Instead, she shook her head and glanced away.
“Tessa.” The whisper of her name on his lips had her turning to him once again.
“Marcus.” She’d meant to address him with his title, to remind herself and him of the distance between them. But his given name had slipped out.
His pupils darkened. His gaze slid to her lips then returned to her eyes. “Damn,” he muttered as he leaned over, pressing his lips to hers.
Her heart swelled with joy. She drank as though dying from thirst, indulging in the moment. She hung on to that thought—that this was only a moment. That’s all it could last. This was not fate but merely chance.
But try as she might, she couldn’t make any of that matter. Not when passion swirled as their tongues danced. There could be no denying the desire he felt for her. The knowledge made her heady with power. He released her mouth to devour her jaw line then lower to her neck, nudging the sensitive spot behind her ear she hadn’t realized was there.
Heat pooled low in her belly, and her breath quickened. What was this, she wondered. How could this be? Why him? The thoughts fell away as quickly as they came. Then his hand settled on her waist beneath her cloak.
“Oh my,” she murmured, overwhelmed by the feelings coursing through her. Whatever this was, she wanted more, before it left never to return.
His hand moved up, causing need to settle heavy in her breast. Yes, she wanted to shout. Now the warmth of his palm rested just below her breast. She wanted to move it up and ease the ache there.
“What is this?” he whispered as he eased back, his gaze holding hers. “What do you do to me?”
His question seemed to demand an answer, yet she had none to give. Instead, she kissed him. The distance between them she’d thought so vast now seemed to have disappeared.
“I want you. Damned if I don’t.” There was an edge to his words that she didn’t understand. As though this passion was forbidden.
The reminder was sharp, causing her breath to catch in her throat. She didn’t know this man at all. He might very well be—“Are you married?” His voice had held guilt. What other cause could there be?
He closed his eyes at her question, and her heart sank. Disgust filled her. At herself. At him. She should’ve known better than to think he might be honest. How often had her father twisted the truth to suit his own end?
“No.”
Yet his hesitation made her doubt he told the truth.
What difference did it make? She shouldn’t be kissing him anyway. He lived in a world far removed from hers. Besides what he made her feel was too unsettling, too risky, and too treacherous.
Now she need only convince herself of that.
Chapter Five
Marcus was surprised at Sally’s enthusiasm to meet Culbert, the man she’d spoken with at the dock, to offer a counterproposal. Apparently, the idea of playing spy appealed to her. She had a contact who could get a message to the man but didn’t know any other way to find him. Of course, she only agreed once Tessa said she’d also accompany them.
Marcus refused to acknowledge how much he looked forward to spending more time with Tessa nor how much he enjoyed their kisses.
The next afternoon, Tessa sent him a message stating that Sally had received confirmation from Culbert as to the time and location of their meeting. Though Marcus shared Tessa’s concerns about allowing the young girl to speak with the man again, he could think of no other way to discover more about the scheme Culbert was attempting to run and who else was involved. He feared more girls were at risk than just Sally.
After much discussion, he and Tessa decided it best to allow the girl to walk to the dock as she had in the past in case she was being watched. The three of them agreed on a meeting place should Sally not find Culbert or if anything went awry.
Marcus’s carriage drew to a halt a short distance from the dock. The worry in Tessa’s gaze gave him pause.
“I will take care of her,” he promised. “Samuel will be watching as well.”
She nodded but didn’t seem truly reassured.
They stared out the carriage window for several minutes until Sally arrived at the meeting spot. Marcus prepared to alight, turning once more to Tessa.
“You must wait here.” Though this had already been discussed at length, he felt the need to remind her.
“I don’t see why. I’d be far more help closer to Sally, and I blend in better than you in this area.”
Marcus had donned a suit that had seen better days but would still stand out from the majority of other men on the dock. “I don’t care. It’s far too dangerous. You need to remain in the carriage. I intend to stay out of Culbert’s sight, and I’ll take care not to draw anyone else’s attention.”
Her scowl was answer enough. The twist of her lips made him want to kiss her once more. With effort, he resisted as he’d indulged himself far too much when it came to her. “Please wait here.”
She reluctantly nodded.
He stepped down from the carriage and walked toward the ship grocers where Culbert and Sally were meeting. Samuel continued to the far side of the grocers to seek a vantage point. Marcus hid behind a stack of wooden barrels that waited to be moved into a warehouse. If Culbert spoke loud enough, Marcus should be able to hear what he said.
Marcus waited until Culbert approached Sally then moved closer. From this spot, he couldn’t see the pair without revealing himself, but he could hear more clearly. He still thought his suspicions might be wrong. After all, if Culbert wanted the girl to work in a brothel, he could simply steal her, haul her to the brothel where she could be drugged, and be done with it. But since he hadn’t done that, Marcus believed a bigger endeavor was at work, one that involved his ships.
“Did ye decide to join us?” Culbert asked Sally.
“Not quite. I ’ave a proposition of me own for ye,” Sally answered.
Marcus had to smile despite the dire circumstances. The girl could’ve been an actress as well as she played the part they’d discussed.
“What would that be?” The wariness in Culbert’s voice was evident even from this distance.
“I know many girls my age and younger who live in the same lodging house as me. I believe I could convince several to accept your offer in the next day or two. Of course, I’d expect a ’andsome fee for me efforts for each one who joins ye.”
“Why do ye think I need more girls other than ye?” Culbert asked.
“More’s always better, isn’t it?”
The two conversed further, at last coming to an agreement on the fee. Marcus had warned her against offering to do it too cheaply. That might raise Culbert’s suspicions. Sally did just as Marcus asked, and the pair planned to meet again on the morrow in the same place at the same time. Sally was to bring the others with her.
“What do ye intend to do with ’em?” Sally asked.
“’Tis none of yer business.”
Marcus swore at Culbert’s curt response. He needed more details to understand what the man was up to.
Culbert took his leave, and Marcus followed as the man walked past several shops, hands in his pockets, whistling. Obviously, he was quite pleased with himself. Marcus assumed Samuel had already returned to the carriage.
“If it isn’t Culbert,” a man approaching from the opposite direction called.
“Freddie, where have ye been keepin’ yerself? Haven’t seen ye in these parts for ages.”
Marcus eased into the mouth of an alleyway, hoping to hear the two men.
They conversed for a bit, Freddie sharing how he’d been “nicked by the coppers” and only recently released. At least that’s what Marcus thought he said. The man’s accent was strong, and he used odd terms Marcus had never heard before.
“What are ye up to?” Freddie asked.
“I’ve got meself a good game goin’,” Culbert said with obvious pride in his voice. He rocked back on his heels, thumbs in his pockets, and a grin on his thin face.
�
��Tell me.”
“We’re sendin’ virgins to Brussels.” He chuckled as though it was a clever thing.
“Ye don’t say. Whatever fer?”
“They like young English roses there. Fer the brothels. They pay a premium price for the fresh ones.”
“How do ye get them to go with ye?”
“We promise them jobs as maids. We tell them what a grand adventure it is to serve as a maid in another country. That they only have to work a few hours each day.”
“And they believe that?”
“Who isn’t desperate to earn more and work less? We tell them they’ll have plenty of money to send home to their families.”
Marcus’s anger built as he listened. He’d seen the terrible poverty himself in this area. Sally’s family was a good example. Her father had gotten hurt on the job and hadn’t worked for several weeks. The injury put them behind on rent and limited what food they could afford. That was why Sally had sought a job that earned more than a seamstress. Their family shared a room in a lodging house with three other families. Conditions were appalling.
Marcus had managed to find jobs for the men and better lodgings for their families. Hopefully, that would help improve their lives.
The problems in London with the poor were massive. It would take far more than what little he could do to solve them. But everyone he helped was one less person living in filth and near starvation. To those people, his efforts mattered.
And if his ships were somehow being used to worsen the situation, he damned well intended to stop it.
“’Tis much easier to haul willin’ girls across the Channel than sell them to a brothel,” Culbert continued. “We don’t have to drug them. Once they land, the Belgian brothel owners take over.”
“Isn’t that somethin’,” Freddie exclaimed.
“It pays well. Easy money. Just a matter of finding willin’ girls. And now I got me a source to keep them comin’.”
Freddie asked a few more questions but declined to join Culbert’s scheme as he had a daughter of his own and didn’t feel right doing such a thing.
Marcus’s stomach churned at the idea that he’d unknowingly been part of this white slave trade. He had to stop it. If he could verify whether any girls were on board his ship, he’d request the authorities to retrieve them and arrest those involved. But he’d have to time the search to just before the ship departed as the girls wouldn’t be placed in the cargo hold until then. If he was wrong, and his ships weren’t being used, he knew someone else’s were. It might take some time, but he was determined to put an end to this.
Culbert and Freddie finished their conversation, and both men moved away. Marcus breathed a sigh of relief that he’d completed one small step of his mission. Now he need only share what he’d learned with Tessa.
As disgusting as what Culbert and his associates were doing, it made Marcus admire Tessa and her aunt all the more. If additional people reached out a helping hand the way they did, the world would be a better place.
Tessa grew increasingly impatient as she stared out the carriage window. What could be taking so long? It seemed to her as though Marcus and Sally should’ve returned by now. Had something gone amiss?
She hated that Marcus insisted she stay here. Hearing what Culbert told Sally first hand would be much more helpful. And yet the concern Marcus showed for her safety warmed a corner of her heart.
With a shake of her head, she reminded herself that no purpose would be served by growing sentimental over his actions toward her. He’d soon return to Northumberland. He’d told her of his home during the carriage ride from Sally’s to the shop the previous day. When he’d spoken of his castle there, he’d described the land and the people with great fondness. Of course, with a family holding that dated back to the thirteenth century, he should feel a great deal of pride.
She couldn’t imagine living in a castle. What would it be like? Cold and drafty, one voice in her head suggested. Lovely and romantic, said the other. As the voices in her head argued, she caught sight of a familiar face in the distance. It looked like Molly, one of her former apprentices. She had gotten a job last spring with a reputable dressmaker. Tessa had seen little of her since.
With an oath, she reached for the carriage door. Surely nothing good had happened to the girl if she was on the dock in the middle of the day.
“Miss?” the footman asked as he hopped down to hold the door for her.
“I’ll return directly.”
“But miss—”
“I see someone with whom I must speak.” Hoping the footman wouldn’t follow her, she hurried toward where she’d seen Molly.
But the girl was some distance ahead of her and still walking. Tessa had no way to draw her attention or catch up to her. Admitting defeat, she paused near some large wooden crates, watching to see where Molly went. Much to her surprise, Culbert stood waiting just ahead of the girl.
“No,” she said, hoping he was not truly meeting Molly. Had she succumbed to the temptation of his lies?
“Is that Molly?” Sally asked as she came to stand beside Tessa.
“Yes.”
“What is she doing with Culbert?” Then it seemed to dawn on her what was happening. “Oh, no.”
“Blast that man.” Tessa started forward, but Sally grabbed her arm.
“Don’t, miss. There’s more than just Culbert waitin’ fer Molly.”
Tessa looked closer and realized several men now stood near her.
“I think we need more than ye and me to stop her from going with them.”
“But they’re lying to her.”
“I don’t think they’d appreciate us explainin’ that to Molly.”
“We can’t allow her to go with them.”
“Let us follow and see where they take her,” Sally suggested.
“Excellent notion,” Tessa agreed. She glanced about, wishing either Marcus or Samuel was with them. “But we must stay out of sight.”
They moved carefully, using the passing traffic, piles of goods, and shop doorways to hide their progress. Molly and two of the men were nearing the dock now. Culbert was no longer in sight. Tessa and Sally moved a little closer to stand behind several rows of grain sacks piled high.
“Well, well. What do we have here?”
Tessa turned to see Culbert behind them, a knife in hand.
“Is this one of the girls you were going to bring to me?” he asked Sally with a sneer on his lips, revealed his uneven, gray teeth. “She’s a bit older than we normally take, but she’s a looker.” He gestured with the weapon that they should back up, forcing them deeper into the rows of towering grain sacks.
Tessa reached out to take Sally’s hand in hers as they eased back. The girl trembled with fear.
“Where are you taking Molly?” Tessa asked.
“That wouldn’t be any of yer business, now would it?” He glared at Sally. “I can’t believe ye tried to trick me.”
Sally drew closer to Tessa but said nothing.
“What do you intend to do with Molly and the other girls?”
Culbert raised his knife. “I won’t be telling ye anything. Ye know too much already.”
Tessa drew Sally behind her as she glanced around, realizing the sacks towered above them on three sides. There was no way out. They were alone with Culbert and his knife.
Chapter Six
Marcus made his way back to the carriage, anxious to tell Tessa that he truly admired how she and her aunt had committed to helping the girls. The urge to kiss her filled him once again, and she wasn’t even in sight. His desire for her surprised him in a rather unsettling fashion.
An idea was brewing in the back of his mind, a way he might both help Tessa and keep her in his life. He ignored the slide of guilt at the thought. Mary was gone, and he still lived. Or was his guilt because asking Tessa to be his mistress seemed unfair to her and selfish of him? Yet it would bring them both pleasure and improve Tessa’s life. Surely that was enough of a good
thing.
His footman awaited him, appearing quite relieved when Marcus came into view.
“Where is Samuel?” Marcus asked, concerned at the man’s expression.
“He went to look for Miss Maycroft. She insisted she saw someone she knew and followed.”
Marcus nearly groaned in frustration. Why couldn’t she have stayed put as he’d asked? “In which direction did they go?” He glanced to where the man pointed. “Stay with the carriage.”
An uneasy feeling hung over Marcus. He wasn’t surprised that she hadn’t listened. Why should she? He had no hold over her. But it infuriated him that she wasn’t more careful. How ironic that it had been the same lack of caution that caused her to stumble upon him that night in Whitechapel.
The crowded street forced him to walk slowly as he didn’t want to miss her. Where could she be?
Culbert’s tall form caught his eye. Marcus shifted behind some barrels, watching as the man walked between rows of grain sacks. Curious as to what he was doing, Marcus eased closer until at last, he saw what held Culbert’s attention at the rear of the stacks.
Tessa and Sally.
His stomach dropped. Culbert waved his hand, the glint of a knife visible. Anger boiled to the surface, demanding action. But how to disarm him when Tessa was in danger?
With slow steps, he eased forward until close enough to strike.
Tessa’s gaze caught on him, and he held his breath. He could only hope she wouldn’t unwittingly alert Culbert to his presence.
She seemed to realize the situation at once and returned her attention to Culbert. “Allow us to leave,” she demanded.
“I don’t think so,” Culbert said. “Ye both know too much now.”
“What do you intend to do?” Tessa asked, making Marcus realize she was trying to keep Culbert talking and therefore, focused on them.
“I know of a ship with room in its hold for the likes of ye.”
Marcus had heard enough. He sprang forward and tackled Culbert, bringing him to the ground. But the man was wiry and moved quickly. He managed to roll over to face Marcus, the knife still in his hand.
Regency Wolfe: A de Wolfe Pack Connected World collection of Victorian and Regency Tales Page 10