“Damnit.” Elizabeth scowled at her superficial war wound as though it had ruined her day.
Another carriage pulled up along the side of the road.
“Too late, you missed it!” yelled one of the departing picnickers. “The girl won!”
Elizabeth grinned.
“That’s not more townsfolk arriving for the show,” Graham told Stephen. “It’s our hackney.”
“We own a few carriages that double as hackneys for missions where we need to be discreet,” Jacob explained.
A familiar, sheepish face emerged from the not-a-hackney’s door.
“The Earl of Densmore!” Adrian exclaimed.
The awestruck earl took in the chaos of limping soldiers and chattering picnickers cluttering the length of the castle’s lawn. After a long moment, he jogged up to Stephen. “I leave you alone for one month…”
“It’s been over four months,” Stephen corrected his cousin. “You said you’d be gone for two days.”
The earl winced. “I lost track of time?”
“You lost your castle, too,” said Elizabeth.
“Technically, it never was your castle,” Kuni added. “We defended it all the same.”
Densmore pointed at his feet in horror. “Is thatbloodsplattering my boots?”
“It’s red paint,” answered Marjorie. “Mostly.”
“Excuse me for a moment,” said Graham. “I must send our driver on one more mission.”
“Paint?” Densmore repeated. “Why on earth is—”
A swarm of soldiers streamed out from the gaping castle entrance, several of them sporting impressive knots on their foreheads.
“You!” Reddington marched up to the cluster of Wynchesters, the frayed stumps of his severed coattails flapping with each stride. He jabbed his finger into the earl’s lapel. “This is allyourfault, Densmore.”
“I have no idea what’s happening,” the earl protested.
“You apparently didn’t know what was happening the last time I saw you, either. You promised me a castle these infidels claim you do not own.”
Densmore had the grace to flinch with embarrassment at this accusation. “At the time of that particular gameplay, ownership was somewhat unclear—”
“Do you want to know what’s clear?” Face flushed, Reddington smashed his worthless IOU into the earl’s chest. “Your word is worth as much as this paper. None at all.”
Without waiting for a response, Reddington spun around in a huff, giving the earl his back. He stomped off to lead his men through the forest and away from Castle Harbrook.
Stephen turned to his long-lost cousin. “Youarea rogue, you know.”
“I know.” Densmore hung his head. “Thank you for coming to my rescue yet again. I suppose you’ve left things better than how you found them? If a bit more cluttered?”
“If you’re referring to my machines, yes, I might have installedone or two. And if you’re referring to your finances… also yes. Your coffers are heavier than ever, and you’ve given all your employees a raise in salary.”
Densmore made a sheepish expression. “How would you like to be earl?”
“Not on your life.” Stephen leapt away from his cousin. “Take that back.”
“What I mean is… I could really use your help. Would you be my man of business? You can name your price. You’d be the one in charge of your salary anyway.”
