A moment of silence to gauge this response, and then, “Where’s my delivery?”
“Still on the ship.The boy I sent to collect it was caught trying to find it.”The last was spoken with bitterness, the only indication Wycliffe regretted the loss.
“Then I’ve really no use for you, have I?”The shorter man gestured toward his protectors, the slight movement allowing a sliver of moonlight to touch his face.
Samantha sucked in a breath as she recognized Wrengate, his hard eyes glinting with merciless calm.A thousand questions filled her head all at once, all of them just as quickly forgotten when Wrengate’s men charged.She sensed rather than saw Wycliffe move, her own attention on shifting away from the fist that was flying toward her.
She ducked, spun, and grabbed her attacker’s ankles, then pushed herself upright so her momentum could send him headfirst into a sprawl.A curse followed before he leapt back into action.His speed was impressive for a man his size.
Another fist flew and she darted sideways, careful not to get struck since one blow would probably kill her.Something crashed and a grunt followed.Ignoring the sound, she kept her gaze trained on the beast she’d been paired with.
He lunged and attempted to grab her while she swung her leg, kicking her foot toward his groin with as much force as she could muster.A roar of pain shook the surrounding buildings and yet he remained upright.
Rage twisted his features, the cruelty in his eyes warning her she wouldn’t leave here alive.Metal glinted in the next instant, the dagger he’d unsheathed arcing toward her with menacing swiftness.
Instinct ripped through her veins.Her hands moved, curling around smooth wood and pulling twin blades free from her sleeves as she dropped to one knee.Her attacker’s blade met with nothing but air while she thrust hers upward, straight into his belly.
A swift stab, just as she’d practiced again and again with those burlap sacks Harlowe had filled with hay.It felt no different – soft and yielding.She pulled them free and dodged the body now falling toward the ground with a choked-out groan.
Still he moved, shifting onto one forearm and turning while cursing her to perdition.Footsteps hitting the ground behind her was all the warning she got before his companion was there with death in his eyes, his arm rising to showcase the dagger he wielded.
Samantha lowered her stance, one hand preparing to block him as the other shot forward, straight into his throat.His eyes bulged, a spray of blood wetting her face before he buckled.
She wiped it away with the back of her hand and shifted her gaze to the other man.His chest rose and fell with strained breaths before he went limp.
There was no telling how long she stood there, hands trembling while coming to terms with what had transpired.All she knew was that Wycliffe was gone.A cat’s screech eventually snapped her out of her stupor.
Crouching, she wiped her blades clean on the dead men’s clothes, sheathed them, and started making her way back to her lodgings.Her debt had been paid ten times over.If Wycliffe ever asked anything of her again, she’d carve him into little pieces.
* * *
The hallway clock at Stanton House chimed the eleventh hour as Clive Newton donned his hat.He was on his way out to meet with some friends, but turned back when his father’s voice, coming from the study, drew his attention because of the door being left ajar.
“Is there anything to suggest Croft might know we’re involved?”Papa asked.
“No.”The answer was clearly spoken by Owen and was followed by a more muffled comment.
Curious to know what they might be discussing, Clive moved a bit closer.
“Damn him and those files,” Papa cursed.A thud followed, suggesting he’d slammed his fist into his desk.“I’d hoped he’d be different from his father, but the threat he issued Mr.Abernathy is added proof that he’s chosen to take up where the old bastard left off.”
A brief hesitation before Owen asked, “What else has he done?”
“Nothing.Forget it.”
“Perhaps,” Owen began, only to lock eyes with Clive through the gap in the door.He quickly shut it, preventing Clive from discerning anything more.
33
Although she was perfectly able to hold her balance, Samantha made a show of gripping the curricle’s bench whenever Mr.Croft steered the horses around a sharp bend in the road.He claimed to have brought the vehicle due to the excellent weather, but also, he’d later confided, so they could enjoy an excursion without the need for a chaperone.
It was the first indication he’d made of an increased interest in her, and while it pleased her for the sake of her goal, she’d be lying if she claimed it did not thrill her on a more personal level.However dangerous that might prove for her later.
For now, she would simply enjoy her excursion with him.She would not,couldnot, think of last night.Only anger and fierce self-loathing would come of that, for while common sense told her she’d done what she had to, the fact still remained: she’d taken two lives.
“Everything all right?”Croft sent her a curious glance.“You’re unusually quiet all of a sudden.”
She forced a smile.“I’m just admiring your excellent driving skills.”
