by Rebecca King
Tahlia didn’t doubt that the man would do what he said he would do. His no-nonsense attitude would stop even Sayers’ men from finding out where they had gone. If they did, well, their search would go no further than this rather ramshackle little tavern in the middle of nowhere. She understood now why it had been chosen.
“Wait,” Connor murmured.
Tahlia looked at him. “What is it?”
The only sound that could be heard was the fading noise for the horse’s hooves on the road. When it had vanished without interruption and silence settled Connor nodded.
“Good,” he murmured, then let out a long, low whistle that sounded like an owl’s hoot.
Mercifully, Connor managed to stifle her scream when a man suddenly appeared beside her. Tall, huge in stature with jet black hair and dark eyes, he looked like the very Devil himself. He hadn’t made a sound; he had just appeared as swiftly and silently as the heavy smog that regularly encased London.
“Let me introduce you,” Connor said as he shook hands with the man. “This is Matthew, our contact.”
Matthew bowed politely as though they were at the grandest of balls.
“Good evening, ma’am. I believe you need a carriage home.”
Lost for words, Tahlia nodded jerkily and watched the white flash of Matthew’s teeth glisten in the darkness. She wasn’t reassured at all because he looked so sinister she felt he was likely to lunge for her throat.
“Hello,” she murmured politely, unsure what else to do.
To her amazement, he nodded to the woods behind them.
“Come on, let’s go,” he urged before he melted back into the darkness.
“Good Lord, does he always do that?” she whispered out of the side of her mouth as she cautiously tip-toed after him.
Connor snorted. “It’s our job.”
She looked down at Connor’s feet. Sure enough, neither of them made a sound as they began to make their way across the forest floor. Tahlia, meanwhile, made enough noise to wake the dead.
When an owl hooted a warning from high above, Connor conceded defeat and swung her into his arms.
“What are you doing?” she cried as she clung desperately to his shoulders.
“Stopping you from falling over,” he lied, relieved when she didn’t object. He was apt to do so, however, because now he couldn’t see his feet. But at least he could now listen out for anyone following them.
Tahlia was unnerved by the silence. How two grown men the size of Matthew and Connor could be so silent was beyond her comprehension. With nothing else to do, she studied what she could of their surroundings as they journeyed deeper into the woods. The more she looked at the darkness, the more she became aware of shadows flickering here and there that had nothing to do with the gentle swaying of the trees.
“It’s just woodland animals. Some of them come out at night to forage for food,” he assured her.
She nodded but didn’t take her eyes off the trees around them as walked for miles. When they did emerge into a small clearing, she gasped aloud when she saw Oscar and Cecily waiting for her, and wriggled until Connor had no choice but to put her down.
“Thank Heavens you are alright,” she gasped as she ran toward them.
Oscar hugged her hard and kissed the top of her head, and stood back when Cecily batted him out of the way so she could have a hug.
“Did you face any problems?” she demanded as Connor stepped forward to shake Oscar’s hand.
“Nope. We got followed for a while, but we managed to shake them off around Regent’s Park,” Cecily said proudly, her eyes wide with excitement.
Reg grunted and shook his head, which earned him a scowl from the maid. Unperturbed, the burly Star Elite man threw Connor a wry look.
“We got out,” he muttered, unsure whether he was still amused or horrified.
Connor suspected there was a story there, but didn’t push for details right now.
“I don’t know. Ben seemed to know what he was doing, and got us out of there. We weren’t shot at,” Oscar grunted. “At least we are free now, and can go home.”
Connor made the introductions to the new escorts.
“Cecily, you will now go with Jacob,” he advised.
“Isn’t Reg coming with us?” she cried, clearly horrified at the prospect of leaving him behind.
Reg shook his head in dismay, and glared at her.
“Of course I am coming,” he snapped. “There needs to be a driver and an escort for each carriage. I can’t drive all the way to Rutland on my own without stopping. I need sleep, you know.”
Happy again, Cecily nodded and fell silent.
Jacob stepped forward and waved her toward a waiting carriage before an argument could develop. He knew that look on Reg’s face, but wondered what the seemingly charming young woman had done to put his colleague out so much.
“Take care. We will see you back at home,” Tahlia said quietly.
She didn’t move as she watched Cecily clamber inside the vehicle. Reg sat on the coachman’s bench while Jacob sat on the footman’s seat at the back. Minutes later, they disappeared into the night.
Once it had disappeared, she turned her attention to Oscar, who was now standing beside a man called Ryan.
“Have a safe journey,” Oscar muttered. “If you get back before me tell Alice to get the ale out. After this, I need a stiff drink.”
Ryan grinned and tugged his hat low over his face as he waited for Oscar to climb aboard. Once he was inside, Ryan slammed the door and waved casually to everyone before Ben slapped the reins and they too began their journey.
“He is behaving like he is out for a Sunday afternoon drive,” Tahlia mused aloud.
“That’s because Ryan is probably the best carriage driver we have. There is no speed he won’t go, and no corner he can’t take at speed. If anyone can get Oscar home safe it will be Ryan,” Connor assured her.
“Excuse me,” a big, burly man piped up from beside them. It was clear from the joviality on his face when he looked sternly at Connor that he was teasing.
Connor grinned and winked at Tahlia. “This is the second best carriage driver we have. This is Andrew.”
“Ma’am, I am afraid your man can’t drive a carriage so Barnaby had to call in a professional to take you home. Please, climb aboard. If you promise to keep him inside and out of my way, I promise to get you home faster than Ryan can,” Andrew teased.
Connor chuckled as he lifted Tahlia into the carriage. Once inside, Tahlia took a seat and glanced at the interior in amazement. It was luxurious. The thickly padded seats were covered in the finest material she had ever felt. Two small lamps gave the inside a cosy glow that was just as inviting as the heavily laden basket of food. Overall, she could see no problem with having to spend the next several days somewhere like this.
“Do you want to take some of this food before we head off?” Tahlia called as she lifted the lid of the heavily laden basket and peered inside.
“No, thank you,” Andrew replied. “I have my own box up top.”
As soon as Connor was inside, Andrew slammed the door shut and leaned in through the window.
“I am not going to stop for anything. I hope to be able to get you two to Rutland sometime the day after tomorrow,” Andrew advised. He stood back and tapped the door. “Stay inside.”
Connor slid the window up and closed the shutter. Rather than settle back against the seat, he remained motionless while Andrew climbed up top and guided the carriage out of the woods.
“What about sleep? Surely he won’t try to drive all that way without getting some rest will he?” Tahlia was horrified at the thought.
“No. Matthew is coming with us. He will ride on the footman’s bench, and will swap with Andrew when he needs a rest.”
“What if he falls off?”
Connor burst out laughing. “These are men who usually get to nap standing upright. Both of them will hunker down and will remain with us, I don’t doubt.”
>
“How often do you do this sort of thing?” Tahlia asked curiously.
Now that she came to think about it, this was the first time she and Connor had been alone to really talk without hiding or being in danger. She was practically bursting with questions. So much so that she didn’t quite know where to start.
Connor did, though. As soon as they turned onto the main road, he tugged her out of her seat and settled her down beside him.
“Do you want something to eat?” he asked.
She shook her head. She wasn’t hungry right now, she was more curious.
Connor kissed the top of her head. “We are used to going long distances in dangerous conditions. Sometimes we have had to transport witnesses of crimes we have had to keep out of sight. It helps to be able to keep moving and have someone keep watch at all times. That way, the stop-overs we have to take are just to change horses. It can be done in less than ten minutes, and reduces the risk of the danger we are in. It has all been carefully planned so that we are not likely to meet any problems along the way. This carriage is black and almost identical to hundreds of carriages in use every day. Not only that, but the horses will change frequently, and so will the coachmen. Both Matthew and Andrew will use a box of disguises I am sure Andrew has stashed on the carriage here somewhere.”
“Dressed as what? How can you disguise a coachman?” Tahlia asked in astonishment. She was impressed, but didn’t believe it was really possible.
“Well, you have seen Andrew’s face. He has no disguise at the moment. Later, when daylight makes him visible, he will probably powder his hair grey with powders in a box under his seat. He can wear a scarf, a different hat, or put on a pair of spectacles. He can slouch low in his seat, change horses, and even smoke a pipe and nobody would link him to the Andrew who has just driven us out of the woods.”
Tahlia thought about that. It sounded like a life of wild, if incredibly dangerous, adventure. In contrast to that, her life in rural Rutland was quiet, filled with routine, and nowhere near as adventurous. She began to doubt that Connor would be able to bear it.
“What’s wrong?” he murmured when she sat upright and began to study the floor with a frown.
She shrugged. “I can’t compete with this kind of life,” she whispered.
“What, you can provide me with a place to call home, wonderfully warm meals, a delightful son to play with, and a loving wife to share my bed with.” He pursed his lips thoughtfully. “In return, I have to give up standing outside in the cold, mostly in the dark, watching strangers go about their lives and commit crime. If I must give in being shot at, threatened with knives, and chased through unfamiliar streets by someone out to kill me then I suppose I must. I hate to say it, my dear-”
“What?” she prompted when he lapsed into thoughtful silence.
“You are stuck with me.” His smile began to grow.
“Well, when you put it like that, I suppose I might be the better end of the deal,” she began with a mock frown.
Suddenly, the carriage bounced into a deep hole in the road and nearly jostled Tahlia right out of her seat.
Connor sighed and drew her across his lap before he swung her legs up onto the seat. Rather than join her, he blew out the lantern on the opposite side of the carriage. He smiled at her. There was a hint of lechery in his eye that told her exactly what he was thinking.
Her own smile grew when he dropped his jacket onto the floor and tugged his shirt over his head. She eyed his hair-smattered chest and sighed when he settled down over her.
Tahlia peered at him through the darkness.
“What are you doing?” she whispered as she watched him open the shutter and blow out the second lantern.
“Protecting you,” he murmured as he began to unlace her corsets. “It’s my job.”
She laughed. “You are very dedicated.”
She could see his grin widen even in the darkness. It elicited a thrill from within her that seemed to come from her very soul.
“I am with the Star Elite. We are very dedicated,” he assured her. “I need to save you from harm and protect you with my life if need be. I am afraid, though that I am going to have to demand your full co-operation.”
“Uh-ho,” she murmured as she ran her hands lovingly down his back. “As long as I have your exclusive attention.”
“For always,” he whispered, and set about proving to her just how dedicated he was.
One week later
Tahlia waved as the carriage pulled away. Her smile was wide and her love for the man beside her pure as she watched Andrew and Matthew disappear out of the end of the road.
“Are you sure they shouldn’t have stayed with us for a while?” she asked.
Connor shook his head.
“They need to get back to London, darling,” he assured her. “They will stop off somewhere when they need to take a break. Their job is done for now, so they can meander their way down south and take several days’ break while they do it. They will be fine.”
Tahlia smiled at him.
“Come on,” she replied, eager to get inside. “Let’s go and find Joseph.”
Connor nodded but paused beside the front gate long enough to study the large, two-story Jacobean house before him. It was nothing short of beautiful. Its understated elegance fit well in the surrounding hillside, which was so peaceful that he sighed in delight at being able to gaze over it and call it home.
Uncharacteristically, he was nervous as he stepped cautiously across the threshold. Over the past several days he and Tahlia had spent hour upon hour talking about everything; their past, their hopes for the future, their likes and dislikes. He was now confident that there was nothing about her he would ever find troubling in any way, and she certainly had accepted what he did with the Star Elite.
She not only accepted it, she understood it. That was so vitally important when it came to the unpredictability of his work.
He loved her now more than ever. Being able to meet his son for the first time just completed his life. The only slight shadow that hovered over his happiness was whether he was cut out to be a father. It was all so very alien to him that he felt that he would much rather face an alley full of angry cut-throats than a two foot tyrant.
Tahlia took one look at his face and wondered if he was going to find an excuse to leave. She shook her head and walked toward him.
“He isn’t going to bite you,” she assured him. “Come on. He is around here somewhere.”
“You are here,” Cecily cried as soon as Tahlia pushed open the door to the kitchen. Inside, Oscar was already seated beside the fire with his ale in his hand. “Are we glad to see you,” he declared fervently as he shook Connor’s hand.
“You took your time getting here,” Cecily remarked. “We both arrived hours ago.”
Tahlia smiled secretively at Connor. “We took a detour along the way.”
Connor scratched the back of his head. While Tahlia talked, Connor scanned the lower regions of the kitchen. He didn’t know quite what he expected, but it wasn’t the cherubic little boy who peeped out at him from beneath the kitchen table.
Tahlia is right. He looks just like me Connor mused in wonder as he knelt down on the floor and peeped back at the little boy.
The resultant giggle was high-pitched and accompanied by a grinning face which peeked out at him again.
“Hello,” Connor murmured softly.
Joseph peeped out again. At that moment he saw his mother.
“Mama!” The excited squeal shattered the peace before Tahlia even took a step toward him.
Connor watched Tahlia drop to the floor and open her arms, and promptly fall onto her bottom when the tiny tornado threw himself at her and wrapped her in a tight hug.
“Mama, mama, mama,” Joseph chanted over and over as he smacked sloppy kisses on her cheek.
His chubby arms were so tight around her neck that Tahlia struggled to breathe, but she didn’t care. Tears gathered on her lashes as she he
ld her son for the first time in what felt like a decade.
She, Connor, and her baby were all safe, and that was all that mattered. For the first time since she had left she began to relax.
Connor’s heart felt so full that he could barely breathe. He couldn’t tear his gaze away, and slid closer until he placed a hand on Tahlia’s back. Lost for words, he leaned as close to his son as he dared without scaring him, amazed that such a wonderful, tiny human being was his.
Joseph suddenly peered up at him, and gave Connor such a wide, beaming grin that he melted, and knew he was sunk – hook, line, and sinker, completely lost to his son.
Joseph patted his mummy’s cheek and pointed at Connor. “Who dat?”
“That’s daddy,” Tahlia whispered, too choked to say much more.
She threw a wobbly smile at Alice, whose audible gasp was loud as she stopped to stare at them in shock.
“Dada,” Joseph murmured as he studied Connor with a frown. “Dats Dada.”
Connor held a hand up to touch the little boy hair, or back, or any part of him his son would allow, but then Joseph captured his fingers and clung to them tightly with his chubby fist.
“Do I get a hug?” he asked shakily.
He laughed out loud when, to his stunned surprise, Joseph threw himself at him. Connor held him tightly, savouring the feel of the wonderful wriggling little boy in his arms. His son. His child.
“Thank you,” he mouthed to Tahlia over the boy’s head.
“Melly,” Joseph frowned. “You melly.”
“Smelly,” Tahlia corrected. “We have been a bit busy.”
“You tay now,” Joseph ordered Tahlia. He turned to Connor and looked at him. “You tay now.”
“Yes, we are staying now,” Connor whispered.
Wild horses couldn’t drag him away. He knew now that leaving London three years ago had been the worst decision of his life. He had not only cost himself three years without Tahlia, but he had missed out on so much of his son that there suddenly weren’t enough hours in the day to make up for it all.