The Faerie Ring

by Kiki Hamilton

  “Are you a blue blood?”

  “No. I just had a family who owned some land. It’s as simple, as lucky, as that,” Rieker replied. He looked over his shoulder and surveyed the street for oncoming carriages before steering Tiki across Horse Guard Road and into the park.

  “Tiki, let me ask you this.” Their boots crunched on the gravel path as they walked. “If we can get into the palace”—he held up his hand to stop her question—“through whatever means we can devise, and I’m able to engage Leo and Arthur in conversation, could you get to the ring if you needed to excuse yourself?” His smoky eyes rested on her face as he waited for her answer.

  “Yes.” Tiki nodded.

  “Leo will not have forgotten you, I’m quite sure. He seemed shocked by your birthmark. Do you have any idea why?”

  Tiki hesitated. “I ran into him in the park when I was dressed like this, as a boy. He asked me about my birthmark then.”

  “Well, he has apparently put the two of you together. We’ll have to be careful and pretend that Elizabeth”—he said the name with an odd emphasis—“and I have been acquainted for some time. We’ll have to work out our story ahead of time, so if they ask us questions, we’ll both give the same answers.” Rieker gave her a sideways glance. “There’s no chance he suspects you in the disappearance of the ring, is there?”

  Tiki clutched her fingers together. “He seemed to suspect me of something. He asked me to empty out my pockets.”

  “Did you have the ring at the time?”

  Tiki nodded, afraid to speak for fear her voice would break. “I was checking to make sure it was safe.”

  Rieker shifted his shoulders as though trying to dislodge a weight. “Well, clearly you got away. We’ll just have to be very careful.”

  She worked to make her voice sound bright and cheerful, though she felt more alone than ever. “So, what’s your plan, then?”

  Rieker was quiet for a minute. “Leo has wanted to borrow a special bridle I had made for a spirited horse. I thought we could take him the gear. During our visit you could excuse yourself to powder your nose or whatever it is women do, recover the ring, and we would depart with no one the wiser. That way, you don’t have to trust me with the location of the ring, but we can still work toward getting Clara back.” He put his hand on her shoulder. “How does that sound?”

  “That sounds good.” She would get the ring. That was all she was going to concentrate on for now. Get the ring and trade it for Clara. She took a deep breath, trying not to drown in emotions she didn’t understand.

  “Do you think you could ‘borrow’ a dress again?” he asked. Out of the corner of her eye, Tiki could see him looking at her. “We could plan a visit for Saturday.”

  Tiki’s head snapped up. “I think we have a problem.”

  “What’s that? No dress?” Rieker asked. He didn’t sound surprised.

  “No,” Tiki said. “Something different.”

  “What is it?” Rieker seemed unconcerned as he gazed down at her.

  “Isentanoteforthereward.” Tiki tensed, preparing herself for Rieker’s reaction.

  “What?” Rieker asked. “Slow down, I can’t understand a word—” Suddenly his voice dropped off and he grabbed her arm to turn her to face him. “You sent what?” His expression was horrified, his voice a mixture of disbelief and anger.

  “I haven’t had the advantage of a family who just happen to own some land,” Tiki spat, suddenly angry herself. “I’ve had to work and scrap for every penny I can get my hands on. I sent the note before Larkin took Clara. I wasn’t going to walk away from a bloody fortune.” She clenched her hands into fists, prepared to fight if she had to.

  Rieker glared at her, his grip tight on her wrist. Then, instead of attacking, to her great surprise he started laughing. He laughed so hard that he bent at the waist and grabbed his sides.

  Tiki relaxed her stance. What was wrong with him?

  “I should have known that there would be no part of this that will go according to any plan I think up,” Rieker gasped, wiping tears from the corners of his eyes. “My God, girl, you can bugger up any well-thought-out scheme. It seems you have a magic for creating chaos.” His laughter died away and he shook his head. “So you have served up a demand note for the reward from the royals. Did you wish them Happy Christmas at the same time?” He chuckled under his breath. “I doubt they will pay but tell me what in heaven’s name you said.” He started walking down the path again, and Tiki hurried to keep up.

  Because of the cold, few others braved the park. They were alone as they walked, and Tiki told him the contents of the note.

  “Well, it might work to our advantage,” Rieker finally said. “If Leo does suspect that the boy with the mark and Elizabeth are the same, and if there’s any chance he connects you to the disappearance of the ring, the last thing he’ll expect is for you to pay him a visit.”

  Chapter Twenty-four

  “WILLS!” Leo hurried into the drawing room. “I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve been trying to track you down since the masked ball.” He strode across the room to give Rieker’s hand a hearty shake. “Do you remember that lovely young—”

  “Leo, so good to see you,” Rieker interrupted. “Surely you remember Miss Elizabeth Dunbar.” He raised his hand toward the far wall. “As I recall, you danced a waltz with Miss Dunbar at the ball.”

  With a gasp, Leo spun around and stared at Tiki, his mouth hanging open.

  Bowing her head demurely, Tiki dipped into a graceful curtsy. “I’m so pleased to make your acquaintance again, sir.”

  “You,” Leo breathed. His eyes swept over her as though she were a mirage.

  “Yes, Leo, the woman whose dress you destroyed with red wine. Surely you remember her,” Arthur said in a dry drawl. “I’m quite sure she’ll never forget you.”

  Arthur’s comment snapped Leo out of his daze, and he had the grace to flush at his brother’s words.

  “Yes, and I do apologize again—Miss, uh, Dunbar, is it?—for my clumsiness that evening. Quite unforgivable.” Leo moved forward toward Tiki, his hand reaching out to take hers. Grasping her fingers, he bowed over her left hand, then gazed intently at her face as though memorizing the contours. “I shall have to find a way to repay you.”

  Tiki looked into Leo’s eyes and froze. His gaze was unwavering and almost steely. He suspected her. She was sure of it. She dropped her eyes, unsure how to extract her hand from his grip.

  “Leo.” Rieker interrupted with a loud cough. “I’ve brought you that bridle with the soft bit you’ve been asking about. How is Diablo these days? Are you getting that mad beast under control?”

  It took Leo a moment to drag his eyes away from Tiki. He released her hand, but not before he cast a questioning glance at her covered wrist. His brow drew down in a frown as he contemplated Rieker. “Yes, thank you, Wills. Very kind of you. Diablo is as robust as ever. Tell me, Elizabeth”—he turned back to stare at her—“do you ride?”

  “Oh,” Tiki said, “I rode as a child, but not as much lately.” That was all true, she thought. Rieker had told her to stick to the truth whenever she could. “Thank you.” She smiled at Arthur as she accepted a hot cup of tea.

  “Perhaps you would grace me with your presence on a ride some afternoon, then?” Leo asked. “Say, in St. James’ Park? You like to frequent the park, don’t you?”

  “In this weather?” Rieker chuckled. “Leo, surely you jest. What are you trying to do to Miss Dunbar?”

  “Yes, really,” Arthur added, frowning at Leo. “What are you thinking? I’m sure if Miss Dunbar should choose to ride in the dead of winter, then Wills will be most accommodating with his mounts.” Arthur’s tone held a hint of warning.

  She gave Leo her most charming smile. It wouldn’t do to insult the prince. It was clear he suspected her. “Actually, Leo, thank you for the offer. I would be honored to ride with you.” Her heart was pounding so hard, she was surprised it didn’t burst through her chest. They
needed to get the ring and get out. Before they were arrested.

  Leo flushed. “Yes, brilliant … lovely. We’ll have to make plans, then. Soon.”

  “I’ll look forward to it,” Tiki murmured.

  “Grand,” Rieker said. “Now about that bridle, Leo…”

  “Oh, yes, of course.” Leo turned to Rieker. “Nice of you to bring it by, Wills.”

  Tiki released a slow breath as she waited for the right moment to beg their pardon to use the water closet. Before her a large fire burned, the wood crackling in the hearth. She tried not to stare at the elaborately carved figures of a man and a woman dressed in exotic garb standing on the mantel, appearing to support the thick wood trim that surrounded the ceiling. The richness of the dark paneling that covered the walls, and the plush rug under her feet, made Tiki feel as if she had plunged into one of the books she borrowed from Mr. Potts. Her father had been a barrister, they’d lived a comfortable life in a nice home, but nothing like this.

  Rieker’s cough brought her back to reality, and she moved over to join their conversation.

  “I’m so sorry.” A blush crept up her cheeks that was all too real. “I need to use your … facility.”

  Leo and Arthur both gave her a blank look before they realized her meaning.

  “Certainly, my dear.” Arthur stepped forward. “Allow me, I’ll show you the way.”

  “Oh, I don’t want to interrupt your conversation,” Tiki said. “If you’ll just point me in the direction, I’m sure I can find it.”

  “I’ll hear nothing of it.” Arthur offered her his arm. “Any chance I get to escort a beautiful lady, I take.”

  “Thank you.” Tiki looked down in embarrassment. She could feel both Rieker’s and Leo’s eyes follow her as she took Arthur’s arm and let him lead her from the room.

  “So, you’ve known Wills for a long time, have you?” Arthur asked as they made their way down the grand hallway.

  “Quite a while now,” Tiki replied. Dread filled her at the thought of being questioned by Arthur. “What about you? Have you known him long?”

  “Oh yes, practically grew up together.” Arthur laughed. “He was a wild one, even as a boy. He and Leo were particularly good chums, being the same age and all.”

  “I wager you have some wonderful stories to tell.” Tiki’s mind raced to make sense of what she had just learned. Rieker had grown up playing with the princes of England?

  “Yes, many good times. I haven’t seen him much the last few years, of course, and now I’m traveling with the Rifle Brigade and gone from England for long stretches, so we have even fewer occasions to get together. But it’s good to see him. He looks better than he has in ages, if you know what I mean.” He gave her a conspiratorial smile.

  Tiki nodded. She had no idea what he meant. Did Arthur somehow know that Rieker was spending his time among pickpockets and thieves? She pushed the thought away. That was ridiculous; of course he couldn’t know of Rieker’s other life. He must have meant something different. Maybe he was referring to his own travels. Still, why did Rieker choose to live among those who survived by their wits on the streets of London? Somehow he had repeatedly dodged that question.

  Arthur stopped before a large paneled door. “Well, here we are,” he said. “Just go back down this hallway when you’re finished. The drawing room is on your left.” With a small nod, he turned and walked away.

  Tiki’s gaze followed his departing back, wishing for just a second that she could peer inside his head and know everything Arthur knew about Wills. She shook her head as she pushed through the wooden door. She had more important things to worry about than wondering about Rieker’s past.

  Inside the water closet, Tiki stared at the stranger in the mirror. She had changed so much since her parents had passed away. A girl she didn’t recognize stared back at her. Her face was much thinner than she remembered and her cheekbones more pronounced, making her green eyes seem almost too big for her face. For a second, her eyes seemed as mismatched for her features as Marcus’s almond-shaped eyes were for his. With a gasp, Tiki covered her face with her hands and jerked her head away from the mirror. She would not allow herself to even think such a thing.

  After a proper amount of time had passed, Tiki peeked back out the door. The hallway was clear. She slipped out and tiptoed back toward the drawing room. Arthur had distracted her with his talk of Wills, but she recognized the small alcove where she had hidden the ring.

  She slowed as she neared the half-circular area and stepped lightly into the small space. The beautiful painting hung on the wall as she remembered, the scene depicted even more dramatic in the light of day. The exquisite detail of the delicate faerie’s wings made them seem to shimmer, like the reflection of sunlight on an afternoon pond. From the look on the man’s face, he was besotted by the beauty of the creature before him. Yet the faerie had a look on her face that suggested she shared the man’s passion.

  Tiki reached forward and ran her hand along the intricate curve of the frame. She remembered exactly where she had attached the ring.

  “Quite a picture, wouldn’t you agree?”

  Tiki let out a startled cry and whirled around. Leo stood behind her.

  “Oh, you s-startled me.” She clutched her hands together over her heart. “I didn’t know you were there.”

  “I beg your pardon.” Leo stepped up next to her, his hands folded behind his back. “I saw you admiring the painting.” He gazed at the large picture before them. “It’s one of my favorites.”

  “Yes,” Tiki agreed, trying to still her breathing. “It is quite beautiful.”

  “She’s a faerie, you know,” Leo said in a bemused voice.

  “Yes,” Tiki murmured.

  “Some people think she’s an angel,” Leo explained. He looked over at Tiki. “Tell me, Elizabeth, do you believe in faeries?”

  “It’s a charming thought to consider.” Tiki smiled at him, but her mind raced. What did he want from her? Would he have her arrested? How she could escape?

  “I’m not so sure.” Leo turned back to the painting, and his eyes lingered on the figure of the winged woman. “I’ve heard stories that the fey like to steal things.” He looked over at her with a forced smile. “I’ve also heard that some are marked.”

  “Marked?” Tiki repeated. She gave a questioning look to the young prince. “You’ll have to forgive my ignorance on this topic. Have you studied the world of Faerie? What do you mean?”

  “An fáinne sí.” Leo’s tone was as bland as though he were discussing the weather and found it quite boring. “Like this here.” He pointed to a decorative circle on the woman’s wrist in the painting.

  Tiki had to bite her lip not to gasp out loud. Those were the words that Rieker had muttered when he’d seen her mark the first time, she was sure of it. She looked closely at the painting. During the ball, the lighting had been dim and she’d paid little attention to the details. At first glance she’d thought the mark he indicated was a bracelet. But now, she could see the same swirls and turns as adorned her own wrist. Was it possible? What did it mean? How long had these connections between faerie and man existed?

  Leo turned from the canvas and faced her. “I’ve been told an fáinne sí means ‘the faerie ring.’ The mark is the same as the one on your wrist, I believe.” His eyes dared her to deny it. “May I see it?”

  Chapter Twenty-five

  “THERE you two are.”

  Tiki turned with relief at the sound of Rieker’s voice and took a step toward him. She widened her eyes, hoping she could subtly convey her panic. Her ears rang with the words Leo had just uttered: An fáinne sí means “the faerie ring.” A terrible fear spread through her limbs, making her feel weak.

  “I hate to interrupt your enjoyment of the arts, but we need to carry on,” Rieker said. “I’ve got an appointment later this afternoon and I promised Miss Dunbar that we would return before three.” He extended his arm.

  Tiki could sense Leo’s frustrat
ion. His eyes lingered on her with a disturbing intensity as she moved to take Rieker’s arm.

  “I’m sorry to see you go,” Leo responded politely. “We need to spend some time catching up, Wills. There are matters we need to discuss. I feel like I don’t even know you anymore.”

  “It’s difficult with our busy schedules, isn’t it?” Wills agreed in an easy tone. “Will you be heading back up to Balmoral or are you home through the holidays now?”

  “Mother is quite ill and not showing improvement. Much as she’d like, I don’t think she can even travel to Windsor, so we’ll be here at Buckingham for now.” His face was unsmiling as he stared at Rieker. “When are you available to meet?”

  “Soon. Soon. I hope Her Majesty takes a turn for the better. Winter in England is never pleasant.”

  They stepped out into the gray light of the December afternoon and descended the steps toward the carriage that waited for them. Tiki had no idea where Rieker had come up with a carriage and a driver. He had just mumbled something about “connections” when she had asked earlier.

  “Miss Dunbar…” Leo took her hand and bowed over her fingers. “I look forward to seeing you again soon and continuing our conversation.” His gaze shifted to Rieker. “Wills, I’ll be calling on you. We need to talk.”

  Leo suspected something, Tiki was sure of it. At the ball he had clearly recognized the mark on her wrist as being similar to the urchin’s mark. Had he found reason to connect the ring’s disappearance to her? Tiki’s stomach roiled uncomfortably at the thought. Blast it, why had she brought up the ring to him at the ball? And then gone on and asked how stolen property could be returned. What in bloody hell had she been thinking?

  Tiki fought the urge to run down the steps and get as far away from Leo as possible. She was treading on treacherous ground and needed to be very careful or it would only be a matter of time before she made a mistake and got caught. She would be no good to Clara locked away in Newgate Prison.

  After what felt like an eternity, Rieker climbed in the carriage and finally shut the door. As the driver pulled away, Tiki glanced back. Leo stood on the steps, watching their departure with a frown on his face.