“Theodore,” Gray gritted out as he grabbed his hat and sprinted for the door. “Move, Ram. I have to get to her.”
“Her family and the shopkeepers arrived, but the men had gone. Ellen, according to Mrs. Appleblossom, was on the ground, as was her brother.”
She had to be okay.
He ran through the building and was soon outside.
“I have my carriage. Come,” Ramsey said.
It only took them minutes to reach it and seconds to be on their way. It felt like forever.
“What else do you know?” Gray rasped.
“Mr. Appleblossom’s cart was there. They loaded them onto that and drove them home. I have no more information.”
“She will be all right, as will Leo,” Gray said slowly. Surely he’d know if they weren’t.
“You love her?”
He made himself look at his cousin. Gray then nodded.
“She will be all right.”
He ran Ramsey’s words repeatedly through his head, telling himself they were the truth. His brave, spirited Ellen had to be all right. There was no other option.
The trip was not a long one, but the carriage seemed to crawl through London until finally they had turned into Crabbett Close. He had the door opened and was outside before it had stopped.
Running up the steps, he entered to utter chaos inside the Nightingale home.
“I have liniment,” Mrs. Greedy was saying.
“I’ve made a batch of me tonic,” Mr. Peeky said. “It needs time to cure but needs must.”
Mungo saw him and walked through what looked to be all the residents from Crabbett Close to reach Gray.
“How are they?” Gray said instead of “how is she?”
“Leo is better than Ellen. The bastards kicked her on the ground. Leo couldn’t reach her as he had four on him and Ellen three. Poor Master Teddy hasn’t stopped crying. He was with them.”
Gray wanted to roar. Wanted to hit something hard. He struggled to rein in his rage and focus.
“Where is she?”
“Upstairs. All the family is with them.”
“Mungo, this is Ramsey, my cousin. He can help you with this.” Gray waved a hand at the residents.
“Go,” Ram said when he looked at him. “Mr. Mungo and I will have this under control in no time. Whatever this is.”
He didn’t ask permission, but no one stopped him. He walked through the worried residents and took the steps up two at a time. Walking the hall, he found a door open and only Lottie in there with who he guessed was a nanny.
“Where are they?” he asked.
“Hello, Gray.” Lottie gave him a shy wave.
“They are on the next floor, sir,” the woman said.
He left and ran to the next floor. He found her uncle pacing the hallway. Fists clenched, head lowered.
