Noble Scoundrel (Peril & Persuasion Book 1)

by Amy Sandas

  Though she chose not to pry, she did try to interest him in the things he typically enjoyed. The puzzles and mazes he used to spend days creating. The books on historical military strategy they would discuss in heated debate. Or any of the dozens of mechanical blueprints he’d been working on in the last couple years.

  Unfortunately, nothing managed to trigger the same spark of inspiration and excitement she used to see so frequently in his gaze.

  At breakfast one morning more than a week after bringing Frederick safely home, she finally came up with something she hoped might shake her brother out of his malaise. “Let’s go out today.”

  He lifted his head abruptly, one black brow arching. “Out?”

  Katherine smiled at his surprise. Had they truly become such recluses, then?

  “Yes. Out. The sun is momentarily shining and the day could prove to be rather lovely. I am desperately in need of some fresh air and I want to explore a bit of the city.”

  Frederick sat straighter in his chair as he slowly set his fork down on his plate. “Where are you thinking you’d like to go?”

  Katherine hesitated. She actually hadn’t thought that far ahead. “We could go for a stroll through St. James Park, I suppose, and there is a little shopping I could do. I understand there are several bookstores that carry rare books. I would love to see if we can find some treasures.”

  As she spoke, she could see her brother’s expression lightening as his thoughts turned toward the possibilities ahead. When he smiled, she felt a rush of hope and confidence. Her brother would be fine. The Blackwells would be fine. They just needed time and something new to focus on.

  Several hours later, Katherine and Frederick sat outside a small café eating Italian ices.

  They’d been all around St James Park, which was everything she’d expected it to be. Fashionable people strolled along well-maintained paths, and children romped and played beneath the watchful gazes of their nurses. Being amongst such vivid greenery was a refreshing change from the brick and mortar that made up so much of the city.

  They’d also had an opportunity to explore the British Museum, where they perused wonderful exhibits of all sorts. Apparently, the museum contained a special reading room where gentlemen could review curious manuscripts, but only upon prior approval from a committee. Katherine was instantly intrigued then frustrated to learn that, as a woman, she would not be allowed access to such a space.

  After the museum, they’d gone to Bond Street, where Katherine made a few purchases for herself and several more for Frederick, who was continually outgrowing his wardrobe. Then they made their way to a wonderful bookshop, where they spent more than an hour exclaiming over rare and unexpected finds.

  After loading their many purchases into their carriage, which was waiting at the end of the block to take them home, they decided to enjoy a moment of rest and a sweet treat.

  Based on her brother’s relaxed posture as he lounged in his chair with his lanky limbs and slightly tousled hair and the open expression on his face, Katherine declared the day a success.

  If she’d happened to notice a few judgmental glances here and there, Katherine had simply ignored them. She was aware that an unmarried woman and an underaged child were expected to be accompanied by some sort of chaperone while on an outing about town. But they’d never had to worry about such things in the country, and the idea that the presence of a maid somehow made their activities more proper in the eyes of society seemed rather ridiculous.

  Besides, the opinions of strangers were not her concern. All that mattered was Frederick’s happiness.

  Though visiting the tailor had not been a favorite task, her brother had clearly enjoyed seeing new areas of London; his sharp gaze had never ceased soaking up every detail surrounding them. And Katherine had been surprised to find a great deal of beauty in the city she had previously judged to be too full of stone and brick to hold anything aesthetically pleasing.

  She was happy to admit she had been proven wrong in her initial impression. There was certain unique loveliness in the harmony that existed within the chaos of the bustling metropolis. Even here, sitting at a small table not far from the traffic on the street before them and the constant rush of pedestrians on the sidewalk between, she could practically feel the energetic flow of movement and activity.

  So many people going about their day, attending to business or pleasure or a bit of both, nodding to passersby or shouting for a passing hackney cab. There were children skipping alongside their mothers and ladies briskly walking their small dogs with their maids in tow. Gentlemen gathered in groups or strolled solo...

  Or stood still and silent in the shadows of an alley.

  Unease pricked at her nape as she caught sight of the gentleman across the street. He was around thirty years in age, and his black hair was combed back from a handsome though slightly angular face further shadowed by a silk top hat. Even at a distance, there was no mistaking the fine cut and rich materials of his clothing. Despite the way he leaned with elegant nonchalance against the side of a building, his stare was bold and appeared to be intently focused in their direction.

  A chill slid down her spine and she narrowed her gaze. Was he watching them?

  She got the strangest feeling she should know who he was, but she could not place him as anyone she’d met, recently or in years past.

  “So, where shall we go tomorrow?”

  “Tomorrow?” Katherine glanced at her brother as he spooned lemon ice into his mouth. “I don’t know.”

  When she looked back across the street, the stranger was gone. She glanced around for a black greatcoat and top hat, but saw no sign of him.

  “We could go to Vauxhall Gardens or a theater performance,” Frederick suggested brightly.

  Drawn in by her brother’s excitement for their next adventure, Katherine soon forgot about the oddly intense stranger. A short while later, they returned to their waiting carriage to begin the drive home.

  Being late afternoon, the streets were crowded with traffic. Katherine settled into the seat and pulled the hat pins free of her bonnet so she could remove the cumbersome head-covering. She’d rarely gone about in a bonnet while in Lincolnshire, and she was having a hard time getting accustomed to the discomfort of sharp pins digging into her scalp and tugging on her hair.

  With a sigh, she settled the bonnet in her lap then tossed Frederick a contented grin. “I would say today ended up being rather lovely.”

  Her brother’s mouth tilted in a way that was wholly uncharacteristic of him, yet was oddly similar to one of Hale’s amused grins. “You sound like you expected to hate it.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I didn’t think I’d hate the day...just London, perhaps.”

  “And what are your thoughts on the city now?”

  Before Katherine could answer, another vehicle passed precariously close, causing their carriage to sway and shake.

  With a smirk of her own, she replied, “I can’t say I love the traffic, but I might—”

  Katherine’s words were cut off as their carriage veered sharply before being righted again in a violent, swerving maneuver that sent their packages tumbling to the floor in a chaotic heap. Katherine fared no better as she was thrown against the door. Unfortunately—or not—she’d also managed to crush her bonnet beneath her. If not for their driver’s skill, she suspected their carriage could have ended up on its side.

  “Kit, are you all right?” Frederick’s face was tense as he reached out to help her recover her seating.

  Before she could assure him, something hit the side of their vehicle hard enough for the wood to crack loudly as the carriage came to a hard stop. Their coachman shouted a strident accusation. And then nothing.

  Katherine scooted forward. “Perhaps I should see if all is well.”

  She was halted by Frederick’s tightening grip on her hand a bare moment before the door on his side of the cab flew open and a large man dressed in an ill-fitted brown coat and a hat with a w
ide, shadowing brim climbed in.

  “Pardon me,” Katherine blurted in surprise. But the man ignored her, and the carriage started off again before he even got the door shut behind him. Kicking the packages aside, he took a seat across from them. Bleary eyes stared out from beneath the ill-shapen hat as the acrid scent of brine and woodsmoke filled the enclosed space.

  “You’ve made an error, sir. This is a private carriage,” Katherine stated as she knocked on the roof of the vehicle to signal their driver to stop.

  But the vehicle didn’t stop. In fact, it seemed to pick up speed. And the new passenger didn’t appear the slightest bit concerned by her words.

  “What’s going on here?”

  The man’s grey eyes slid over her. “Shut yer trap or I’ll shut it for ye. Ye’ll find out what’s what soon enough.”

  Going red at his insulting response, Katherine opened her mouth to tell him exactly what she thought of his manner but was stopped by the rather tight squeeze of Frederick’s hand on hers. She glanced at him to see that he was staring intently at something. Following his gaze, she noticed the pistol stuffed into the man’s breeches. Extending her perusal, she also noted the handle of a rather large knife sticking out of the man’s boot.

  What on earth was going on?

  Though her heart was suddenly racing, she was relieved to see a certain calm focus in her brother’s expression. It was a mien she knew well and it reminded her that they’d be far better served by keeping their wits.

  Their vehicle careened around a corner, taking the turn way too fast. All three of them were tossed to the side before being able to right themselves. The jostling shoved the pistol a bit farther into the man’s breeches. He’d have a hard time withdrawing it if he needed to do so quickly. The swift turn also caused the hatpin from her ruined bonnet to jab sharply into her thigh.

  She dropped her hand to cover the sharp little tool. Not completely unarmed any longer. A hatpin was clearly useless against a gun or a knife, but it was sharp enough to draw blood with a biting sting that might create a moment of distraction. Under the right circumstances, it could be useful.

  To draw focus away from the movements of her hand as she tried to free the hatpin from her bonnet, Katherine spoke again in an intentionally haughty tone. “Where are you taking us?”

  Craggy features twisted into a grimace as the man pulled the long knife from his boot to rest it across his thigh. He flicked a broad thumb against the blade as he replied with heavy menace, “I said shut it.”

  His response, though threatening enough, didn’t bother her as much as it probably should have. His little show of intimidation had allowed her the opportunity to the get the hatpin clasped in her fist and tucked beneath the fall of her skirts.

  Keeping her mouth closed for the moment, she considered possible options for escape.

  The man across from them had at least two weapons she could see. Though the gun was no longer going to be easy to access, the knife was going to be a problem. Their coachman had likely been replaced by an accomplice who was currently driving their carriage at a reckless speed through very heavy traffic.

  Their only advantage was the fact that, within the carriage, it was the two of them against the one man. Any planned attack and escape had to happen quickly and efficiently, before the driver could join in and overpower them.

  Frederick’s quick and subtle squeeze of her hand drew her attention once again. His gaze flickered to the door next to her. It had been damaged either when she’d been thrown against it or in the subsequent collision and now was barely latched and hung by only one hinge. It wouldn’t take much force at all to shove it open and leap free. But the vehicle would have to be slowed to a near stop to prevent severe injury from a tumble to the street. And even if she managed to escape in such a manner, there would never be enough time for Frederick to follow before their captor responded.

  She gave a small shake of her head. She had no intention of attempting a plan that did not free them both.

  The flash of frustration in her brother’s eyes might have made her smile if they weren’t in such a dire situation.

  Maybe the hatpin would be enough to momentarily immobilize or hinder their captor so she and Frederick would both have time to escape.

  Before she could consider it further, the carriage began to slow.

  The man across from them pounded his fist on the wall. “Get it moving.” The driver’s response was indecipherable, but the anger in his voice was evident. With a muttered curse, their unwelcome passenger shifted his weight to lean forward and peer out Katherine’s window. The new position brought his knife temptingly within reach. “Blasted idiots,” the man grumbled in irritation.

  Glancing aside at Frederick, she noted his gaze flying swiftly from the loosened door within inches of the man balanced at the edge of his seat to the opposite door on his side.

  Katherine’s eyes widened in understanding. The siblings’ gazes locked for a bare moment as they took a deep breath in unison.

  Then with a tight nod, Katherine initiated their unspoken plan.

  Energy rushed through her as she stabbed her hatpin into the man’s hand, causing him to shout a curse and drop the knife, which she quickly kicked to the other side of the carriage. At the exact same moment, Frederick braced his back against the opposite wall and shoved the flat of his boot against the man’s back. The carriage door did nothing to stop him from tumbling out of the carriage and disappearing into the passing traffic.

  Frederick had already thrown open the opposite door and braced himself in the opening as he looked over his shoulder to ensure she was following.

  “Now, Frederick!” she shouted.

  Gratefully, he did as she ordered without further hesitation. The vehicle was still moving, but at a much slower pace, and she watched in relief as he leapt easily to the cobblestone. Grasping her long skirts in both hands, Katherine prepared to follow.

  But the man they’d ejected had gotten back to the vehicle and was scrambling in from the other side. He swiped a meaty hand and grasped a fistful of her skirt just as she made the leap. Though she managed to pull free, his halting grip and sudden release was enough to send her careening forward into a passing cart. She tumbled hard to the street, twisting her ankle and landing on her side with a jarring force that cleared her breath. A horse coming up from behind barely managed to avoid trampling her, but his hoof caught her shoulder with a sharp kick.

  Pain exploded, rushing hot to her fingertips as her arm went limp. She had only a moment to suck in a swift breath before Frederick was there, hauling her up. “We’ve got to hurry, Kit. They’re coming.”

  Clenching her teeth against the numb heat flowing down her arm, she glanced back to see that their carriage had come to a full stop. Their would-be abductor’s accomplice—a small fellow with grey hair that brushed his shoulders and a cigar clamped in his teeth—leapt to the ground, his eyes on them as the other man pulled himself from the vehicle.

  Both men started toward them with murder in their gazes.

  Cradling her useless arm across her middle, Katherine stuck close on Frederick’s heels as he wove in and out of the gathering traffic. With the unmanned carriage now creating an obstruction, the thoroughfare was growing even more congested, which worked perfectly in their favor. Within moments, they managed to duck out of sight into a shadowed alleyway. Still they didn’t slow or pause as they twisted and turned along narrow lanes, around ramshackle buildings and darkened dens, leaving the teeming street—and hopefully their captors—far behind. Frederick led the way with a steady pace and unwavering confidence, as though he could sense what might be around each corner.

  When they had finally gone a significant distance with no sign of pursuit for quite a while, Katherine came to a stop, leaning back against a soot-covered brick wall to catch her breath. Her hair had long ago tumbled from its pins, and she pushed the thick, tangled mess away from her damp face.

  Somehow, they’d managed to go d
eep into the warrens of alleyways and back lanes without being stopped. She had not been oblivious to the sharp and curious gazes that followed their passing. The city was rife with pickpockets and other such cads and thieves who wouldn’t think twice of taking advantage of their obvious vulnerability. Their luck might not hold much longer.

  “We lost them, Frederick. If we continue on, we’re just going to get more and more lost.”

  Her brother looked back over his shoulder, concern evident on his expression. Then he jogged ahead to the next corner and took a moment to scan the surroundings before running back to her spot against the wall. “I know where we are.”

  Katherine gave a short laugh of disbelief as she rested her head back against the wall and heaved a sigh. “How could you possibly? We’re nowhere near Mayfair.”

  He gently took the hand of her uninjured arm and gave a little tug. “I know. Come on.”

  Chapter Seven

  Knowing very well they couldn’t stay where they were, Katherine allowed him to pull her onward. Pain throbbed in her ankle with every step and she suspected her shoulder had been dislocated. She’d witnessed the injury once years ago when one of their grooms took an unfortunate fall from the horse he was exercising. Her memory of his misshapen shoulder was undeniably similar to what she was seeing now when she looked at her injured arm.

  The pain was nearly debilitating, but there was no slowing down.

  Every now and then, her brother would glance back, as if he half expected their pursuers to catch up even though he kept a swift pace. They passed a row of merchants hawking wares before turning down a quieter lane lined with narrow brick houses, where pedestrians strolled and children played in doorways.

  “Almost there,” Frederick muttered.

  “Almost where?”

  He didn’t reply, just kept moving. And she stayed at his side, trusting his direction implicitly. She’d started to suspect he had a destination in mind a little while back, but the intense pain in her shoulder was making it difficult for her to focus on where they might be heading. Nothing around them looked familiar.