The girl lifted her head and blinked against the glare of the outer light. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust, but when they did, they lit on Cosette with hopeful recognition. “Cosette? Is it truly ye?” Her words were whispered, as if she dared to even speak aloud.
“Yes, Charlotte, it’s me.” Cosette swallowed over the lump in her throat. “I’m here to free you.”
Tears filled Charlotte’s green eyes and spilled over, coursing down her cheeks. In the next instant she was on her feet, her arms thrown across Cosette’s shoulders. “Praise be to God.” The girl grabbed her hand and started to pull Cosette toward the door where the Abbot stood in silence, watching, waiting. “Let’s get out o’ ‘ere.”
“I’m not going with you, Charlotte.”
Her friend’s mouth dropped. “You canna mean t’ stay ‘ere!” she hissed.
Cosette kept her face impassive. “That’s exactly what I’m saying.” Charlotte’s jaw went slack even further, if that were possible. “I’ve made arrangements with the Duke of Blackburn regarding your release. He will assist you in whatever way—”
Charlotte held up a hand. “Wait. You’re not going t’ say that ye . . . are tradin’ yerself for me?”
“I have my reasons,” Cosette said quietly.
“No.” Charlotte shook her head, that fierce Scottish temper bursting forth. “I willna stand for it! Ye canna do this!”
The Abbot finally interceded. With a firm grip on Charlotte’s arm, he dragged her from the room. “It’s already done.”
The door slammed shut.
~ ~ ~
Davien was pacing the floor of the hall, waiting for Dashwood to return with Charlotte. What he hadn’t been expecting was a bright red-haired spitfire who yanked her arm out of Dashwood’s grasp and stalked over to him. Her green eyes were radiating hatred. “Are ye Blackburn?” she snapped.
“I am.”
Crack!The slap she set across his cheek was delivered with enough force that it caused his head to snap back.
“How dare ye even think t’ exchange Cosette’s life for mine? She is the strongest woman I know. You’ve made a terrible mistake.”
“It wasn’t my choice to make,” Davien returned with a low growl.
She whipped her head to indicate Dashwood who was watching the exchange with an amused smirk. “Ye’re part o’ this perverted group o’ miscreants, ain’t ye?”
“Be careful,” Davien snarled. “Unless you want to spend another night here.”
To his profound relief, she kept any further opinions to herself.
“Good luck with that one, Blackburn,” Dashwood drawled. “Rest assured I shall keep your lovely Cosette perfectly safe and sound until the initiation. After that . . .” He shrugged, letting his words trail off.
Davien whirled, grabbing Charlotte’s hand and towing her after him. He didn’t even respond to the bait for fear that the beast would react instead. Since Davien had transformed into the crow on his way to the Abbey, they were forced to try and track down a hackney, since Quinn was still recovering.
They remained silent until Davien finally succeeded in gaining hired transportation. But as soon as he gave the driver his direction and he was settled across from Charlotte, she crossed her arms and glared at him. “What did ye mean it wasn’t yer choice t’ make about Cosette?”
“Exactly what I said,” he returned evenly. He turned his head to look out the window. He was finished with this conversation. He didn’t appreciate being attacked and not so subtly accused of abandoning Cosette to the hands of the Order. If it had been up to him, he would have two women in this carriage and nothing but carnage in his wake. As it was, he intended to return to the Abbey to scour the rest of the Solomon books as soon as he figured out what to do with the charming Miss Kingsbury.
“Are ye taking me back t’ the workhouse?”
That, he could answer. “No. I’m taking you to Shadowlawn, my estate.”
“Is it haunted, like they say?” She tilted her head to the side, her angst fading in the face of her curiosity.
He snorted. “Only by me.”
Her expression turned puzzled, but he didn’t bother to elaborate, turning his attention back to the passing scenery. Even if she chose to believe his claims that he was cursed she would most certainly run screaming if he dared to prove it. And since he didn’t care to scare the wits out of Cosette’s closest friend, he kept silent.
“Ye’re in love with her, ain’t ye?”
He shifted his gaze back to her. “You ask too many questions.” In truth, her query had disturbed him more than he was willing to admit.
She relaxed against the seat behind her. “Ye dinna have t’ answer me. I can read it all over yer face.”
Davien glared at her, but she closed her eyes, effectively shutting him out. A muscle ticked in his jaw, but he kept any further musings to himself.
