He grimaced. “That came out wrong. Please try to understand. She’s taken my daughter.”
Diana stopped, her stomach dropping. She remembered his comments earlier about family. He’d been trying to explain. “You’re doing this to get her back.”
“I am.” He leaned forward and that’s when she saw his walking stick sitting on the seat next to him. “You seem lovely, Diana, but Anne is my child. She’s everything to me. And with her mother gone, it’s my job to see her raised and to keep her safe.”
Diana moved closer, configuring her face into one of sympathy. “I understand.”
Surprise lit his face. “You do?”
She nodded, scooting further off the bench, keeping her hands hidden. “You’d do anything for her.”
He nodded eagerly. “I thought about asking Daring or Vice for help, but I can’t risk it. What if Lady Abernath finds out and hurts—”
Diana grabbed the stick and not having time to bring it down on his head, she jabbed him hard in the left ribs where she knew he was wounded.
He made a groaning sound of pain as he slumped to the side. Quick as a snake, she took the handle and knocked him in the head. He bounced off the wooden frame with the other side of his skull, making a loud thud.
“Eh. What was that?” the driver called, pulling the horses to a stop.
Diana drew in a sharp breath as she pushed Sin to the floor. Then she braced her feet and held the cane the way a man might a rapier.
Her hands began to sweat on the wood as the seat squeaked and feet landed on the ground. “I asked, what was that?” The moment the door opened she made a sharp jab right in the man’s stomach. His eyes bulged as he doubled over clutching his middle. Without pause, she brought the cane down on the back of his head. He dropped like a stone to the ground.
Diana didn’t hesitate. She hopped out over him and then climbed in the driver’s seat. “Hey-ya,” she yelled as she picked up the reins and gave them a snap. The door was still open but she wasn’t sure she cared if Sin tumbled out. Then again, they might want to question him.
Pulling the carriage to a stop, she hopped down as her evening dress made a decided tearing noise. She sighed. She rather liked this dress. But she’d get another. Snapping the door closed, she climbed back into her seat. Now to find her way back to Daring’s estate.
Chapter Twelve
Exile climbed into the saddle of his horse, anxious to get started. “Ye said he lives off of Bow Street?” Damn, he’d hoped the man was closer.
“Yes, but…” Vice stopped, pointing down the alley. “What’s that?”
Exile squinted into the darkness. A carriage rolled toward them as the driver waved. “What the…”
He leaned forward. Was that Diana driving the carriage? His heart hammered in his chest. She was okay. More than that, she was Diana. Strong, brave, and driving a carriage through the streets of London. Exile loved that woman with his whole heart.
“Callum,” she called, waving again. “Hurry before he wakes.”
“Did she…” Bad started, his head cocking to the side.
“She did,” Exile said, a large grin spreading across his face. Pride expanded in his chest. “She rescued herself.”
Diana rolled closer just as the door to the carriage snapped open and Sin tumbled out onto the cobblestone.
The man pulled himself from the ground, stumbling as he held his side and made his way back down the alley. Baring his teeth, Exile kicked his horse and started after the man. He’d pay for what he’s done.
Sin moved faster but Exile gained on him and he raised his crop ready to strike. The man had attempted to steal his life away, the same way that thug at the tavern had taken his cousin. He wished he’d made that man pay but now he had the chance to see this wrong righted.
“Stop,” Diana shouted, holding up her hand.
He yanked the reins. “This bastard deserves a good beating.”
“Trust me, I took care of him.” She fired back. “Now draw your pistol and tie him up.”
Exile looked at her through the haze of anger clouding his sight. He wanted to hurt the man.
Bad drew up next to him. “Let me by,” he yelled, even as he pulled out his derringer. “Stop, Sin, or I’ll be forced to fire.”
Exile shimmied his horse to the side as Bad raced passed him, easily subduing the man on foot.
Sin raised his hands. “Please. Please don’t kill me. She’s depending on me.”
Vice made his way by as well, jumping from his steed to help Bad tie the other man’s hands.
“Who?” Exile barked, getting down from his horse. “Abernath?”
“No.” Diana hopped down from the seat of the carriage, looking as though she’d done the task every day of her life. “His daughter. Abernath is blackmailing Sin into helping her by stealing his child.”
Exile stopped, some of the fog clearing. “What?”
Diana touched his arm. “Try to understand. What would you do if someone stole away the person you loved?”
He looked at her. How did he tell her that he loved her? And his heart had nearly broken when he’d discovered her gone? What was more, this wasn’t the first time. “I’d do almost anything.”
She touched his arm, smiling up at him. “I know. Me too.”
“He tried to hurt ye,” Exile answered, not happy with standing here watching Bad and Vice do the work.
Not that Vice looked happy either. His face was twisted in pain. “How could you betray my friends? I trusted you.”
“Sin’s secret is out.” Diana lightly massaged his arm. “He can’t make good on his attempt to take me. But we can gain access to Abernath through him, Callum. We’ll need him awake to get information out of him.”
He shook his head. “Ye are ridiculously smart. How did ye overcome him?”
She blushed a bit. “He thought my hands were tied. I used his walking stick.” Then she started. “Oh. And I left the driver somewhere on Somerset Street crumpled in a ball.”
Exile grabbed her then, pulling her against his chest. “Ye knocked out two men?”
She looked up at him, her eyebrows cocked. “Don’t hurt my feelings, Callum. I’m not a woman to be trifled with.”
He laughed then. “I can see that, love.”
“Love?” she asked, her fingers spreading out on his chest.
“Yes. Love,” he answered as he swooped down to take her lips in a kiss. “I was so frightened for ye.”
She shook her head. “I’ve already told you. I can take care of myself.”
He brushed away a stray curl from her face. His heart aching as he looked down at her. “The strongest man I knew died in my arms after he’d been shot. He was better than me in every way except the one instance where I moved and he didn’t.” Exile’s chest ached. “If only I had pushed him or yelled a warning, or…” He squeezed her tighter.
Diana slid her arms about his neck. “You didn’t know.”
He shook his head. “I’ll tell ye the whole story and then ye can judge. But I knew. And I assumed he did too.”
Bad and Vice came by him, leading Sin back into the gate.
“Please,” Sin said again. “Do whatever you want to me, but please help my daughter.”
“Damn it,” Exile swore under his breath. Because Diana was right. The man was desperate and their only hope of finding Abernath. “Ye and I are going to have a little chat,” he growled out.
Sin gave a nod as he looked to Diana. “Help me save her.”
Diana squeezed Exile tighter about the neck. “Of course we will.”
“We?” he asked, looking down at her.
“We,” she answered, notching her chin.
Over his dead body. There was no way he’d allow her to be at risk again. Now that he’d had her back, he wouldn’t lose her.
Diana watched his jaw tighten. She lifted her own higher in response. She had a plan and it definitely required her own participation. Callum was going to have to deal wit
h her too.
He let out a growl of dissatisfaction as he loosened one arm from around her waist so that he could propel her toward the garden gate. “Ye’re not getting any more involved in this than ye’ve already been. It’s too dangerous.”
“I have every intention of protecting my sister and cousin. I’d like to see this all end and so I will do whatever I have to do.”
He stopped. “Diana.” Her name came out as a plea. “Try to understand. I lost the most important person in my life. I…” He drew in a breath, then exhaled it slowly. “I got into a fight with a man outside a tavern when he tried to steal my horse. I refused to back down and my cousin, Ewan, the rightful Earl of Exmouth, backed me up. I should have known a horse thief would fight until the bitter end, it’s a hanging offense. But I wanted what was mine. When the bugger swiped at me with his blade, I ducked out of the way, but Ewan…he dinnae..”
Diana shook her head. She could hear the pain tightening his voice. “That’s awful.”
“I should never have started that fight. And I should have protected him. I—”
She held a finger to his lips. “You can’t blame yourself.”
He furrowed his brow. “Ye heard my story.”
She nodded, then raised up to place a light kiss on his lips. “I did. You are not responsible for that man’s actions.”
He frowned. “Tell that to my aunt. She’ll never forgive me for his death.”
Diana shook her head. “That’s her grief talking.”
“What if something happened to Ada or Grace and ye could have prevented it?” he asked.
Diana’s chest constricted. “You’re right. I’d never forgive myself.”
Somehow, that made him relax. “So you see why I blame myself for Ewan’s death.”
She gave a nod. She did understand.
“And why I can’t let you get any more involved.” He leaned his forehead against hers. “I love you, Diana. I cannae let anything happen to ye.”
“You…you love me?” Her insides turned to warm puddles of wax. “Truly?”
“I do. Now say ye’ll stay out of this.”
Diana squinted up at him. It wasn’t a declaration of a future but to know that he felt as she did was heartwarming. Still, she couldn’t allow her feelings to keep her from doing the right thing. “I can’t. For Ada and Grace’s sake, I need to see this done. I thought you understood too.”
He dropped his hands, wanting to wrap them around her. “I’ll take care of all of ye. I promise.”
“I’m not the woman who is going to sit on the side and allow you to rescue me. You know that.” Her fingers balled into fists.
He brought his hands to his hips giving her a pointed stare. “Of course I do. But I’m no’ the kind of man who’ll allow a woman I love to run headlong into danger.”
She slowly uncurled her fingers and reached up to touch his cheek. “If you want to love me, you have to love all of me.” Then she turned and started for the house. “I have a plan. Are you at least willing to listen?”
“Do ye know what’s most annoying about ye,” he grumbled behind her, but his hand brushed her back.
“I can think of many traits that might qualify as most annoying.” She tossed him a grin over her shoulder.
He gave a single laugh. “The worst is how often ye’re right.”
That made her stop and she looked back at him. “Huh. I wouldn’t have picked that one. I thought that was one of my finer qualities.”
“Are we going to get his daughter back too?” He drew her closer again, dropping his nose into her hair.
“Yes, and we’re not even going to kill him. At least not yet.”
That made him chuckle. “I’m so glad ye’re safe. Ye are miraculous.”
She squeezed his middle again. “You’re pretty miraculous too.”
Minnie came rushing out the doors. “Diana,” she cried, racing toward them as she lifted her skirts. “Can you ever forgive me?”
Diana looked at him. “Minnie, there is nothing to forgive. You couldn’t have known.” Those words were for Exile as much as they were for Minnie.
His eyes crinkled in pain. “Thank ye, lass.”
Minnie wrapped her in a hug. “How did you get away?”
“I’ll tell you in just a few. For right now, we need to plan a rescue.”
Chapter Thirteen
Exile tried not to sigh but a half breath came out. “No’ a rescue. A capture.”
Diana waved her hand. “Yes, of course.” He was fairly certain that she was placating him.
He didn’t say a word this time, just followed. He’d listen to her and figure out what she was thinking, then he’d decide how to best protect her. Because, whatever anyone else’s goals were, that was his. Keeping Diana safe.
Minnie twined her arm with Diana’s. “How did you get away?”
“She clubbed Sin with his own walking stick,” Exile said, his insides feeling a bit lighter. She was right. Diana was exceptionally good at taking care of herself. “Then she beat the driver. Speaking of, let’s send Bad back to see if he cannae capture that man too.”
“Good idea,” Diana answered.
Bad and Vice hadn’t made it far. Daring was in the music room, the three men tying Sin to a pianoforte bench.
Exile crossed the room and, ignoring Sin, turned to Bad. “See if ye can find the driver.” Then he looked at the other man. “Who was he?”
“He worked for Lady Abernath.” Sin swallowed. “He was supposed to help me, but I’m sure he was a watchman instead. Making sure I did what I was told.”
“I’ll go with him,” Vice volunteered, giving his cousin a look of disgust.
“Hurry,” Exile said.
They headed back out onto the veranda, breaking into a run.
Exile looked at Diana. “What do ye want to ask?”
“I beg your-—” Daring started, but Exile held up his hand. Now was not the time for his friend to pull the Duke rank.
Diana stepped up and rather than lean over Sin, she sat next to him. “Tell us everything.”
“Like what?” Sin gave her a wary eye, his shoulders slumping.
“When did your daughter disappear?”
Sin looked at the floor. “Four days ago. But that isn’t the beginning.” He closed his eyes. “I owed Lady Abernath money.”
Diana grimaced and Exile surely looked the same. Bad stories often started with such a statement. “She came to me because she needed the funds repaid. I didn’t have them.” He shook his head. “My reasons for wanting to join the club are my own, I needed that money for an investment.”
Diana touched Sin’s arm. Exile felt another niggle of jealousy. Why did she need to give this man sympathy? Then again, Sin also had a large egg forming on his head. “And when you couldn’t repay her?”
“The driver is her most trusted servant. I can’t prove it, but I believe he stole my daughter from our home even as Lady Abernath and I were talking.”
“It wouldn’t be the first time,” Daring mumbled.
Sin squeezed his eyes shut. “I realized moments after Abernath had left. My nanny hurtled into my office, crying that she couldn’t find Anne. We searched for hours until we got a note.” He raised his eyes. “Abernath was clear. You for her. It was after midnight and the missive said you were at the club. When I failed, she told me to try and join the ranks to get close to you, Diana. Please. I know what I did was wrong but I just wanted Anne back. My daughter is all I have in this world. She’s everything.”
Diana nodded her thoughts turning over a plan. “And tonight? What were you to do with me?”
Sin scrubbed his face, pain and worry pinching his features. “I was to meet her by the Crowing Cock in the west end of the Docklands at eleven.” He shook his head.
Diana looked at the clock. It was only nine. “Good.” Then she stood. “I propose that Sin keeps his meeting.”
Minnie crinkled her brow. “What do you mean? You mean he goes and claim
s he failed?”
“No, precisely the opposite.”
Exile’s insides dropped to his toes. “Absolutely not.”
“What does she mean?” Daring asked crinkling his brow.
“We’ve got the carriage, the captor, and the captive,” Diana said, spreading her hands along her dress. “All we’re missing is the driver.”
Daring scratched his temple. “But the driver would never help us.”
Diana shrugged. “I think Vice could pass. He’s the right height.”
“Dear God, Diana, ye’re no’ actually thinking what I think ye’re thinking?” His insides turned with a sick dread.
“What’s she thinking?” Daring demanded.
Exile stepped closer. His fingers itched to pull her close and never let her go. “She’s going to use herself as bait.”
Diana’s own stomach clenched. She didn’t love the plan, didn’t even like it. But she couldn’t think of another. How else was she going to get Anne back and capture, as Exile said, Lady Abernath?
Diana straightened her spine. She needed to do this. “I’d like to think of myself as more of a carrot. Draw her out.”
Sin leaned forward. “And Anne? You’ll keep her safe won’t you? Bring her back?”
She looked over at Sin. “I’ll do my best. And I mean that.” She bent down. “Women need to protect little girls.”
Exile pulled her back up to standing, his large hand gentle under her elbow. “Yer sisters and yer cousins, they’d protect ye no matter what.”
She flushed. She knew what he was referring to. Her secret. The one she hadn’t shared because it filled her with shame. She looked over at him, her heart beating wildly again. She did love him. She ached with it. And while he’d confessed his feelings for her, he hadn’t made any sort of commitment. Diana didn’t blame him but what she wanted to do tonight, this was her penance, she supposed.
“Of course we would,” Minnie answered. “Which is why I want to go in Diana’s place. She’s been in enough danger for one night.”
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