She quickly climbed off the bunk and crouched next to the form. Her heart stilled as she realised whose bloody body was lying still on the cold stone floor.
Milly moaned in despair. “No! No! No!” she keened as she touched Henry’s still form.
Chapter 14
Henry had never travelled as speedily to London as he did knowing Milly was in danger. He had thought once before that he would never feel as bad again, but he was to realise that thought was incorrect. If anything happened to Milly…. He had urged his horse on as a feeling of panic travelled through his body.
When he arrived home tired and dishevelled, he was relieved to receive replies to the messages he had sent express before he had left the inn. It meant the network was fully aware of Milly’s disappearance, and hopefully news would be received of her location soon.
He paid a visit to Bow Street. As a spy of the Home Office, he would not normally work with Bow Street, but he had not used every avenue once before to his sorrow, and he was not about to make that mistake again. After a successful meeting, he returned home confident that there were a large number of people looking for Milly.
Henry had always worked on the more salubrious side of society, leaving the seedier side to his friend Edmund and others. The first night home, though, he donned appropriate formal wear and explored every venue he could get round to in an effort to see if anything could be gleaned from those who were more eager to talk after enough drink had been consumed.
He arrived home when the sun was high in the sky without having gained enough knowledge to lead him in the right direction. He had heard Shambles was not happy about being hounded since he had discovered the existence of the picture. As this was old news to Henry it did not advance his search.
The third day of frustrated searching, speaking to anyone who might be able to help, and some whom he would have previously avoided at all costs, brought him home tired, sweaty and in a foul mood caused by the feeling of helplessness descending on him.
He ordered a bath and retired to his study where his butler followed him. “This letter arrived about an hour ago, M’Lord. A young boy insisted you should receive it the moment you returned home.”
Henry accepted the letter and once he was left alone he sat on his captain’s chair and broke the seal.
If you want to see Miss Holland again, I suggest you follow the instructions contained in this letter. Any evidence of not doing exactly as I demand, and she will not live to celebrate another birthday.
I want a full pardon, I want it published in the papers. You will be able to arrange it if you try hard enough. It needs to happen soon; because of the amount of those damned pictures floating around with a price on my head, I can’t trust anyone. The reward is too great. I want to come out of the shadows. When I’ve seen the advertisement in all the newspapers, I’ll send a message, and your little artist will be released. If my message ain’t received I promise she won’t be doing any more pretty pictures.
Don’t doubt my word. I’ve nothing to lose. I will carry out my threat.
Joshua Shambles.
Henry crumpled the letter, slamming his hand on the leather arm of the chair. Joshua was going to use Milly to gain a pardon and not face the consequences for anything he had done now or in the past. He could not get away with it. Even if Henry agreed to the terms, there was no guarantee that, once out of danger, Joshua would keep his word and release her. She was in such a precarious situation it made his stomach turn.
*
Over the following two days Henry increased his efforts in trying to find Milly’s location. He did everything in his power but was exhausted and frustrated at the end of the second day because he was gaining no ground.
It was late evening when his butler knocked on his study door and announced that a Mr King wished to have an audience with him.
Henry agreed to the visit even though he was travel weary and tired. As under-secretary at the Home Office, King could have news. The portly man was shown into Henry’s study and accepted a glass of brandy.
Henry looked at the man who carried out quite a bit of groundwork for the powers that be, even though he was under-secretary and could have remained office bound. He had been in government for many of his seven and forty years and had seen many upheavals as a result.
“An unexpected visit,” Henry started.
“Is it?” came the pleasant response. “You’ve been causing quite a ruckus over these last few days.”
“With no results to speak of.”
“You’ve managed to upset many people, including Mr Shambles.”
“And yet he still has Miss Holland captive,” Henry said bitterly.
“The powers that be need you to rethink your strategy.”
“Why?”
“You are risking the lives of some of our operatives who are working deep undercover. I don’t need to remind you how hazardous their position is.”
“Equally as perilous as Miss Holland’s situation I presume.”
“We have been trying to find out for a long time who are the leaks in the higher echelons of society. After the business at Dorset, young Shambles has been promoted up the ranks, purely because his superiors were either killed or transported because of you. It turned out to be a fortuitous turn of events. We are that much closer now, and this opportunity is too important to be lost because of one unknown spinster with few connections,” Mr King explained.
Henry was reminded of a conversation with Edmund that had occurred a few months previously when he had suggested that Edmund use the then Miss Baker to achieve his goal. Edmund had been angry then and accused Henry of being cold and unfeeling and not considering who he stepped on to achieve his goal. Edmund had probably had feelings for Miss Baker as early as that by the way he reacted. Henry could not condemn his friend; he was fully aware that currently he was having feelings deeper than he had ever experienced before, and it was driving him onward until he was completely exhausted. It had just taken time before Edmund had admitted to his feelings. He wondered if he would ever be able to acknowledge openly his own feelings.
“I cannot leave her to face her fate alone. She is in this situation because of me,” Henry confessed. Any hint of his affection would cause him to lose all credibility in the eyes of Mr King.
“It wasn’t your fault what happened with– “
“Was it not?” Henry said bitterly. “It was my job to protect her and, because I was off having a good time, she was left vulnerable to be easily preyed on.”
“He’s good at his job; she didn’t have a chance.”
“He’s not going to take another young life.”
“You risk your own in the process. I can’t give any guarantees of support if you should need it,” Mr King said, his tone severe in his effort to convince what he saw as headstrong behaviour.
“That’s a risk I shall have to take,” Henry responded stubbornly. He could not, he would not leave Milly to face her fate alone.
“Then there’s no more to discuss is there, really?” Mr King said, standing. “I wish you safety on your fool’s errand, but be assured we won’t let you risk our operatives.”
“I was once considered an operative. It’s interesting how soon a situation can change,” Henry said wryly.
“If you are putting good men’s lives at risk, they come first; they face danger every day.”
“I’m glad to have that cleared up before I catch up with Shambles; I shan’t have the same compunction that I would have had about killing him when I was considered one of you.”
“You can’t do that! He holds information we need!”
“He holds a woman who I need and, if to secure her safety, it means I kill Shambles, so be it.”
“This is why we should never consider using anyone with a title; you’re too bloody full of your own self-importance! You never listen to reason!” Mr King said angrily.
Henry smiled. “Of which until now, you’ve been grateful. My butler will see
you out, King. I bid you goodnight; I doubt our paths will cross again.”
Henry waited until the door had closed behind Mr King before rubbing his hands over his face. He was on his own; he just hoped that was enough to save Milly.
*
Henry had written a long letter to Edmund before setting out on his quest. He had received a note an hour previously that had finally given his search some direction, and it was important that he trust someone with the details of what he was intending. If all went wrong, his body would likely be found somewhere downstream in the Thames. He was not overly concerned about his safety, but he wanted someone to continue the search for Milly.
The note had simply read; Shambles is angry with the upheaval you are causing. Your package is contained in a partially built warehouse in the Surrey Docks.
The Surrey Docks was an area of expansion in the dock area. It was in the region of Rotherhithe; as trade routes continued to expand, so did the docks. Henry was to explore an area he was not familiar with, but he had run out of options.
He armed himself with knives, two pistols and a cane. There would be a fight, and he had to try to prepare for every eventuality; any small advantage could pay dividends.
He left his house, taking a hackney as far as he could before he set off on foot into the dark night. He hoped to goodness the building would be easy to identify; otherwise it would be a long night of searching partially built buildings.
Henry’s coachman’s greatcoat covered his more expensive coat, but even the quality of the greatcoat made a few people watch the stranger passing through the area late at night. Most wondered how far he would get in the dangerous location before someone challenged him, but one or two figures disappeared into the shadows sure they had seen the man who Shambles always seemed to be ranting about and who if seen they would receive a reward for information.
As Henry systematically examined each building, entering some but not all, he was unaware that he was soon to be reunited with Milly but not in the way he expected.
*
“So, the great Lord Grinstead comes to visit,” came the clear, sneering voice of Joshua Shambles as he stepped from the shadows.
Henry halted, his hand instinctively moving to the hilt of one of his knives. “Where is she?”
“Oh, far from your grasp,” Joshua mocked. A nod of his head caused a number of figures to emerge from the shadows, surrounding Henry. “You haven’t been introduced to my friends, have you?”
With the words Joshua nodded and stepped back in one fluid movement, and Henry was hit from behind. He managed to swing around and land a blow before he felt the next blow reach its target. He dragged his knife out and one small pistol, shooting one of the attackers. It seemed that the action did not gain any advantage as another figure filled the gap caused by the first attacker crumpling to the ground.
Henry fought as he had never fought before but eight to one were not fair odds, and it was not very long before he had been knocked to his knees and then sent sprawling on the floor. When his body was still, Joshua stepped forward once more.
“Enough, boys!” Joshua said, with a whistle to catch the attention of the thugs intent on finishing the job they had started. “His final breath is to be at my hands, not yours. Here, you’ve earned your wages tonight.” He took out a bag of money from his pocket and handed out a large number of coins. He considered the money well spent.
When only Joshua and Mack remained, Joshua turned to his loyal member of staff. “A pity he isn’t conscious enough to walk. I don’t fancy carrying him, but I should have thought of that earlier. I was enjoying the sight of his bloody face being beaten to a pulp too much to stop matters earlier. Come, give me a hand; he’s a heavy brute.”
Chapter 15
Milly had checked for signs of life and had nearly wept with relief when she felt shallow breaths on her hand when she held it in front of his lips. He had been badly beaten; bruises were already emerging.
She tried to lift him off the cold floor but could barely lift one side of him; she could never move him without help. Looking around the small cell in desperation, she covered him with a blanket and her cloak, but it was not enough; he needed to be off the floor.
Milly had been the model prisoner, but circumstances had changed. She stood at the door and banged with all her might, shouting for help at the same time.
It was many minutes before Milly heard the sound of the door being unlocked and stepped away from the doorway, rubbing her now bruised hand. Her heart beat uncomfortably in her chest as she dreaded the sight of Joshua.
Mack entered the room and closed the door firmly behind him. “What do you think you’re doing?” he asked roughly.
“Lord Grinstead needs help.”
“He’s lucky he’s still alive, the young fool,” Mack sounded angry.
Milly decided that she had to have faith in Mack; he had helped her so much already. “Please help me lift him on the bed. He’ll catch a chill if he remains on the floor.”
Mack muttered under his breath but bent to haul Henry’s upper body onto the hard bunk. Milly quickly grabbed his feet and was relieved Henry was off the stone floor.
“I need something to clean his wounds,” Milly said, her eyes pleading with Mack’s steely glare.
“You’re asking too much.”
“Please. He must’ve been trying to find me; I can’t see him hurt without helping him.”
“He’s put you both in real danger,” Mack responded.
“We’ll deal with that when the time comes. I’d already accepted that I probably wouldn’t be leaving here alive,” Milly said, her tone matter-of-fact.
Mack looked at the young woman and, with a small smile, showed his appreciation of her spirit. “I’ll bring what I can but, when he comes to, it’ll be up to you to keep him quiet. Antagonising Joshua at this point won’t be a good idea.”
“I’ll do my best. He’s probably never followed anyone’s advice in his life, but I’ll try.”
Milly would never have guessed the level of respect Mack had for the woman who had dealt with her confinement with the utmost dignity and lack of complaint. Even now, when he could tell by the look in her eyes that she was terrified, she maintained her composure and tried to make a bleak situation better. It was wrong that she was being put through such a trial.
An hour passed before Mack returned. Milly had been afraid he would not bring the items to tend to Henry, so she had lit the fire and one candle in order that she could keep him warm and watch for any change in his situation. She sat on the bottom of the bunk, taking up as little space as she could.
Mack brought food, beer, a bucket of water, cloths and a bottle of brandy. “He could need some of that when he wakens; he took a solid beating.”
“Thank you,” Milly responded. “I’ve never seen anything like it. I don’t understand how human beings can inflict such damage to each other; it’s barbaric.”
“It’s all some people know,” Mack responded quietly. “Don’t eat the food all at once; it’s likely I won’t be back for some time.”
There was no point in Milly wondering what tasks Mack had to do that took him away from her. It was nothing to do with her, and knowing would not achieve any solution to her predicament. She remained standing until the door locked behind Mack, and then she poured some water into her cup before holding it over the fire to take the chill off the water.
Using the cloths supplied, Milly wiped the dried blood from Henry’s face, hands and arms. He had arrived dressed only in breeches, his shirt and boots. She took off his boots so he would be more comfortable. Having wrapped him in the blanket, she monitored his temperature, afraid of a fever developing and worried that he had not regained consciousness.
Milly sat on the edge of the bunk, placing a cool damp cloth on Henry’s forehead until it warmed up, and she replaced it with a fresh cloth. She moved his hair away from his face, trying to wash away the traces of blood that had become attached to his
hair. Henry looked a little better than he had when he had been brought in, but his face was a mess.
Henry eventually moaned, and Milly shushed him, stroking his cheek gently in a soothing motion. “My Lord, you are safe,” she soothed.
“Miss Holland? Milly?” Henry croaked.
“Yes.” Milly smiled at the use of her given name.
Henry opened his eyes, realising soon enough that he could open only one, the other being closed due to swelling. “Have they hurt you?”
“No. But they’ve hurt you.”
“Feel bloody awful,” Henry muttered.
“Here have some of this,” Milly moved to lift Henry’s head, so she could raise the brandy bottle to his lips.
Henry winced as the alcohol stung his cut lips but gulped the liquid, welcoming the taste and knowing the effect would numb some of the pain he was feeling. He had never felt as sore in his life. “Is this smuggled?” he asked, trying to inject some humour into a very dark situation.
“Probably,” Milly responded with a small smile. “I don’t think anything here will have been gained by legitimate means.”
“I think we’re in a bit of a pickle, Milly. Can I call you Milly?” Henry asked, looking at her seriously.
Milly realised how bad Henry must be feeling because of the fact that he had not attempted to sit up. “I think we’ve moved a little beyond formalities, haven’t we?”
“Yes. I’m Henry from now on. I’m glad you’ll be speaking my name; your voice is always so soothing and gentle, almost like a gentle kiss. My name will sound good on your lips.”
“Do you ever stop flirting?” Milly asked, but she had flushed with pleasure at his words.
“Not while there’s breath in my body.”
“I think you’d better conserve that breath at the moment and rest. You’ve been through a right old time of it and need a while to recover. Try to sleep. I know the bunk isn’t the best, but it’s all we’ve got.”
My Earl the Spy Page 13
