The Devil's Gift

by Laura Landon

  She gave herself a mental shake and concentrated more closely on the man as he stepped from the carriage.

  The man landed on the ground and stared at each of them as if evaluating their sanity. And why wouldn’t he, after the reaction he received from them.

  “What’s your name?” Benton asked, keeping his gaze focused on the man.

  “Jack, sir. Jack Hawkins.”

  A rush of molten heat swirled in the pit of Jenna’s stomach when he spoke. His voice was deep and rich. Thick, like warm honey poured over one of Cook’s just-baked biscuits.

  “What are you doing here?” Benton asked.

  “A lady sent me,” he answered.

  “What lady?”

  “Lady Rutherford. One of them Society ladies.”

  Jenna’s breath caught. Lady Rutherford was her Aunt Chloe, but she’d never sent a man before. Jenna couldn’t believe she had now.

  “Did Lady Rutherford send anything as reference?”

  “You mean a letter like?”

  “Yes, like a letter.”

  The big man reached inside his jacket and pulled a paper from his pocket, then took a step toward Jenna and held out his hand.

  Jenna fought the urge to step back...or was it an urge to step toward him? Either thought disturbed her.

  She took the letter from his outstretched hand and looked up. Their gazes connected and held, and she realized that looking into his eyes had been a monumental mistake.

  She gave a little gasp and his eyes flashed with a hint of laughter.

  “Is something humorous?”

  The moment the question was out of her mouth, she knew she’d been right. He had been smiling at her. His mouth curved at the corners, then his perfectly-shaped lips opened to a smile.

  Perhaps it was the brightness of the moon, or perhaps it was because she stood so close to him, but the moment he smiled, two things became evident. The stranger her aunt supposedly sent from the streets of London had the most tantalizing smile she’d ever seen. And the two deep creases on either side of his mouth caused a cyclone of rushing emotion to spin deep inside her.

  “You’re afraid of me,” he said, jerking her thoughts back.

  She pulled the paper out of his hand and stepped away from him. “And that surprises you?”

  He frowned. “Frankly, yes. There’s no need. Especially with that pistol pointed at me.”

  Jenna realized that Benton still had a gun focused on the stranger and felt her cheeks grow warm. She was glad they weren’t indoors where he would notice.

  “Is the letter from your aunt?” Benton asked when she glanced down at the paper.

  “I’m not sure.”

  Jenna stepped around the carriage so she was out of sight. There was no reason for it, but she didn’t want him watching her when she read what her aunt had written.

  When she was out of sight, she held the letter beneath the lantern that hung on the side of the carriage and studied the writing. An uncomfortable weight tumbled to the pit of her stomach. The letter was in her aunt’s familiar hand.

  My dear, Jenna, the letter began—which was the same as all her aunt’s letters began—I know discovering Mr. Hawkins is somewhat of a surprise, but I hope you will find it in your heart to help him find a place in the world.

  I spoke with him at length and feel he is truly deserving of a new start in life. He seems to be of good character and far above average intelligence.

  It was quite by accident that we met, and I am the one who is grateful for his appearance. I was accosted by some ruffians on my way home from an outing and he came to my rescue. I’d hate to imagine what might have happened had he not appeared. Or if he hadn’t shown such bravery.

  All I ask is that you give him a chance to improve his lot in life. I will send my carriage on Tuesday of next week, and every second Tuesday thereafter, instead of the month I usually wait. If he doesn’t work to your expectations, send him back at any time.

  Thank you, my dearest Jenna. I apologize in advance for any hardship his arrival causes. I know the risk you are already taking, but your cause is just and has been a blessing to so many already.

  I pray Mr. Hawkins will be another success.

  Your loving Aunt Chloe

  Jenna dropped her head back on her shoulders and closed her eyes. What was her aunt thinking, sending her a man to train into service? Especially one who caused such a riotous effect when she looked at him.

  She should send him back right now.

  No, she had to send him back right now. She couldn’t allow him to stay. What if someone discovered him? An unknown female’s presence could be explained away if anyone saw them, although Jenna tried to make sure that never happened. But a man? Especially a man as handsome as this man. And as tall. And as broad shouldered. And with such a beautiful smile. And with eyes that—

  “Are you finished, Miss?” Benton asked, shocking her out of her thoughts.

  “Yes, I’m coming,” she said, straightening her aunt’s letter that she’d crunched against her chest.

  She realized giving Jack Hawkins a new start meant a great deal to her aunt, but she couldn’t do it. She would be taking too great a risk. How could she hide him for even a week, let alone spend hours of every day alone with him like she did the females her aunt sent? She was...afraid.

  The thought startled her. Jack Hawkins didn’t elicit fear. Nor was she overly afraid of her stepmother. At least no more than was usual.

  She paused as she forced herself to face the real reason she felt such unease. She’d never reacted to a man the way she reacted to Jack Hawkins. It would have been unseemly. She’d been betrothed to the Earl of Devlin nearly her whole life. But even if she hadn’t been...

  Jenna thought of the threat her stepmother posed.

  She took a fortifying breath and turned to go back to where the rest of them waited.

  She wouldn’t let him stay.

  She couldn’t.

  “The driver’s got to get going if he intends to make it back to London before he’s missed,” Benton said when she reached them.

  “Yes. Tell him to get ready,” she said nodding to where the driver checked the harness trappings.

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m sure.”

  Benton hesitated a moment before he lowered the gun and walked away. When he was gone, Jenna turned to Maggie.

  “Help MaryJane into the carriage and give her the basket of food we brought along.”

  Maggie had a frantic expression on her face as she looked from Jenna to the tall stranger she undoubtedly considered the devil-monster in her vision. “You don’t intend to—”

  Jenna stopped her with a lift of her hand. “Be sure to tell MaryJane there’s enough food for both her and the driver.”

  “Yes, Miss, but—”

  “That’s all, Maggie.”

  Jenna waited until Maggie left to help MaryJane into the carriage before she turned her attention to Jack Hawkins.

  “You’re gonna tell me I can’t stay,” he said before she could tell him her decision.

  The deep timbre of his voice rushed through her like a drink of hot chocolate on a cold winter’s day. His tone held no self-pity, nor even the smallest hint of disappointment. There was only a matter-of-factness to his words that said the stranger saw through the shield she was usually quite adept at maintaining.

  “I know you assumed that I’d—”

  “No, Miss. I assumed nothing. It was your aunt who did the assuming. She was sure you wouldn’t turn me away. I knew you’d be a fool to let me stay.”

  Jenna felt a heavy weight settle inside her chest. Her decision was bound to disappoint her aunt, which was the last thing Jenna wanted to do. Especially after everything her Aunt Chloe had done for her.

  “Thank you, though, for at least giving it some thought,” he said with a proud lift to his chin that made the weight inside her ache even more.

  He gave her a polite nod, then turned toward the car
riage.

  Jenna watched him walk away. The quiet voice of compassion whispered for her to stop him. The stronger voice of reason argued that she had to let him go. Before she could applaud her determination to ignore compassion, another internal voice she couldn’t put a name to drowned out the calm voice of reason.

  “Wait, Mr. Hawkins.”

  With one foot on the step to the carriage, he stopped and turned his head.

  “Why did you help my aunt?”

  He looked surprised. “Because she needed help.”

  He responded as if she’d asked the most simple-minded question he’d ever heard. He’d helped her Aunt Chloe because she’d needed help.

  Yet Jenna intended to turn him away.

  Jenna clutched her Aunt Chloe’s letter to her breast. How could she refuse to help him? What if he’d refused to help her aunt when she needed his aid? Her Aunt Chloe could have been injured. Or killed.

  Yet how could she let him stay? What if he were discovered? What if her stepmother found out what she was doing?

  Jenna worried her lower lip as she watched him duck his head and prepare to step into the carriage. In one more second he would be gone and it would be too late to worry about the trouble he could cause her.

  Or the strange effect he had on her.

  Before he closed the door, Jenna saw MaryJane huddled in the far corner of the carriage with the basket of food on her lap. The driver was atop, ready to snap the reins. In one more second Jack Hawkins would close the door and would no longer be a threat to her or her emotions. If she could just hold out one more second. If...

  The door closed and he was out of sight. She was almost safe.

  The driver raised the reins and began the downward snap. In one more second Jack Hawkins would be gone and—it would be too late to help him.

  The horses took their first steps and the carriage lunged forward.

  “Wait!”

  The driver pulled back on the reins and brought the team to a halt.

  “Is something wrong, Miss?” the driver yelled down.

  “Yes. Stop the carriage.”

  “Leave him go,” Maggie whispered, clasping Jenna’s arm.

  “I can’t.”

  “You’ll be sorry if you let him stay.”

  Jenna considered Maggie’s words but knew she had no choice. Her aunt had never asked anything of her.

  Jenna lifted her chin in a show of defiance. “Mr. Hawkins will be staying,” she said, the tone of her voice firm enough to indicate her order was not to be disobeyed.

  “Are you sure, Miss?” Benton asked as he came forward.

  “Yes.”

  Benton locked his hands behind his back as he shook his head. “I never thought the day would come when I’d find myself agreeing with Maggie, but I do in this case.” Benton lowered his voice. “Taking in young lasses so they can make a better life is one thing. But taking in this stranger might be getting in over your head.”

  Jenna had so few choices left her. As long as her father was alive there was nothing she could do. To keep him safe, she had to portray the obedient and submissive stepdaughter. But in this, she would be neither weak nor submissive. Helping the less fortunate make a better life for themselves was the least she could do. This is what made her life worth living.

  “Get Mr. Hawkins’ belongings, Benton.”

  Benton opened his mouth as if to argue, but quickly closed it and turned to do her bidding.

  She watched as he walked over to the carriage and opened the door.

  “The lady says you’re to stay,” Benton growled.

  There was a slight pause before Jack Hawkins stepped out of the carriage and onto the ground. “If you cause her one second of grief,” she heard Benton say in the most threatening tone she’d ever heard from him, “I’ll use this pistol on you and not regret the bullet it took to run you off.”

  Jack Hawkins didn’t show any sign of defiance at Benton’s threat, but neither did he indicate submission. He simply seemed to take Benton’s warning at face value.

  Benton dismissed Hawkins with a curt nod, then turned to send Aunt Chloe’s driver on his way. Jack Hawkins stood there for a moment, then swiped the limp felt hat from his head and walked toward her.

  “Thank you, Miss,” he said when he reached her. “You have nothing to fear from me.”

  Jenna ignored Maggie’s unladylike snort and tried to smile. “I’m sure I don’t. Lady Rutherford wouldn’t have sent you if she thought you weren’t worth the risk your presence presents.”

  He seemed puzzled by what she said but the frown on his face quickly faded.

  The driver slapped his reins, and Aunt Chloe’s carriage followed the path back the way it had come.

  Jenna stood in the pre-dawn meadow and watched the carriage disappear from sight.

  “We’re going to have to hurry or the kitchen staff will be rising as we’re sneaking in the larder door,” Benton said, nodding his head in the direction of the manor.

  Jenna started back with Maggie at her side, while Benton and Jack Hawkins followed behind them.

  Jenna didn’t look back. She didn’t dare.

  For the first time since she’d made her rash decision to let him stay, she regretted it.

  . . .

  Jack tried to slow his racing heart as he followed Miss Kingston and her maid through the grove of trees that surrounded Kingston’s manor house on the east.

  So this was the chit that Shad was supposed to marry.

  Jack wanted to say his first impression of her warned him that she was somehow involved in Shad’s death. The guard. The gun. The suspicion that split the night. But he couldn’t say so with any degree of certainty. Not yet.

  His years of covert missions had honed his instincts, but the senses he’d relied on to keep him alive during the war seemed to fail him where she was concerned.

  One fact he was certain of, though. Even if she wasn’t directly involved in Shad’s murder, her father was. Shad had told him as much with his dying words. Jack hadn’t understood every word, but his brother’s warning had been plain. Shad had discovered something about Kingston that had gotten him killed.

  Now Jack wanted to know what the “something” was. And the answer to that was hidden somewhere inside Baron Kinston’s home.

  Discovering Miss Kingston’s connection to Lady Rutherford had been a stroke of luck. If he hadn’t spent so many cold, uncomfortable nights standing watch, he wouldn’t have seen the carriage arrive and Miss Kingston rush out to meet it. Only then did he see a window of opportunity and he took it.

  He’d devised the bogus attack on Lady Rutherford, and rescued her. She’d fallen into his trap with surprising ease. To repay him for saving her life, she’d offered to send him to her niece. She would train him as a valet or butler, in order to give him a new start in life. Everything had gone perfectly—until she nearly sent him back.

  For a moment he thought his plan was going to fail. Everything hinged on searching Kingston’s home, and when Miss Kingston ordered him back in the carriage, he thought all of his careful maneuvering had been for naught.

  He didn’t know why she’d had a change of heart, but the relief he’d felt was indescribable. Surely the reason Shad had been killed was filed away or even hidden somewhere inside the baron’s stone fortress.

  Jack wouldn’t rest until he discovered what that reason was.

  And Kingston paid.

  With his life.

  THE DEVIL’S GIFT by Laura Landon

  Chapter 3

  Jenna lay in bed and watched the rising sun brighten her room. She hadn’t been able to sleep at all after they’d returned last night.

  The usual routine was for her to escort the new girl to her quarters in the attic and help her settle in. It wasn’t unusual for the girls to be frightened when they arrived and Jenna did everything in her power to put them at ease.

  Most of them were very young, hardly more than children. Even though Aunt Chloe had rescu
ed them from a horrible existence, guaranteed to get worse as they grew older, it was the only life most of them had ever known. They were lonely and distressed, and although Jenna didn’t understand it, some even longed to go home.

  She often stayed with the youngest ones until they fell asleep to reassure them that they would come to no harm. But that rarely happened after the first night. Once the girls were bathed, dressed in the finest clothes most of them had ever worn and fed the best meal they’d ever dreamt of, they were so content they fell asleep with smiles on their faces the moment their heads hit the pillow.

  The peaceful expression she witnessed each time was reason enough for her to take the risks she did to save them.

  Jenna clasped her hand over her heart in an effort to keep it from leaping from her chest. She didn’t want to see if there was a look of contentment on Mr. Hawkins’ face. Nor had she been brave enough to make sure he got settled in properly. Benton showed him to his room. Benton was in charge of finding clothes that would fit him. And Benton was the one to inform him of the few rules he would be expected to follow.

  Poor Benton.

  Jenna would have smiled if the whole ordeal didn’t have such foreboding prospects. And if things took a dangerous turn, she would have no one to blame but herself.

  Jenna pushed the covers back from the bed and bolted from it. She rubbed her temples to ease the throbbing inside her head, then set about her morning ablutions.

  It was funny how much clearer she could think in the daylight. In the sunlight, every risk she was taking by letting him stay was vividly clear. But last night she couldn’t find the strength to send him back to London. Now the question remained: what was she going to do with him?

  Jenna finished her morning routine, then pressed a cool cloth to her face in hopes of banishing the dark circles beneath her eyes. Maggie usually arrived to help her dress, but Jenna dressed simply enough that she was able to attire herself on the mornings she rose before Maggie arrived.

  Jenna pulled a pale lavender gown from the burled wood armoire that held her wardrobe and slipped it over her head. She had just smoothed down the skirts when Maggie burst through the doorway.