Page 139 of A Devious Secret

“I didn’t mean to imply…”

Haddington put his hand up, stilling his words. “You want Evie advocating for you,” he said, “but whatever happens here, must stay between us. It is imperative that it does.”

“I understand.”

“Good, because I would hate for a reason to kill you,” Haddington remarked in a firm tone, leaving little doubt to the sincerity of his words.

Hawthorne came to stand next to him. “I don’t want a reason to kill you either,” he said. “But I will if it comes to it.”

Stephen glanced between Hawthorne and Haddington and it was evident that they would do anything to protect Lady Haddington, making him wonder what they were all involved in. But he had no intention of prying into their business. They were entitled to their secrets; just as he was entitled to his.

Haddington’s stern gaze left his and turned towards his wife. She had just come to a stop in front of a man that was guarding the gangway of theSwiftsure.

Stephen held his breath as he watched Lady Haddington converse with the man. He wondered what she was saying to him.

Judging by the look on the man’s face, he appeared enamored with Lady Haddington, but he made the mistake of turning away from her. Lady Haddington promptly pulled out a pistol and hit him on the side of the head, causing him to fall to the ground in a heap.

“That was the sign,” Haddington said as he rushed to aid his wife.

Stephen followed closely behind Haddington and Hawthorne as they approached Lady Haddington.

Lady Haddington held the pistol in her hand as she informed them, “Most of the crew is either below deck or at The Frenzied Rabbit pub.”

“Were you able to determine if Gemma was on board?” Stephen asked eagerly.

Lady Haddington nodded. “According to the sailor, a dandy brought an unconscious woman on the ship a short time ago, and they are ferrying them to France.”

Hawthorne addressed Lady Haddington. “Where is Gemma being kept?”

“In the captain’s quarters.”

Stephen retrieved his pistol and growled, “Leave Lord Hawkinge to me.”

“I worry that you aren’t thinking clearly,” Lady Haddington said. “Why don’t you stay here and keep watch for the other sailors?”

“You honestly expect me to stay back and stand guard?” Stephen asked.

Lady Haddington gave him an encouraging smile. “We will bring Gemma back to you.”

“I’m not going to do nothing when Gemma is being held captive by a madman,” Stephen asserted.

“Don’t bungle this, then,” Haddington said. “Even though we have had our differences, I don’t wish you dead.”

“I am a trained soldier. I can handle this.”

Haddington didn’t look convinced. “Do not go in ill-prepared. Do as we say, and we might survive this.”

Lady Haddington grinned. “That was quite the motivational speech.”

Hawthorne glanced down at the unconscious man. “We need to get him back on the ship and hide his body,” he ordered.

Stephen tucked his pistol away before he assisted Hawthorne with carrying the unconscious man over the gangway. Once they stepped onto the ship, they made quick work with hiding the man under some ropes.

Hawthorne held his pistol up and whispered, “I will go downstairs and hold off the rest of the crew while you find Gemma.”

“The captain’s cabin is always at the stern of the ship,” Stephen informed them. “I will go retrieve Gemma.”

Lady Haddington reached down and ripped the bottom of her ballgown. When she straightened, she said, “That is much more comfortable.”