As the duke and Em set about collecting the darts, Gabriel turned to Thea. “Would you care to take a stroll in the garden?” he said quietly. “There is much for us to discuss.”
“I would love to—”
She was cut off by the shuffling arrival of Jarvis, the aged butler. “Begging your pardon, Lord Tremont,” the loyal retainer said in his Scottish brogue, “but a message arrived for you just now.”
Gabriel took the note from the salver. He scanned its contents, his expression darkening.
“News?” the duke said.
“I hired a man to look for the governess, and he’s tracked down an old address for her in Shoreditch.”
“Do you think she’ll be there?” Strathaven said, frowning.
Gabriel’s eyes were as hard as steel. “It’s a lead I’ll have to check out.”
“I’ll go with you,” the duke offered.
“I’d rather you keep an eye on my son. I’ll be back soon—with good news, I hope.” He paused, his gaze on Thea. “Once this business is over, the future can truly begin.”
“Do have a care,” she said anxiously. “It could be dangerous—”
He bowed over her hand, murmured, “We’ll talk more when I return. Wait for me?”
She nodded. He said a brief goodbye to Freddy and strode out.
“Don’t worry, dear.” Seeing the fear the boy was valiantly trying to hide, Thea gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Your papa will be fine.”
“I don’t like Mademoiselle Fournier. She’s not a good person.” Freddy’s bottom lip quivered.
“No, she isn’t, but hopefully this will soon be over. Now would you care to try throwing some darts? I could use a practice partner.”
“Oh.” Freddy’s brow furrowed. “I suppose I can try.”
He proved a quick study, the first few tries landing respectably in the middle ring.Like father, like son, Thea thought with pride. Freddy’s next dart hit the edge of the red, and at that same instant, the windows suddenly rattled with a blast.
He blinked. “I didn’t do that… did I?”
“What the devil? That came from the street.” Strathaven was already heading out of the room, toward the front of the house. “Stay back here where it’s safe.”
Emma, of course, followed him, and Thea and Freddy hurried behind her. In the drawing room, Thea went to one of the windows overlooking the street. She stood on tiptoe, craning her neck to see—
Her heart stopped.
At the end of the road, Gabriel’s carriage lay on its side, engulfed by flames.
Chapter Thirteen
“Trajan, we have to run.Now.I’ve got horses waiting…”
Marius’ voice filtered through smoke and flames. Through burning rage.
Gabriel shoved the other aside. “Not leaving. Not until I kill every last one of these bastards.”
“Goddamnit, there’s no time—”
The enemy swarmed out of the flaming building, surrounding them. Gabriel bared his teeth, the beast rearing, clawing inside him. Weeks they’d held him captive, beaten and flogged him, laughing as he thrashed in agony.
They’re all dead men.
