Calmer now, Satan spoke from his throne. “I’ve always said to send a message if you needed me.”
“There was no time,” Fiona said, addressing her brother like he was still wearing nappies. “What needs to be done is immediate, you smug, self-righteous, self-opinionated, sod-minded, suet-brained?—”
Satan slammed the flat of his palm on a fly.
Elizabeth jumped.
“Are you hare-brained women going to tell me what you need, or must I squash it out of you?”
Glancing at the insect flattened to his desk, Elizabeth catapulted forward, tripping on the uneven floor, and turned her reticule upside down, depositing her jewels. Emeralds, sapphires, rubies, diamonds scintillated in the meager light.
The giant reared his colossal head. “There has to be a fortune.”
That gained his attention. “I was told on good authority that you could hock the jewels for me and quickly,” said Elizabeth.
He frowned at his sister.
“If you don’t get the highest price there will be hell to pay,” added Fiona.
He smiled broadly, what might have been his charming poetic face so out of place in this room darkened with fear, violence…and was that sulfur fumes? “Hell, Fiona. I don’t knowwhat I fear more. Your umbrella or that sharp tongue of yours. I’ll have it done by tomorrow.”
Fiona looked at Elizabeth in silence as Maguire escorted them to their carriage. Her maid had the grace to smile.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Zachary did a double take. Deposited on his desk was a bag full of money. Where had it come from? Who was his mysterious benefactor?
His gaze flicked upward to Chen. “Do you know anything about where this money came from? Was it Mrs. Merriweather? My in-laws?”
“I do not know.”
A vein pulsed in his throat. “Elizabeth?”
Impassive as ever, Chen said, “Whoever is responsible, we must know such kindness of warm sun can’t be repaid by grass.”
“I told her not to get involved. I don’t want her charity. I’ll make her take it back.”
“The favor of a drop of water,” Chen said, “should be repaid with a surging spring.”
“Those monks had a predilection to brainwash you with everything Confucius.”
Chen bowed. “When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Zachary snapped.
Chen’s expression remained blank. “Do not allow regret and cynicism get the better of your present moment or action.”
O’Reilly hunched down between the machines pretending not to see Fiona and smiled inwardly as she marched down on him. Oh, the joy this woman would bring him, a life of laughter and well-being. What new thing had occurred to bring out the she-tiger? To savor the experience of her raining outrage was like manna from heaven. He understood her even if she did not. She truly cared for him and that was the dearest feeling any man could possess.
“Get up, Mr. O’Reilly. You can’t hide from me. I don’t like the danger you’re in one bit. I wish you to remove yourself before something happens.”
Her fuse was short and burning, and his heartbeat quickened. “We’ve had this discussion before, my darling. I’m in no danger. The Irish are good at a number of things, but they are unrivaled at fighting. And your brother is watching over me.”
“And that is supposed to give me peace with the Whyos on the loose?”
“Woman, you make my brain feel like a bee’s nest with all your prattle.”
Fiona turned her back on him. “Prattle it is? I think it’s a disgrace.”
