“I am going.” Pippa wore a determined expression that Hawk was all too familiar with. “Sisters first.I am not abandoning Fiona in her time of need.”
As Cullen pulled his wife into the cabin to continue their discussion in private, Hawk went to the railing, raising the telescope again. Was that a flicker of light in one of the windows or a mere reflection? His chest knotted; he wished it was dark and time to go in. Waiting, knowing that Fiona was inside, was driving him mad.
“She will be all right.” Lady Fayne came to stand beside him.
“No thanks to you and your damned society,” he muttered.
“On the contrary, it is because of the Society of Angels that Fiona has the skills to take care of herself,” Lady Fayne said coolly. “Let us not forget that Sterling kidnapped her to get toyou, my lord. Because of your work withyourorganization.”
Hawk clenched his jaw, unable to argue because her logic was sound. Hewasresponsible for Fiona’s plight. He’d failed the woman he loved…again. Only this time the pain ran deeper. Straight into his soul, which he would trade for another moment with his beloved.
“At first, I was not certain you were a good choice for a spirited young woman like Fiona,” Lady Fayne said conversationally.
You were right.Gritting his teeth, Hawk said nothing.
“But there is more to you than meets the eye. I understand now what Fiona sees in you. Once we have her back, I do believe the two of you can have a successful match. If you remember something important, my lord.”
“And what is that?” Hawk asked broodingly.
“You must allow Fiona to make her own choices. Determining her destiny is her right, not yours. The only way you can fail her is by failing to love the woman she truly is.” Lady Fayne arched her brows. “And I think deep inside you do know what Fiona is capable of.”
“I know she’s capable. Clever and bold as well. But when all is told, she is still alady, not a bloody agent,” he growled.
“It would take a skilled agent to pull the wool over your eyes, I’m certain.” Lady Fayne tilted her head. “The lady would have to be able to masquerade as a light-skirt, break into a count’s study to retrieve stolen goods, and make a daring escape from a balcony. All without giving away the fact that she is London’s most celebrated debutante.”
The realization struck Hawk like a thunderclap; the sudden clarity left him stunned. The light-skirt…his wife. Why hadn’t he bloody seen it? Two women who represented his deepest fantasies, who affected him like no one else had because…because they were one and the same.
“Devil take it.” Even though he knew the answer, he had to ask, “That was Fiona?”
Lady Fayne merely smiled and walked away.
Gripping the railing, Hawk stared into the dark, churning waves.
Thirty-Nine
“You almost have it,” Fi said encouragingly. “Use the bottom hairpin as a lever and wriggle the upper one. Listen for the click.”
Lillian was bent over the manacles that bound Fi’s hands. Following Fi’s instructions, she was using a pair of Fi’s hairpins to pick the lock. As Lillian worked, Fi kept her senses on alert for the arrival of guards. According to Lillian, Wilkes and Sterling hadn’t bothered posting men outside Fi’s door, presuming that a lady would not attempt to escape.
Click.Fi felt the manacles loosen.
“I did it.” Lillian blinked as if she couldn’t believe it.
“So you did.” Beaming at her, Fi set the heavy bonds aside and rubbed her wrists. “Now to get out of here. Do you have any weapons?”
Lillian shook her head.
“No matter. Our best weapon is stealth.” Fi headed to the door. “Where are the exits?”
“There are two, at the north and south ends of the mill. We’re closest to the north exit. There is also a waterway beneath the building, but that is heavily guarded and where Wilkes and Sterling will be returning.”
“Let’s go to the north exit,” Fi decided. “You’ll have to take the lead.”
Lillian drew back her shoulders. “I’ll do my best.”
Opening the door, Lillian peered out, gesturing for Fi to follow. The corridor was dark and narrow, lit by the occasional lantern. They passed what looked like former offices, Fi wincing whenever a floorboard creaked beneath their steps. Vermin scurried in the shadows.
“The exit is just around the corner,” Lillian whispered.
