That she had definitely never forgotten.
“So you did check on me, then, to make sure I was breathing and not lying at death’s door?”
Rose scuffed a boot-clad foot back and forth across the cobbled floor. “Might have. You’re no use to me dead.”
“So I am useful. Thanks.”
Actually, she’d been very worried about him, constantly alert to his breathing, and even in the feathered light of their prison cell, she’d checked his wounds, secretly relieved that though bloody, he was relatively unaffected from their manhandling. She straightened and pushed her shoulders back. She would definitely not let him see her relief.
“I think it’s about time you told me what’s going on, squirt.”
Instinctively, her foot flexed out, but Nathan jerked away.
“Not this time, Rosie. No more kicking.”
“And no more nicknames.”
He held up his hands. “It’s a form of endearment.”
“People only use endearments for those they like, Nathan, and that doesn’t apply to you.”
“Okay, okay, sorry. Boy, did you get out of the wrong side of the bed this morning.”
With her back pressed hard against the wall, Rose slid her feet out in front of her and lowered herself the floor, too bad that the floor…everything was filthy. She needed to rest. Once seated, she drew her legs up and wrapped her arms around them. “I didn’t go to bed in the first place.”
“Oh, that’s right, you were up all night trying not to steal a diamond.”
“Be quiet! I’ve told you I was not trying to steal the Pasha Star.”
For a split second, Nathan simply stared hard at her, and Rose had the distinct feeling he was trying to look into her mind, see what she really thought.
That, however, she would definitely keep secret.
“So how about you tell me what you were doing? I bet you have a paste diamond in your pocket.”
Her breath stilled.
“And that you were intent on replacing the Pasha Star in the locked case with your fake one.”
Rose hooked her gaze with his, and she couldn’t look away.
“Then you found out there was already a fake one, which foiled your plans. Am I correct so far?”
Lips dry, she nodded.
“So I understand what you were doing, but there’s a big gap, Rosie. One you need to fill in. The why? How about you enlighten me?”
“I can’t. If they find out…”
“Probably a bit late for that, don’t you think, given our current lodgings? They kidnapped you and me, so I guess they believe we’re working together.”
“You can tell them you don’t know anything.”
“No, Rosie.” He softened his tone, which she really wished he wouldn’t. She could manage his antagonism and even his teasing, but being kind and gentle and sweet… Her eyes welled with tears she’d held back for what seemed days.
“Are you crying?” he murmured.
A soft hiccup burst from her chest. “No.”
“So why are your cheeks wet?”
“Why do you always have to be right, Nathan? And interfere.”
He shrugged, but there was no smile. “Second nature, I guess. Where’s Alex?”
At the mention of her father, the floodgates opened, followed by several more hiccups. “He’s…”
“What? Where is he?”
“Gone.”
“Dead?”
“No, no, don’t say that.”
Nathan shuffled across the stone floor, coming to sit alongside her. She glanced up at him, seeing kindness and concern in his gaze. Then he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and drew her to him. That simple kindness was her undoing.
“I don’t know where he is. They came—twice.” Tears trailed down her cheeks in uncontrollable rivulets. “They wanted him to make a replica of the Pasha Star, and I thought if I came to you, though I didn’t know it was you, you would understand, maybe even help. I saw that the owners of Steel Hawk were staying in the Carlton Hotel, so I stole in, but you refused, and I had no choice. They kidnapped him, and you caught me and oh…”
“Who? Whoa, squirt.” He used his nickname for her again, and for once, Rose didn’t mind. It sounded familiar, even comfortable. She stared up at the one person she was uncertain she could rely on, given his deception all those years ago, but also the one person she knew could help her find her father. “Slow down.”
“I’m sorry, it’s just been so hard and…oh, Nathan, I don’t know what to do. They said he must help them or secrets would be told.”
“What secrets?”
“How do I know? They’re secrets!”
“So this is something about your father and Zarrenburg.”
“The men were from there. I heard them speaking to my father as I arrived home, but unfortunately I didn’t understand.”
“What do you know about the Pasha Star?”
“Not much, only that it has been in the Zarrenburg royal family’s possession for hundreds of years.”
“That’s about all Ben and I know too, and that Princess Mary wanted it at the exhibition and felt that our locking system would keep it safe.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you had taken the pyramid concept and developed it.”
“Remind me next time I’m designing a system to make sure you’re not listening! So what made you realize that was the system?”
“I recognized you at the hotel, and then when I was trying to open the lock, I remembered your conversation with Papa.”
Nathan grimaced. “Your lucky day.”
“That’s a bad joke. The real diamond is gone, and my father is kidnapped.”
“You’ve forgotten to add that we’re holed up who the hell knows where, with no way out.”
“You could play sick. Pretend that you’re dying and I’ll call them.”
“Have you been reading those penny dreadfuls again?”
She colored.
“Why, Miss Valetta, I do believe you’ve been caught out.”
She shook her head. “Don’t be silly. Besides we’ve got to get out of here, and what I read is none of your concern.”
Nathan scrubbed his hand over his jaw. “Who would have thought?” Nathan chuckled. “Rosie has grown up.”
“I grew up a long time ago.” Actually, she’d grown up that day he’d kissed her. She’d thought he cared, only to realize he didn’t and he let her heart and foolish dreams crash to the ground into a thousand pieces. Broken, never to be repaired.
Pushing herself up from the damp ground, where the chill had seeped through her thin clothing, Rose rested her hands on her hips and stood over Nathan. “Lie down on the floor.”
“What?”
“Don’t argue, just do as you’re told.”
“Bossy boots.”
Her lips pressed together.
“Okay.” Nathan glanced around their tiny room. “Where do you want me? There aren’t many options, given that this place is no more than ten-by-ten feet.”
“To the left of the door. Then when the guard comes and opens up, you can jump on him.”
“You’ve got this all figured out.”
“It’s a plan and better than sitting here doing nothing.”
“Not much chance of that when you’re around. I remember you always putting your nose in, following me around, wanting to know what I was doing. Asking your father to teach you.”
“How else was I going to learn to be a paste maker? And don’t you dare say it’s not work for a female.”
He held up his hands, obviously stifling a chuckle. “I wouldn’t dare.”
Rose clamped down on her annoyance. “You would. Men don’t think women can do anything except breed babies.”
“Don’t you
want children?”
She had, but she had also wanted someone special for a husband, except that someone didn’t seem to want her.
Nathan took his place on the ground. “Now what?”
“Start wailing.”
“Wailing? Not sure if I know how.”
“You’d better. Otherwise, this isn’t going to work.”
“I’m not sure I’m that good of an actor.”
“Tough. Try.”
Nathan wailed, and Rose couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s a pretty feeble attempt, Hawk. Try again.”
He did.
“Nathan, this is not going to work unless you get into the role. You’re meant to be dying. Do you want me to kick you again? That would give you something to wail about.”
Nathan rolled to his side, his lower limbs now out of her kicking distance. “I’ll wail.” And he let out a piercing scream. “Is that better?”
“Somewhat,” she conceded with a nod. “But close your eyes. You’re meant to be near death, for God’s sake.”
Nathan closed his eyes, and, satisfied he looked near death, she started banging on their prison door, accompanied by Nathan’s markedly improved howling.
“Help! Someone help! He’s dying. Oh my God, please, help him. He’s…”
Nathan, eyes open and now full of mirth, looked up at her. “What am I dying of, by the way?”
“Too many kicks to the shins if you don’t play your role. Now start moaning, Nathan, as loud as you can.”
He wailed. “Help, I’m dying! Oh, my shins, my shins.”
“Shut up.”
“But you said I was dying of kicks to the shins.”
“Oh, you fool!”
Just then, a scrape of metal against metal echoed from the lock.
Her eyes fixed on Nathan’s, hope welling in her chest. She waved her hand up and down, whispering. “More, more.”
“Please help me!”
“Help him!”
“Shut up, you two.” The clang of the lever sliding back echoed and the door swung open. The guard entered, giving a scant glance to Nathan feigning pain on the floor. “What the hell do you want? I told you to shut up.”
“But he’s dying, he has…”
Rose turned so that the guard had his back to Nathan writhing on the floor. “We need help.”
Nathan sprang into action, grabbing the guard round the shins and yanking his feet out from under him. The man plunged to the ground, his head catching on the side of the stone wall with a cracking thud. He rolled onto his back, a slash of blood oozing from a head wound.
“Is he…?” Rose leaned over the still body, a hand held fast across her mouth.
“No time to worry.”
Shocked into action, Rose spun away from the bleeding man. She didn’t want to be responsible for another’s death, but it was either her father or this man. The choice wasn’t even up for consideration.
Stumbling across the slippery brick floor, she exited the cell just behind Nathan. He swung the door to their cell closed and slid the bolt home. He turned to her. “Did they blindfold you as we were brought down to this hellhole?”
“No.”
“So you would know your way back up?”
“I…I don’t know. It was dark.” Fear scored a path across her heart. “How will we get out?”
“I don’t know, but let’s see where these stairs go. As long as we’re heading upward, we should be moving in the right direction. Take my hand, hold on and don’t let go.”
Their hands linked, they took one step after another. There seemed to be hundreds, each step well worn, the years carving indentations into the treads. Alert for voices, though she could barely hear a thing over the rampant thud of her heart, Rose held on tight to Nathan’s hand.
Nathan faltered, and she stepped into his back. He grabbed at her, holding her to him with one hand. He held up a finger to her lips, nodding toward the dim light only a few feet farther up the stairs.
Voices!
Rose’s eyes widened, her fear escalating.
“Tell him it won’t be long now,” she heard one of her captors say. “The report says the paste is nearly done. Once it’s completed, Zarrenburg will be ours.”
“Ours.” Rose wheezed out the word. “Nathan, they’re trying to take over.”
“So it seems. But right now, I don’t want to hang around. We need to get out of here.”
The narrowness of the stairs did not allow space for her to walk by his side, and in silence, they ascended the remaining steps. At the last tread, Nathan peered into a vast room and waited.
Rose held her breath. Please, God, let us get out of here.
Nathan beckoned with the crook of a finger. “Follow me.”
Too right. She wouldn’t let him out of her sight.
From the dank and dim recesses of hell, they burst into daylight pouring into a courtyard. A cart and horse shadowed the exit to the stairs, giving them a chance to hide. “Our previous transportation, I presume.”
“I think so.”
“It’ll be no use to us now. Too slow and noisy. We need something faster.”
Rose nodded to where some horses were tethered to a post about twenty feet away.
Nathan followed her gaze. “It means running the distance without being seen.” He nodded in the direction of a rampart that circled the courtyard. Guards were stationed along the circumference, making the likelihood that they would be spotted inevitable.
“Can you ride?” he asked.
“A bit. There isn’t much use for horses where I live.”
“No. I remember.”
“So where have you been, Nathan, that you now profess to ride?”
“San Francisco.”
Rose’s jaw dropped. “But that’s in the Americas.”
“You know your geography.”
She yanked her hand from his. “Don’t be so patronizing. I’m not some silly female. I am educated.”
“And cantankerous.” His eyes glittered with humor. “And actually quite beautiful, even though you’re in a pair of trousers far too big for you.”
“Why you…”
Nathan sidestepped her. “No time for my shins. It’s time to run.” Yanking her hand, Nathan surged ahead, pulling her from their hiding position.
The guards were talking, thank God.
Hunched down, trying to be inconspicuous, Rose dashed out from hiding, only to have Nathan snatch her around the waist and haul her back.
“Stop!” she gasped. “What are you doing?”
“I thought I saw someone.”
“It’s just the guards.”
“Not them. Someone I know. Well, used to know.” Holding her behind him, Nathan edged out from their hiding place and peered to where the guards still stood. “Bloody hell. Tommy.”
“Who?” Rose followed his gaze. “There’s only the guards.”
“Aye, now. But…” He shook his head. “I must be seeing things, though I would swear it was him.”
“Who?”
“Another shadow from my past. But what the hell he’d be doing here, God only knows. This is not the life Tommy Pratchett was used to. At least not the man I used to know. It must be that knock on the head and I’m seeing things.”
“I tell you what will be impossible pretty darn soon, Nathan, is escape, if we don’t get going now.”
Rose elbowed Nathan out of her way, and, crouching low, she raced toward the horses. She didn’t dare look back but knew Nathan was behind her, felt his closeness. They reached the horses together. Nathan tossed her atop of the closest horse and then grabbed the reins of a second.
Too late. A shout went out, followed by the crack of gunshot, and a bullet whizzed past them.
“Get down and stay down. Ride, Rosie, r
ide, and don’t stop or turn back, whatever happens.”
Nathan lunged for the horse, but the animal skittered, and he lost his grip on the reins as it reared.
“Nathan!”
“Go, Rosie, go!”
But she couldn’t leave him. She held her hand out to him. “Climb on.”
Nathan reached for her hand at the same time that a guard barged out of the guardhouse. Nathan spun round and grabbed at him, fist flying into the man’s face. The sentry fell flat on his back, but another came at Nathan from behind.
“Watch out!” Rose’s warning came a second too late as the guard struck out at him, catching him across the head with the butt of his rifle. Nathan fell to the ground. The guard cocked his rifle.
Chapter Six
Do something.
Rose yanked at the horse’s reins, and the animal reared onto its back legs, front legs thrashing the air. The beast plunged, catching the guard with a hoof. He stumbled backward and collapsed in a heap.
“Nathan! Nathan, get up. Get up!” Rose’s screams echoed for what seemed an eon.
Nathan shoved himself to his feet, pivoted and reached for Rose’s hand.
From the corner of her eye, Rose spied a movement.
Another guard.
“Get on.” She yanked Nathan’s outstretched hand as hard as she could. Suddenly, he sat behind her on the horse, close, one arm wrapped around her middle.
“Now, Rosie. Ride like the wind.”
“Get going, beast.” Rose dug her heels into the jittery horse’s sides. It didn’t hesitate but took off, jolting her every which way. “Dear God, I’ll die beneath its hooves.”
“I’ve got you. Go beneath the arch and then keep left. The river is close. If we can make it that far, we can catch a boat.”
He’d said if. Not when. Rose leaned forward, gripping the horse’s mane for dear life, urging the animal on.
Shouts rose behind them, shots ringing out. The buzz of one whizzed far too close. She glanced over her shoulder. “They’re gaining.”
“That way.” Nathan pointed to a narrow path through a hedgerow. “They can only follow one at a time.”
“Only?”
“Better that than the alternative.”
To Love a Thief (Steel Hawk) Page 6