“I went there and spoke to two boys. They said the man who hurt them was Kenneth Jackson.”
Anthony swore loudly.
“We’ve never gone after him. In fact, we barely mention his name,” Toby said.
“He was the most evil,” Anthony said softly. “Also, as he doesn’t walk in our world, we never came across him, so it seemed easier never to mention his name.”
“I want him to pay now because he deserves that for the suffering he put many Blackwood Boys through. But it is not just that. If we don’t stop him, he will hurt others again,” Jamie said, knowing it was time for the truth only. “I thought I didn’t need to see Jackson brought to justice, but in all honesty I’m not sure I will ever be at peace until he has been.”
The carriage passed under the glow of an oil lamp, throwing light and shadows on the dark walls. Elegant townhouses rose neatly to his right and left, some in brick, others in pale stone. The occasional glow of candlelight spilled out of windows.
“And you didn’t feel you could tell us?” Jamie could hear the hurt in Anthony’s words.
“We told you we are always there for you,” Toby added.
“I have done nothing to put myself in danger, and if I was to do that, I would have told you. Just as I know when the time comes to finally confront that bastard, I will have both of you with me.”
“At least I believe you in that,” Anthony said. “Now what of Lady Alice? What is her part in this? You said that day in the park you’d tell us, but as yet have not.”
He told them then—everything.
“Her brother was younger, I know that much, but I never met him,” Toby said when Jamie had finished.
“After he returned from Blackwood Hall, he never recovered in his mind or body,” Jamie said.
It wasn’t his right to tell them everything. He’d held Lady Alice when she’d told him it was her brother Charles who hurther. Jamie had known anger that anyone would touch her, but he’d also known the dark places he’d gone to when his demons had haunted him.
He had to believe he would never hurt anyone, but clearly Lady Alice’s brother’s mind had become crazed. Jamie had never felt close to a woman like he did to her. They were united in their goal, but it was more. Something about her, who had taken up the fight to seek retribution on behalf of her brother, touched him. Even if he thought her reckless to do such a thing.
“It was she who cared for him, I believe, which is why she was rarely seen in society.”
“You and Lady Alice have clearly had more interactions than you are letting on,” Toby said.
“If I promise from this day forth to tell you everything, can we move on?” Jamie said.
“You’re holding something back from us still, I can tell,” Anthony said. “You care for her,” his friend said, smiling suddenly. “Lady Alice has stirred your interest.”
“You’re deluded, Anthony.” But Jamie could not deny that his heart was thudding a little faster at the thought of her. Not that he would act on that, or that she would in any way wish him to.
“Huckle is her informant,” Jamie said before they asked him yet more questions about Lady Alice.
Toby whistled. “I often wondered what became of him.”
Jamie filled them in on the man Huckle had become and what he’d told them in the Black Dog.
“And I suppose you are going to visit this den of depravity he mentioned now?” Anthony asked.
“Yes.”
“Then we shall be going with you.”
“Anthony, you and Toby are to become fathers. I have no wish—”
“Shut up. We are coming, and that is that. Besides, you are in my carriage, and presumably have just given the address to my driver,” Toby said.
The Crimson Serpent was located in St Giles, and by the time they’d arrived, they’d worked out a plan. Jamie would enter the premises through the front door as a client, and his friends would circle around the rear and find an entrance that way.
They walked in because the roads around here were too narrow for expensive carriages.
