“Freddie, where have ye been keepin’ yerself? Haven’t seen ye in these parts for ages.”
Marcus eased into the mouth of an alleyway, hoping to hear the two men.
They conversed for a bit, Freddie sharing how he’d been “nicked by the coppers” and only recently been released. At least that’s what Marcus thought he said. The man’s accent was strong, and he used odd terms Marcus had never heard before.
“What are ye up to?” Freddie asked.
“I’ve got meself a good game goin’,” Culbert said with obvious pride in his voice. He rocked back on his heels, thumbs in his pockets, and a grin on his thin face.
“Tell me.”
“We’re sendin’ virgins to Brussels.” He chuckled as though it was a clever thing.
“Ye don’t say. Whatever fer?”
“They like young English roses there. Fer the brothels. They pay a premium price for the fresh ones.”
“How do ye get them to go with ye?”
“We promise them jobs as maids. We tell them what a grand adventure it is to serve as a maid in another country. That they only have to work a few hours each day.”
“And they believe that?”
“Who isn’t desperate to earn more and work less? We tell them they’ll have plenty of money to send home to their families.”
Marcus’s anger built as he listened. He’d seen the terrible poverty himself in this area. Sally’s family was a good example. Her father had gotten hurt on the job and hadn’t worked for several weeks. The injury put them behind on rent and limited what food they could afford. That was why Sally had sought a job that earned more than a seamstress. Their family shared a room in a lodging house with three other families. Conditions were appalling.
Marcus had managed to find jobs for the men and better lodgings for their families. Hopefully that would help improve their lives.
The problems in London with the poor were massive. It would take far more than what little he could do to solve them. But everyone he helped was one less person living in filth and near starvation. To those people, his efforts mattered.
And if his ships were somehow being used to worsen the situation, he damned well intended to stop it.
“’Tis much easier to haul willin’ girls across the Channel than sell them to a brothel,” Culbert continued. “We don’t have to drug them. Once they land, the Belgium brothel owners take over.”
“Isn’t that somethin’,” Freddie exclaimed.
“It pays well. Easy money. Just a matter of finding willin’ girls. And now I got me a source to keep them comin’.”
Freddie asked a few more questions but declined to join Culbert’s scheme as he had a daughter of his own and didn’t feel right doing such a thing.
Marcus’s stomach churned at the idea that he’d unknowingly been part of this white slave trade. He had to stop it. If he could verify whether any girls were on board his ship, he’d request the authorities to retrieve them and arrest those involved. But he’d have to time the search to just before the ship departed as the girls wouldn’t be placed in the cargo hold until then. If he was wrong, and his ships weren’t being used, he knew someone else’s were. It might take some time, but he was determined to put an end to this.
Culbert and Freddie finished their conversation and both men moved away. Marcus breathed a sigh of relief that he’d completed one small step of his mission. Now he need only share what he’d learned with Tessa.
As disgusting as what Culbert and his associates were doing, it made Marcus admire Tessa and her aunt all the more. If additional people reached out a helping hand the way they did, the world would be a better place.
~*~
Tessa grew increasingly impatient as she stared out the carriage window. What could be taking so long? It seemed to her as though Marcus and Sally should’ve returned by now. Had something gone amiss?
She hated that Marcus insisted she stay here. Hearing what Culbert told Sally first hand would be much more helpful. And yet the concern Marcus showed for her safety warmed a corner of her heart.
With a shake of her head, she reminded herself that no purpose would be served by growing sentimental over his actions toward her. He’d soon return to Northumberland. He’d told her of his home during the carriage ride from Sally’s to the shop the previous day. When he’d spoken of his castle there, he’d described the land and the people with great fondness. Of course, with a family holding that dated back to the thirteenth century, he should feel a great deal of pride.
She couldn’t imagine living in a castle. What would it be like? Cold and drafty, one voice in her head suggested. Lovely and romantic, said the other. As the voices in her head argued, she caught sight of a familiar face in the distance. It looked like Molly, one of her former apprentices. She had gotten a job last spring with a reputable dressmaker. Tessa had seen little of her since.
With an oath, she reached for the carriage door. Surely nothing good had happened to the girl if she was on the dock in the middle of the day.
“Miss?” the footman asked as he hopped down to hold the door for her.
“I’ll return directly.”
“But miss—”
“I see someone with whom I must speak.” Hoping the footman wouldn’t follow her, she hurried toward where she’d seen Molly.
But the girl was some distance ahead of her and still walking. Tessa had no way to draw her attention or catch up to her. Admitting defeat, she paused near some large wooden crates, watching to see where Molly went. Much to her surprise, Culbert stood waiting just ahead of the girl.
“No,” she said, hoping he was not truly meeting Molly. Had she succumbed to the temptation of his lies?
“Is that Molly?” Sally asked as she came to stand beside Tessa.
“Yes.”
“What is she doing with Culbert?” Then it seemed to dawn on her what was happening. “Oh, no.”
“Blast that man.” Tessa started forward but Sally grabbed her arm.
“Don’t, miss. There’s more than just Culbert waiting fer Molly.”
Tessa looked closer and realized several men now stood near her.
“I think we need more than ye and me to stop her from going with them.”
“But they’re lying to her.”
“I don’t think they’d appreciate us explainin’ that to Molly.”
“We can’t allow her to go with them.”
“Let us follow and see where they take her,” Sally suggested.
“Excellent notion,” Tessa agreed. She glanced about, wishing either Marcus or Samuel was with them. “But we must stay out of sight.”
They moved carefully, using the passing traffic, piles of goods, and shop doorways to hide their progress. Molly and two of the men were nearing the dock now. Culbert was no longer in sight. Tessa and Sally moved a little closer to stand behind several rows of grain sacks piled high.
“Well, well. What do we have here?”
Tessa turned to see Culbert behind them, a knife in hand.
“Is this one of the girls you were going to bring to me?” he asked Sally with a sneer on his lips, revealed his uneven, gray teeth. “She’s a bit older than we normally take, but she’s a looker.” He gestured with the weapon that they should back up, forcing them deeper into the rows of towering grain sacks.
Tessa reached out to take Sally’s hand in hers as they eased back. The girl trembled with fear.
“Where are you taking Molly?” Tessa asked.
“That wouldn’t be any of yer business, now would it?” He glared at Sally. “I can’t believe ye tried to trick me.”
Sally drew closer to Tessa but said nothing.
“What do you intend to do with Molly and the other girls?”
Culbert raised his knife. “I won’t be telling ye anything. Ye know too much already.”
Tessa drew Sally behind her as she glanced around, realizing the sacks towered above them on three sides. There was no way out. They were alone with Culbert and
his knife.
CHAPTER SIX
Marcus made his way back to the carriage, anxious to tell Tessa that he truly admired how she and her aunt had committed to helping the girls. The urge to kiss her filled him once again, and she wasn’t even in sight. His desire for her surprised him in a rather unsettling fashion.
An idea was brewing in the back of his mind, a way he might both help Tessa and keep her in his life. He ignored the slide of guilt at the thought. Mary was gone, and he still lived. Or was his guilt because asking Tessa to be his mistress seemed unfair to her and selfish of him? Yet it would bring them both pleasure and improve Tessa’s life. Surely that was enough of a good thing.
His footman awaited him, appearing quite relieved when Marcus came into view.
“Where is Samuel?” Marcus asked, concerned at the man’s expression.
“He went to look for Miss Maycroft. She insisted she saw someone she knew and followed.”
Marcus nearly groaned in frustration. Why couldn’t she have stayed put as he’d asked? “In which direction did they go?” He glanced to where the man pointed. “Stay with the carriage.”
An uneasy feeling hung over Marcus. He wasn’t surprised that she hadn’t listened. Why should she? He had no hold over her. But it infuriated him that she wasn’t more careful. How ironic that it had been the same lack of caution that caused her to stumble upon him that night in Whitechapel.
The crowded street forced him to walk slowly as he didn’t want to miss her. Where could she be?
Culbert’s tall form caught his eye. Marcus shifted behind some barrels, watching as the man walked between rows of grain sacks. Curious as to what he was doing, Marcus eased closer until at last he saw what held Culbert’s attention at the rear of the stacks.
Tessa and Sally.
His stomach dropped. Culbert waved his hand, the glint of a knife visible. Anger boiled to the surface, demanding action. But how to disarm him when Tessa was in danger?
With slow steps, he eased forward until close enough to strike.
Tessa’s gaze caught on him, and he held his breath. He could only hope she wouldn’t unwittingly alert Culbert to his presence.
She seemed to realize the situation at once and returned her attention to Culbert. “Allow us to leave,” she demanded.
“I don’t think so,” Culbert said. “Ye both know too much now.”
“What do you intend to do?” Tessa asked, making Marcus realize she was trying to keep Culbert talking and therefore, focused on them.
“I know of a ship with room in its hold for the likes of ye.”
Marcus had heard enough. He sprang forward and tackled Culbert, bringing him to the ground. But the man was wiry and moved quickly. He managed to roll over to face Marcus, the knife still in his hand.
Marcus had no desire to be stabbed again. Using his weight to pin down Culbert, he grabbed Culbert’s wrist with both hands to keep the damned blade at a safe distance. Then he smashed the man’s wrist against the cobbles to force him to release it.
Tessa rushed forward and pulled on Culbert’s free hand only to be shoved back.
Marcus’s anger spilled over. He slammed Culbert’s hand against the ground once more, and the knife clattered loose. Marcus sat up to plow his fist into Culbert’s face, leaving the man limp.
“Criminy,” Sally declared. “You knocked him senseless.”
Marcus kept an eye on Culbert as he glanced at Tessa then Sally. “Are the both of you all right?” he asked as he stood and offered a hand to Tessa.
“Yes,” Tessa said. She rose with his assistance then brushed off her skirt. “Are you?”
“Fine.” He shook his hand. The thing throbbed like a toothache.
“You saved us.” Sally stared wide-eyed at the knife that glinted dully on the street.
“What happened?” Samuel said as he approached.
Tessa explained as Marcus reached for the weapon and tucked it in his pocket. “Perhaps you might find a policeman to take him away,” he said to Samuel.
Despite knowing the danger had passed, disquiet filled Marcus. It would take some time to erase the image of Tessa being threatened with a knife. He didn’t care to reflect on why it bothered him so much.
~*~
“Are you certain you’re all right?” Tessa asked Marcus as they rode in his carriage after escorting Sally home.
He’d been acting oddly since the altercation with Culbert. His peculiar behavior had continued even after the police hauled off the man.
“It’s you I’m worried about.” That golden gaze held hers until she had to look away.
“Why? I’m fine.” She kept her hands clasped tightly in her lap to hide the trembling. In truth, her entire body shook.
“Liar.”
Her gaze tangled with his again. What she saw there had her drawing a shuddering breath.
With an oath, he gathered her into his arms and drew her head down on his shoulder. “You don’t have to be strong all the time. That was a frightening situation, and it’s only natural to have some residual shock.”
Shock? Was that what made her want to hide her head in the curve of his neck and cry?
Perhaps. But that wasn’t the only reason she was tempted. Her feelings for Marcus were growing quickly out of control. If she allowed herself to lean on him now, she might never stand on her own again. It would be far too easy to become used to relying on him, to have him ease some of her burden.
But no. She had to gather herself. He would be returning to Northumberland soon. Already she worried what her life would be like after he was gone. A fragile shell no longer as strong as it once had been.
Despite all that, for one brief moment, she allowed herself the indulgence. She lay her head in the crook of his neck and breathed in his woodsy scent. His warmth heated her. She reveled in the feeling of his strong arms around her, comforting her. When he nuzzled her ear, she smiled, enjoying the shiver of desire that coursed through her.
“I nearly lost my mind when I saw him pointing that knife at you. Why didn’t you wait in the carriage?”
“I saw a girl who used to work for us speaking with Culbert. I wanted to warn her.”
“They wouldn’t take her on board yet as the ship doesn’t leave for a few more days. We can send a message to her explaining the situation.”
“Yes, that’s an excellent idea. I’ll speak with her personally if necessary to explain the scheme.” It relieved her mind to think Molly could still be saved.
“You’re going to get yourself hurt if you don’t take greater care.”
“I couldn’t watch without trying to do something.”
“Of course, you couldn’t.” He brushed a strand of hair from her face. “Tessa. So strong. So lovely.”
Her breath caught. Did he truly think so? To have this man admire her in any way was a heady experience.
He pressed kisses along her jaw, and desire bloomed deep inside her. She shifted to better fit against him and offered her lips to him. With a groan, he kissed her deeply, his mouth angling to tease hers. Then he reached inside her cloak and held her, his hand warm on her waist. Overwhelmed by the sensations coursing through her, she hardly knew what to think. Nerves danced beside desire, but desire won out.
She reached up to touch his shoulder, moving her hand to the softness of his hair that curled along his collar.
When his hand eased up to touch her breast, she couldn’t help but arch forward, stunned at the passion flowing through her. Then he covered the orb with his palm, massaging it gently. Her body throbbed with pleasure.
“Christ, but I want you,” he whispered as he pressed kisses along her jaw.
“You do?” The idea amazed her.
He took her hand and pressed a kiss to the palm. “I ache for you.”
“Truly?”
“Truly.” With a sigh, he drew her closer still.
Never had she felt so treasured, so wanted. Or so frightened of what the next step might lead to. He gentl
y squeezed her breast then his thumb teased the tip. Tessa moaned as desire, hot and liquid, poured through her. She hadn’t realized she was capable of feeling like this. She’d always considered herself more of an intellect than a creature of passion. But Marcus turned her world on its side in many ways. Was she ready for it?
The carriage drew to a halt, jarring both of them back to their senses.
Marcus rested his forehead against hers, drawing a long breath as though to calm himself. Then he moved aside the curtain to glance out before turning back to her.
“Tessa, I can’t help but worry about your safety.”
“But the police took Culbert.”
He took her hand in his. “He’s not working alone. There are others. Many others involved in this.”
The men at the dock near Molly came to Tessa’s mind. “Yes. I suppose that’s true,” she acknowledged reluctantly.
“Culbert could easily get word to them about your involvement. You might be in danger.”
The thought made her heart skip a beat, but she lifted her chin. “I will be careful.”
“I would like you and your aunt to close the shop for a few days.” He said the words softly as though she’d be more likely to agree.
“We can’t possibly do that. There are orders to fill, and the girls—”
“All of that can wait until I can resolve the situation. Now that the police are involved, it shouldn’t take long. Perhaps no more than two or three days. I would like you both to come and stay with me. Your aunt can act as chaperone. At least then I know you’ll both be safe.”
“No.” Tessa swallowed hard. “It’s impossible.”
“Why?”
She tried to think of a proper excuse, a reasonable one, rather than the truth—that she couldn’t possibly be in proximity to him and emerge with her heart whole. Or her maidenhood. Temptation had been so easy to resist in her life thus far. But not today, and certainly not if she stayed with Marcus. She was mature enough to know that. “My aunt would never agree.”
“Shall we speak with her now? I’d be happy to explain my concerns and reassure her that—”
World of de Wolfe Pack: Trusting the Wolfe (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 5
