“I understand that more than most, as your sister is my life. But, for this to succeed, you must think with your head, not your heart.”
Joseph nodded. There was sense in the words, however, he was driven by his heart to get to Milly.
“Mr. Brown, if you will take my footmen and go to the rear of the building, there will be a way inside. Please find it.”
“Very well, my lord.”
He watched the men leave. They wandered to the end of the building and then disappeared.
“I want none of you endangered,” Joseph said to his brothers. “Take no risks.”
They all nodded.
“And now we will enter through the front door.”
“He’ll recognize us,” Rory said.
“Yes, but not immediately, one hopes,” Louis said. “Especially if he believes Joseph dead or badly wounded.”
“Good evening, gentlemen.”
The man on the door nodded, but did not appear to recognize them. Was it possible that George had not put his men on alert? Did he believe Joseph dead?
Inside was grand on every scale, and a hive of noise and industry. Calls were made, bets laid, and women moved around providing encouragement or handing out drinks. Voices rose and fell as they moved deeper onto the floor. Joseph looked for doors or a way upstairs, and found it to his right.
Heading that way, he wove through the patrons, after signaling to Charles to stay and keep watch. He made the first floor, and then the second, before they were spotted.
“This floor is not for gambling. Please return to the lower floors.”
“I think not.” Rory moved forward, and before the man could react he was crumpled to the floor.
“What the hell was that?” Joseph asked his brother.
“I learned that a few weeks ago from a man I met. He is from China. Handy type of fellow.”
Shaking his head, Joseph took out his pistol and stepped over the fallen man.
They met two more men, and took care of both. After checking rooms and not finding Milly, they moved up to the next floor. Reaching the top step, he heard a moan. It was the sound a man in pain made. He ran in that direction and found an open door. Stepping inside, he saw Milly. She held a chair leg in her hand, and had already felled one man. Another was advancing on her.
Joseph raised his pistol as she saw him, and lowered it on the man’s head.
“Joseph!” Dropping the chair leg, she launched herself at him. He caught her. “I knew you would not be dead. I would have felt it!” Joseph held her as she sobbed into his chest.
“It’s all right now, love.” His relief at finding her safe was absolute. “Come now, we must leave here before more men come.”
She lifted tear-drenched eyes to him.
“I am so glad you are not dead.”
“As am I, sweetheart.” He kissed her, hard and swift.
“I don’t know where I am.” She stepped back, but only far enough to clutch his hand. “Are you hurt? I saw you fall?”
“My shoulder, but it is all right—”
“He shot your shoulder. I shall kill him for that!” Her blue eyes spat sparks on his behalf.
Lord, he loved this woman.
