“After all the work you did here for us to put the city back to rights, least I can do is help now.”
The ties were undone and I flexed my hands, trying to get circulation moving. Joe hustled me out to the street, and I was finally able to get my bearings. I was indeed very close to the wharf, only a street away, and about eight streets down from my own house. That somehow irked me. I couldn’t explain why.
The guards arrived—people I knew, after working for months alongside them. They spotted the rumpled me, and Lieutenant Graves immediately patted me over.
“Edwin, are you all right?”
“Aside from a bump on the side of the head, I’m fine. I ask for your assistance. These three conspired against Princess Helena.”
Every single man within earshot abruptly turned to look at the lords, their expressions ones of black fury.
Helena was very loved by the people. She had worked just as hard to put the city back to rights as James and I had, so people knew her and thought well of her. I had deliberately mentioned the plot against Helena to make sure everyone here knew what these three had done.
It was my little payback.
The dock workers gave way as the city guard seized the lords roughly by the arms, but they stayed nearby while the guards moved them out of the building.
Lieutenant Graves said, “I’ll escort you back to the palace. I’ll render all assistance in making sure these three get locked up.”
I gave him a beatific smile. “Please do.”
Somebody was in trouble and it wasn’t me.
I did not have any maturity left for people who kept me from my book and bubble bath.
Two carriages were quickly called for, and within a few minutes, we were back on our way to the palace. I was rather resigned to not having my book or my own bed tonight, as James would insist on keeping me with him. Likely for weeks, after this stunt. Which I didn’t particularly mind, but hopefully he wouldn’t sink back into his terrible mood where he had horrific nightmares of the past. Although that would likely happen.
In any case, within two hours of leaving palace grounds, I was back and the guards at the palace gates looked alarmed. Rightfully so. I waved to one and leaned out of the carriage to call out, “Atkins! Send for Prince James, Princess Helena, and Commander Harland!”
Atkins nodded, turned, and sprinted for the palace.
Bray muttered something under his breath that sounded like “He really does know everyone, dammit,” but I pretended not to hear him.
We’d barely reached the side doors that led into the interrogation rooms when James arrived. He had apparently been playing with Titan, as he came to me on horseback, without even a saddle on. Just a bridle and nothing else. Titan seemed to enjoy his mad dash, though. The horse pranced in place and huffed, ready to go again.
James threw himself off, arms reaching for me, his expression frantic and concerned.
“Beloved, why are you back here with the guards?”
I looked at his expression and knew he’d definitely have nightmares tonight. Still, I had to tell him. I hugged him back first, hoping to ease his panic somewhat. “These three are cohorts with Chuffey. They abducted me for information.”
A simple explanation, but adequate for now.
James kept me close with his hands, and the rage that washed over his face was incandescent in its purity. “Are you injured?”
“A bump on the head, nothing more serious. Fortunately, the wonderful dockmen heard me. They and our friends in the guard came immediately to my rescue.”
Distracted for a brief moment, James lifted his head to address Lieutenant Graves. “For this, I thank you.”
Lieutenant Graves warded this off with uplifted hands. “Please, Your Highness, we couldn’t do anything else! We owe much to Edwin. And you, of course.”
“Still, I thank you. Let’s usher these three inside.” James focused on Bray, who was being roughly dragged from the carriage, and I saw him go pale under the expression on my lover’s face. “I have questions.”
Would these three survive until morning? That was my question.
My guess? Well, likely not. I couldn’t say the thought particularly upset me much.
Although, truly, would this day simply not end?
