“Never,” Tilly said, but the word came out weak.
They dragged her back across the floor to the crate and threw her in. The lid slammed shut and was locked.
“You’ll not be there for long, so enjoy the quiet because that will be changing soon.” These words were followed by laughter.
The shivering started again, and this time when the fear came, she couldn’t force it away. The hopelessness of her situation drained the fight from her body. Suddenly, she no longer had hope.
CHAPTER 23
Before leaving The Iris they instructed Margaret and Ruby, who had been roused from her bed by the noise, to be alert, and if anyone tried to enter, or there was any type of commotion, then they must leave at once and send word to 11 Crabbett Close.
“I have a gun,” Margaret said.
“Have you found Miss Wilson?” These words were spoken by Mavis Johns, who had suddenly appeared inside The Iris.
Ambrose had long since given up trying to figure out the workings of the Crabbett Close residents. They often simply turned up when they were needed.
“We haven’t,” he said grimly.
“Bud told us what is afoot, and the others are out looking for Miss Wilson and listening for any whispers that may alert us to where she is,” Mavis said.
“We appreciate this, Mavis. Is it possible for you to stay here with Ruby and Margaret in case of trouble?” Bram asked her.
“I will, and I have Tabitha with me. She can join us, and it may do her some good to spend more time in a women-only club.”
He would have laughed at Mavis’s words if he had a laugh in him. But Ambrose simply nodded and followed the others outside.
“Lord Talbot.” Tabitha Varney, the Crabbett Close siren, dropped into a deep curtsy as he passed her, displaying her ample bosom.
Ambrose nodded again and kept walking. Mungo’s shrill whistle was answered by the clop of hooves, and the Nightingale carriage reappeared.
“When we reach Lolly’s Bookshop, we’ll split up,” Bram said into the silence.
The tension inside the carriage was thick with worry now. Tilly was scared and angry inside a box not big enough to stand.
He was going to kill someone, or better yet, lock them where Tilly now was and walk away. His skin felt tight, and his head full of things that could even now be happening to her.
There would be time later to examine the ice-cold fear, but right now his focus was finding her.
Alex ended up in Ambrose’s lap as the carriage stopped suddenly. Rather than use the moment to annoy him, Alex gave him a quick hug and then climbed out of the carriage behind his brother.
“Trust us to help you find her, Ambrose,” Bram said as he prepared to follow. “Tilly is brave and strong and far more intelligent than anyone I know. She will know we are coming.”
“But even she cannot overcome men,” Ambrose said.
“We don’t know why she was taken or by whom.”
“It is to do with her club and what is below it, Bram. It has to be,” Ambrose said.
“Perhaps, and once we have her safe, we will pursue who is behind this and make them pay. But for now, she needs you to be strong.”
He looked at the man who had become his friend. Someone who he’d often thought would be wonderful to have at your back. He loved openly and never failed to let those he cared for know it.
“Aye, we will do that” was all Ambrose said.
They got out of the carriage and found the reason for its sudden halt was due to Gray, Ram, Charles, Violet, and Theo, who were standing on the street. His sister grabbed his hand, and he squeezed it with a reassurance he was far from feeling.
“We have found nothing, Rosie,” she said, pale-faced. “Tilly is strong, but I fear for her. Who would do this? Take her away from all she knows?”
