“Are you hurt?” Kendrick asked as he and Edward approached.
“I think my leg may be broken,” Eldridge grumbled. “Hurts like the devil.”
Kendrick scanned his surroundings. “Any sign of my Runners?”
“They went in search of you,” Moorland said.
Kendrick nodded, then gave a loud and distinctive whistle. It didn’t take long for his Runners to show, upon which he swiftly issued instructions for them to help Eldridge back to his carriage. “He needs a physician. Make sure his driver takes him straight to the hospital of his choosing. Jackson and Gordon, go with him so you can help.”
“I’ll accompany him as well,” Moorland said.
They parted ways, leaving Edward to walk back in the direction of Oxford Street together with Kendrick and his remaining Runners.
“Thank you for your help tonight,” Kendrick said, his strides matching Edward’s. “Even though things didn’t go as expected, your presence made a difference. Had it not been for you, Croft would have run head-first into danger without second thought.”
“Maybe doing so would have allowed him to face his opponent as he desired.”
“It’s never wise to think in terms of maybes.” Kendrick cut him a look. “What’s done is done. Let’s be glad the people who matter are out of harm’s way.”
Edward sighed. He couldn’t wait to get home and take a hot bath then collapse into bed. Still, he had to ask, “Did you know Miss Roberts would have the skill to launch her own rescue?”
“Yes, I did, but I wasn’t aware she’d returned to England until I saw her tonight.”
“I don’t…understand. I can’t… I feel as though the world I knew has been torn apart at the seams. Nothing is as I believed.”
“I don’t suppose it is.” Kendrick’s voice was soft, sympathetic. “There’s a great deal you still don’t know, none of which I’m able to share, but as far as Miss Roberts goes, there’s more to her than you’ll ever realize.”
“She’s not who I thought she was.” The crushing weight of disappointment that filled Edward’s heart made every beat hurt. Anger seeped into the hollow space it left in his chest. Despite her questionable parentage, he’d been prepared to risk scandal in order to make her his.
Yet she’d not even deigned to tell him the truth about who she was.
30
Seated in the carriage that would take them home, Samantha leaned against Adrian’s shoulder while taking comfort in his strength. Her ordeal was over. She was safe.
“I’m sorry I snapped at Melody,” Adrian muttered, his voice gruff. “I just hate that it was Harlowe who figured out where you were. That it was he who helped you in my stead.”
“It was good to see my sisters again,” Samantha whispered, more to herself than to Adrian. “I missed them.”
She’d not realized how much until they were there, slashing their way through flesh and sinew. United in a common cause, they’d risked their lives to save hers.
Adrian was quiet a moment before suggesting, “Perhaps you should try to see them more often.”
She’d considered this numerous times before, but it wasn’t so simple.
“We mustn’t forget who they work for. As such, it might be best if I don’t.” Already, she worried Harlowe would use tonight’s events as a means by which to put pressure on her. She turned slightly so she could better face Adrian. “Every action Harlowe takes is tied to some sort of agenda. He didn’t send Melody, Tara, and Holly to get me out of the goodness of his heart.”
Adrian dropped a kiss to the top of her head. “Whatever his reason, I’m glad you’re out of harm’s way.”
Even though the slightest touch made her bruises ache, she snuggled closer. “I cannot wait to get home and wash away this horrid experience.”
A pause followed before Adrian asked, his voice hoarse, “Did O’Leary or his men… Did any of them force themselves on you?”
“No.” She’d be dead if they’d tried since they would have had to kill her first. “I was fortunately spared from such an ordeal.”
He blew out a heavy breath, the arm he’d wound around her cradling her to his side. “Thank God.”
“A cup of hot tea will be welcome too,” she murmured, her body suddenly heavy with exhaustion. “Perhaps while I soak in the tub.”
