“Let her go,” he demanded. “Your quarrel is with me.”
Rutter glanced at the man behind the desk then shook his head. “Neither of you are goin’ anywhere.”
“Jasper Smithby, I presume?” Nathaniel asked, easing closer.
The man’s brows rose. “The one and only.” He glanced between Nathaniel and Letitia. “You must really care for her if you’re risking coming in here.”
Nathaniel held Letitia’s gaze, hoping she knew it was true. Why hadn’t he told her before? He had to determine a way to free them both so could tell her.
Drawing his resolve, he turned to study the contents of the warehouse more closely, realizing many of the goods must be stolen based on Smithby’s other business pursuits. “Your interests are quite diversified. Virgins and silk. Tea and opium.”
“You’re a ballsy one, aren’t you?” Smithby asked as he rose from his chair to stand before his desk, his cold blue eyes studying Nathaniel.
“Let’s kill him while we have the chance,” Rutter suggested. “He ain’t nothing but trouble.”
“I’ve come to make you an offer,” Nathaniel continued as though Rutter hadn’t spoken. As though two armed men weren’t standing guard directly behind him.
“Oh? What would that be? Doesn’t seem like you’re in a position to offer much.”
Nathaniel could only hope the police would arrive at any moment. If he could stall a few minutes more, he and Letitia might make it out of here alive. “If you release the girls and stop abducting them, I’ll walk out of here and leave you alone. But if you insist on continuing to deliver them to brothels, I’ll see you dead.”
Smithby laughed. “I’ll have to refuse your offer. Those girls make me a lot of money.” He pointed at the men behind Nathaniel with their knives at the ready. “Besides,l you’re not much of a threat at the moment. There’s only one of you.”
Letita stomped on Rutter’s toe, evading his grasp as he cursed, and rushed to Nathaniel. “No, there’s two of us,” she boldly informed Smithby.
Yet before Nathaniel could take her hand, the men behind him took hold of each of them, one wresting the cane from his hand.
Nathaniel’s stomach tightened. As grateful as he was to have her at his side, he wished she weren’t.
“Enough of this,” Smithby said. “You’re costing me money. Get rid of them.” He nodded at Rutter who stepped toward Nathaniel and Letitia, a snarl on his face.
Before he could draw closer, Nathaniel jerked his arm free from the man behind him and struck Rutter, sending him stumbling back. Then Nathaniel spun on his good leg to punch the man behind him and shoved him sprawling into his companion.
As the man caught his balance and rushed forward, a loud commotion sounded at the door. He turned at the sound to see the cause.
“Coppers!” the man exclaimed and ran toward the rear of the building.
Rutter glared at Smithby. “I told ye we should’ve killed them.”
“Then do it,” Smithby snarled back. He grabbed some papers off the desk and ran toward the back, leaving Rutter standing there in surprise, hesitating.
That was the moment of delay Nathaniel needed. He moved in front of Letitia to protect her then struck Rutter again, this time in the jaw.
“Nathaniel,” she cried out as Rutter regained his balance.
A policeman caught Rutter before he could take action while several more policemen arrested the other men who hadn’t yet escaped.
“Are you all right?” Nathaniel drew a trembling Letitia into his arms, torn between the need to hold her and the need to give chase after Smithby. But he was no longer the best man to catch the villain, not with his injured leg. The need to reassure himself that Letitia was safe took precedence over catching Smithby.
Langston emerged from the group of officers entering the warehouse and hurried toward them. “Are you both well?”
“Yes, but Smithby escaped out the back.”
Langston called for several policemen to accompany him as he rushed toward the rear of the warehouse.
Letitia laid her head on Nathaniel’s shoulder, returning his focus to her. “Oh, my goodness,” she muttered.
“Letitia.” Words failed him at the relief he felt. “I’m so glad you are unharmed. I should’ve warned you, told you about—”
She leaned back to look into his eyes as she put her finger to his lips. “Shh. This was not your fault. And I am glad I was here. I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you.”
When tears filled her eyes, his heart filled as well, overflowing with his love for her. He couldn’t deny it any more than he could deny her. The chaos in the warehouse fell away as he held her gaze.
“Letitia, I love you so very much. I cannot imagine my life without you.”
“I love you too, Nathaniel.” Her tears spilled over. “You are an amazing man.”
“We are amazing together. But I am far from perfect. You should know that more than my leg is damaged.” He paused, uncertain how to explain it to her.
She lifted up on her toes to kiss him. “Nothing is wrong that we can’t make stronger together.”
“I couldn’t have said it better.” He gently wiped a tear from her cheek. “I know I asked you once already, but this time I am suggesting a permanent arrangement. And it would have nothing to do with business. Will you marry me?”
“Yes.” Her smile rivaled the sun as she beamed up at him. “I’d be honored to.”
He drew a shaky breath, hardly able to believe his good fortune. “The honor would be all mine.” The curses and shouts around him brought him back to reality. “Let us step outside while the police do their job.”
“Does that mean you’ll be retiring from this endeavor since the police are involved?” she asked as he retrieved his cane then drew her through the warehouse and out the door.
“One can hope, though I have doubts they are capable of stopping Smithby.”
Once they’d stepped outside, she turned to face him, her expression serious. “You must take care. I cannot imagine a life without you, Nathaniel. I refuse to consider it.”
He smiled. “Good as I feel the same. Believe me, I will proceed with the utmost caution.” He drew her into his arms. “Your family will have to manage on their own. Do you think that’s possible?”
“They’ll learn.”
“Then how soon can we marry?”
She laughed. “Not nearly soon enough.” She rested her hand along his cheek. “I love you, Captain Hawke.”
“And I love you, soon-to-be Mrs. Hawke. I would very much like to bring you home so that I may show you just how much you mean to me.”
“An excellent idea.” Heat darkened her eyes and fanned the flame that burned deep within him, all for her. “Let us be on our way.”
That was a request Nathaniel was eager to fill. How quickly his life had changed in a few short weeks. The woman at his side had made him whole, inside and out. He intended to spend the rest of his life showing her how grateful he was. Somehow he’d find a way to prove to her and himself that he deserved her love.
~*~
The next evening, Letitia waited impatiently at the Taft’s ball for Nathaniel’s arrival. Each moment they spent apart felt like an eternity. As far as she was concerned, they couldn’t be married soon enough. Nathaniel was doing all he could to speed the process.
A familiar prickle of awareness ran down the back of her neck. Before she could turn, Nathaniel arrived at her side.
“Where did you come from?” she asked. “I’ve been watching the entrance for you.”
He smiled, his gaze sweeping over her face in that thorough manner that told her he cared. “I entered through the garden to avoid the crush.”
“Any news?” she asked, anxious for an update.
“Still no sign of Smithby. Rutter remains in custody, though I expect somehow that will change.” The look of frustration on his face came as no surprise. “The madam of the brothel has been arrested as well
.”
“And the girls?”
His expression eased. “They’ve been returned home. I fear that for some of them, the police arrived too late. Their lives have already been changed, and not for the better.”
“That’s terrible. But Mrs. Bellany from the Arlington Street Church and the other ladies have promised further assistance to all of the girls, right?”
“Yes, thanks to your suggestion. They were picking out a name for their new organization when I spoke briefly with Mrs. Bellany this afternoon. Something about the Society of Women Assisting Young Women in Need.” His pleased smile warmed her heart.
“She was thrilled at my suggestion to have them offer help on a more permanent basis.” Lettie couldn’t help but grin. When she’d set out to make a difference, she’d never dreamed she’d have so much reach. Over thirty women had volunteered thus far, and together, they could truly change lives for the better.
“Alice has been reunited with her family as well. They’re moving to my brother’s estate as her father is now employed there.”
“Excellent. I suppose that means there is an opening at Madam Daphne’s for a new apprentice. Perhaps we can find someone together to fill it.”
“Have I mentioned how proud I am of you?” Nathaniel asked as he held her gaze.
“Once or twice.”
“How about how much I love you. Did I tell you that?” His heated gaze along with the words made her tingle.
“Several times but feel free to repeat yourself. I promise not to complain.” She took his hands in hers, facing him. “Have I mentioned how much you matter to me?”
Nathaniel blinked at her. “You have. I am still adjusting to that. After all those years of hearing I didn’t, it may take several reminders.”
“Lucky for you, I am available to remind you each and every day for the rest of our lives.” She lifted his hand and kissed the back of it. More than anything, she wanted to show him how much it was true.
“I believe it is beginning to sink in,” he whispered, his cobalt eyes full of promise.
“Lettie. Whatever is wrong with you?” Her mother’s stern reprimand had Lettie’s cheeks heating.
“Mother—”
“Displays of affection are completely inappropriate, especially in public. Now please go and tell Dalia that she may not speak with that terrible Mr. Brover any longer. The man has no prospects.”
“Good evening, Mrs. Fairchild,” Nathaniel said, the stern note of his voice warning Lettie how he felt about her mother speaking to her thusly.
“Captain,” her mother responded coolly before glaring at Lettie who had yet to release Nathaniel’s hands.
As Nathaniel started to say something more, Lettie squeezed his fingers. “Mother, I’m speaking with my fiancé at the moment. Why don’t you speak with Dalia?”
“But—” she sputtered.
“I believe this dance is ours, Letitia.” Nathaniel nodded at her mother. “Excuse us.”
Lettie could only smile up at him as they walked away. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For giving me the heart to stand up for myself.”
“If I matter, that means you do as well,” he said. “It’s only fair.”
“Indeed. I never realized that loving the Hawke would be so easy. I love you, Nathaniel. Always and forever.”
“Always and forever,” he repeated solemnly as he drew her into his embrace.
THE END
Other books in this series: Trusting the Wolfe, a Novella - Book .5 of The Seven Curses of London: http://amzn.com/B017AIF9TQ
Other Books by LANA WILLIAMS
Victorian Romances:
Trusting the Wolfe, a Novella
Book .5 of The Seven Curses of London
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B017AIF9TQ
Unraveling Secrets
Book I of The Secret Trilogy
On Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00HC1LT6E
Passionate Secrets
Book II of The Secret Trilogy
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00NZE59V8
Shattered Secrets
Book III of The Secret Trilogy
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00VCL74JQ
Medieval Romances:
A Knight’s Christmas Wish
Falling for A Knight Novella, Book .5
On Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00QEGRSL8
A Knight’s Quest
Falling for A Knight, Book 1
On Amazon: http://amzn.com/B014VF8ILW
A Vow To Keep, Book I of The Vengeance Trilogy
On Amazon: http://amzn.to/19LktiJ
A Knight’s Kiss, Book 1.5 of The Vengeance Trilogy
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00WNEKBGY
Trust In Me, Book II of The Vengeance Trilogy
On Amazon: http://amzn.to/197Mphs
Believe In Me, Book III of The Vengeance Trilogy
On Amazon: http://amzn.to/19Q6UP7
The Vengeance Trilogy – Boxed Set
On Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00IFI3OI4
If you liked this book, I invite you to sign up to my newsletter to find out when the next one is released: http://www.lanawilliams.net/contactlana.html
If you enjoyed this story, please consider writing a review!
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading LOVING THE HAWKE, the first full length story in The Seven Curses of London series. If you haven’t yet read the Earl of Warenton’s story, who is mentioned in this book, I invite you to read TRUSTING THE WOLFE, the novella that begins the series.
The Seven Curses of London was written by James Greenwood and published in 1869. Much like Lettie, I found the information in the book both fascinating and horrifying. The conditions in London at the time were appalling. Luckily, authors like Greenwood and Josephine Butler did their best to shed light on the problems though solving them took decades and continues to be battled today, as they are in many cities throughout the world. History has a funny way of repeating itself sometimes, don’t you think?
The first chapter in Greenwood’s book focuses on neglected children. I look forward to exploring the other chapters of the Seven Curses with you in the upcoming books in this series. Can you guess whose story is next?
Much credit for this story goes to my critique partners, Michelle Major, Lani Joramo, and Robin Nolet. Thank you for your amazing suggestions. And another thank you to my beta readers, Linda Benning, Sarah Billing, and Lauren Billing. Your feedback is priceless!
If you’d like to know when my next book becomes available, I invite you to sign up for my email newsletter at: http://www.lanawilliams.net/contactlana.html, follow me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LanaWilliamsBooks or on Twitter at @LanaWilliams28.
Reviews help authors tremendously and also help other readers find books, so please consider leaving a review. They are much appreciated, and I read them all.
More historical romances are coming your way!
Happy reading!
Lana
Copyright © 2016 by Lana Williams
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Loving the Hawke (The Seven Curses of London Book 1) Page 27
