Page 138 of A Devious Secret

“There is a chance that we won’t live through this,” Hawthorne said, giving him a pointed look. “I just want you to know the odds before we go in.”

“I know what is at stake, but I can’t risk losing Gemma,” Stephen responded. “She is my life, my love.”

Lady Haddington smiled. “You love her?”

“I do,” Stephen admitted. “She is the only woman that I have ever known that has convinced me to fall in love with her.”

“Then we won’t lose her,” Lady Haddington said.

“No, we won’t,” Stephen said as he held the pistol up. “I will do whatever it takes to get Gemma back.”

Hawthorne frowned. “Perhaps you should wait in the coach.”

“Why would I do that?” Stephen asked.

Haddington interjected, “You are emotional and that can get you killed.”

“You do not need to be concerned with me. I have been in battles before and have come out the victor,” Stephen said.

“This is different,” Haddington argued.

“In what way?”

Haddington reached for his wife’s hand. “You are fighting for the one that you love and that is much more nerve racking.”

“I will be fine,” Stephen said.

The coach came to a jerking stop and Stephen didn’t wait for the footman to open the door. He stuck his hand out the window, ignoring the foul stench that wafted off the River Thames, and opened the door.

He stepped out onto the slick cobblestone and tucked the pistol into the waistband of his trousers. His eyes roamed over the docks, and he saw theSwiftsuresecured a few yards down.

As he took his first step towards it, Hawthorne placed a hand on his shoulder and said, “Not yet. We can’t go in pistols blazing. If we do, Gemma might get shot.”

“Then what do you propose?” Stephen asked.

Lady Haddington spoke up. “I will go first and see what I can discover.”

“You?” Stephen asked.

Haddington turned towards his wife. “Do be careful,” he encouraged.

Stephen glanced between them. “You can’t be in earnest!” he demanded. “Lady Haddington could be killed.”

Lady Haddington pressed her lips together, clearly displeased by his words. “I thought you were going to trust me.”

“I am… I do…” Stephen stammered out, “but I don’t want you to get killed.”

“Oh, ye of little faith,” Lady Haddington said lightly. “Wait for my sign before proceeding to the ship.”

Stephen watched as Lady Haddington walked along the fog-lined dock as if she didn’t have a care in the world, despite being dressed in a gold ballgown in a rough section of town.

“Should we follow her?” Stephen asked.

Haddington shook his head. “My wife knows what she is doing,” he said. “I have learned it is much easier to do precisely what she says.”

“Even if it could get her killed?”

“Evie is a formidable woman,” Haddington said. “She is capable of great things.”