“Then how do you intend to get the money?”Tessa persisted.
“That’s my little brother’s responsibility now.”
“What?”Albert, who had busied himself wiping blood off his face, looked up at his brother.“How am I supposed to get it from Blaxland, or even make a lesson of him when he’s in America?Breaking his legs is only good for frightening others, and nobody will even know about it if he’s on the other side of the world.”
“That’s your problem, little brother.You’re sailing for Boston on tomorrow’s tide.”
“What?No, I’m not!All the way to America?I won’t go!Does Muvver know about this?Because—”
“Muvver made the arrangements,” his older brother said silkily.Albert paled and reeled back in shock.His brother continued, “You wished to act independently of the family?Here’s your chance.Once you have recovered the debt, you may return to England.But not before.Take him out, boys.”
Two of Greeling’s henchmen grabbed the protesting young man and dragged him out, struggling and yelling and pleading with his brother.One of them glanced at the older Greeling, who nodded.A swift thump to the head and the yells and struggles stopped abruptly.They carried his insensible body out.
“Please don’t be distressed, my lady,” Greeling said smoothly.“He will recover when he’s aboard the ship.Again, my mother sends her apologies for your distress and inconvenience.We Greelings do not harm ladies, and you are not responsible for your brother’s debts.You and your husband-to-be will not be bothered by us again.My felicitations on your upcoming marriage.”With another elegant bow, he and his entourage left.
There was a short, shocked silence in the room.
“Well!That’s a rum do if ever I saw one.”Flynn said eventually.“I was gettin’ ready for another fight.”He cracked his knuckles.
Marcus nodded.“A smooth and slippery rogue, and a totally unexpected outcome.”
“Do you think he meant it?”Tessa asked.“That he won’t bother us again?”
“Bizarrely, I think he does,” Marcus said.
“And if he doesn’t,” Flynn said with a grin, “‘Muvver’ will give him what for!”
Marcus slipped his arm around Tessa’s waist.“Are you all right to walk?”
She nodded.“The pins and needles have quite gone.”
“Then let’s go home,” he said, tightening his embrace.She was safe.It was all that mattered.
“Can I come out now?”a little voice said.From a dingy corner of the room a small figure stepped out from behind a pile of broken furniture.
“I told you to stay outside,” Marcus growled.
“I did whistle, but they was too quick for me.And anyway, I wanted to watch.I can’t learn nuffin’ if I don’t watch, can I?Besides, I needed to see if me lady was all right.You are, ain’t ya miss—I mean me lady?”He fixed her with an anxious gaze.
“Yes, thank you, Joey dear, I’m perfectly all right,” she assured him.
“It was really Joey who saved you.”Marcus said, and explained the lad’s role in leading them to her.
Tessa smiled down at the boy.“So, you were my guardian angel, Joey?”She bent and kissed him on the forehead.Blushing, the boy swelled with pride.Marcus tried not to feel jealous of a small scruffy boy.Tessa glanced up at him, squeezed his arm and added softly, “My other guardian angel.”
#
THEY RETURNED TO THEwaiting carriage, where the coachman was brandishing his whip, holding off potential thieves.Marcus helped Tessa in.Jackson and Simms decided to ride on the roof and Joey eagerly joined them.Flynn would have too, but Marcus stopped him, saying, “No, please ride inside with Lady Hewitt and me.The least I can do is return you to your wife, who will be waiting anxiously.”Besides, in the short time he’d known the Irishman, he’d come to like him.
The carriage set off, and the inside passengers leaned back in relief.It was over.Tessa was safe.Marcus, knowing she wouldn’t want a fuss, kept a subtle eye on her.She must be badly shaken, but had too much pride to display her distress in front of others.Not that he’d mind if she did need comforting.He would be a whole lot happier if she was in his arms right now.
He could have lost her.
He’d never been so frightened in his life.
And it could have ended a great deal worse if it wasn’t for the intervention of the older Greeling brother.What a bizarre turn of events.
A small, muffled sound beside him made him turn to her.Her face was hidden, and her shoulders were shaking.She was weeping.The realization pierced him to the heart.He reached to draw her into his arms.
