever mischief Harrison was planning for him and Regina would be escalated.

It would be impossible to keep it from her and the danger would be intolerable.

He couldn’t allow that man to ruin anything more than he already had.

*

It had taken a full course for the snide comments to begin.

Regina could only credit the restraint to her host and hostess who had been nothing but gracious all throughout the evening.

The first one to break was Lady Small, a paradoxically tall woman with the face of a horse.

“I’m sorry we couldn’t meet your husband Baroness. ”

Lady Horton a fiery red head with a pinched face, shared a conspiratorial glance with Horse face. “Indeed your ascension into our ranks has been the talk of the ton for weeks.”

“What a shock it gave us,” Lady Small continued.

Regina summoned a smile as a plate of salmon poached in fennel and cream was laid before her. “You mean my husband, yes it gave me a shock and all.”

“Oh, yes I can imagine,” Lady Gosling trilled. She was a chubby matron with a head of bouncing golden curls. She seemed well meaning, however. One of the few among the group.

“I know how much he was looking forward to this evening,” Regina lied, reaching for her fork.

“Mmm,” there was a subtle glance to the left, and a silent response rippled around the table. Not enough.

She couldn’t fault them. It would have been a shock if no one had noticed the fact that he was missing.

All eyes were on them after all. For him to stand up such an established member of the nobility like Lady Sterling, who’s invitation was sought by others must have seemed like the height of arrogance and bad manners.

“I suppose it is a difficult transition for him,” Lord Sterling commented. “As a peer of the realm he will have so many affairs to keep in order, from properties to ledgers and personal, affairs of state.”

Regina couldn’t tell what his angle was.

His words were innocent enough and certainly true.

He might have been trying to help, but there were so many double meanings to what everyone said she found herself thinking the worst of all of them.

“Indeed. He has always been a busy man, but the scope of his responsibilities has increased greatly.”

“Mmm, there is more to being a Baron or Baroness than moving into a house and wearing pretty jewels,” Lord Horton replied, a sly look in his eye.

Ah. There it was. “Indeed.” Regina forced herself to eat a few bites of her portion before setting down her fork.

“Is the fish not to your liking?” Lady Gebling asked, her stone-grey eyes flicking down to Regina’s plate. “I suppose you are used to more aggressive flavors in your homeland.”

“Not at all,” she looked to Lady Sterling, “it is delicious, truly.”

“Then eat up.” Lady Gebling insisted, “A half-starved Baroness cannot do her duty to her lord.”

“Indeed. Your baron must be expecting a son soon,” Lord Gebling said.

“Yes, two daughters will certainly not suffice,” His wife added with smug smile.

Regina’s hand tightened about her fork as her jaw clenched down against a biting reply.

It was impossible to miss the reference to her mother, or the assertion that she had failed her father.

The white husband who had clearly miscalculated and now had to scheme in order to foist his undeserving daughter onto the innocent pure nobility. She wanted to slap their faces.

If she lost her temper here, it would not only embarrass her hostess but vindicate their ignorant assumptions. They were no different than every bully at Miss Pollitt’s but this wasn’t school and there was no Elodia or Ada to support her.

“Children in general tend to be a bit of a shot in the dark as far as I’ve seen,” Lord Sterling spoke again. “One can have three sons, and they can all be useless or die before their time.”

“Very true,” Lord Gosling replied, “Such workings gave us Queen Elizabeth the First, and our dear Queen Victoria,”

“Indeed. God save the Queen.” Lord Gebling said raising his glass.

“God save the Queen,” Regina mumbled the chorused reply along with everyone else and made the toast.

“I believe that rather proves your dear mama’s point Lady Starkley.” Lady Sterling said, with a cheeky sparkle in her eye.

She glanced at the woman. “Does it?”

“Mmmm, something about trusting in the wisdom of providence.”

A shocked laugh escaped Regina’s lips. “Yes, I suppose that is true.”

She gave her a wink and then nodded towards the salmon, “Don’t fill up on that dear, my cook does an absolutely exquisite roast goose with chestnuts and white wine.”

For a moment Regina thought she could handle it, that maybe things wouldn’t be so bad as all that.

It wasn’t school but that didn’t mean there weren’t ways to fight back.

She needed to remember what she was above all else.

A strategist. A fencer. A fighter. It didn’t matter if they scored a few points so long as she kept her head and her feet under her.

Then, as the fish course was cleared, Lady Sterling directed the footman to remove Leo’s place setting and Regina’s heart sank in her chest. Her hostess was officially done waiting.

*

“Is that him?” Bielson asked.

Leo glanced back, “Yes.”

Harrison entered and looked around. Clearly he was searching for someone here. This was it. All he needed was to start talking and they would be able to change positions to get the information they needed.

Then moments later Collins arrived. After one sweep he began moving towards Leo and Bielson greeting patrons as he went. He sat down beside them and nodded.

“Gentlemen.”

“How long were you following him?” Leo asked.

“Two blocks.”

“Did he notice you?” Bielson asked.

Collins gave him an annoyed look. “I don’t mean to be disrespectful but fuck off.”

In fairness, Collins was known for his stealth, second only to Leo. Leo didn’t know if anyone had questioned his ability to tail a mark in recent years.

Bielson hid his grin behind his mug but said nothing further.

“Oi, here he comes,” Collins said his eyes still on Leo. “He’s coming over with two men who also look like they shouldn’t be here either.”

“Are they working with him?”

“They were waiting for him when he arrived, so I’d reckon, yes.”

“I don’t like not having my eyes on him.” Leo grumbled.

Collins shook his head. “You were smart to sit where you did. He knows you and if those men are working with him you can be dead certain they know your face as well.”

Bielson nodded towards Leo, “They’re about to help you out,” then his gaze flicked over Leo’s shoulder. They were behind him. Leo closed his eyes trying to pick out Harrison’s voice in the din.

“Can you hear them?”

’Ere, I heard he’s a noble.

Barely. That was Harrison.

It don’t matter, he’s a Lord.

Leo nodded. Yes he could hear them.

He stole that from me, but he isn’t going to be a Lord for much longer.

What if he’s onto you?

He’s neck deep in that bitch, he’s not thinking of anything but pussy.

Leo smirked at that. Little did that jackass know he was a brilliant multitasker.

So what’s the plan Ned? Are we gonna take him?

I have someone watching—

“Oi!” a voice drowned out Harrison and his accomplices. Leo’s hand curled into a fist and frustration flooded his chest. What were they planning? Where were they watching? And who the fuck was being so loud for no reason?

His eyes opened as he searched for the source of his frustration.

“Who the fuck is this?” Bielson asked.

“Fucking Locke,” Collins growled in annoyance. He was on his feet in a minute and Leo looked over in time to see Locke coming over with malicious glee. Collins intercepted him, pulling him into a rough hug and driving him backwards away from their booth.

“Who is that?” Bielson looked at Leo who shook his head and stayed where he was.

He couldn’t panic. No one knew who Locke was speaking to as yet, which meant his cover wasn’t blown just yet. The situation could still be salvaged. He closed his eyes again attempting to ignore Locke and refocus on Harrison and his partners.

“Well if it isn’t Leo the Lord, what brings you around here eh?”

The anger and irritation that flooded his mind was almost overwhelming. He was going to kill him. He was going to put his hands around his throat and choke the life out of his stupid worthless body.

“Locke shut the fuck up.” He heard Collins hiss.

“What’s the problem? It’s him ain’t it?” He turned to Leo with a smug glint in his eye as he glanced over at the booth beside them. He knew. God fucking damn him, he knew what they were here for. He was doing it on purpose.

“That’s not him and keep your fucking voice down.”

All the talking on the other side of the partition had ended. Damnit.

Locke shoved Collins into a wall then slid onto the bench beside Leo, stinking of alcohol and grinning with real malice. “Are we having drinks?”

“What the hell are you doing?” Leo growled.

“Never thought I’d be able to drink with a real baron in this life, eh Collins?”

“Fuck,” Bielson grumbled, and Leo turned to stare straight into the eyes of Harrison.

There was shock there but also annoyance.

As though he was irritated that Leo was quicker on the uptake than he’d expected.

He sneered and headed for the door. Bielson cursed again and slid out of the booth following him out the door.

Harrison’s companions stood as well and followed Bielson out the door.

“Move,” Leo snapped at Locke.

“Where are you going?” Locke jeered.

“Get out of my way or I will beat you to death.” Even though he knew he would never waste that much time on that when Harrison was getting away and Bielson was about to be outnumbered. He wasn’t about to get arrested for beating the shit out of a police officer in the wrong side of town.

“You think I was gonna let you get away with this?” he asked.

Leo looked at Collins who was staring at Locke in both embarrassment and outrage. “Get your man Collins, because if I do he’ll be out of commission for a month.”

Collins grabbed hold of his colleague and dragged his flailing body out of the booth pinning him to the wall.

Leo wasted no time rushing out the door into the balmy night his heart racing in his chest as unease built steadily.

Where the hell was Harrison? Did Bielson find him or were those men able to waylay him?

He scanned the crowd of men milling around.

“Two men just left, which way did they go?”

“I didn’t see nothing guv.”

He turned and grabbed another who was walking past with a woman. “Did you see two men leaving?”

“That big black one?”

“Yes. Which way did he go?”

He pointed to the left and Leo took off in that direction.

The further down the street he went the darker it became.

He heard the sound of a scuffle and started forward until a shadow move across his path.

There was a glint of metal and Leo jumped out of its way.

He heard the rip of fabric. Shit. Where the fuck was this asshole?

Another rush of air and he stepped back but shoved his hands forward with all his strength hoping to knock his assailant off his footing. He heard a grunt and a crash to his left.

“You fucker,” he heard Harrison grumble.

“Is that you Harrison?” he taunted. “You waited for me and all?”

“I’m going to kill you, you bastard.”

Leo backed up to the right reaching out for the wall, waiting for his eyes to adjust. He heard Harrison walking towards him his arm swinging through the air.

The minute he could make out his body Leo moved, first grabbing his wrist and twisting it until he heard something hit the ground.

Good the knife was gone. Harrison slammed his head forward, in an attempt to stun him or break his nose, but Leo shifted his head to the side at the last minute, taking the blow on his shoulder.

He twisted Harrison’s arm behind his back and yanked up.

“You are coming with me.”

Harrison began to laugh, and Leo’s blood went cold. “You go on and take your time with me Kingston.”

“You want me to beat the shit out of you?”

“I want you here. I have plans for you already, and that little wifey of yours goes first.”

“What?” Regina ? “You think you can kill a baroness, and no one will notice?”

“She is no different than the rest of them. And neither are you.”

God if only Bielson and Collins were here to hear this. “Where are they? Where did you put them?” He only needed a clue as to how many were helping Harrison.

“You’re going to wish you had stayed in the gutter where you belong.”

A gun shot went off distracting Leo just long enough for Harrison to twist out of his grip. And he evaporated into the night like a phantom.

“Kingston.”

He heard Collins calling his name. Godfuckingdamnit. Regina. He had to get back to her, he had to make sure she was safe.

“Leo,” Collins called out again and he started towards his voice returning to the pub.

“I have to go.”

“Did you get him?”

“No. I have to leave Collins, he sent people after her.”

“What?” The man’s eyes widened.

“My wife. I have to leave.” He started walking, his stomach sick with fear.

“Where are they?” Collins called out.

“I don’t fucking know.” Were they at the house or waiting for her when she left the Sterling’s? He glanced at his pocket watch. Ten. He had just enough time to catch her on the way out. If he ran.