Pembrock looked down at his own sister. “Is this true?”
Violet nodded and he hugged her more tightly and said, over her head, “My apologies, Miss Blair.”
“Not accepted, you overly pompous arse,” Edeen replied with a toss of her unruly brown locks.
“Williamson. I’ll be taking the Blair girls with me. Payne as well, if you think you and Pembrock can get the rest of the girls to safety.”
“I have men arriving as we speak. We’ll get the girls home.”
“If any need a place to stay, bring them to Harding House. Lady Elizabeth, I will see you there later,” Edeen gave the young lady an encouraging smile.
“There will be men returning with more girls tonight,” Lady Elizabeth told them. “They planned on kidnapping at least five more.”
“We’ll be waiting.” Sir Williamson assured them. “There’s a wagon and blankets coming.”
“He broke my arm!” The guard yelled out.
“I plan to make sure your neck is broken within the week,” said Williamson.
“I didn’t know there were girls upstairs,” The guard whined. “That was all Crookes’ doing. I’m just his bodyguard. I don’t usually work here. I had no idea what he was into, but I’ll help you bury him if you go light on me.”
“I imagine if you go to trial alongside your boss,” Simon said, “Crookes will take one look at his number one bodyguard and say, ‘et tu, Brute?’”
The guard looked confused. “Huh?”
Robbi rolled her eyes. “Simon, you cannot expect a bloke from the East End to know Caesar’s last words to Brutus when Brutus betrayed him.”
“Go on, Astley,” Williamson said. “Take the Blair girls and go stop that bastard, Crookes. Then this arse won’t need to understand.”
Sixteen
Most humble piece of shiteRespected Sir Carr,
During my investigation into the sabotage of the Caledonian Canal, I unearthed a plot to blackmail landowners if they refused to sell their land along the projected path. Those landowners who could not be blackmailed, were beaten to a bloody pulp. If that failed to obtain compliance, they met violent deaths. The deplorable tactics were then turned on their wives and children, who sold the property for a mere pittance.
I have allowed the concealment of Mr. Duncan Blair’s murder by the local surgeon and vicar to remain. Although you should know those two men documented it as a suicide under duress. The surgeon has two missing fingers on his surgical hand, you filthy bastard.
Several daughters of deceased landowners have disappeared without a trace when their fathers were murdered. The local pub-owner expressed concern for the fate of Mr. Blair’s six daughters since there was no one to protect them. I have guarded the Blair daughters every night since. Twice a group of men tried to sneak onto theproperty. Two have been dispatched, but the third, a James Crookes from London, the one I suspect of murdering Mr. Blair, remains at large.
The Duke of Ross arrived today and has created a stir among the staff who suspect him to be connected to Mr. Blair’s death. I have arranged for the girls to disappear with a responsible party. Even I do not know where they have gone.
I request to continue my search for Mr. Blair’s killer and the saboteurs of the Caledonian Canal.
Your mostdefianthumble servant,
—A heavily redacted letter written to the head of the War Office by a newly appointed young agent. This being his first mission for the Crown he became suspicious of his superior when he was instructed to cover-up the cause of death for Mr. Duncan Dorian Blair II. The young agent would eventually become Sir Carr’s replacement when Sir Carr met with an untimely death.
Her nerves were on end. It had been hours since Simon, Robbi and Mr. Payne left to find Edeen and her friend Violet. Lillie and Millie had come downstairs claiming monsters were under their bed and were currently under each one of her arms attempting to read their chosen book,Mr. Hodger’s Village.
“‘Biscuits are rather like eating baked mealworms. Mmmm,’ said the spiny little creature.’” Lillie giggled at the accompanying noises Millie used for the hedgehog.
Caillen closed her eyes. Any other time, the silliness of the story would be amusing. At that moment, she wanted to shredthe book into tiny little pieces she could make disappear as quickly as the ridiculous blue hedgehog was eating his biscuits.
A commotion in the foyer signaled the returned of Simon and her sisters, and Caillen pulled her arms out from behind the two girls. “Keep reading. We need to finish up shortly. It’s way past your bedtime.”
“Yes, mama.”
She startled and looked down at Millie.
