Rosa looked around, her eyes searching for the boy her aunt had described. Beth Penworthy, one of the women who came in to do what she could, pointed towards a bed in the corner of the room. A child, his forlorn little face watching what was going on around him, turned and looked at the new arrival. At first he just sat and stared, and then, giving a low mewling sound, he threw himself off the bed and darted across the room as fast as his legs would go and wrapped his arms about Rosa’s legs, clinging to her for all he was worth.
Rosa gasped, horrified. How could it be? ‘Dhanu! What on earth has happened to you?’ Leaning down, she gathered him into her arms. Going to the bed, she sat and tried to comfort him. He was clinging to her with the desperation born of enormous fear.
‘Well, glory be! You know him, Miss Ingram?’ Beth said.
‘Yes, yes, I do, Beth, but as to how he came to be wandering the streets on his own I have no idea.’
‘His family’s clearly well to do. If they’ve missed him there could be a hue and cry.’
‘I’m sure there might very well be. I’m hoping his guardian—Lord Ashurst—will meet me here. If not I shall see he gets home to Grosvenor Square. I have the carriage at the end of the street.’ She looked at Dhanu. ‘What happened, Dhanu? Did you leave the house by yourself?’ He nodded, his expression one of profound fear. ‘It’s all right, Dhanu. You are quite safe. No harm will come to you now, I promise.’
‘I wanted to go to the park to see the bears I saw yesterday.’
Whatever had happened to him, his mute shock seemed to have passed. ‘They prompted you to go out. I see.’
‘Mishka wouldn’t take me,’ he whispered, tears welling in his big dark eyes.
‘So you thought you’d go by yourself.’ She sighed, her arms tightening about him. ‘Oh, Dhanu. What are we going to do with you? You know you shouldn’t wander off on your own. Did you get lost?’
He shook his head. ‘No,’ he mumbled. ‘Two men chased me—those bad men.’
Immediately Rosa understood. Her mouth set in a grim line and she held him in a firmer grip as though the very fierceness of her protective instincts would keep him safe, for there was no doubt in her mind that the men he spoke of were the same men who had been hounding him ever since he had arrived in England. Her emotions were scattered amid twisted layers of fear, sadness and outrage that the people who were supposed to be taking care of this five-year-old boy had once again failed in their duty.
* * *
It was mid-afternoon when Mishka alerted Lord Ashurst to Dhanu’s absence. Having gone to check on the boy she had left him having his nap in the nursery and finding his bed empty, frantic, she searched the house but he was nowhere to be found.
‘Lord Ashurst, something has happened.’
William looked at Mishka hard as he listened. He felt a peculiar hollowness in the pit of his stomach. At first he stared at her wordlessly, distinctly feeling his heart almost stop beating in his chest as he tried to comprehend her words, but then, understanding that she was telling him that his worst fears had been realised, that Dhanu had disappeared, his eyes sprang to life.
‘How long has he been missing?’ he demanded.
‘I don’t know. Perhaps half an hour—no more,’ she told him, distraught.
‘He must be hiding somewhere.’
‘I don’t think so. I put him down for his nap and went to check on him but he had gone. With Ahmet I’ve looked everywhere but he is nowhere to be found. Oh, Lord Ashurst,’ she cried wretchedly, wringing her hands in her wretchedness and despair, ‘I am so worried that something terrible has happened to him.’
One of the footmen, alerted to Dhanu’s disappearance by Mishka, came to tell them that a child had been seen leaving the square a short while before.
The hollowness inside William deepened. His eyes were ice-cold and shining with a light that seemed to come from the depths of him. He flung himself towards the door, his formidable anger bursting from him and vibrating around the walls of the room. It was directed at Kamal Kapoor, who had been sent to end Dhanu’s life.
He immediately instructed the footman to inform the constables and with Ahmet at his heels he left the house in pursuit of Dhanu, thinking he might have headed for the park. The thought that something dreadful had happened to Dhanu after all the efforts he had taken to keep him safe tortured him. It consumed him and filled him with a torment worse than any soul could.
* * *
Giving up on William, thinking that perhaps he was away from home when Aunt Clara’s messenger reached Grosvenor Square, Rosa decided to take Dhanu home. Opening the door of the institute, Rosa scanned the shadows before venturing out, holding Dhanu’s hand. She was aware of the danger they faced from the two men she was certain were somewhere close by. Keeping Dhanu close, she looked right and left. The passageway was quiet and dark. Stealthily they made their way along. Hearing a footfall, she ducked behind a cart, her eyes fully adapted to the darkness, her mind racing. The street was redolent of smoking chimneys and the sour scent of the garbage-filled gutters, where dogs scavenged for a meal. Above her own breathing she heard a soft footfall, then another, growing momentarily nearer. Dhanu wriggled against her at being held so tight. He kept his eyes closed, too afraid to look in the dark recesses where menace lurked. Rosa shushed him calmly and, to her astonishment, now that she was closer to absolute peril than ever before in her life, she felt comparatively calm. Every sense was alerted and quivering with sensitivity. Never had her senses been so acute.
She waited, holding her breath as the footsteps halted close by. Hearing words spoken in a strange language, she knew without doubt it was the two Indians. Fear clamped its cold hand over her heart, concentrating her mind and adding steel to her spine as she held her breath. Through a small crack between the boards of the cart, she saw the two men silhouetted in the dark. Her eyes widened as they came closer. She dared not breathe for fear of being heard. A sigh of relief passed her lips when the men turned and became absorbed into the shadows.
Shocked into full alertness as she held the small boy close to her, she waited a few seconds before creeping out, holding on to Dhanu’s hand. Suddenly, without warning, disaster struck. When something small and live ran over Dhanu’s foot, to Rosa’s dismay he stumbled and cried out, alerting the men to their presence. Immediately they rushed menacingly towards them. Cringing against the stacked barrels, Rosa watched them come closer and in a moment of fear and desperation, letting go of Dhanu’s hand, she placed her hands on the barrels and gave them an almighty push. Not only did she dislodge the barrels but also a vast amount of debris, showering them in dust and garbage she could not and would not care to put a name to. Grabbing hold of Dhanu’s hand once again, she jumped aside and watched as they came crashing but the two men dodged the barrels and moved menacingly towards them.
Dhanu whimpered with fear. Rosa held him tight, tenderly placing her hand on his frozen cheek, her heart seized by a terrible anguish. Hopelessness at her situation traced through her body. Dhanu seemed to shrink inside himself. Rosa shoved him behind her, praying hard for a miracle.
* * *
The servant sent by Clara Swinburn arrived at the Earl of Ashurst’s residence in Grosvenor Square. When he entered, an agitated Lord Ashurst was pacing the floor in his study. His face was set and grim. Seeing his strained features, sensing his tortured frame of mind, his grief and fury which he kept in abeyance, the servant was aware that beneath the gentleman’s remarkable self-control, which unbeknown to him his military training had taught him to employ, he was a man in the grip of a nightmare.
On hearing what the servant had to say he took no time in ordering the carriage to take him to the institute, hoping and praying that the boy taken there earlier was indeed Dhanu.
* * *
The miracle Rosa prayed for came in the form of William. Like Rosa earlier, he’d been forced to leave his carria
ge at the end of the street. The sudden noise Rosa had created when she had toppled the pile of barrels had brought people onto the street, along with beggars who appeared out of dark recesses. Adjusting his eyes to the dark, he proceeded with stealth down the alley, seeing a woman pressed against a wall, her determined stance like that of a tigress defending her cub as she tried to protect with her life the small boy. He was labouring under all the effects of considerable terror, clinging to her leg as two men bore down on them. One he immediately recognised as being Kamal Kapoor. William was oblivious to everything but that small group. Other images were blurred, voices faded. His hands were clenched into fists so tightly they ached, and there was hate in his eyes as they settled on Kapoor. He hurried on, careful to keep to the shadows until he was behind Kapoor and close enough to reach out and grasp his arms in brutal hardness, pulling him back.
Taken by surprise, a cry escaped Kapoor and he struggled. His accomplice, seeing what was happening, made a dash for it, disappearing into the dark streets of St Giles.
The noise had attracted more people into the alley. Some carried lanterns, holding them high to throw some light onto the scene, which had become one of devastation. Two women came out of the institute and the two carriage drivers appeared with Mishka close behind.
A tirade of curses in Urdu issued from Kapoor’s lips as he made vain attempts to disengage himself from William’s iron hold on his arms.
‘Try to get away, Kapoor, and you’re a dead man. Here,’ William said, thrusting Kapoor towards the two carriage drivers. ‘Hold on to him and for God’s sake don’t let him go. Take him inside the institute. I’ll follow.’
The drivers were only too happy to oblige. Dragging the Indian to the open door of the institute, they disappeared inside.
William took in Rosa’s appearance, realising what she must have been through. He was deeply concerned and afraid for her in many ways. The obvious danger of injury or even death when confronted by two assassins was only a part. There was also the vulnerability of her mind to the seriousness of the situation.
He frowned, showing his concern, clearly moved at the tenderness and compassion she showed for the child clinging on to her. ‘What about you, Rosa? Are you hurt? Are you harmed in any way?’ She shook her head. ‘And Dhanu?’ Dhanu, frightened by the suddenness of it all and the terror he had been subjected to, began crying loudly. William scooped him up into his arms. ‘Thank God! Thank God you’re all right.’ The ragged note of relief in his voice was apparent as he held the boy tight, offering strength and comfort to the trembling child.
Rosa watched him, her throat tight with emotion. She could see Dhanu’s need of him as he wrapped his short arms around his neck, the man who had promised to protect him against all things, and she was struck by the various emotions playing over William’s features, the love reflected in his eyes could not be concealed. She must have trembled perceptibly because she felt William’s fingers tighten on her shoulder and drew some comfort from the warmth of the contact. She could only look at him, her eyes shining with the unbelievable comfort of knowing that they were safe.
Having no wish to linger in the street, they went into the institute, closing the door behind them.
Kamal Kapoor, stood beside a bed, guarded by the two carriage drivers. In no hurry to confront him, Dhanu’s plight more important just then, William turned to Mishka, whose relief on finding Dhanu safe, was evident on her face.
‘I want you to take Dhanu home, Mishka. This is no place for him.’ He looked at his driver. ‘Take them home—send for the constables while you’re at it. And, Rosa,’ he said, taking her arm. ‘Go with them. This is no place for you.’
‘I work here, William—doing what I can for the children.’
‘Nevertheless—’
‘No,’ she said firmly. ‘I’m staying.’
Rosa turned and looked at Mishka, who had tears of relief swimming in her eyes as she checked Dhanu over for any injuries. ‘Take him home, Mishka. Apart from being frightened he doesn’t seem to have suffered too much from what has happened to him. When he gets back to the house a hot bath and a good night’s sleep will do him good, although he should not be left alone. After today’s unfortunate escapade, even though Mr Kapoor has been apprehended it might be wise to have someone with him at all times.’ She knew her advice sounded like a rebuke, but she could not help herself. It was the third time she had come to Dhanu’s rescue. The next time he might not be so fortunate when Mishka left him alone.
Rosa watched them leave, the driver saying he would direct the constables to the institute, before turning her attention to what was happening around them. When Kapoor had been brought in, Beth had gathered the children together and ushered them into another room, closing the door so they could not witness what was happening.
Face-to-face with Kamal Kapoor at last, William had to make an intense effort to control himself, even to keep his voice from shaking when he spoke. ‘Kamal Kapoor, we meet at last.’ He moved closer. His jaw was rigid and a muscle twitched dangerously in the side of his neck. It took a physical effort to maintain his calm and stop himself going to Kapoor and wringing his neck. ‘Your accomplice appears to have fled.’
Kapoor’s thin face broke into a reptilian smile, and the hiss that he emitted was more venomous and more fearful than any snake. He stared at William with eyes that were like ragged holes in his face. There was loathing there and contempt, not fear. Kapoor feared no man and was renowned for his prowess with a blade, but William Barrington’s reputation as a military man with both pistol and sword was an enviable and well-known fact. William approached him. There was something ugly beneath Kapoor’s skin. William knew the man had no scruples and would sell his own mother for the right price, and kill her for more.
Kapoor tried to lunge at him, a murderous lunge, but Archie jerked him back. William wanted to hurt him. He had suffered all sorts of hell knowing this man and his accomplice would kill Dhanu if he dropped his guard. William prepared to defend himself and to ward off the threat. Refusing to accept defeat, a guttural sound rumbled from deep in Kapoor’s chest and crimson hate filled his sight. Instead of backing away Kapoor drew a short bladed knife and launched himself at William, his thrust like lightning. Unable to avoid the forceful assault, the blade nicked the back of his hand. Kapoor was not quick enough to inflict more injury. William grabbed his wrist with both hands, turned and pivoted his back into him, using his arm as a lever. Kapoor was smaller than William. The arm could not stand such torsion. With grim satisfaction William watched as the knife fell from his hand and clattered to the floor. William kicked the knife away and pushed him back against the wall, where he slumped onto a stool. A terrible, consuming hatred flared in his eyes when he looked up at his powerful assailant. He was defeated, he knew it, and it came as a crushing blow.
‘Why don’t you finish me?’ he hissed, breathing shortly. ‘While ever I am alive I will pose a threat to you and yours. This is a stay of execution, not a reprieve.’
The words were uttered with a hard, bright stare that seared William to the backbone. It was chilling, the way he said it so matter-of-factly. It worried William more than he showed, and he knew that Kapoor meant it. ‘I am sorely tempted—and had I any sense I would. You have escaped your fate—and you have been a burden on my flesh from the moment I set foot on English soil. You sought to end Dhanu’s life with nothing more than a fat purse from your sister—and the promise of more when the deed is done I don’t doubt. I should tell you that Anisha has been banished. Apparently she is responsible for the death of the Rajah’s brother and she is no longer in favour.’
The news brought Kapoor’s head up sharp. ‘Tipu is dead?’
William nodded. ‘By your sister’s hand. She was lucky to survive with her head intact. The Rajah has asked for Dhanu to be taken back to India and if he is harmed in any way his wrath will know no bounds.’
‘The
n what now? What will you do with me?’
‘The constables will deal with you. You are in England now and subject to English law.’
‘I have committed no crime.’
‘Not through want of trying. In England I am a powerful man. I will see to it that you rot in gaol.’ And he would. The resolve inside him was set like steel.
Kapoor smiled, a knowing smile, and his eyes became hooded, as if he held a secret. ‘If you are able,’ he said, his words holding a hidden meaning. ‘Things happen when you least expect them to.’
William looked at him hard, wondering what he meant by that. Unable to concentrate his mind on Kapoor any longer, he handed Archie a small pistol. ‘Watch him. Shoot him if he tries anything.’ William turned to Rosa, taking her arm and drawing her aside. ‘You should go. Dhanu is safe now. There is nothing else you can do here.’
Rosa looked at him, her face set and white as she turned her eyes blazing anger and defiance on the man she held responsible. Without a bonnet and with her hair dishevelled and full of debris and streaks of grime on her face, she knew she must look a sight, but never had she been so uncaring of her appearance as she was then. Her emotions came rushing to the surface and the tension of the last few hours was released in one sweeping moment.
‘How on earth did this happen?’ she fumed. ‘For goodness’ sake, who is supposed to be looking after the child?’
William stiffened, brought up sharp by her words. ‘He is in my charge,’ he said, having recovered from the shock of Dhanu’s disappearance and objecting to Rosa’s accusing manner while trying to remain calm. But he had been negligent and he was shamed to the core.
A Vow for an Heiress Page 18