“Move, Miss Knight. Walk to the carriage and open the door. Then enter. Do not make a fuss or draw attention to yourself.”
If she ran, he would chase her and likely hurt her. Ruby knew that with just a look. So, she walked toward the carriage. Her eyes searched for anyone who could help her.
“Open it.”
She did as he said when she reached the carriage.
“Now get in.”
She climbed in, knees shaking.
“Sit, please, Miss Knight.” The voice was cultured, and the man it belonged to sat in the shadows. Thick curtains were drawn, and Ruby could barely see a hand before her face.
“What do you want with me?”
Do not show fear, Ruby.
“I have a job for you, Miss Knight.”
“I have a job.”
“This will be another one then.” His voice was pleasant, almost like they were just having a chat.
“Let me go,” she whispered.
“I will, but first I will tell you that I know a great deal about you, Miss Knight. Like the fact you work for Mr. Howarth, cousin to Lord Raine and the Deville brothers. My man saw you today, out with them. He said you are very comfortable, considering you are in their employ, which is exactly what I needed to hear.”
Ice-cold fear slithered up Ruby’s spine.
“What do you want from me?” she whispered, her voice a rasp of fear.
“Two things. The first is to deliver an envelope to someone for me. The second is to get information from the Deville household.”
“What? No, I can’t do that.”
“I need a courier who will not be noticed. You, Miss Knight, will be that person.”
“No!” Her chest hurt, it was so tight now.
“Your brother is not very strong. He could easily have an accident, and you will not be there to aid him as you leave him each day to go to work.”
“You leave my brother alone!” Ruby raised her fists. The man chuckled.
“You do what I ask of you and your brother and the elderly residents you seem fond of at 11 Nobby Lane will remain unharmed.”
Dear God.
“But what information would I find in the Deville household? They are simply noblemen.”
“It’s my belief they are not what they seem. That they work for an organization that is taking its orders from the king. We believe they are in pursuit of some information I have no wish for them to get. I want you, Miss Knight, to listen to conversations and search correspondence. I need to know what they know.”
“B-but surely you are wrong about them?”
Was it true? But then, she had been shocked when Mr. Howarth had fought to protect both her and Adam’s possessions. She’d never seen the like before. But did that mean he worked for the monarch?
Surely anyone could learn to fight in such a manner.
“I won’t do it!” she bluffed.
