Page 60

They were getting close to Tremayne House when Cameron halted and said sharply, “Rhys and Gwyn are in trouble!”

Casey pulled up beside him and caught his hand. She felt power surge between them. “What kind of trouble?”

His brows drew together as he used her energy to clarify his concern. “When they went out walking, they found the Frenchman’s coffee house. Rhys went inside to talk to him, but the devil was with several friends and some were armed. I think the coffee house is run as a meeting place for the Frenchman and his associates. Several of them surrounded Rhys and they went outside and caught Gwyn as well. Rhys sent out a mental call for help. We have to go to them!”

“Lead the way!” As Cam kicked his horse into a swift canter, Casey followed. They rode for several blocks, then turned down a narrow alley. Ahead of them she saw Rhys and Gwyn surrounded by several dangerous-looking men who were roughly moving them along. Though Rhys and Gwyn seemed calm, Casey saw the glint of at least two pistols held by the men around them.

Casey slowed Cinnamon so they were walking single file along the alley. To her surprise, at the farther end of the alley she saw Cade, the man she’d met the night before as he was coming out of Tremayne House. Beside him was a petite blonde, and the two of them were moving at a pace just short of a run.

Cam exchanged a swift glance with Cade, then gave a shrill whistle as he came alongside the Frenchman’s group. Arthur reared up, his smashing hooves knocking down two of the captors. In the next instant, Cameron dived from his saddle with a furious shout and took down the man whose hand was clamped onto Rhys’s arm.

At the same time, Cade Tremayne attacked from the other side. There was a flurry of movements too fast for Casey to sort out, but acting on instinct, she jerked her left foot from its stirrup and kicked the throat of the man holding Gwyn. As he fell back, she leaned over and caught Gwyn’s arm and hauled her up onto Cinnamon’s rump, using more strength than she thought she had.

Gwyn caught Casey around the waist and added a kick of her own into the face of another of their captors. The Tremaynes fought together as if they’d practiced this in advance. Even the petite blonde slammed a pistol over the head of a man who was trying to grab Rhys. He went down immediately.

In a matter of moments, all the captors were sprawled on the ground and targeted with pistols. Casey said weakly, “Is this the way Tremaynes live their lives all the time?”

The petite blonde laughed. “Not usually.” She shot her pistol into the air to draw attention to the fracas. “You must be Casey. I’m Tamsyn. My husband, Cade, met you last night when he was leaving Tremayne House. He said you’d fit in very well with our gang of ruffians, and he was right.”

Tamsyn looked so much like Gwyn that she must be one of the natural Tremayne children. Gwyn slid from the back of Cinnamon, her cloak ruffled but her expression serene as she hugged Tamsyn. “This has been an unexpected afternoon’s entertainment!”

Rhys joined them and wrapped an arm around Gwyn. “I’m so glad you were all nearby!”

Cameron opened Arthur’s saddlebags and pulled out a coil of rope. Cade kicked the ribs of one of the Frenchmen who was struggling to get up, then handed Cam his pocket knife so the rope could be cut into lengths suitable for tying up the Frenchman and his fellow thugs.

The noise had drawn a crowd of onlookers. An official-looking man exclaimed, “Lord Tremayne, are you and your lady all right?”

Rhys nodded. “That man there is a French agent and the others are his associates. They attempted to abduct Lady Tremayne and me, but luckily several of our children were within call.”

Cameron said, “I’ll escort the ladies back to Tremayne House. If the authorities need testimony from us, you know where we’ll be.”

“That’s a good idea.” Rhys glanced at Casey. “Come to my office later today. I’d like to get your legal name and place of birth and other data for my records.”

“Very well.” Casey wasn’t enthralled by the idea of revealing that ancient history, but she could understand why Rhys wanted it. Taking care of his Tribe of Tremayne was clearly a large job. She dismounted from her horse. “If anyone would prefer to ride, Cinnamon would be happy to oblige.”

“We’re not far from home and walking will steady my nerves,” Gwyn said, taking Tamsyn’s arm. “I’m glad you were all close enough to come to our aid!”

Casey and Cameron were both leading their mounts, but they each had a hand free, so he quietly took hers in his. As always, his presence gave her warmth and strength.

She squeezed his hand back. “I’m grateful that you and Lord Tremayne are all right. My life has become rather too exciting lately!”

Gwyn laughed. “Usually, our lives are pleasantly calm. The biggest excitement coming up is our annual Christmas ball, and that’s rather civilized. Would you like to have a few dance lessons before the ball? You’ll enjoy the celebration more that way.”

“I’d like that.” Casey swallowed hard. “Everyone is being so kind!”

“It’s our pleasure,” Gwyn said. “You’ve already proved you’re an asset to the Tribe of Tremayne.”

“Am I really a member of the Tribe when I’ve only just arrived?” Casey asked shyly.

“You most certainly are!” Tamsyn said with a smile. “And a very welcome addition.”

After dinner, Rhys called Cameron into his private study. “The authorities at Chatham Naval Dockyard want you to return for a couple of days to study some issues they’re concerned about. And there’s another matter for you to look into as well.”

Cam winced slightly. “As long as I’m home before the Christmas ball.”

“You will be,” Rhys assured him. “And you’ll be spared much female frenzy as the ballroom is decorated!”

Cam laughed. “I won’t miss that.”