“Middle,” she said, which had him shooting her a look. Her hair was loose, she wore her blue cloak, and the bruises on her face were different shades of plum now. She’d never looked more beautiful to Gray. He needed to keep her safe. Had to get her out of here.
“Right,” Warwickshire Sinclair said.
“Left,” Leo said.
“Be quiet!” Brownly looked nervous, but he recovered. “My intention was to scare you Nightingales off. It seems I underestimated you and should have had them kill you both.”
“You realize there are two lords before you, not to mention a detective from Scotland Yard,” Devonshire Sinclair said. “How is it you will make us all disappear?”
“We’ll find a way,” Brownly said, but he looked scared.
“There are many more of us,” Leo said.
His eyes shot to the door that led outside.
Gray didn’t see Ellen move, but seconds later, the gun was flying through the air as her umbrella caught Brownly’s hand. She then jabbed him hard in the stomach, and he dropped to his knees, moaning. Leo’s cane took a man down, and Warwickshire Sinclair’s fist the other.
“Excellent,” Devonshire Sinclair said. “I knew there was a reason my twin sisters were your friend, Ellen. It seems you have the same spirit as they. I never even had to throw a punch.”
“I want him,” Gray said, reaching for Brownly, who was writhing on the floor gasping for air.
“Allow me,” Warwickshire said, hauling the man to his feet. He then shoved him at Gray.
Using Brownly’s pistol, which he pointed at his spine, he nudged the man forward. They walked outside to a mass of bodies. Some were laughing, others cheering, and only a few were still fighting.
They culled their men out of the melee of bodies with little effort as they’d been watching for them.
“Let him go!”
“Come near us, and I’ll shoot him,” Gray said as one of the Baddon Boys approached. He held the pistol at Brownly’s forehead.
They all backed down the road with what guns they had raised.
“Many thanks,” Uncle Bram said when the Sinclairs and Mr. Huntingdon said their carriage was near. “I did not find who harmed my family, but it is enough to capture this murderer, as it was a good man he killed.”
“We are glad to have helped,” Cambridge said. “It certainly livened up what had been until then a mediocre evening.”
“That’s exceedingly harsh, considering you were with us,” Devonshire said, pointing to Mr. Huntington, who merely shook his head. “We shall see you soon,” he added.
“Thank you,” Gray said. “I am indebted to you all.”
“I’m sure we will have need for a detective from Scotland Yard at some stage, knowing our family,” Lord Sinclair said.
They raised their hands and walked away, soon disappearing into the dark.
“Will they be all right?” Gray asked.
“Let me go, Fletcher, you have nothing on me,” Brownly said.
“You’re not serious. You had me kidnapped, and I’m charging you for the murder of George Nicholson.”
“You can’t prove anything!”
Gray watched Ellen dig into Alex’s pocket and pull out his handkerchief. She then stuffed it in Brownly’s mouth. He couldn’t help it. Gray smiled.
The boys were paid and Brownly forced to the floor in the carriage. It was a tight squeeze. But they made it work to Scotland Yard.
Gray sat with Ellen at his side but could say little to her surrounded by her family and Brownly.
