by Darcy Burke
EIGHTEEN
Despite a bath, fresh clothing from his own apartment at the Bevelstoke fetched by a pair of Jason’s footmen, and two glasses of whisky, Ethan didn’t feel remotely fortified.
They were still waiting for Carlyle to arrive, so Ethan had asked Jason to meet him in the office. Ethan paced the room like a caged animal, occasionally looking up at the portrait of their father, which strangely gave him a modicum of solace. Father had loved him, had wanted the best for him despite his illegitimacy. He would’ve hated what had happened to Ethan, what Ethan had done. The solace melted into shame.
Jason came into the office and shut the door. “Carlyle’s not here yet.”
“I know. But there are . . . elements to the plan I wanted to share with you alone.”
Jason blinked at him, appearing astonished, as he sat behind his desk. “You want to share something with me?”
Ethan stopped his pacing to glare at his brother. “Is now really the time for sarcasm?”
Jason held up a hand. “My apologies. I’m just shocked.”
“If you’re going to pretend to be me, I may as well tell you why you’re going where you’re going.”
“And where’s that?” Jason asked.
“A flash house off Portugal Street—the Brazen Bride.”
Jason sat back in his chair and studied Ethan. “Why is this particular place important?”
“It’s where I first met Jimmy.” Memories rushed over him. He immediately smelled the filth and the putridity and the cheap perfumes that were used to hide the overwhelming stench of desperation and decay. He’d wanted to cry at the loss of the comforts he’d known, but such weakness had been beaten out of him right after his mother had died. “After you turned me away, I went to Davis. He’d been Mother’s final protector.” Ethan didn’t look at Jason while he spoke, but went to the bookshelves that lined two walls of the room and sightlessly studied the spines. He didn’t want to see the play of emotions cross Jason’s face. And if there weren’t any, he didn’t want to see that either.
“He was a thief-taker, but corrupt,” Ethan continued. “I didn’t know that at first and I was simply glad to have a roof over my head, which he’d arranged for me at the Brazen Bride.”
“You went to live in a flash house.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement toned with disbelief.
Ethan glanced at Jason, but didn’t let his gaze linger. “That’s where I met Jimmy—back when he was just Jimmy Gare.” Ethan recalled the younger version of Jimmy, with his red-blond hair shot with only a few strands of white and his jovial grin. Something inside of Ethan bent, but he ignored the reaction. “He took a liking to me, I don’t know why.” Though he could guess. He’d been young, vulnerable, and desperate for someone to treat him with kindness. Davis had helped him, but he could be cruel, demanding. He beat Ethan and his crew when they didn’t score enough. “I worked in Davis’s theft gang, and Jimmy’s gangs were rivals. Davis was setting me up with a job so that he could take the bounty for catching me and the crew. Jimmy helped me foil his plan, and it was Davis who was arrested and hanged.”
Jason’s intake of air sounded like a thunderclap. “Jesus, Ethan. How old were you?”
Ethan shrugged. He didn’t want Jason’s pity. “Barely fifteen. After that, I joined one of Jimmy’s gangs and eventually took it over.” Why not tell him the whole truth like he’d told Audrey? “I had to kill the leader of the gang. It was that or be killed. Jimmy congratulated me and encouraged my leadership.” Jimmy had taken Ethan under his wing and brought him up through the ranks. He’d risen along with Jimmy as he’d grown his criminal empire. “Eventually I oversaw all of Jimmy’s thieving operations, but I refused to become involved with any of his brothels or gin shops. I figured one vice was enough to see me to hell.”
“Why are you telling me all of this?”
Now Ethan turned. “Because the Brazen Bride is where my life changed. It’s where I left my life as Ethan Lockwood behind and became Ethan Jagger. It’s where Gin Jimmy found me, thoroughly corrupted me, and treated me like his son. I would’ve done anything to please him.” And he had. Thankfully, he hadn’t had to kill, only on occasion to protect himself, as with the leader of the gang, but he’d ensured plenty of people had carried out Jimmy’s death sentences. Ethan might not have wielded the weapons, but he felt the blood on his hands just the same.
Jason stood and came around his desk. He strode toward Ethan, stopping only a foot away. “I don’t know what to say. All this time I hated you for giving me a stupid scar and ruining my reputation, when your life has been nothing but an open wound. Would that you had a scar, for that would mean your injury is old and healed.” He pulled Ethan into a hug. “I wish I could go back and make my mother take you in.”
For a moment, Ethan just stood there. Jimmy had hugged him at first. But the outward affection had decreased as Ethan had gotten older, which made sense. Men like them didn’t show their emotions, particularly between each other. Yet, Ethan had always known Jimmy cared for him, as much as a bastard like him could care for anyone. It was the one thing that had kept Ethan human.
“We’re going to get Audrey back,” Jason said, pounding his fist against Ethan’s back. “And we’re going to eliminate Jimmy from your life. He isn’t your family, Ethan. I am.”
Ethan closed his eyes and hugged his brother. The tension in his chest splintered and emotion swept through him. He squeezed his eyelids tight and held on.
A moment later, a discreet cough broke them apart. Jason’s butler, North, stood just over the threshold. “Lord Carlyle is here, along with Lord Sevrin and Lord and Lady Saxton. Lady Lockwood will be pouring tea for them in the drawing room.”
Ethan looked at Jason. “You included Lydia?”
Jason moved toward the door. “Of course. Audrey is her dearest friend, and you know my wife, she’s not to be deterred.”
Ethan followed him, glad for this trifling conversation after the weight of his revelations. “Your wife? You were married by special license while I was gone?”
“I’m afraid we couldn’t wait for the banns to be read. I had to get her away from her vicious aunt.”
“Yes, I’m sure that’s the only reason for your haste.” Ethan gave him a knowing look. “I’m still sorry to have missed the occasion.”
Jason turned and clapped his shoulder. “We’ll celebrate at your wedding.”
Ethan silently prayed that would come to pass, but didn’t want to dwell on it. Instead, he recalled something from earlier that day. “Do you know what happened to Oak? He was going to testify that I’d paid him to poison Lady Aldridge.”
Jason shrugged. “He might’ve gotten on a ship bound for the Orient or some faraway place. You could ask Scot.”
Gratitude—an emotion Ethan reserved for very few occasions and even fewer people—swelled within him.
They went to the drawing room, where Carlyle, Saxton, Lady Saxton, Sevrin, and Lady Lockwood were already seated. North’s twin, and Jason’s manservant, Scot, was just delivering the tea tray. Instead of departing, he took an empty chair.
Ethan’s gaze settled on Scot, and on his brother, North, who lingered near the door.
“We need all the help we can get,” Jason said, sitting beside his wife on a plush settee. He indicated for Ethan to take the chair angled beside him, then turned his attention to the former magistrate. “Carlyle, what did you learn?”
Carlyle inched forward in his chair opposite Ethan. “She’s at the Cup and Burrow. Arrived sometime this morning.” He looked to Ethan. “There are men stationed at all of your usual haunts, including the Bevelstoke.” Carlyle glanced at Jason. “Because Jason’s retainers went there to obtain your things, Jimmy is undoubtedly aware that you are no longer at Bow Street.”
“Does he know Ethan’s here?” Jason took his wife’s hand. “Is it safe?”
“I’ve asked Bow Street to post a couple of Runners outside, just in case.”
Ethan’s insi
des churned with anxiety. “It doesn’t matter, I won’t be staying. We need to act. Do you know if Audrey is all right?”
“Not specifically, no.” Carlyle grimaced apologetically. “I agree we need to move quickly.”
Ethan removed a piece of parchment from his coat. “I drafted this letter to Jimmy, asking him to meet me at the Brazen Bride. I’ve used . . . language that should be enough to draw him forth.”
Sevrin leaned forward. “What does that mean?”
Jason jumped to answer before Ethan could. “They share a common background. The Brazen Bride is where they met and Ethan believes the location holds enough personal meaning that Jimmy won’t be able to deny Ethan’s request.” He shot Ethan a questioning look. Ethan nodded imperceptibly, relieved that Jason understood and that Ethan didn’t need to explain anything to the rest of them.
Carlyle took the paper. “I’ll see that it’s delivered.”
“I, of course, won’t be at the Brazen Bride; Jason will be. In addition to covering his scar, he’ll wear some of my clothing, which I had his footmen bring from my apartment—things that are known to belong to me.” Ethan allowed a small smile. “I’m quite known for my style.” He flashed his left hand, which bore three of his rings, including the one inscribed with L that he’d had made after he’d amassed some of his wealth.
“I’ll go with his lordship,” Scot said.
Carlyle opened his mouth, but Jason cut him off. “Scot has some experience in the underworld. I wouldn’t take anyone else.”
Carlyle nodded. “I’ll be waiting nearby, watching for Jimmy so that we can apprehend him. I’ll have some of my old constable friends with me.” He turned to Ethan. “We’ll send a message to you as soon as we arrest him so you know you’re free and clear.”
“What can we do?” Sevrin asked, indicating himself and Saxton. “You know I can fight, but you should know Saxton’s nearly as skilled.”
“Nearly?” Saxton sounded mildly affronted. On any other afternoon, Ethan would’ve laughed.
“This can go several ways,” Ethan said slowly. He’d thought this through every way possible over the past hours. In the best scenario, Jimmy went to the Brazen Bride and was arrested. In the worst, Jimmy never left the Cup and Burrow, and Ethan was forced into his trap. “You can help Carlyle. Or you can wait for me outside St. Giles.” The rat’s castle was no place for men like them. They’d be eaten alive.
Saxton frowned. “If we dress appropriately, why can’t we go in with you? Can’t we pass for your lackeys?”
“I can’t endanger you that way.” He looked at Sevrin. “Lady Sevrin,” he glanced at Saxton’s wife, “and I’m sure Lady Saxton, would never forgive me. Please, don’t.” Ethan hoped Sevrin knew how sincerely he meant it.
Sevrin stared at him a long moment before settling back in his chair with a slight nod. He looked over at Saxton and shook his head.
Saxton scowled, but nodded his assent. “We’ll be waiting for you and if you take too long, we’re coming in after you with a bloody army.”
Ethan appreciated the support. He opened his mouth to say something and was surprised to find a lump in his throat that he simply couldn’t speak past.
Carlyle stood. “Then we’re ready.” He tucked the missive into his coat. “Lockwood, you’ll get to the Brazen Bride within the hour. Jagger—pardon, what the hell do we call you?”
“Ethan is fine.” His voice sounded cracked and dry. He coughed as he got to his feet, eager to get to Audrey now that the moment was at hand. “I know the stakes.”
Everyone else got up and moved to leave. Lydia Lockwood touched his hand. “Mr. Locke.” She shook her head. “Ethan. Please bring Audrey back safe.” She swallowed and nodded. “I know you will.” She gave him a wobbly smile that was probably as much to fortify herself as it was for Ethan.
He took her hand between his. “If I don’t bring her back, you’ll know that I’m dead.”
Lydia nodded and stood on her toes to kiss his cheek. “Don’t let it end that way,” she whispered.
Ethan turned and walked past Jason, who clapped him on the shoulder again and said, “See you soon, brother.”
“Ethan, I’ll walk out with you,” Carlyle called, following him from the drawing room.
They moved through the hall and a footman let them out.
Carlyle turned when they were outside. “You’re not going to wait to hear that we’ve arrested Jimmy, are you?”
“No.”
Carlyle nodded grimly. “How will you get Miss Cheswick out?”
“I still have a contingent of loyal men. I’ll collect them first. With their help, I’ll hopefully be able to convince those at the Cup and Burrow that I’m not the enemy.”
“That Jimmy is.”
“Yes.”
Carlyle walked toward the street. “You think they’ll just let you walk out of there with Miss Cheswick?”
Ethan didn’t want to contemplate the alternative, but he had to. He fell into step beside Carlyle. “If they don’t, you’re going to have to go in after her.”
“Understood. Hopefully, we’ll get Jimmy and you’ll extract Miss Cheswick.”
“We both know things rarely go as planned—which is why contingency plans must be prepared.” Ethan withdrew an envelope from his coat. “Will you have this delivered to Bow Street?”
Carlyle accepted the missive. “You’ve plotted quite thoroughly.”
He had to; there were too many variables. “Just promise me that no matter what happens, you’ll make sure Audrey is safe. You owe me, and that’s the only thing I want.”
Carlyle pressed his lips together. “I’ll never forget what you did for me and Jocelyn. You have my word that Audrey will be safe.”
Ethan relaxed, but only slightly. Until he saw with his own eyes that she was whole, he wouldn’t be free of this hellish torment.
After managing to take a small amount of sustenance at Gin Jimmy’s raucous “luncheon,” Audrey sat in the corner of his reception room, with Marie at her side. She’d hoped she’d be allowed to return to her dismal closet, but Gin Jimmy had ordered them to sit and keep him company while he discussed business matters with his men. They were gathered around the garish table and spoke low enough that Audrey couldn’t hear them.
“Ye know ye won’t be leavin’ the Cup an’ Burrow?” Marie asked her.
Audrey looked askance at the woman, noting the smirk twisting her reddened lips. It was becoming increasingly difficult to remain silent. At the best of times, Audrey liked to talk and at the worst, she rambled in an attempt to mask, and perhaps settle, her nerves. She pressed her lips together to keep from asking why. The woman was just trying to provoke her.
“Whether Jagger comes to get ye or not, ye won’t be leavin’. ’Course I’m hopin’ Jimmy doesn’t kill ’im. That’d be a real shame.” Her voice had taken on a dreamlike quality.
Audrey bit the inside of her cheek to keep from talking to Marie, though she burned with questions. This was a glimpse into Ethan’s world. But did she really want to see it?
Marie tsked. “Do ye talk at all? Heh, maybe not. Jagger wasn’t much for talkin’ anyhow. Leastwise in the bedroom. Or wherever.” She gave Audrey a wicked look. “Jagger ever take ye to ’is bed? Or anywhere else?”
She stared at Marie, appalled at her prurient curiosity. “That’s none of your concern.”
“I’m guessin’ no then. Too bad for ye.”
Audrey glared at the beauty. “Ethan is not going to die, and I’m not going to stay.”
Marie’s eyes crinkled at the corners as she laughed.
Audrey turned her chair away from Marie. She didn’t want to endure her taunts, at least not to her face. A boy dashed into the chamber and went straight to Gin Jimmy. He handed him a piece of paper and Jimmy opened it immediately. The conversation at the table slowed.
Audrey found herself leaning forward anxiously. She could tell the message was somehow important, given the creases lining Gin Jimmy’
s wide forehead.
He stood from the table and gestured to some of the men. Then he addressed the boy who’d brought the note. “Fetch Perkins and Bird. They’re to watch the prisoner, along with the men I leave in this room.”
The boy tore off. Gin Jimmy strode over to where Audrey was sitting and pinned her with a malevolent stare. She clutched the seat of her chair for something solid to hold on to.
“Yer man wants to see me. Seems he’s sorry about everything and wants to resume his place. He says I can do whatever I want with ye.”
Audrey couldn’t keep her jaw from hanging open. Marie’s laughter raked her spine. Gin Jimmy’s eyes twinkled with merriment. “’E did recommend I return ye to yer house, so as not to provoke the upper crust. But I don’t know . . .” He tapped his stubby forefinger against his lips. “Ye’d make an awfully fine addition to me stable, and then Jagger could enjoy ye whenever ’e liked.”
He leaned down and bared his teeth at her. “Except Jagger won’t be here to enjoy ye. I’m going to bury my knife in his gut and pull out ’is entrails. Then I’m going to force ’em down ’is throat. Question is, should I do all of that in front of ye?” He glanced at Marie. “What do ye think?”
Marie smiled at him, but Audrey detected an underlying quiver. “Whatever would please ye most, Jimmy.”
Jimmy nodded. “I’ll have to think on it. In the meantime, ye sit tight, Miss Cheswick. And don’t miss me.” He flashed a smile, revealing a gold tooth. Then he spun around and addressed everyone. “If Miss Cheswick isn’t exactly where I left her when I return, I’ll burn the place down with the lot of ye locked inside.”
He quit the room with more than half of his men trailing behind him.
Audrey slumped in her chair. Every bit of resistance leaked from her frame until she felt like a bag of hollow bones.
Perkins and Bird came into the room. Bird waved at her before joining the men at the table. Audrey strained to hear what they discussed, but only caught intermittent words: Jagger, guards, common room, kill.
Had Ethan really told Jimmy to dispose of Audrey at his own discretion? It was wholly feasible that Jimmy had lied to frighten her. She couldn’t believe Ethan wouldn’t care what became of her.