The Cracksman's Kiss

by Killarney Sheffield

The earl shrugged, not even pretending sorrow. “And the child?”

  Cohen glared at him. “My son is hidden away where you will never get your vile hands on him.”

  Lord Everton shook his head. “You nick ninny, you did me a favor. Hand over your merry-begotten and I will let you go.”

  Cohen snorted. “Like hell you will, the moment you have your hands on the boy you will put a bullet in my head.”

  The earl looked over his shoulder. “Bernard, take these two down to the river. Kill them anyway you like, and leave their bodies for the fish.”

  Auggie peered at Cohen from the corner of his eye as Bernard motioned for them to exit the room. He picked up on the silent signal Cohen sent and walked ahead of him to the door. When he drew level with Bernard he reacted, grabbing the barrel of the gun and wrenching it from the startled butler’s hands. By the time he swung the weapon on the man, Cohen’s arm was wrapped around the earl’s neck.

  “I believe if I were to feed your scrawny carcass to the fish they would spit you back out,” Cohen growled with a triumphant look.

  The butler looked back and forth between Auggie and Cohen.

  “Do not do it,” Auggie warned.

  “Now, as I see it, Everton, you have a choice. You can give me the satchel and let us go on our way, or we can call the constables to sort all this out. I think they would be very interested in how you got all those stolen jewels.”

  The earl glared at Auggie, his eyes almost bulging from their sockets as Cohen tightened his grip. He wheezed and nodded.

  Cohen released him. The earl rubbed his neck and glared at him. “If you ever set foot in England again, you son of a dockside whore, I will see you suffer an agonizingly slow death,” the earl croaked.

  “I have no reason to stay in England.” Cohen reached for the satchel on the desk.

  At the same time Bernard, drove his shoulder into Auggie knocking him off balance. Auggie tumbled backward as the gun went off. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed the earl wield his cane at Cohen’s head. He crashed to the floor, his attention shifting back to Bernard as they fought for control of the gun. The butler was a match for him in strength and size. They rolled back and forth along the floor, each trying to get purchase against the other.

  Auggie glanced up in time to see the steel glint of the knife tip attached to the end of the earl’s cane catch Cohen’s arm. The fabric rent and blood seeped through the dangling cloth of Cohen’s coat. His face took on a pained look, mixed with anger, as he jumped back out of reach of the vicious blade. The earl swept the cane back across the top of the desk in an attempt to deliver another savage attack. This time it caught air, and then the base of the candle on the desk. It toppled over igniting the papers on the top.

  Auggie grunted and forced the barrel of the gun up under Bernard’s chin as the flames grew, engulfing the drapes on the windows. Thick smoke billowed into the air as the flames licked their way up the wall to the ceiling. Breaking the butler’s hold, he flopped on top of the man, driving his fist into the butler’s jaw. The man’s eyes rolled into the back of his head. Panting and exhausted, Auggie pushed off the man. He looked toward the desk in time to see the earl slash at Cohen again. The tip of the blade left a bloody trail across his collarbone, and then impaled itself into the chair behind. The earl tried to jerk the blade free as Cohen stumbled around to the other side of the desk. Before he could loosen his weapon, the heavy iron rod holding the flaming curtains fell from its purchase on the wall, hitting the earl in the head. He crumpled to the ground, and his body was consumed in flames.

  Auggie lurched to his feet. “Cohen! Let’s get out of here!”

  Cohen shook his head. “We have to get them out,” he yelled over the roar of the flames.

  Grabbing the butler by the ankles, Auggie dragged him through the fire to the glass doors, kicked them open, and pulled the unconscious man out onto the veranda. He looked back, coughing and choking. Where is Cohen? A moment later Cohen stumbled through the door, dragging the earl’s charred body behind him. He collapsed on the floor, gagging and coughing. Auggie hurried to the earl. One look at the elderly man told him he was already dead. Lifeless eyes stared back at him from the blackened face. Auggie tossed his tartan over the smoking remains. Fire bells clanged nearby, letting it be known the blaze was spotted and help was on the way. Servants hurried from the house and gathered on the lawn.

  The butler moaned, and then coughed. He sat up and rubbed his jaw, his eyes widening as he took in the flames crawling along the outer wall. “His lordship!”

  Auggie held the man as he sought to scramble back into the carnage. “It is too late, your employer is dead.”

  “What about the safe?” The man struggled, his eyes wild.

  “The safe is made of iron, it should survive the fire.” Auggie assured him. “Why?”

  The butler bowed his head. “The earl’s will is in there. He left everything to me. I served him for years, doing things I would rather not remember because he was going to leave everything to me. I ordered Ashton’s ship sunk. I wanted to make sure Kassie and the child she was not supposed to have would not inherit what is mine.”

  Cohen fixed the servant with an incredulous stare. “You tried to kill us?”

  The servant nodded. “The potion was supposed to keep her from getting with child.”

  Auggie grabbed the man by his shirt front. “What about my father and sister? Did ye cause their deaths, too?”

  The butler shook his head. “Nay! I did not. I swear on my mother’s grave, but I know the men who did.”

  The clanging bells grew louder as the fire wagons rolled onto the lawn. Fire boys jumped from the horse-drawn contraptions and began to work the hand pumps to spray the water.

  The constables hurried forward. “What happened here?”

  Auggie shoved the butler into his arms. “It is a long story best told over a bottle of port,” he said with a grim shake of his head. He eyed the blood dripping from Cohen’s arm. “And after my friend here gets some stitches.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  “Emmie, I really do not feel up to a social engagement yet.” Kassie hurried from the milliner’s shop with Emily in tow.

  Emily smiled as the footman handed her up into the carriage. She waited until they were both seated and their packages stored before answering. “Nonsense, you cannot hide away in the house any longer. It has been two months since my brother’s death. You have to get on with your life—you owe it to Cohen and Lucca.”

  Kassie sighed and glanced out the window. “What about keeping a low profile?”

  “Everyone believes you are Cohen’s widow and, therefore, a French citizen.”

  “I just do not fit into the social scene, nor do I wish, too.” Kassie frowned at Cohen’s sister. “I never did.”

  “Come on, you know young Mr. Jacquie is quite smitten with you. You could do worse, you know. I hear he has a very promising up and coming career in politics.”

  Kassie shrugged. “I would rather die an old maid than marry again. Besides, I doubt Mr. Jacquie would wait seven years to marry me.”

  Emily sighed. “I suppose you are right.” Her eyes brightened. “Why not? Auggie has been courting me for five years. He says he wants to earn his fortune before he asks Devon for my hand.”

  Kassie bit her lip and looked out the window as the carriage topped the rise above Ashton Castle. Poor Emily did not know of Auggie’s promise to Cohen. It was time she struck out on her own. It would not do for her to allow him to marry her when faithful Emily waited all these years. Emily was her friend, the last thing she wanted to do was hurt the woman. As the carriage rolled down the incline and through the gates to the castle, Kassie made up her mind to leave.

  “So? Will you come with us to the opera tonight?”

  Kassie shook her head with a small smile. “Not tonight, perhaps next time, Emmie.”

  The carriage rolled to a stop and a footman rushed to help them down. Kassie headed to
her room. She was relieved to find her maid not in attendance. Tossing her reticule on the dressing table, she crossed to the bed. The oriental box sat on the bedside table. She picked it up, flipping the lid open. Still inside was the sack of coins Auggie gave her before he left. There was more than enough to set her up in a small house and meet her needs until she found a job.

  Tucking the money back into the box, she turned and pulled a large satchel from the wardrobe. One by one she packed her clothes, keepsakes, and accessories into it. By the time the maid showed up to help her dress for dinner, everything she wanted to take with her was packed and stowed away beneath the bed. After she dressed, she made her way to the dining room. The room was in its usual uproar.

  Little William broke away from his nursemaid when he spied her and flung himself against her skirts, howling to be picked up. Kassie’s heart pinched, but she scooped Melissa’s youngest child up into her arms. She cuddled him for a moment before she handed him back to the nursemaid. Would she ever get over the pain of cuddling another’s child?

  Melissa smiled at her, her eyes sad and apologetic.

  They all pity me. Hiding her feelings, she took her seat. She would miss this, the noise, the camaraderie, but it was time to go. She sat through the meal, answering when she was questioned, but not volunteering any conversation of her own. When the time came for the ladies to retire to the parlor, she made her excuses and went to her room. She would wait until they left for the opera and make her way to the docks of Marseilles where she would find a ship to take her … somewhere.

  It was well past dark when Kassie purchased passage on a mail coach bound for Bordeaux. Traveling by coach was preferable to braving the waves of seasickness that would surely result from a voyage by ship. After handing her satchel to the coachman, she climbed aboard. She squeezed into the seat between an enormously fat lady of apparent gentle breeding and a low class man who reeked of gin. The man across from her gave her a sweaty nod. She glanced at the other two beside him. The older man by the window was snoring and a young boy of about eight sat between the two. She smiled at the boy who stared back at her. He blinked, and then turned his attention out the window as the coach lurched into motion. The drunken man flopped against her, his stale breath washing over her.

  Gasping, she covered her nose with her handkerchief. Perhaps the ship would have been better. The coach raced through the darkness, leaving Kassie with little else to do but think or sleep, the latter being uncomfortable and not without risk. She shifted the drunken man toward the window and clutched her reticule. Auggie’s money would enable her to rent decent lodgings for a month or two, in which time she hoped she could find a job.

  She peeked at the young boy from under lowered lids. His eyes were closed and she couldn’t tell if he was sleeping or not. The older man beside him shifted before opening his eyes. He glanced at her and reached into the case at his feet, pulling out a napkin-wrapped package and a canteen. With a smile he folded back the linen to expose a couple of biscuits loaded with ham and cheese. He held out one to her with a friendly smile. When her stomach gurgled his smile widened into a grin.

  Kassie reached for a sandwich. “Thank you, sir.”

  He nodded. “Monsieur LeBonnet.”

  They ate in silence for a moment. When she was finished with her meal, he passed her his canteen. She drew the cork and tasted the sweet elderberry wine within. After a couple of sips, she handed it back with a smile of thanks.

  He took a long drink, and then put the lid back on and placed it back into the case at his feet. “My wife made the wine. It is good, oui?”

  Kassie smiled and nodded.

  He smiled again. “What are you doing out on your own at this time of night?”

  “I am going to Bordeaux.” She glanced around the coach, but the other occupants were fast asleep. “I am hoping to find a position there.”

  The man nodded as if he did not find a woman alone seeking employment at all unusual. “I am from Bordeaux. What kind of position are you looking for, Mademoiselle?”

  “I have helped my father keep the books for the parish since I was old enough to read and write.”

  He nodded. “I see. As it happens, I am in need of a bookkeeper for my investing house.”

  Kassie regarded him through narrowed eyes. Was he a lecher, or did he, in fact, need someone to help as he proclaimed? He smiled again and handed her his card. She glanced at the header. He did own an investment company.

  “I can offer you thirty guineas a month.”

  “Thank you, Monsieur. I will gladly accept your offer.” Kassie tucked the card in her reticule. Here she was, not a full day yet on her own, and she had already found employment.

  She closed her eyes. I will be fine.

  * * * *

  Cohen left his luggage at the docks and rented a horse to take him home. His eagerness to see Kassie made him too impatient to sit idle in a coach. He shifted the tartan he borrowed from

  Auggie that now held Lucca and leaned forward to urge the horse faster.

  “Slow down, Cohen!”

  He glanced over his shoulder at the Scotsman. The big man’s horse struggled to keep pace with his. He tightened the reins and slowed his mount to an easy lope.

  Auggie caught up. “The lass will still be there when ye get home.”

  Cohen cast him a sheepish smile. “I cannot wait for her to see Lucca, alive and well.” He looked back up the road as his home came into view. They clattered along the cobblestone drive and up to the steps. Cohen leaped from the horse as soon as it stopped and tossed the reins to a startled gardener. He took the steps, two at a time.

  “Cohen.”

  He paused with his hand on the knob and looked back at his friend.

  Auggie pinned him with a solemn look. “Use caution, Cohen, remember they all think yer dead.”

  Cohen nodded and opened the door. His footsteps echoed as he crossed the empty foyer. He stopped and looked around. Where was everyone? A door opened, voices drifting down the hall from the family parlor. Turning on his heel he headed down the corridor. He stepped across the parlor threshold and scanned the room. Emily sat on the settee, wringing her hands; Penny and Clare beside her, patting her shoulders. Devon and Raoul stood by the fire with their backs to him. The other women stood in the middle of the room, huddled in serious conversation.

  There was never a dull moment in the Ashton household. He grinned and cleared his throat. One by one, nine pairs of eyes focused on him, and then widened in disbelief. Emily turned paler, if that was possible; Penny and Clare gasped in unison and everyone else just stared.

  He chuckled. “Is anyone going to welcome me home?”

  Melissa let out a shriek and bolted into his arms. “Cohen? Oh, Cohen, is it really you?”

  He wrapped his arms around her, careful not to squish Lucca as Devon and Raoul crossed the room and slapped him on the back. “Yes Mel, it is really me.” He disengaged her arms as the others came to hug him.

  Emily smiled and reached up to stroke his cheek as if to prove to herself he really was flesh and blood, not a ghost. “Auggie said you were dead.” He smiled and placed a light kiss on the top of her head.

  “I thought Auggie and Kassie were dead, too.” Lucca let out a thin cry and Cohen lifted him out of the makeshift sling. “As you can all see, I am very much alive. This is my son, Lucca.”

  Auggie entered the room and Emily threw herself into his arms. “Dear Auggie, you brought our Cohen back home to us.”

  Auggie’s face turned red but he laughed. “We found each other.”

  Cohen smiled and hugged Devon. “Where is Kassie?”

  The joyous tone of the room sobered. Devon dropped his gaze to the carpet, and Emily looked as if she was about to cry.

  Finally, Penny spoke. “She is gone, Cohen.”

  He stared at her in confusion. “Gone? What do you mean? Where did she go?”

  Devon placed his hand on Cohen’s shoulder. “I am sorry, brother, Kassie
ran away last night.”

  “Why?” Cohen shook his head, trying to make sense of their words.

  Emily sighed as tears rolled down her cheeks. “I guess she was ready to go. She thought you and Lucca were dead. I told her someone would wait for her if they really loved her like I have been waiting for Auggie. I guess she did not believe me.”

  Auggie groaned. “I told her I would wait until the earl declared her dead then I would marry her to keep my promise to Cohen.” He glanced down at Emily. “I’m sorry, I should ‘ave told ye. I only made the promise to ease her mind. I was sure she would find someone else before long. I suspect she left when she found out ye had feelings for me, Emmie. She would not ‘ave wanted to steal me away and hurt ye.”

  “Where would she go?” Cohen looked down at Lucca, gurgling in his arms.

  Penny took the baby from him as Devon squeezed his shoulder. “Raoul and I have scoured Marseilles, but there is no sign of her.”

  Cohen shook his head. “I was going to marry her. Everton is dead, she is free to marry…” His voice grew so thick with anguish that he could not continue.

  Devon sighed. “We will find her little brother, I promise.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Kassie sighed and closed the ledger book. After rubbing her tired eyes she looked at the clock. Another day done. Pushing herself off the stool, she plucked her shawl from the chair and headed for the office in the back. She poked her head around the door. “Au revoir, Monsieur LeBonnet.”

  The older man looked up from his legal book and smiled. “Au revoir, Madame Everton. Have a grand day off.”

  She took her usual route home along the boardwalk of the sleepy seaside town of Rochefort. The baker waved to her as she passed and she waved back. It is a nice town. Everyone is friendly and helpful. She nodded to the cobbler’s wife, Antoinette. A little over six weeks since Kassie’s arrival, yet it was as if she had lived here all her life.

  Young Basille Montonee stepped from his shop of fine silks and fell into step with her as was his habit of late. “Bon soir, Mademoiselle Everton.”