"I have no desire to harm Hunt. I've done him enough wrong already," Nicholas said quietly. "My hope is to find some way to make amends—if he will accept."
That was something, at least.
"Thank you." Hearing the summons of Lisbett's supper bell, Percy sighed. "We best go in before she comes after us with the rolling pin."
She headed back to the house. At the edge of the garden, she paused; the other two had not followed. They were still standing there, surrounded by roses and sunshine. As she watched, Nicholas pulled his lady close, and a moment later buried his face in her hair. Helena appeared to be murmuring to him, her arms wrapping around his waist.
Percy swallowed, feeling a pang of guilt for Nicholas' pain. Yet she knew Gavin was suffering, too, and she longed to be a comfort to him the way Helena was to Nick. So much was at stake—the lives of everyone she loved. She had to find a way to put an end to this. She had to... but how?
35
"Bloody Christ!"Gavin choked out curses as an icy wave towed him into wakefulness. He bolted upright, frigid water dripping down his face; his mind struggled to surface from a sea of spirits. He was sitting on a settee in his office. Two small faces peered down at him. Davey, Alfie… and the latter had an empty bucket in hand.
"What the hell did you do that for?" Gavin growled, swiping water off his face.
"We 'ad to talk to you, and there weren't no other way to get you up," Alfie said. "You've been drunker than a sailor on 'is first leave."
Snatching the towel Davey held out, Gavin mopped irritably at his face. "I said I wasn't to be disturbed." Memories returned, and his gut clenched in pain.
Stewart's... gone. Percy, too.
"Trust me, you'll want to 'ear this. But you'll need this first." Alfie passed him a cup. "'Tis my ma's old recipe—made it e'vry mornin' for 'er 'til the day she cocked 'er toes up."
Gavin eyed the greenish sludge. What did he have to lose? He gulped it down, and the most potent hair of the dog he'd ever had blasted through him.
He coughed. "What news do you have, Alfie?"
"First off, they fished Finian O'Brien from the Thames this mornin'. Soon thereafter, 'is brother went runnin' for the hills."
Christ.The news was as sobering as Alfie's concoction. "Do they know who did it?"
Alfie gave him a wry look. "There ain't many culprits left, I reckon."
The urchin reckoned right. "Kingsley," Gavin said grimly.
Alfie looked at Davey. For some reason, the latter shook his head, his face pulling taut with fear. Alfie nudged him none too gently with an elbow. "Go on, Davey. Tell 'im what you told me." When Davey continued to stand there mutely, Alfie snarled, "Tell the man or I will."
A tremor passed over the boy's narrow shoulders. "I... I'm sorry, Mr. Hunt," he blurted. "I han't been straight with you. And you've been good to me."
"What is it, Davey?" Gavin said.
"I wanted to tell you sooner, but I was afraid. After what 'appened to Mr. Stewart..." As Gavin's insides twisted, the boy lowered his unruly head, his voice emerging as a whisper. "I can't 'ide any longer. 'Tis my fault. I was sent 'ere to spy on you."
A chill gripped Gavin's nape. "By who?"
Fear dilated Davey's pupils. "The gent 'as information on my brother, Mr. Hunt. 'E said 'e'd 'ave Eddie tossed in Newgate if I didn't do what 'e said."
"Who, Davey?" Gavin rose.
The boy let out a shuddery breath. "Mr. Magnus."
Magnus.With a fresh stab of grief, Gavin recalled Stewart's distrust of the old man. "What have you reported to Magnus thus far?"
Davey's face flamed, and even his oversized ears turned scarlet. "I've told 'im bits an' pieces that I overheard. I—I figured out your secret corridor, an' I've been usin' it..."
"To eavesdrop," Gavin said brusquely. "I get it. Now tell me exactly what you've told Magnus."
"I told 'im about Mr. Kingsley's visit and 'ow you turned 'im down. And once I 'eard you and Mr. Stewart..." The boy trailed off, his lip wobbling.
