by Jess Schira
“You can't keep me a prisoner forever,” Saika said, her voice soft. “Sooner or later you'll have to set me free.”
The footman opened the carriage door and Sebastian climbed out. “Unless I bring you to trial.”
“I haven't committed any crimes.” Saika ground her teeth as the footman reached into the carriage and grabbed her shoulder, dragging her from the carriage with more force than necessary, bruising her skin.
“Not yet,” Sebastian agreed. He gestured to the footman, turned, and walked towards the Tower door where a grim faced man waited for him. The footman followed close at Sebastian's heels. Dragging Saika, none to gently, in his wake.
Sebastian must have alerted the grim faced man that they were coming. The man, whose face was heavily scarred and carried his shoulders at different levels, giving him a lopsided look, took a long moment to study Saika. She lowered her own gaze and kept her expression demure.
“Is this her?” His voice was rough.
“Aye.”
“She don't look like much.”
“Looks can be deceiving. She's strong, quick, and clever. I also suspect that there's even more to her than I've already learned.”
The man grunted and pushed the door open. “Very well.” I've prepared a room for her.”
At first, Saika was grateful to find that the room was much improved over the cell she'd been given at Newgate. Not only did the bedding look clean but there was also a small writing desk and a chair. The room was against the exterior wall of the tower, and moonlight would streamed through a wide, barred window. The tension leaked from Saika's shoulders, at least she wouldn't feel trapped in this room/
The grizzled old man hung a lantern on a hook and tugged at his uniform jacket. His gaze flitted from Saika to Sebastian. “I 'eard what she did when you 'ad her at Newgate.’Ow do you suppose you're going to prevent the same thing from 'appening 'ere. I'm not strong enough to hold 'er if she wants to break out of 'ere.”
“I have everything under control,” Sebastian said, his voice calm. His grip on Saika's elbow tightened and he urged her towards the bed.
The old guard raised a bushy eyebrow. “ 'ow to you propose to do that. From what I 'eard, it didn't take much effort for 'er to trounce you good when you walked into her cell at the prison.” He cocked his head to one side and studied Saika. “She's such a little thing, and quite pretty, it don't really seem possible that she managed to put both you and the guard down. Me sources must not be as good as I originally supposed.”
Saika smiled at the guard. She didn't have any idea what was going to happen over the next few hours, and it seemed wise to make as many allies as she could. If the guard thought she was pretty and sweet, there wasn't any point in disavowing him of his notions, at least not yet.
Sebastian crouched in front of her and reached beneath the bed. “Once again, I find myself in a position where I'm forced to remind you how looks can deceive. Twice now, she's caught me unprepared. I'm not about to let it happen a third time. Tis why I requested this room be prepared when I stopped in earlier.”
Metal links rattled against one another as he drew a length of chain from beneath the bed. Stubborn pride was the only thing that prevented Saika from looking down, though her heart hammered against her ribs. Sebastian pushed her hem out of his way, and a moment later she felt something cold press against her stockinged ankles. It took all of her will power to stand still and not lash out with her foot as Sebastian pressed the two ends of the manacle together and locked them into place.
Sebastian stood up and brushed his hands together. He met Saika's eyes and smirked. “That should hold you in one place.”
He turned and clamped a hand on the old guard’s rounded shoulder, turning him towards the door. “She shouldn't be causing any trouble for a while now. Have you made arrangements for someone to sit outside her door?”
The old man nodded.
“Aye,”
“Excellent.”
“Though I don't understand why ... it's not like she's going to be going anywhere.”
Sebastian stepped out of the room and stood in the shadowed hall and waited while the old man pulled the heavy door closed behind him, sealing Saika into the room. “One of the many things I've learned over the past few days is that with this particular woman, there's no such thing as being too cautious. Having a person actually watching her room makes me feel better.”
The guard said something in return, but they were moving down the hall and distance made it impossible for Saika to make out his words.
She held her breath. Once she was certain that they weren't going to return anytime soon, she dropped down to all fours and crawled under the bed. One end of the chain was looped through the ankle manacle the other was firmly attached to a ring that was firmly embedded into the wall. Saika tugged. Nothing happened. There was no way she could break the chain. Not yet ready to admit defeat, she lifted both hands to her skull running her fingers through her dark brown hair.
Her fingers bumped into something hard and for the first time all day she smiled. So, Sebastian thought he had taken away her freedom and left her well and truly trapped. Silly Sebastian. If she were a man, that might be true, but she was a female and had more resources at her disposal than he could ever dream possible.
From Moonlight to Mayhem
Chapter Eight
The driver turned the team of well-matched bay mares away from the Tower of London and in the direction of Sebastian’s home.
Sebastian rested his head on the back of the carriage seat and allowed his body to sink into the upholstery. The rocking motion of the carriage, combined with the dark interior and the steady clop of the horse’s hooves lulled him. His eyes drifted closed and the weariness he’d held at bay all day stole over him. He hadn’t slept since Saika tricked him into bed and then proceeded to knock him unconscious. He didn’t think he’d ever been so tired before in his entire life.
He’d give just about anything if he could lay down on the seat and sleep for a few hours.
But sleep wasn’t a luxury he could indulge in just now.
Before he rested, he needed to learn more about what had happened to the Donavon’s and how it involved Saika’s secret. Then he needed to decide what to do with the information.
Time wasn’t on his side. In fact, each time the hour hand moved past the twelve, the seconds seemed to tick by at an ever faster rate.
When Sebastian left Queen’s Lodge early-he looked at his pocket watch-yesterday morning, he’d convinced the King and Queen that a thief had knocked him unconscious and then dragged him into the kings bedchamber and bound him to the bed.
Even as he told it, Sebastian knew the story was weak, but the King and the Queen not only enjoyed it, they appeared to believe it, for which Sebastian would be eternally grateful.
Newgate was a bigger problems.
Good gossip traveled fast in London and it wouldn’t take long for the story about Saika’s dramatic escape from Newgate Prison to reach Queen’s Lodge. Once it did, King George and Queen Charlotte would learn Sebastian had been locked in the cell and that, combined with how he’d been found in the King’s bed, was going to lead to some intense question Sebastian preferred not to deal with, especially since he didn’t know any of the answers himself.
It seemed to him the best way to handle the situation was to avoid the royal family until he was in a position where he was capable of providing a straightforward answers. Until then, he needed to make sure Saika didn’t get into trouble which was why he’d imprisoned her … twice.
He only hoped that this time she stayed where he’d put her.
Sebastian turned to the window, the same window Saika got her first glimpse of Newgate Prison, and yawned.
Deciding to find answers based on the niggling feeling between his shoulders that warned something was quite wrong was find and dandy. His problem was not knowing what where to begin looking. The city was full of people who wanted to harm the member
s of the royal family and each person had their own reasons for doing so, and the reason was important. If he knew the reason Saika was lurking about the Queen’s Lodge he would be able to think of a way to resolve the situation.
And there was the matter of the missing Donovan family. He sensed they were the reason Saika was in the Queen’s Lodge yesterday and spent so much time sitting in front of it today.
Things would be simpler if Saika would relent and answer his questions. Every instinct Sebastian possessed told him she was the key to the entire mystery. He just needed to figure out how.
Sebastian blew out a heavy sigh and made a mental list of everything he knew about her.
She was of Japanese descent
Her family was missing
She was the least emotional person he'd ever met.
She was crafty enough to come up with a plan to escape a Newgate cell and skilled enough to execute it, and there weren’t many people capable of performing such a feat.
Her father was a very gifted watchmaker and jeweler.
The entire family left Dublin and came to London because there were too many watchmakers in Saika's home city for her father to make a real living and he hoped to enjoy more success in the city.
Despite being Irish, the Donavons seemed to be well liked by their neighbors, and even held in high regard.
Sebastian sat up.
Irish.
In addition to being of Japanese descent, Saika was also Irish. Which meant she was Catholic as well.
Sebastian cursed and pounded on the carriage roof. A moment later the carriage rocked to a stop and one of the footman opened the door. He clung to the side of the carriage with one hand and blinked wearily at Sebastian.
“Is there something you require, sir?” Sleep slurred his words.
“I no longer wish to return to my home.”
The footman nodded and shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “Very well sir. Where would you like the driver to take you?”
“I need to speak to Prime Minster Pitt.”
The footman nodded and tried to not to wonder how much longer it would be before he saw his own home and sweet wife. “As you wish, sir. I'll relay your message to the driver.”
********
Half an hour later, Sebastian walked up the steps to a high quality house and knocked on the door. The door swung open and a butler stared at him.
Sebastian drew himself up to his full height and met the butler’s steely eyed gaze with one of his own. “I wish to speak to the Prime Minister.”
The request failed to fluster the butler. He had been working for the Prime Minister long enough to understand late night calls were a regular part of political life. He nodded and opened the door open in an invitation for Sebastian to enter. He led Sebastian to the parlor. “Mister Pitt will be available to meet with you shortly, Mister Harper.”
When Pitt walked into the room ten minutes later, he was perfectly groomed and dressed. He looked like a man who was ready for a session of parliament rather than someone who had an unexpected caller in the middle of the night.
“Mister Harper, I believe this is the first time I've had the pleasure of greeting you in my own home. I believe this is the first time you have ever paid me a visit in my own home. Has the Queen sent you to my home with some important message?” Pitt the Younger accepted the large glass of port a young valet with a spotted face handed him. He paused, the rim of the heavy crystal glass an inch from his mouth. “Has the king gone mad again?”
“No, when last I saw the king, he was in good health and high spirits. I am here on a political matter.”
Pitt arched a brow. “Oh, I don't recall you ever expressing an interest in politics before?”
“What can you tell me about the Acts of Union?”
Pitt straightened and studied Sebastian with renewed interest. “It’s a bill that is scheduled to pass at the start of the New Year.”
“And the king’s involvement?”
“His signature is required for the bill to become law.”
“His death would slow the process.”
“Yes, perhaps even indefinitely. May I ask what has triggered this series of questions?”
Sebastian hesitated and considered his response. “I am afraid I don’t have proof, but I’ve met someone and I fear they mean to harm, possibly even kill, King George. They’re Irish and the Acts of Union is about to become law, has something to do with her plans.”
Pitt nodded and waited for Sebastian to continue.
“I have come suspect they’re acting under duress. Who would be desperate enough to prevent the bill from passing that they would take an entire family hostage and bully someone into doing their bidding?”
“There’s a number of people who object to the nature of the Act of Union.”
“I am of the opinion she’s being forced to act against her will.”
“She?” The light in Pitt’s eyes brightened. “There is a rumor you were … captivated by a mysterious woman during the Yule Ball, in the King’s bedchamber none the less.”
Sebastian stood up and paced the length of the room. “The person’s gender, and the happenings at the Yule Ball are unimportant.”
“Oh? They seem important.”
Sebastian choose to ignore the comment and pursued his line of questioning. “Are you aware of any organizations that would object to the law and consider murdering the king a reasonable way to be ensure it never becomes a reality?
“Several. Members of the Catholic Church and the Irish community object to the bill.” Pitt tipped his head to one side and considered Sebastian. “What I fail to understand is exactly how your … friend is involved.”
Sebastian tapped his teeth. His mind raced.
“She has unique skills which, when combined with her Irish blood, made her the target of a blackmail plot and thrust her in middle of an undesirable situation.” He moved towards the door. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I sense I must get back to her.”
********
Saika curled up on the bed and rested her head on the pillow. She didn’t know how long Sebastian intended to leave her here, and since there wasn’t much she could do about it, the smartest thing she could do was take advantage of the opportunity to get a little sleep. Then, maybe she would be able to think of a brilliant plan to find and save her family.
The second she closed her eyes, the sound of booted footsteps in the hallway opened them again.
“Oi!” The old man who had agreed to guard her, called out. “May I be of some assistance?”
Instead of a vocal reply, the unexpected sound of steel rubbing against hardened leather brought Saika to her feet. She narrowed her eyes in an attempt to see through the door.
“Who are you and what business brings you to this place?” Anxiety thickened the guard’s words. “State your business quickly and then be gone.”
Silence was all Saika heard.
“Whoever you are,” the guard's voice rose a fraction of a decibel with each word, “you should retu-” Whatever he intended to say was interrupted by a startled gasp followed by an indistinct garbling and something heavy and soft slammed into the opposite side of the door.
Saika tensed. She didn’t know if the guard was dead or just seriously injured, and right now she didn’t have time to worry about it. Her only concern was what she needed to do to keep herself safe from whoever had struck him and was about to come through the door for her.
She reached down and picked up the chain. A longer length would have been better, but she would just have to make do with what she had.
She didn’t have to wait long. A moment after the guard’s startled gasp, a key turned in the lock and the door creaked open. Her grip on the chain tightened. She wouldn’t attack without provocation, but she was ready for whatever came through the door.
Saika thought she was prepared for anything, but the sheer size of the man who shoved his way through the doorway startled her. He seemed as ta
ll as the tree the queen decorated for the Yule Ball and was even wider than he was tall. He filled the doorway, making it impossible to see if anyone lurked behind him. His presence seemed to such the air from Saika’s room.
He crossed the threshold and stepped to one side of the room, creating enough space for two more men, smaller, men to enter. There expression indicated that whatever their reason for being here, Saika wasn’t going to like it.
The men exuded confidence.
Saika pasted a passive expression on her face and braced herself. She’d never faced a trio of opponents at the same time before, but her training more than made up for the lack of experience. The men’s confidence also worked in her favor. They saw a small woman and assumed she’d meekly comply with whatever they ordered her to do.
They were about to learn just how erroneous they were. Despite what they might think, the odds were weighted in Saika’s favor.
She focused her mind on one thing.
Survival.
The way the men moved revealed a great deal about the three men. They balanced on the balls of their feet and kept their weight centered and low, and moved with economical smoothness.
Saika’s eyes narrowed and the smallest smile lifted the corners of her mouth. These weren’t street thugs recruited to attack her. They were highly trained fighters and most likely killers. They might be skilled and well trained but she doubted they’d ever encountered anyone like her.
The possibility of a challenge excited her.
The youngest member of the group, a man with what looked like a permanently dirty face and who’d lost a portion of his right ear looked at the chain in Saika’s hand. His gaze slid down the length of it until it disappeared beneath her skirt hem. A wide, gap-toothed smile spilt his face.
“I thought ye said this was un was goin' ta be difficult. But look at 'er. She’s half our size and chained up. She's 'ardly worth one of us so why'd ye insist on all three of us comin'? I coulda handled her on me own.”
