The Ambiguous Enigma of the Hunted Lady: A Historical Regency Romance Novel

by Linfield, Emma

  The closer they drew; the more Nash could not escape the notion that he was walking towards his certain death and that nothing he did could negate that fact.

  Yet deep within his strange sense of fate, there was hope that kept him moving. He carried a notion that somehow if he were to deal with Riphook once and for all, his life would become simple and happy.

  It was more than just his life; it was the idea that somehow, everyone's lives would be better, and that greater notion caused his legs to rise and fall up the creaking stairs.

  “I don't believe it.” One of Riphook's body guards laughed at the sight of them as they crested the final stair. “Look who came back for a beating.”

  “Dumb as rocks, kid.” the other chimed in. “You're both dumb as rocks.”

  “We're here to see Riphook.” Nash tried to sound as confident as he possibly could, squaring his shoulders, he appeared fairly commanding.

  “I bet you are.” the first guard was still laughing.

  “Oy' boss!” the second shouted into the room. “Your latest disappointment is here to see you, along with his,” he looked Digby up and down, “pet elephant.”

  “Send them in.” Riphook's cold voice could be heard through the frosted glass.

  “It's your funeral.” the first guard chuckled as he unlocked the door. “But go on in if you like.”

  Nash glared at him from under his hood as they passed the final barrier between them, and Riphook. The heavy door slammed shut and the lock clicked behind them.

  Riphook was standing behind the cutting board of a table that he called a desk. He held a wicked butcher's knife in his hand and a rag in the other. He appeared to be cleaning the steel with oil, for it glinted in the glittering reflection of the lanterns behind him.

  “So,” he began, “you have returned to me.”

  “Yeah, boss.” Nash gulped down his fear. “I'm sorry we botched that bit up with the doctor. We're both real sorry about it, boss.”

  “You're sorry.” Riphook sighed, eyeing the tip of his knife.

  “Yeah boss, we're both very sorry.” Nash bowed his head. “And there's somethin' else.”

  “Something else?” Riphook raised his eyebrow, evidently intrigued by what he was hearing. “I do love a little extra.”

  “A man in a top hat approached me just now, when we were on our way over here. Told me I was to give you a message.”

  “Pray tell.” Riphook's eyes narrowed. “What was that message?”

  “Told me I was to tell you: Number Three.”

  “Number three?” Riphook stood back, clearly surprised by what he was hearing. “Now that is interesting, isn't it?”

  “What is, boss?” Digby cocked his head.

  “Oh, poor Digby.” Riphook shook his head sadly. “He didn't tell you, did he? I wouldn't have, if I were him. But that means there's hope for you yet, isn't there?”

  Nash felt his gut coiling. Something is wrong.

  “Join us boys.” Riphook called out, and his two bodyguards stepped through the door, again locking it behind them.

  “What is this, Rip?” Nash snarled.

  “Nash, you're a bright lad.” Riphook went on, and flicked a command with his knife. His two guards took hold of Digby's arms, holding him fast. “Sort it out.”

  “Nash!” he cried out and struggled, but the two men of equal strength had him dead to rights.

  Nash looked around, terrified, but Riphook, who was lightning quick, had already reached over the table and seized his collar.

  “I was hoping you would come to me like this, Nash, truly I was, because I knew if you did then I would have found myself a proper replacement. Someone I can absolutely trust. But something else happened, just before you came prancing in, something that throws a wrench into the operation. Do you know what that might be?”

  Nash squirmed to get loose, but Riphook had him. The knife pressed up against his ribs, and he knew he couldn't make any sudden movements, or he was dead.

  “I will show you.” Riphook squealed with glee, dragging Nash to a panel on the wooden wall. “Watch.” he grinned, and pressed the panel inwards with his elbow. The wall clicked open, revealing a secret room the size of a broom cupboard. Sitting in the secret room, was the unfortunate Dr. Fowler.

  His hands were bound and his mouth gagged, but the widening of his eyes said it all.

  Nash felt all of his hope fade. It is all over.

  “So, you see, Nash.” Riphook whispered into his ear. “I know that you're only here to betray me. What's more, and this, now this I only just learned, and this is delightful!” Riphook spun Nash around and slammed his back against the wall.

  Dr. Fowler and Digby struggled, but could do nothing.

  “The message you just gave me, do you know where it comes from? I think you do, because it was given in code, a code you don't understand. Now how you have come into business with our well-to-do-friend, I am sure I don't know. But I know something is amiss with this meeting, don't I? And normally, normally dear lad, the message is read: Number Three Firehouse. And do you know why?”

  The old rich bastard played me.

  “When that last word is missing, it means kill the messenger,” Riphook plunged the knife into Nash's abdomen, and he collapsed onto the floor.

  “Nash!” he could hear Digby fighting and screaming. There was so much pain it was overwhelming, to the point where it no longer hurt at all, and instead was such strange numbness radiating out of his core.

  “Now, master Digby.” he could hear Riphook carrying on. “We're going to leave now, and deal with whatever little treachery is waiting for us down at the docks. I'm going to give you two options. First, you can fight against me for your boss, who didn't give enough of a shit about you to warn you of his intentions. Or second, when I come back to this room, I can find you here, all cleaned up. Dispose of this one.” Nash could feel Riphook prodding him with his boot. “And the good doctor as well. Are you going to stop struggling?”

  Come on Digby, don't get yourself killed if he's giving you an out.

  “Sure boss.” Digby's shaky voice could be heard through Nash's encroaching delirium. “I can do that.”

  “Good lad.” Riphook said, his footsteps drawing further away. “Take care of them!” and the door slammed shut once more. Then click went the lock, and they were alone.

  “Nash!” Digby rushed to where Nash lay, bleeding yet calm. “You ain't hurt bad.”

  “Yes, I am.” Nash coughed.

  “Hold on.” Digby ran to Dr. Fowler's chair and undid all of his binds. Taking him by his shoulders, the huge man shouted, “You've got to fix him doc! Fix him!”

  “I, I–” Dr. Fowler stuttered, frantically looking over the grim wound.

  “S'all right doc.” Nash croaked. “You're alright.”

  “Shut your mouth!” Digby protested, tears welling up. “He's gonna' fix you!”

  “Digs.” Nash raised a weakening arm to grab hold of Digby's shirt. His hand left bloody imprints on the cotton, and he clutched the cloth tight. “Rip don't know there's a judge waiting for him. Go get that son of a bitch.”

  “Sure boss.” Digby was crying, gripping Nash's forearm close to his own chest. “Whatever you say, boss.”

  “Go on then.” Nash gave a terribly weak smile, “It's an order.”

  Digby got to his feet and looked down to Dr. Fowler. “You fix him doc.” he said, wiping the tears from his eyes. Then he turned back to the locked door, took a running start, and smashed straight through it with his square shoulders.

  “What are you doin' here, doc?” Nash coughed out, feeling less and less of his body. “You were supposed to be in Scotland.”

  “Yes, well.” Doctor Fowler sniffled, clearly overwhelmed by what was transpiring around him. “I do poorly in the Northern climate.” Nash smiled at Fowler's attempt at a joke.

  “I'm dying, doc.” Nash said softly. “Ain't I?”

  “Yes.” Fowler was crying now, and he took Nash up
in his arms, resting his head against his chest. Although Nash could hardly feel, being held closely like that brought him great comfort and warmth. “I am so sorry. It is my fault. I should not have gotten caught.” he was practically sobbing.

  “It's alright, doc.” Nash whispered again. “I'm a terrible person. I had this commin' some time now I think.”

  “Come now, you saved my life, or you tried to.” Fowler's face was so sad, yet the sight of it gave Nash such confidence. He was no longer afraid.

  “Take care of Digs.” Nash muttered, his eyes fluttering. “He don't know how to be without me.”

  “I will, I swear I will.” Fowler cradled Nash's head as the last bit of his life made its way out of him.

  Then the bells rang out, signaling the midnight hour. The bells of Winchester Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral sang out the loudest as the bells all over London took up the call.

  “The bells.” Nash smiled and shut his eyes. He could feel the warmth of the fire in the depths of the cistern, he could taste the sizzling fat of whatever that day's take had contained, he could see the slim, joyous faces of the children that looked up to him, and he could hear the bells of London, calling him home. Nash let himself relax completely, and he sang his final words.

  The bells go up, the bells go down

  Ring out the bells of London Town

  Two sticks and an apple, ring the bells at White Chapel

  Old father pulpit, ring the bells at Old Gate

  Mating white aprons, ring the bells at St. Catherine's

  Oranges and lemons, ring the bells at St. Clement's

  When will you pay me, ring the bells of Old Bailey

  When I am rich, ring the bells at Fleet Ditch

  When will that be, ring the bells at Stepney

  When I grow old, rings the great-

  Chapter 24

  Leah was tense, although she felt great relief about being on their way. As they regrouped a block away from Cornelius' house, the midnight bells chimed out across the city.

  Leah didn't trust that Cornelius would go along with any of this so willingly. If anything, he would try to leverage the situation to his benefit, as he was apt to do.

  Nothing about his casual demeanor added up to Leah. She knew that at some point, he would act out, she only had to be ready for that moment.

  The bells were eerie in the strange stillness, and Leah couldn't help but shiver at their lonesome tolling.

  “Are you sure you want to go through with this, Kenneth?” Cornelius asked from the front of the small procession.

  “Shut it.” Leah snapped from the back. Her eyes were darting back and forth over every shadowy angle in sight. Leah knew Cornelius to be a clever bastard, and had she not been clever herself he may well have succeeded in poisoning her.

  I know he's got poison in that ring. Leah had seen enough trinkets of its kind in her time to spot one a mile away.

  The made their silent progress through the streets, growing steadily closer to the point of inevitable collision. Riphook won't be easy to bring down.

  “How much farther?” Kenneth whispered over his shoulder.

  “Not long.” Leah answered. Her hands floated back and forth to a small knife that Nash had given her in the cemetery. It was tucked discreetly beneath her garments, but she could reveal it with a sharp swiftness.

  “When we arrive.” Cornelius said back to them. “He will wait for me to walk out alone on the pier.”

  “Then he will join you?” Kenneth asked.

  “Correct.”

  “We should hide at the end of the pier.” Leah whispered up into Kenneth's ear. “Then approach with the Judge when they are both engaged.”

  “Yes.” Kenneth bobbed his head along with his step. “I agree.”

  “What are you lovebirds whispering about?” Cornelius tried to twist about, but Kenneth prodded him again with the barrel of his gun.

  “You should watch where you walk, Uncle.” Kenneth scorned. “The flagstone can be treacherous. Best to keep your eyes front.”

  “That's good sense.” Leah chimed in, grinning at Kenneth's remarks. He is so classically bold and serious, and yet as much as I hate him for it, I love him all the more.

  “Very well.” Cornelius mockingly raised his hands in the air. “I am looking forward.”

  “See that it remains that way.” Leah ended the conversation, and they moved the rest of the way in silence.

  When they broke from the cover of buildings and stepped onto the expansive London docks, Leah felt another shiver run through her spine. Something is strange, it is far too still. Where are the watchmen and vagrants?

  “Where is the Marquess' coach?” Kenneth looked up and down the empty docks. “Where is anybody?”

  “Riphook ensures there is no unwanted foot traffic.” Cornelius sneered. “Private night tonight. Beautiful moon, isn't it?”

  “Don't you start talking.” Leah gave him a light shove forward. “Keep walking. We are still some ways away from pier six.”

  They walked along the river, and Leah constantly found herself looking over her shoulder. She was increasingly tense and couldn't help but feel as if they were walking into a trap.

  We have set a trap, but I fear they have set a better one.

  “We are here.” Cornelius said from the front of the line.

  The pier stretched out into the wide portion of the river, lit up in the moonlight it boasted shadowy clusters of crates, lines, and empty gangways.

  “Go on then.” Kenneth, nudged Cornelius forward.

  “This is your last chance, Kenneth.” Cornelius pleaded. “Don't do this.”

  “That time has long passed.” Kenneth remained stalwart. “Go.”

  “So be it.” Cornelius stiffened his face, straitened his clothes, and began walking down the pier.

  “What is he up to?” Leah whispered to Kenneth as they crouched behind a clump of crates.

  “What do you mean?” Kenneth replied.

  “Come now, you cannot expect him to give everything away so easily.”

  “I do not know what I expect.” Kenneth admitted. “But I am fearful for what might transpire next.” They both peered out, their eyes locked on Cornelius as he paced down the pier.

  “I confess.” Leah smiled. “I wish to kiss you, but we cannot take our eyes from our mark.”

  “I wish that myself.” Kenneth grinned, sliding his free hand over to touch hers. Both of their eyes remained forward.

  They heard the sound of a few muffled voices coming from the street directly behind them but were afraid to look away from Cornelius.

  “You go.” Leah whispered. “I'll watch him.”

  “Very well.” Kenneth squeezed her hand. “Be careful.”

  “You as well.” she squeezed his hand back, and then he was up and gone.

  Leah listened as his footsteps faded away behind her, and she squinted to keep track of Cornelius. He was walking all the way to the end of the pier, and she had to move forward to keep track of things.

  Moving the way she knew how, Leah crept some half way up the pier, skirting between shadows and patches of cover. She could see him clearly, standing at the edge of the dock, looking wistfully out at the sparkling, grey water.

  Where is Riphook? She glanced rapidly behind her but could see nothing. And where is Kenneth?

  Then she saw the prow of a small skiff gliding over the river. The bastard's on a boat! Riphook was piloting the small craft, alone, smiling his bright, terrible grin. Riphook moved to pull the skiff up alongside the pier, and it looked as if Cornelius was positioning to hop onboard. Leah realized that Cornelius was about to get away cleanly, and so she began to sprint straight towards him.

  Abandoning the cover of shadow, Leah committed her full speed towards Cornelius and Riphook.

  I have to stop them escaping, whatever the cost. We are so close! Riphook is right there!

  Her heart pounded within her chest as she tore down over the wide wooden planks
, thundering along with her heavy footfalls. They could hear her, see her even now, of that she had no doubt.

  All I have to do is capsize that boat.

  “Stop!” Cornelius brandished a sleek pistol and pointed it straight towards her, clicking back the hammer.

  Leah froze. The gun loomed toward her as she skidded to a halt, some ten yards away from Cornelius. At this range, she had no doubt he could put a bullet in her. She had to be very careful.