“Now what?” Poppy asked.
Aurora smiled. “Now we do what Wallflowers do best.”
“We make trouble,” Mercy finished. “I closed the flue in the kitchen oven. A fair amount of smoke should be filling the rooms just above by now.”
Masculine yelling across the foyer sounded through the door.
“The house is on fire!” Dick’s voice rang out.
Smoke wafted through the parlor.
Mercy opened a window and gave the guard a scathing glare. “It would seem we’re all going to burn to death. You might want to scurry off before the fire brigade arrives. There’s likely to be men from Bow Street with them to investigate.”
A second guard appeared in front of the house. With one look at each other, the two ran off.
The Wallflowers stepped toward the window, skirts in hand.
The door burst open behind them. Joseph Fouché growled, “Get away from that window.” He rushed over, pushing Poppy aside. Seeing his guards were no longer at their posts, he narrowed his eyes on them. “You four are going to be a joy to take apart piece by piece.”
Dick stood just inside the parlor, shifting from foot to foot. “We’d better get out before we all burn to death.”
Joseph’s hand snaked out and grabbed Mercy by the upper arm.
She cried out in pain.
“Take this one downstairs with you and check the kitchen.” Joseph thrust Mercy across the room toward Dick. “And open some damned windows.”
Dick grabbed Mercy and groaned, but followed the orders.
Joseph rounded the seating area and pulled the poker from the stand near the fireplace.
Despite lamenting the chill earlier, Faith was now glad there was no fire in the hearth as she stared at the end of the metal rod in Joseph’s hand.
“Now, the three of you will walk slowly and calmly into the foyer. Just in case you actually were foolish enough to set fire to your own house, we should be near the door.” Joseph raised the poker and shooed them in the direction of the parlor door.
Smoke filled the air above them. Faith took Aurora’s and Poppy’s hands and pulled them to sit on the foyer floor where the air was clearer.
Coughing and gagging, Mercy and Dick came up the servants’ stairs beside the grand staircase with Tipton and Jane behind them. Dick’s eyes watered. “The flue was closed. This should clear soon. I didn’t see Tim, and only these two remained below.”
Joseph swung his poker around. It swished through the air until it was level with Faith’s throat. “Where is my man from downstairs?”
“I haven’t the faintest idea. Perhaps he ran off like the men outside. You might think of hiring more reliable workers.” Faith held in her terror and sounded calm and composed.
He leaned in and pressed the tip of the poker to the base of Faith’s throat.
She met his stare directly.
Both Aurora and Poppy gripped the poker and pushed it back.
Eyes so filled with hate they made Faith’s heart pound, Joseph Fouché said, “Your hero has failed you, Lady Faith. Once again, the great Duke of Breckenridge is brought low. Really, what you see in him, I cannot imagine.” He pulled the poker away with a jerk. He pointed it at Jane. “Kill that one and toss her in the street for Nicholas to find.”
Dick raised his pistol and pointed it at Jane. She screamed and huddled against the wall.
Mercy covered Jane’s body with her own.
Faith, Aurora, and Poppy rushed Dick. They tugged his arm and scratched at his eyes.
“Get ʼem offa me!” Dick pulled the trigger and shot the ceiling near the chandelier. Plaster rained down on them all.
With the fire poker raised above his head, Joseph went after the Wallflowers.
Tipton blocked the descending iron and raised his arm to absorb the blow. He grunted, but he stood his ground, using his other arm to hold Joseph back.
The front door crashed open with enough force to jar it from its hinges. It boomed nearly as loud as the gunshot, but with more effect.
The occupants all froze.
Faith’s breath caught.
Nick stood in the doorway, flanked by Geb and Rhys with Kosey close behind.
With remarkable swiftness, Joseph snatched Faith from the skirmishing people and drew his dagger. The iron poker cut a suffocating line across her middle while the tip of the knife pricked at her throat. “No one move or I will cut her from ear to ear, Nicholas.”
Holding up both hands in a sign of peace, Nick stepped forward. “No one wants that, Joseph.”
“I wouldn’t mind. She and her friends are nothing but trouble, but I need my books back, so she will remain breathing for the moment.”
Faith stared into Nick’s eyes and where she had seen love, hate, resignation, and pain before, she now saw only fear. He feared losing her more than he had losing his own life. She swallowed down her own worries. “What insurance do you give that you won’t kill me as soon as he hands you the books?”
“My word as a gentleman.” His lips touched her earlobe.
Faith shuddered at his touch. “That seems of little value.”
The look on Nick’s face screamed, Don’t provoke him. He kept one hand out and pulled two slim leather volumes from inside his coat. “Just give me Lady Faith and I will give you your books. Then you return to France and never come back, Joseph.”
“Do you know they nearly set this house on fire?”
A twitch of a smile tugged at Nick’s lips. “We saw the smoke.”
“You will have me followed and arrested. I cannot risk capture. I will keep your woman but let the others go. Give me my books. I will set her free when I am far from London.” Joseph’s hold tightened.
His grip was worse than the most painful corset, and Faith struggled for breath.
Already shaking his head, Nick’s lips pursed. “You know I won’t allow that. You would kill her before you reach the Channel.”
“How do you suggest we solve our little problem, Nicholas?” His voice lilted with pleasure.
Faith’s heart lodged in her throat. Two men showing their dominance could bode badly for her, trapped in the middle. Nick’s gaze shifted to her and she knew he would do whatever it took to keep her safe. It gave her ease—well, as much as was possible with a dagger at her throat and a fire poker strapped across her ribs.
Nick stared at Joseph. “I will go with you. You hold Lady Faith and I will hold the books. When we are far enough away that you feel you can make your escape, we can make the trade. I would not risk chasing you with Lady Faith to protect. All I want is my fiancée.”
The air was sucked out of the room in the moments Joseph thought over his options. “No one else will follow.” His warning was for the other men, but he kept his sights on Nick.
“You have my word. I will ride alone, but if any harm comes to Lady Faith, I will take you apart piece by piece until there is nothing left for your countrymen to bury.” The ferocity in Nick’s voice and the set of his jaw, sent a chill through Faith. Nick took the pistol from Geb’s hand and motioned for the doorway to be cleared.
Rhys, Kosey, Geb, and Benny shifted to the left, entering the foyer. Rhys pulled Poppy in with one arm and took Aurora’s hand with the other while keeping his gaze fixed on Faith.
Nick moved to one side as well, allowing Joseph to put his back to the open door. All the while holding Faith painfully tight. He dropped the fire poker on the steps.
Faith tried to give them all a reassuring smile, but feared it had come off as weak as it felt.
As she stumbled down the steps, Nick followed. The sight of him was the only thing keeping her sane. The day had begun so beautifully, with them declaring their love for each other, and now the end was a possible disaster. She swallowed her panic but screeched as Joseph tossed her onto a horse. She grabbe
d the saddle and mane and barely kept her seat before he was behind her, gripping her again.
Nick was still mounting when Joseph kicked the animal into a gallop.
The streets of London whizzed by in a blur as they sped southeast toward the Channel. By the time they reached the River Thames, Faith thought she might vomit from the pace and jostling, but over Joseph’s shoulder she saw that Nick rode hard, just several paces behind them.
Only the panting horse forced Joseph to finally slow near Blackheath, but as soon as Nick closed the gap, the poor beast was forced into a canter.
“Will you run this animal to death?” Faith yelled over the hoofbeats and wind.
Pain seized her ribs from his brutal grip.
In the woods, somewhere near Bexley, she guessed, he finally stopped either because it was enough distance that he felt safe, or because the horse was spent and could run no farther.
Grabbing her by the hair, Joseph lowered Faith to the ground.
Faith screamed.
Without letting go, he jumped down and pressed his knife to her throat.
Nick appeared out of the darkness just as the moon appeared from behind the clouds.
The point of the dagger touched her flesh and warmth trickled down Faith’s neck.
She gasped but held still. “If you kill me now, Fouché, you’ll never see those precious books of yours.”
“I should kill you both and take my property. It would serve you right, Nicholas.” Fouché’s voice near her ear rang with longing.
As if the ride had been of little consequence and the situation were normal, Nick sauntered closer, his gait marred only slightly by his injured leg. With his right hand he drew the pistol from his coat and with the left he pulled out the books. “We have an agreement, Joseph. Let her go and take the books.”
“I’ll need your horse as well. This one will not make the miles.” Joseph tugged on Faith’s hair.
It was not the first time she had wished for tamer locks, but now she just wanted to shave her head bald and be done with it.
“Put the knife away, Joseph. Give me Lady Faith and you may have the books and the horse.” Nick limped forward until he was just out of arm’s reach.
The dagger disappeared from Faith’s view, but her hair was still tightly gripped in Joseph’s fist as the two men circled each other. They stopped when Nick’s horse was behind them.
Nick put his pistol inside his coat. He put his hand out for Faith and the books out for Joseph. “Time to go, Joseph. I told the others to stay at West Lane, but if this takes too long, they will come looking for us.”
“I really did think you my friend, Nicholas. When this war is over, perhaps I shall think so again.” Joseph snatched the books and let go of Faith’s hair.
With a quick move, Nick grabbed her hand and pulled her to his chest. “When the war ends, I think it best if we keep our distance. What you did today and in the country ended any possibility of any future association.”
Joseph shrugged, leapt into the saddle and dashed into the thick wood.
Nick tipped her head back and touched where Joseph’s blade had cut. “Just a scratch.” Crushing her in his arms, Nick peppered kisses in her hair, on her forehead and cheeks. “I thought I’d lost you.”
Freeing her hands from between them, she wrapped him in a hug. “I knew you would get me back.”
“I’m sorry, Faith. This was all my doing. I should have told Drake to go to hell.” Nick kissed her cheek again before he kissed her mouth, hard and demanding.
Tears mixed with their kisses, as Faith finally let her emotions loose. She gripped his coat and opened her mouth to his. Their tongues warred and made peace a dozen times before they drew breath.
When they finally broke the kiss, Faith leaned in. “I think the next time this Drake fellow demands your services, you should send him to speak with me.”
Laughing, Nick gave her a squeeze. “I’ll do just that.” He stepped to the frothed, panting horse and took up his reins. “I’m afraid we’ll have to walk to the nearest village. This poor boy is in bad shape.”
Faith petted the horse’s nose, but groaned at the thought of a long walk. “Do you think he’ll live?”
“Let’s see if we can ease him into a slow walk. Carrying two people at such a pace, may have worn his heart out, but he’s a hearty fellow. I have high hopes.”
Leading the horse with one hand and holding Faith’s hand with his other, they limped through the woods until they reached a small village. No one stirred at the late hour, but Nick woke the stableman for assistance.
The dropping of his title and the promise of a large payment, assured them a fresh horse and the care of the one Joseph had nearly spent.
Wrapped in Nick’s arms atop the new horse, she was in no rush to get home. Nick was content to walk the main road toward London without haste.
After a long silence, he said, “I cannot imagine you still wish to marry me.”
Faith strained her neck and looked him eye to eye. Her heart stuck in her throat. “Is that your way of saying you’ve changed your mind?”
He pulled the horse to a stop, lifted her by the waist, and turned her so she straddled the horse, facing him. “I have never wanted anything more in my life than to marry you, Faith. I love you. Nothing will change that.”
The position was quite provocative, and she wrapped her legs around his hips, pulling them closer. “Then we are in agreement, since that is all I have wanted for some months now.”
“I do hope we’re not interrupting anything?” Geb said from the road in front of them. Kosey rode beside him on an enormous beast.
Faith’s cheeks caught fire and she buried her face in Nick’s shoulder.
Nick’s low laugh was like music. He kissed her cheek and turned her so that both her legs were on one side of the saddle. “Not at all, we were just making our way home.”
Kosey gave Faith a wink. “We shall escort you.”
“Where is my horse?” Geb asked.
Nick relayed the story while Faith pressed her cheek to his chest. The sound of his heartbeat lulled her to sleep, but nightmares woke her several times. Not even exhaustion could keep her demons at bay.
When Nick carried her up to her room at the West Lane townhouse, she begged him not to leave. He pulled a chair close to the bed, but she eventually lured him into lying beside her. Though above the covers while she was beneath, she finally slept in his arms.
Chapter 25
Faith woke to an empty bed. Jane arrived to help her wash and dress. Her peach and cream room was oddly quiet and empty compared to the bombardment of thoughts shooting through her mind.
“Are you all right, Jane?” She hugged her maid.
“Just fine, my lady. What about you?”
Other than sore ribs and a scabbed-over nick to her throat, Faith felt fine, if somewhat stiff from the hard ride. “I think all my bits and pieces are in the correct places.”
“It’s a miracle,” Jane said.
She slipped her arms through the sleeves of the day dress. Her stomach growled. “Jane, why is the house so quiet?”
“Everyone went down to break their fasts and didn’t want to wake you after recent events. You’ve been asleep an entire day and night. His Grace said you were exhausted.” Jane quickly worked the ties at the back of the dress.
“I slept an entire day away?” That explained why she was so hungry and stiff.
Jane pulled Faith’s hair into a loose bun and pinned it before going to the window and opening the heavy cream drapes.
Sitting on the chair by her writing desk, Faith pulled on her shoes. “I’m going down. I don’t like all this quiet. It seems wrong for West Lane.”
Tender muscles forced Faith to take the steps more slowly than she would have liked, but she made her way and found all three of
her friends, plus Rhys, seated around the breakfast table, chatting. They silenced when she walked in.
Everything was as it should be. The newly decorated breakfast room was bright and cheerful with light pouring in the front window. The rose-colored curtains had their femininity tempered by a dark maroon border that matched the rug. The walls had been changed from floor-to-ceiling wood to wainscoting below and crisp white paper above. Aurora was redecorating her husband’s abominable house one room at a time and turning it into a home where Wallflowers were comfortable. The sideboard was draped in white, as was the table. White china and crystal gleamed.
“Were you talking about me?” Faith asked, happy to see them all hale and hardy.
Aurora stood and hugged her. “Only good things, of course.”
Faith returned the hug. “I never had any doubts.”
With a bow, Tipton cradled his left arm in a white sling. “Would you like me to make you a plate, my lady?”
Faith hadn’t eaten in a long time, but food didn’t appeal. “Just toast and coffee, but only if you can manage it, Tipton.”
“It is my pleasure, my lady.” Tipton slipped into a grin before donning his stoic repose.
Rhys had stood when she entered and sat as soon as she took her place at the table. “You should eat more, Faith. You look quite pale.”
Around a mouthful of food, Poppy said, “She’ll eat when she’s hungry. Don’t bully her.”
“I heard you had to walk a long way to get home,” Mercy said.
“Too far,” Faith agreed. “And you know how I hate walking. But, after the ride bounced me about for miles, I didn’t complain about the walk. I will eat more after I manage the toast. I’m quite famished.”
Tipton put a plate with toast, butter, and jam in front of Faith and then set a steaming cup of coffee beside it.
“I’m just glad you both made it home in one piece.” Aurora cut a link of sausage and put half on Faith’s plate.
It was like old times. In school, Faith was always trying to slim down to please her mother, and her friends were constantly making sure she ate enough. “Thank you all for being so brave yesterday. I hope that part of our lives is now at an end.”
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