“Don’t work for dukes,” Declan said.
“Oh, pity. Well, I supposeIam not a duke, andIwould be your employer.”
Declan sighed wearily and asked, “Employer for...?”
“Oh, right—the job. Well, you see, I’ve comebecause my family has a job for you. There is a young woman traveling to London. She comes this very night, in fact. Her name is Lady Helena Lark, and she is the daughter of the Earl and Countess of Pembrook. She is betrothed to my dear nephew, the duke. In the weeks leading up to the wedding, she and her family will reside in our ducal residence, as their own London townhome is under construction. This close proximity will help the girl become more accustomed to her future role as duchess. It will also allow us to keep an eye on her. Which is precisely the job I’m looking to fill, Huntsman. I’ve come to hire you tomind her, for the lack of a better word. Keep a close eye on her from the moment she reaches London until she walks down the aisle to legally wed my nephew.”
Declan narrowed his eyes.This is a joke.
Girdleston cleared his throat and continued, “By ‘mind her,’ of course I mean guard her safety, see to her comfort in muddy lanes or crowded shops, make certain she’s happy and looked after and—and this is where it gets a bit tricky, but no effort for you, I’m certain—keep her from bolting.”
Declan couldn’t help himself from asking. “Keep her fromwhat?”
“Bolting,” the old man confirmed solemnly. Helet out a sigh. “There has been some confusion and hesitation on the part of the girl, I’m afraid. The union has been several years in the making, due mostly to her . . . lack of cooperation. But now we are all in agreement on the wedding and happy future of this couple. Her parents assure me we’ll enjoy her full cooperation. That said, when she reaches the city, I should like to have a trusted man in place to safeguard against future incidents of . . .”
“Escape?” provided Declan. He actually felt sorry for whatever poor sod was hired. And the girl. If there was anything Declan understood, it was captivity.
“Oh, it’s nothing so drastic as ‘escape,’ ” Girdleston assured. “How shall I term it? The families on both sides of the marriage hope to remove incidents ofdistraction. Lady Helena’s time in London will be devoted to activities that should delight any bride-to-be: shopping, tours of her new residences, and parties in her honor. I wish for her to remain focused throughout the proceedings, with her eyes set firmly on the prize of matrimony.”
“Why isn’t shemindedby her own people? Parents or staff?” Declan asked on a sigh. The sooner he validated this man’s problem, the sooner he would go away.
The old man nodded sagely. “Yes, wouldn’t that be convenient? Unfortunately, I’ve found her family to be wholly ineffective when it comes to minding her. And her particular brand of... oh, let us call it ‘spirited willfulness’ has proven too much for chaperones or maids.”
“So your natural next choice is an accused felon?”
“Oh, your alleged crimes do not startle me, Huntsman,” said Girdleston. “But I suppose you haven’t heard. There’s been the most astounding development in your case. Just this morning, in fact. The families who accused you of abducting that poor girl have actuallychangedtheir claim. Dropped the charges, all of them. It’s only just hap—”
“What?!” rasped Declan. Shock and disbelief shattered like glass inside his head. He lunged, straining against the iron bars.
Girdleston nodded, his white teeth shown through his smile. “The family of Miss Knightly Snow have heard rumors of a sighting. The girl has been spotted several times in the South of France. A cousin, I believe, has been sent to recover her. The family is trying to be discreet, I’m sure you understand—”
“Knightly Snow has been found?” Declan demanded. He was in prison because he’d been hired to escort her to France and she’d mysteriously disappeared instead. He’d known all along that she was alive, traipsing around the Continent of her own volition, not abducted, and certainly not dead. Most of all, he knew that whatever she was doing was not his bloody fault.
He’d simply not been able to prove it.
He’d proclaimed his innocence before his arrest, and since they’d locked him up, he’d spent nearly every penny he had on lawyers to exonerate him. And yet the accusation and charges persisted.
Until now.
“I want my lawyer,” Declan said. No victim meant no crime, and no crime meant he was free. His skin tingled. Fuzzy stars crackled at the corners of his vision.
“In due time,” assured Girdleston, making a clucking sound. “All in due time. First, I should hope my role as bearer of good news will inure you toward the offer I’ve made.” A pause and knowing look. “About the potential of ourworking together.”
“What?” snapped Declan. “We’ve bollocks potential, mate. I want my lawyer. I want out of this cage. I want to see my father. The list is rather long, at the moment, of the things I want, Mr.—”
“I would not be too hasty about my offer, Huntsman,” cut in Girdleston, “because I’ve come with more than news of the dropped charges. I’ve come with the potential ofmoney.” He paused and raised his eyebrows.
Declan knew enough to say nothing.
“You’ll forgive my presumption about your current financial situation,” drawled Girdleston, “but I happen to know that you’ve spent months contesting your innocence. I also know you’ve paid lawyers and court fees, and God only knows the price of survival inside Newgate. Perhaps you will be set free, but will you be able to restore your life? Your livelihood?”
“Why do you care?”
“I don’t care, to be honest,” said the old man, “except that your desperation fits perfectly with my need for a soldier-for-hire. And when I say ‘hire,’ Huntsman, please be aware that I can make your financial losses of the last year simplygo away.Poof.Like it never happened. And then some.”
Declan stared, forcing himself to listen. The shock and hope had dulled just enough. His survival instincts began to bristle, and he started to play the game.
He asked, “This girl? Your nephew’s betrothed? You believe she’ll consent to a ‘hired minder’ tailing her around London? To contain her... her—what was it? ‘Spirited willfulness’?”
