by Jen Turano
As Eliza stood there, her head bowed, a feeling of peace settled over her, and her mind stilled. She stayed there and allowed the feeling to swirl around her. She closed her eyes, and an image immediately flashed to mind. Her eyes sprang open. She raced out of the room and scrambled down the stairs, calling for Agatha at the top of her lungs.
“What is it?” Agatha demanded from the bottom of the steps.
“I know where they are, and we’re going to rescue them.”
22
I really must protest,” Gloria said as Eliza moved to her wardrobe and began rummaging around, searching for appropriate clothing to wear.
Eliza ignored Gloria, snatched up a pair of trousers, and threw them at Agatha. “Put those on,” she ordered, turning back to continue her search. “Ah, there they are,” she exclaimed, pulling out another pair of pants.
“Why in the world do you two need to wear pants?” Mrs. Watson asked when Agatha stepped out from behind the privacy screen and tugged her skirt over the pants in question.
“You never know when you might become parted from your skirt,” Agatha said.
“As if that happens on a regular basis,” Mrs. Watson sputtered.
“Eliza lost her skirt when we broke into Bartholomew’s home,” Agatha returned. “Lucky for her, she’d had the foresight to put on a pair of trousers; otherwise, I shudder to think of the ogling she might have had to endure if she’d ended up in jail in only her undergarments.”
“Indeed,” Eliza agreed, slipping behind the screen and returning a moment later, twisting her own skirt into place. “Ready?”
“Before either of you step foot out of this house, I need to understand exactly why you think you know where Piper and Ben have been taken,” Gloria said.
“That’s a bit difficult to explain,” Eliza said slowly.
“Try,” Gloria said.
Eliza bit her lip. “You’re going to think I’ve lost my mind, but this morning, Piper pointed out this very pretty horse, and that horse flashed through my mind a few minutes ago.”
“A . . . horse?” Gloria repeated.
“Exactly, but it’s not just any old horse Piper saw this morning. I have cause to believe it’s the one Hamilton told me about a few weeks ago, the one that used to belong to Mary Ellen.”
Gloria’s eyes widened. “Are you talking about Diamond?”
Eliza smiled. “Yes, I think Diamond was being ridden this morning in the city, and I also think it was either Sally or Eugene riding her.”
“You’re right, you have lost your mind,” Gloria muttered, exchanging a look with Mrs. Watson before addressing Eliza again. “I find it hard to believe Sally or Eugene would risk detection by taking to the streets on a horse that is so easily identifiable.”
“We know they’re somewhere close, Gloria, given the fact that they orchestrated the abduction,” Eliza said. “Besides, it wasn’t as if whoever was riding the horse was parading down a main street. I saw the horse disappear into a residential area.”
“And you think, what, that Sally and Eugene live on that particular street?” Gloria asked.
Eliza nodded. “That’s where we’ll find Piper and Ben.”
“I travel on residential streets all the time, but I don’t live on all of them,” Mrs. Watson pointed out before she tilted her head and looked at Eliza. “Tell me, why are you so certain about this?”
“Well, now, don’t get all strange on me, but I have come to the conclusion God told me,” Eliza said and couldn’t help but smile at the three incredulous faces gaping back at her. “I know it’s difficult to believe, but I can’t explain it any other way. You see, I was standing in Hamilton’s room, and I was really angry—angry with God, to be exact. I couldn’t understand how He could have allowed this to happen. Anyway, as I was thinking the situation through, an unusual thought kept coming to mind, and when I finally listened, well, that’s when I remembered the horse.”
“Unusual thought?” Agatha asked.
“I kept thinking ‘trust’ over and over again.” Eliza blew out a breath. “I know it’s odd, but there you have it. I think God was, in a not-so-subtle way, reminding me that I need to trust Him again, and I need to trust my own judgment.”
Eliza looked around and found everyone still gazing at her with amazingly blank expressions on their faces until Gloria suddenly stepped forward, gave her a quick hug, and then patted her cheek. “Well, what are you waiting for then? You need to go rescue my grandbabies.”
Eliza released a relieved breath. “Thank you, Gloria. Give me a minute to write down directions to where I think I saw that horse, and thankfully, it is not far from here. If Hamilton and Zayne arrive back at the house before Agatha and I return, you’ll need to give it to them.” She moved to the dresser, snatched up a pen, and quickly jotted down directions. She straightened and handed the paper to Gloria. “I don’t remember the exact location, but I wrote down a few of the surrounding shops. We can always pray Agatha and I will be successful, but if something were to go wrong, we might need assistance.”
“You will be careful?” Mrs. Watson asked.
“Please, how dangerous can it be?” Agatha returned. “We’re only dealing with a murderer and a woman who enjoys impersonating the aristocracy and stealing fortunes.”
“How silly of me to worry,” Mrs. Watson replied weakly.
Eliza and Agatha moved together down the stairs and climbed into the Watsons’ carriage.
“I can’t believe my mother actually allowed me out of the house,” Agatha commented as she settled into the seat.
“I know,” Eliza agreed. “Even Gloria went along with it with relatively little resistance, and”—she let out a groan—“they’re going to follow us.”
“Surely not.”
“I’m afraid they are,” Eliza said, pointing out the window.
Agatha leaned forward. “Is my mother actually running toward the carriage?” She got off the seat, shoved her head out the window, and yelled at the driver to pick up the pace. The carriage began to move at a fast clip as Agatha drew in her head. “We won’t lose them, you know,” she said as she retook her seat.
“They might be able to keep up with us while we’re in the carriage, but we can outrun them once we get out,” Eliza said.
“That’ll go over well,” Agatha muttered with a grin before she suddenly sobered. “So tell me, what do you think happened to you?”
Eliza knew exactly what Agatha was asking, even though her question was rather vague. “I think God sent me a message, or cleared my mind so that I was able to realize and remember what I’d seen this morning.”
“Meaning the horse?”
Eliza nodded. “I know this is going to seem unusual coming from me, as you are the woman of strong faith, but I think God is watching over us and wants us to find Piper and Ben. I think you’ve been right all along, and He has some plan for me.”
“I’m glad you finally realize that,” Agatha said.
The carriage turned onto Broadway, and Eliza kept her focus on the passing buildings. “Here, stop here,” she called to the driver when she recognized a shop.
She scrambled out of the carriage and waited for Agatha, taking her arm and pulling her across the street.
“Good grief, Eliza, you’re about to take off my arm,” Agatha complained as Eliza tugged Agatha into a shop and peered out the window from behind a display of hats.
“May I assist you with something?” a voice laced with suspicion asked, causing Eliza to jump.
“My dear woman, you scared me half to death,” Eliza remarked, forcing what she hoped was a pleasant smile on her face.
“Is there a reason you’re skulking in my window display?”
“Uhh . . .” Eliza began, “you see . . . umm . . . we’re attempting to evade someone.”
“May I assume this someone is an overly amorous gentleman?” the woman asked.
“Well . . .” Eliza sputtered.
“No need to go into all th
e pesky details,” the woman said with a wave of her hand. “Would you care to use the back door to make a speedy escape?”
“That would be most appreciated,” Agatha said.
Eliza fell into step beside Agatha as they followed the woman through the shop and out a door that led to a dirty alley.
“Was there anything else you needed?” the woman asked.
“You haven’t noticed an unusual white horse in this neighborhood, have you?” she asked.
“I saw a beautiful white horse being ridden down the street just this morning,” the woman replied.
Eliza’s heart began to race. “Do you happen to know where this horse is stabled?”
“I’m sorry, I do not, although you could check with Mel. He boards horses for a fee, and if anyone knows where that horse is, he would. His stable is three streets up that way,” she said as she pointed down the alley.
“Thank you, you’ve been very helpful,” Eliza said before grabbing Agatha’s hand and hustling her down the alley. They reached the main street, and Eliza pulled Agatha to a stop, leaning forward to peer around the building.
“What are you doing?” Agatha asked.
“I’m looking for your mother and Gloria.”
“I keep forgetting about them,” Agatha said.
“Yes, well, I haven’t, and the last thing we need is for them to meddle in this particular business. They are mothers, and as such, you know they’ll balk if they feel we’re putting ourselves in danger.” She straightened. “I don’t see them. Let’s go.”
She moved into the street and set her sights down the road, increasing her stride with every step she took.
“This seems almost too easy,” Agatha muttered.
“I don’t think it’s going to be easy once we actually locate the right house,” Eliza admitted. “We’ll need to get past Sally, maybe Eugene, and you know there are going to be some guards watching over Piper and Ben.”
“I didn’t think about that,” Agatha whispered.
“We’ll be fine,” Eliza said with a nod.
It didn’t take long to locate the stable in question, and to Eliza’s delight, a beautiful white horse was standing docilely in her stall. It took only a few coins to the stable hand to learn the address of the owners, and then Agatha and Eliza were off once again.
“I can’t understand how anyone could have thought that horse would go unnoticed,” Agatha said. “What if this is a trap?”
“Eugene and Sally don’t realize we know about the horse,” Eliza replied. “I’m telling you, we’re on the right track. It’s all a matter of trust at this point.”
“This coming from a woman who completely turned her back on trust,” Agatha said.
“I’ve changed,” Eliza said simply, pointing to a handsome townhouse. “I think that’s the place.”
“Funny, him residing here,” Agatha mused.
“What’s funny about it?”
“Well, remember when all this started, when we first became friends?”
“Of course I remember, Agatha. It wasn’t that long ago.”
“Quite right, but the reason we went to Bartholomew’s house was because he was to attend a dinner at Eugene Daniels’s house, but I know this was not the house, because, although it’s nice, it is hardly impressive enough to host a dinner party for New York society.”
“He must have abandoned that house,” Eliza said.
“If he has the money to purchase multiple dwellings, why in the world is he so intent on securing your fortune?”
“People like Eugene can never have enough money.”
“He reminds me of your Lawrence.”
“He’s not my Lawrence.”
“I didn’t mean to offend you,” Agatha said. “You’re the one who used to be engaged to the man, but at least you seem to have no remaining feelings for him.”
“Of course I don’t have feelings for him. He’s an arrogant fool.”
“You would have never discovered that if you hadn’t come to America,” Agatha said. “And you wouldn’t have found a man who truly cares for you and whose affections you return.”
“I’m not going to discuss Hamilton at this particular moment.”
“Are you still planning on returning to England?”
“I’m not certain.”
“You’re thinking about staying,” Agatha said with a smug smile.
“Again, not the right time to discuss this,” Eliza repeated, moving into the shadows in order to study the townhouse, which was now only one house away.
“I don’t see any guards,” Agatha said.
“That doesn’t mean they’re not there.”
“What if it’s the wrong house?”
“Then you and I will most likely end up in jail once again.”
“The house is completely dark.”
“No, the windows are simply blocked with drapes. I can see a sliver of light coming out of that window on the bottom floor.”
“Let’s find a different window,” Agatha said.
“We should try the back,” Eliza said.
It took Eliza and Agatha a good five minutes to locate the back gardens, as they had to first find an opening between the closely built townhouses, and then find the correct house.
“They all look alike,” Agatha complained as she landed beside Eliza after scaling a stone wall and dropping to the ground. “I don’t want to sound like a big baby, but I think that dog managed to take a huge chunk out of my skirt when he latched on to me.”
“Good thing that was the wrong house.”
“Good thing? The mutt almost had me for supper.”
“True, but that little boy came to your rescue and if it hadn’t been the wrong house, the barking would have brought everyone out to see what was causing so much noise,” Eliza said as she scanned the house and then pointed. “Look, there’s a window and . . . a handy tree.”
Agatha looked up and her eyes widened. “The window’s on the third floor.”
“It most likely won’t be locked, then,” Eliza said. “Who would imagine someone breaking into the third floor? It’s crazy.”
“Exactly,” Agatha muttered.
“We should take off our skirts.” Eliza quickly unfastened the waistband and allowed her skirt to fall to the ground. “It will make it easier to climb that tree.”
“Did I mention you’re a bit smaller than I am?” Agatha asked as she followed Eliza’s example and dropped her skirt to the ground.
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“These pants leave very little to the imagination.”
“It’s not as if anyone will see. Our plan is to rescue the children and get out of there unnoticed.”
“You honestly think we can get Piper and Ben down this tree?”
“Good point,” Eliza said before she brightened. “We’ll take them out a lower window.”
Eliza grabbed on to a branch and began to climb, a grin stealing over her face when she heard Agatha muttering behind her.
“What’s the matter?”
“Split a seam.”
Eliza’s grin widened as she continued to climb, realizing that this was certainly an unusual moment to be amused. She reached the window and pushed on it, releasing a sigh of relief when it opened. She swung from the branch and pulled herself through the window, Agatha following a few seconds behind.
“Did you hear that?” Agatha whispered.
“Hear what?” Eliza whispered back.
“My pants ripped again.”
Eliza stifled a laugh and cautiously edged her way through the room, using her hands to guide her way.
“A lamp would be helpful,” Agatha muttered.
Eliza finally located the door and eased it open, turning her head so she could hear more clearly.
The beautiful sound of Piper’s voice immediately came to her.
“If you yell at my brother one more time, I will make you very, very sorry,” Piper was saying.
; “Then tell the little monster to stop biting me,” Sally returned.
“They’re alive,” Agatha whispered, fumbling with the waistband of her pants.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m trying to get my pistol out.”
“Good thinking.”
“Thank you,” Agatha said. “I brought one for you. I took it from Hamilton’s gun case.”
“How do you use this thing?” Eliza asked, accepting the gun Agatha offered her.
“Don’t tell me you can’t shoot a gun.”
“Just explain the basics, and I’ll do my best not to shoot you by mistake.”
“There’s a comforting thought,” Agatha mumbled. “Perhaps you should give the gun back to me.”
“I will not. They have no idea I don’t know how to operate it.”
“Fine, then just hold it away from you, but don’t wave it around, don’t pull the trigger unless our very lives are at stake, and if you do pull the trigger, make sure the gun is pointed at the bad people.”
“There’s no need to be snippy. . . .” Eliza’s voice trailed off as Ben’s cry sounded down the hallway. Eliza threw caution to the wind as she raced toward the sound of his voice, the gun swinging wildly as she ran. She burst into the room, the gun in front of her, her eyes taking in the scene in a single glance.
She couldn’t say who was more surprised to see her: Sally, who was attempting to pry a screaming Ben off of her, or Piper, who was gaping at Eliza as if she couldn’t believe her eyes.
“Let go of him,” Eliza snarled, “or I swear I will shoot you right here on the spot.”
“I’m trying to,” Sally snapped, “but the little beast won’t stop biting me.”
“Mama,” Ben sobbed as he caught sight of Eliza and ran to her as fast as his legs could carry him. She scooped him up with one arm, keeping the gun firmly trained on Sally with the other.
“You came,” Ben wailed, nuzzling her neck with his face. She could feel wetness from his tears, and fury washed over her.