Earl of Exile

by Tammy Andresen

  “No.” Daring replied before Exile could. “Absolutely not.”

  “Besides.” Diana reached over and touched a lock of Minnie’s hair. “You’ll never pass for me with that wild mane.”

  Minnie clucked her tongue. “Don’t be silly. I’ll wear a cloak.”

  But it was Exile who answered. “Diana will go.” Then he turned to her. “But only if ye let me come too.”

  She could only nod, the words sticking in her throat. He did care about her and he understood her too. She suddenly didn’t care about whether or not he proposed marriage. This man was everything to her.

  “I ken ye’re strong.” He raised his hand to her lips, giving the back a light kiss. “But promise ye’ll hide behind me if ye need to.”

  Her mouth opened and then closed. “I will.” Some of the tension relaxed out of her shoulders. Odd since she was about to go into the most dangerous situation in her life. But Callum knew her strengths, her weaknesses, her greatest secret. She could just be herself with him, and she loved who she was when he was around. “And Callum…”

  “Yes?” he whispered.

  “I love you, too.” The future didn’t matter to her in this moment. Her feelings were what was important.

  Without another word, he leaned down and kissed her. Minnie gasped, but Callum paid her no mind.

  It was a short kiss but somehow full of the emotion passing freely between them. Then he raised his head. She stared up into his eyes. “I can’t believe you just did that.”

  “Believe it,” he answered, cupping her cheek. “I’ll take Sin’s place. The only challenge is that she might spot either Vice or myself and then the jig is up.”

  Diana twisted her mouth. “Let’s hope Bad and Vice can find the driver. His cloak would really come in handy.”

  “We didn’t find him but we located a cloak exactly where Diana said it would be next to a pool of blood,” Bad called from the terrace doors. “Lady Diana, remind me not to anger you.”

  Diana frowned at the cloth in Band’s hand. Was that the cloak? She’d only seen it and the man for a second before she’d knocked him with the stick. It would have to do. “Well, we’ve got the cloak at least.”

  Daring cleared his throat.

  Diana shivered and Callum pulled her closer. The man had a point. She’d just had everyone agree to a terribly dangerous plan. “I suppose I shouldn’t change. I rather look like I’ve been kidnapped.”

  “I want to go too,” Sin said from his seat on the bench.

  “What?” Daring turned to him. “Out of the question.”

  “Please,” he begged. “I swear on all that I hold dear that I will help you. I should have come to you to begin with instead of going along with Abernath’s plan. I can pretend to take Diana to her and then she won’t be as suspicious. Exile can be in the carriage too. I’ll get my daughter and Exile can spring out and capture Abernath.”

  Vice curled his lip. “You’ve lied to your own flesh and blood and tried to hurt someone we care about.”

  Sin looked up at his cousin. “It’s Anne. Vice, please. After my wife’s death, she’s all I have. If something happened to her…” his face crumpled.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” Vice grabbed Sin by the shirt.

  Sin swallowed his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. “I was afraid.”

  Diana, deep in her heart, believed him. “We’ve all made mistakes.” Then she touched Callum’s shoulder. “I think it’s time we forgive ourselves, don’t you?”

  He gave a stiff nod. “I hope ye’re right to trust him.”

  “I trust you,” she answered, reaching up to touch his face. “You’ll keep me safe.”

  He leaned down and whispered in her ear, “And ye are worth ten of those other debutantes. There isn’t a finer woman in all of Britain.”

  Diana pressed her lips together. Those words filled her heart. Tomorrow, she’d worry about the future. Tonight, she’d put her faith in him.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Diana sat next to Callum in the carriage, Sin across from them. He stared out the window, idling rubbing the lump on his head. A wave of pride washed over her. Apparently, she’d hit him quite hard.

  Callum’s hand reached out and touched hers, his fingers lacing through her own. She rested her head on his shoulder and she closed her eyes. Inside, the knot of tension eased a bit. His touch making her draw in a deep breath.

  “It’s all right, lass. We’re going to be fine,” he murmured against the top of her head.

  “I know we are,” Diana said as she lifted her head. “We’ll get her back, Sin.”

  The other man’s face spasmed in pain. “If anything has happened to her…”

  Diana cringed. She understood. “Lady Abernath needs her so I’m sure your little Anne is fine. Try not to worry.”

  He gave a tight nod. “Exile, you won’t count on me to protect Diana, correct? My first objective is—”

  “Diana can protect herself.” Then he nodded toward the goose egg bump on Sin’s head. “But ye go straight for yer daughter. Dinnae worry about us.”

  Diana looked at Callum. Now that Sin had revealed his interest in Diana was only to see his daughter safely returned, Callum was far kinder to the man. She supposed she couldn’t blame Callum for being upset. If a woman started sniffing around him…. She sat straighter. Diana might pull out all her hair.

  The streets outside grew louder as they entered the Docklands. People called loudly to one another as they made their way from ships to taverns or back again. Their progress slowed. “Remember,” Sin said as he looked out the window. “I am going to demand that she give me Anne before I hand you over.”

  “I remember,” Diana held out her wrists so that Sin could loosely tie them. She’d have Callum do it, but Sin’s knots had already proven terrible. “Keep the ties loose so I can escape.”

  He shook his head a ghost of a smile touching his lips. “Not something we need worry about.”

  Callum crouched in a shadow. “Do you think she’ll know Vice isn’t her driver?”

  Diana’s stomach churned with apprehension when she considered all the possible events that could go wrong. “I’m more worried the driver found his way to her first.”

  Sin rubbed his head. “If he feels anything like me, he didn’t.”

  Callum patted her hand. “Besides, Daring and Bad are just behind us. They’ll sneak in to help too. Don’t forget that.”

  The carriage rolled to a stop and Vice came to open the door. “I don’t see her,” he mumbled as he pulled the hat down lower.

  Sin took her arm and pulled her cloak tighter about her shoulders. “She’s just over there,” he whispered, just low enough so that only they could hear. “She has Anne,” his voice broke on the girl’s name as he gave Diana a decided tug toward Lady Abernath.

  Several other people milled about but Diana caught sight of the pale blonde hair hidden in the shadow. Next to her was a small girl, no more than five, looking frightened but unharmed. She tugged toward Sin the moment she saw him. “Daddy,” she cried. Amazingly, Lady Abernath let the child go.

  Sin pulled harder, reaching out his hand to the girl. But then, stopped.

  The driver appeared next to Anne and grabbed her arm, pistol in hand. “What sort of funny business are you up to?” the man barked.

  Sin stopped, his face going a shade of white, the pistol pointed at his daughter’s head as the little girl began to cry. Diana’s own knees weakened but Sin had frozen.

  “Let me go or I’ll smack you again,” Diana called, pulling her arm from his grasp. He tightened his grip and looked at her. Her eyes widened as she attempted to wordlessly communicate her plan. “One egg wasn’t good enough for you? I said let me go.” Then she pulled again.

  The other man’s eyes widened. “Hit you too, did she?” His eyes travelled to the large egg on Sin’s head. “For a woman, she’d good with a cane.” The gun lowered. “We’re gonna do this exchange nice and slow and then I�
�m going to give you your own lump.” The man leered at Diana.

  “Now, now.” Lady Abernath stepped up next to him. “Diana is a strong woman and we admire her kind,” Lady Abernath said as she gave her a slow smile.

  Diana already knew what the countess wanted. She’d use that to her advantage now. “I personally admire you, my lady.” She gave a curtsey. “And if you don’t mind me saying so, I fancy myself a bit like you.” Diana nibbled the inside of her cheek. Acceptance and praise. She said a silent prayer they would work.

  “Do you?” The countess stepped closer. “Tell me how?” Her head cocked to the side. “You’re not like the other women in your family. Which one married Effington? Lady Emily? She seems only weakened by her affection for that man.”

  Diana held her chin higher. Jack and Emily had had a rough start to be certain. Not that Diana didn’t wish the best for them but she’d play their relationship to her advantage now. “I can’t disagree. But Emily isn’t known for her strength of character. I, however, am strong, as has been mentioned, smart enough, and yet still taken advantage of by the very men who should protect me.” It was a gamble on Diana’s part.

  “Who took advantage of you?” Lady’s Abernath’s voice had dropped low.

  Diana closed her eyes. She was going to reveal her secret in front of Sin but the child needed her. “My last suitor. He…” She licked her lips, “Took liberties that I—”

  A hiss from Lady Abernath made her snap open her lids. “Pigs. All of them.” Lady Abernath’s hands trembled. “Even men who are supposed to be your family, your guardians, can use you like a cheap piece of trash.”

  Diana gave a tight nod, her stomach lurching. What had happened to this woman? She knew Lady Abernath had done terrible things, but in her heart, Diana knew horrible things had happened to the countess. “Exactly. We can help each other. There’s no need for this.” And she lifted her tied hands from the cloak. “If I help you, will you help me?”

  Lady Abernath took two steps forward. “Yes, I—” Diana could see genuine relief in the woman’s eyes. “I never wanted to hurt anyone. I just need the world to know I’m not a bad person. Bad things have happened to me and—” But then she stopped, her eyes travelling over Diana’s shoulder. “Liar!” she yelled and then, “Fire the pistol!”

  Exile had crept from the carriage, amazed that Diana seemed to have the situation in hand. No one had even asked who the new driver was. He held in a snort of contempt. Moving to the shadows, he crept along the wall of the building. Vice had slipped behind the carriage, also making himself unseen but close to the action.

  He watched as Diana held up her tied hands, lulling Abernath into trust, complacency. What was Diana’s plan? Surely Exile was still going to try and capture the other woman? The driver made that harder with his presence but Vice was creeping along the building on the other side of the alley and he’d nearly reached the driver who had at least dropped the gun.

  Skulking past them, Vice moved off the wall to step just behind the other man. Vice nodded. It was time.

  Exile stepped from the shadows and Abernath saw him the moment he did. “Liar! Fire!” she yelled.

  Exile didn’t think. Instead, he hurtled himself at Diana.

  The driver raised the gun and with sickeningly slow motion, pulled the trigger, aiming the barrel directly at her chest. His heart ceased even beating while his body moved, grabbing her and spinning her as they fell so he blocked her body with his own.

  He felt the bullet tear through his coat and shirt, then a burning pain as it split his flesh on the outside of his arm. But the pain was of little consequence as he landed on his back, Diana tucked against his chest.

  For a moment, he lay still, trying to decide how hurt he was before he came to his senses and rolled so that Diana was under him, tucked safely underneath his much larger body.

  She tilted up her head, her eyes wild with fear. “Anne?”

  Exile didn’t want to look away, but reluctantly, he tore his gaze from hers. Vice had the driver on the ground, Sin had his child in his arms and Lady Abernath was gone.

  Exile let out a groan. “Damn it all to hell.”

  “What is it,” Diana asked pushing against his chest.

  “We lost her again.” He ground out between clenched teeth.

  Diana relaxed underneath him, her arms circling around his neck. “But we’re all safe, right?”

  “Right,” he answered dropping his nose to hers. “Are you hurt anywhere?”

  “What the bloody hell happened?” Daring said from just above them.

  “The driver tried to kill Diana,” Sin said even as he clutched his daughter to his chest. “Vice, did you get the weapon?”

  “I did,” Vice called from his right. “And this guy isn’t waking up anytime soon. When he does, it will be from inside a cell.”

  He didn’t bother to look up, sure Vice had everything under control. Instead he focused on the woman underneath him. “Diana, are ye all right?”

  She nodded. “I’m fine. Thanks to you.” One of her hands slid into his hair. “You know how I keep saying that I don’t need anyone?”

  “Yes,” he answered, his voice rougher than usual.

  “I lied,” she whispered. “I needed you tonight. I need you still.”

  “I need ye too,” he answered and then he leaned down and kissed her.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Diana never wanted to be anywhere else in her life but snug against this man. As his lips pressed to hers, the rightness of their kiss settled over her like a warm blanket. Or perhaps that was his furnace of a body managing to heat her despite the cold ground under her back.

  He lifted his head. “Leave yer window unlocked tonight.”

  “What?” she asked, but he was already rising, pulling her up with him, her body tingled at the idea that’d he’d visit her this evening. At some point this evening, she’d decided that she didn’t care about the future. She wanted this man now.

  “Christ, Exile,” Bad said as he approached the group. “I’ve missed all the action and you’re bleeding.”

  Diana started, then began a frantic search of Callum.

  Daring stood, his eyes travelling up and down them both. “We heard the shot. I repeat, why didn’t you wait?”

  “Lady Abernath was about to complete the exchange…” Vice started.

  “I had her under control,” Diana answered, only half listening. She found the spot on his arm where the blood was staining his sleeve. “Take off your coat.”

  “I’m fine,” Callum gave her an easy smile as he stroked her cheek. “It’s barely a flesh wound.”

  “Take it off,” she insisted as she tugged at the lapels pulling the fabric down his shoulders.

  “Honestly, Sin got it far worse when I split him with my blade.” He shrugged off the coat to show her the small tear in his shirt. She pulled the rip wider to see that he truly had a tiny wound on his arm.

  Sin, carrying his daughter, came to inspect the wound. “He’s right.”

  Daring snapped open the carriage door. “Vice, you drive Exile, Diana, Sin, and the child to my house. Bad and I will take our friend here to the Bow Street Runners. Then we need to discuss how we plan on protecting the Chase women. This is twice that Abernath has entered someone’s home and staged an abduction.”

  Everyone nodded and Callum wrapped an arm about her waist, pulling her tight to his side. “I won’t let anything happen to ye.”

  Diana believed him. Strong as she was, she’d let her guard down with this man and he cared for her anyway. “I know.” She gave him a soft smile. “Thank you.”

  “The steps we’ve taken aren’t nearly enough. It’s time to get far more serious.” Daring scrubbed his face.

  Exile nodded and then helped her into the carriage and as he sat, she snuggled into his side. She’d never wanted a man to protect her before. But now that she had him, she wasn’t sure she wanted to let him go. That made her pull back. Callum had never pro
mised a future. In fact, he’d been adamant that he couldn’t marry her.

  Unlike Charles, he’d never made her false promises. And what she did next was her choice. But she already knew what she wanted to do. She’d be his, even if that was for just one night.

  Exile helped Diana out of the carriage and into Daring’s home. Tomorrow, he would propose, in front of Diana’s parents. Tomorrow, he’d read Fiona’s letter and respond inviting her to London to participate in a season. With the help of his friends, he’d surely find her a suitable match.

  But tonight, after what had happened, he had no intention of leaving Diana alone.

  Tucking her under his arm, they entered the house, Sin just behind him with his daughter. Minnie stood waiting, her hands clasped together as she nibbled her lip. Next to her, Jack stood with his arm about Emily.

  Minnie cried out as she saw them, rushing to hug her cousin. Reluctantly, Exile let her go.

  Assessing Sin, the usually handsome man seemed haggard as he held the sleeping child in his arms. “You should stay here. Go to bed.”

  Sin gave him a look of surprise. “I thought for sure you’d want to murder me after all this.”

  Exile shrugged. “If it had been my child…” He wanted to express that he understood. “Ye’ll be safer here anyhow. I’ll convince Vice and Bad to stay and there will be multiple men here in case anything should arise.”

  “I think it’s a fine idea,” Diana added. “Minnie, you wouldn’t mind if Sin stayed?”

  “Heavens no.” She reached for Sin’s arm. “Let’s get you upstairs and tucked into a room. Emily, write to our parents telling them that Diana is staying again. Tell them the party is going very well and we’ll be too late for her to return home.”

  Emily nodded. “Of course.” Then she looked to Diana. “I feel responsible. I—”

  “You aren’t.” Diana gave her a smile. “Don’t even think it.”

  “Jack.” Minnie turned to Emily’s husband. “Start assembling the staff, I’ll need to speak with them about the guests.” Then Minnie turned back to Exile. “I trust you’ll keep Diana safe while I’m gone.”