The carriage stopped twenty feet away, and the driver got down and brought the carriage lantern forward. Behind him two men left the carriage, but Nicholas could see only vague shapes because the light was thrust toward his own face. He tried to stand, but Pye’s cudgel pressed down on his shoulder warningly.
“A very pretty picture, eh, Connie?” he heard, and then, “Indeed, yes. All trussed up and awaiting your pleasure.”
Their laughter grated on Nicholas’ oversensitive nerves. He didn’t recognize the voices, but they were cultured accents. What enemies had he made recently among the fashionable set? Good God, dozens! All the past suitors of his bride-to-be.
“A splendid job, my good fellows.” A purse was tossed to the cudgel-wielder, and another to the short, stocky carriage driver. “Just light that lamp there for us, and then you may return the hired hack. We’ll make use of this carriage since his lordship won’t be needing it.”
The light moved out of his eyes and Nicholas got his first good look at the two men. Both were tall and bearded, both well dressed, the thinner man in a double-breasted redingote; the other one, with a huge beard, in a several-tiered Garrick coat. He saw dark trousers and well-polished boots. But who were they?
The broader man, slightly shorter than the other, sported an ivory-handled walking stick. That plus his bushy beard gave him a caricaturelike appearance. He was older than his companion, possibly in his early forties. He seemed vaguely familiar, but for the life of him, Nicholas couldn’t place either of them.
“Bring that other lamp over here before you go.”
Nicholas’ own carriage lamp was set on the back of the carriage, casting light on him, but leaving the two gentlemen in shadows. The driver and the thug left in the hired carriage.
“He looks confused, doesn’t he, Connie?” the younger man said when the carriage had rumbled away. “You don’t think he’s going to disappoint me by saying he doesn’t remember me?”
“Perhaps you should refresh his memory.”
“Perhaps I should jar it.”
The boot caught Nicholas on the jaw. He fell back on his bound arms, grunting in pain.
“Come, lad, sit up. That was barely a tap.”
Nicholas was hauled roughly to his feet by his bound wrists, wrenching his arms. He swayed for a moment, overcome by a wave of dizziness, but a heavy hand steadied him. Fortunately his jaw was already turning numb. He barely felt a twinge when he parted his lips. “If we are supposed to have met—”
The fist knocked the breath out of him as it slammed into his stomach. He doubled over, gasping for air that eluded him.
The hand that slipped beneath his chin to draw him back up was almost gentle. “Don’t disappoint me again, lad.” The voice was soft with warning. “Tell me you remember me.”
Nicholas flushed with impotent anger as he stared at the man. He was only a few inches shorter than Nicholas. The light brown hair was long and tied back with a ribbon, though shorter, blonder locks fell over his ears. The beard was the same light brown shade as the hair. When he moved his head to the side to study Nicholas, a flash of gold appeared at his ear. An earring? Impossible. The only men who wore earrings were…uneasiness began to replace his anger.
“Captain Hawke?”
“Very good, lad! I would hate to think you had forgotten me,” Hawke chuckled. “You see what the right prodding can do, Connie? And it was a darkened alley where we last met. I doubt the boy got a good look at me then.”
“He saw you well enough on theMaiden Anne.”
“But do I look the same on board ship? No. He’s a clever lad, that’s what. It was a matter of deduction, see? I doubt he has another enemy like me.”
“I hate to disappoint you,” Nicholas said wearily, “but you no longer have a monopoly on hating me.”
“No? Splendid! I wouldn’t like to think of you having too easy a time of it once I’m gone.”
“Then I shall live to see another day?” Nicholas asked.
Connie laughed. “He’s as arrogant as you are, Hawke, damned if he isn’t. I don’t think you frighten him at all. He’ll be spitting in your eye next.”
“I don’t think so,” Hawke replied coldly. “I might pluck out his own in that case. How d’you think he’d look wearing a patch like old Billings?”
“With that pretty face?” Connie snorted. “It would only enhance his superb looks. The ladies would love it.”
“Well, perhaps I should see to his face, then.”
Nicholas did not even see the blow. Fire exploded on his cheek, the impact staggering him. Connie was there to hold him up, however, and then the other cheek received the same powerful blow.
When his head cleared, Nicholas spat blood. His eyes glowed with a murderous light as he met the pirate captain’s stare.
