The two men made it past the next row of businesses and buildings, bringing the ships into view. One ship had a lot of activity around it on the docks. The Mermaid. They edged closer and heard voices.
“Aye, the baron said he’d be here with money before the ship sailed. I want more. These two are worth more than we asked,” the larger man said, slapping an enormous arm on the barrel behind him.
“He’s late!” a smaller man said. “The damn little lord bit me, so I hit ’im! The baron won’t know it where they’re going.”
“The frilly piece was a bright and breezy take and was nearly wearing nothing. Took my pleasure with dressing her, I did, until she woke up like some sort of vicious animal. Gave me a black eye, she did,” the larger man said, touching a swollen eye.
Titan picked up two large sticks that were laying nearby and tossed one to Evan, signaling to continue in the shadows and move behind the two of them. They slipped behind the barrels.
A shriek sounded from the barrel behind the larger man, and he slammed his fist into it. “Shut up, woman! You’ll be lucky ta make the ship alive.”
Evan’s temper flared. Not waiting a moment longer, he took the stick and slammed it into the man’s head from behind. Titus did the same, wincing as the smaller man crumpled into a heap at their feet.
The two men pried open the barrels and sighed in relief.
“Are you well, my dear?” Evan’s voice was low. His wife sat huddled in the barrel. Her dress was torn but covered most of her.
“Yes. Aside from my pride, I am fine. My uncle paid them to hie us off to the ship. They called it slavery. I did not know such a ship existed. I was afraid I would never see you again.” Her voice trembled, but she did not cry.
Evan helped her from the barrel and gave her a brief kiss. “Stay in the shadow. We will be back.” Evan pulled his waistcoat off and handed it to Charlotte. She hugged her brother close, and the two of them did as he bid, staying in the shadows. Aside from a few bruises and being bound and gagged, Charlotte and Jason were mostly uninjured. He was grateful.
A whistle from the ship signaled that it was nearly ready to pull out. Evan and Titan worked quickly and stuffed the two unconscious men into the barrels that Charlotte and Jason had vacated, securing the lids.
Keeping their heads down, they rolled the two barrels to the edge of the dock near the boat’s gangplank. Two sailors in striped uniforms came down, accepted the barrels, and rolled them to the ship and up the gangway, closing the gate behind them.
The four of them made it back to the Romney house without further incident, where they met up with Banbury, who appeared to be leaving. They had convinced Lady Romney that lying down could do her some good, and she was sound asleep on the settee. Mrs. Graves nudged her mistress when they brought her son into the room.
“Mama!” he ran to her, and she pulled him close.
“My darlings!” The woman hugged and kissed Charlotte before snatching up her son and smothering him in kisses and hugs. Charlotte turned and threw her arms around her mother and her brother.
The scene tugged at Evan’s heart, when he realized that he had never shown his own son this much affection. I will remedy that soon. He cleared his throat. “What about Langdale?”
“We secured him quickly and turned him over to the magistrate, who said he will investigate immediately. I instructed the Bow Street Runner to assist him,” Banbury replied. “I will also send a note to the regent and ask him to help us sort this situation. It deserves his attention.”
“I will add to that note, if you do not mind,” Evan added. “I believe an audit of the funds Langdale handled would be in order.”
“What did you do with the men that had taken Charlotte and the young lord?” Banbury asked.
Titan tipped his hat, smiling mischievously. “This is our cue to leave, Mrs. Dove-Lyon. I should get you back,” he said, grinning toward his mysterious employer.
“Wait. I want to know what you did with the men too,” she said. Evan could not be sure, but he thought he saw the red lips spread into an enormous smile beneath the black veil.
“Madam, you would approve.” The sizeable man laughed. “I hope seasickness plagues neither of the men, because they are on their way to the Orient in the same barrels they used for her ladyship and his lordship.”
“Well, now.” She clapped softly. “This is a perfect outcome. Now, I must get back to my business.” She turned to Lady Romney. “I do not have many friends in this world, but I hope I can count you as one, as I have always counted your departed husband. Call upon me if ever I can help you.”
“Thank you, my dear,” Lady Romney said as she gave the Widow a hug.
Evan stepped forward. “Mrs. Dove-Lyon, I am once again in your debt,” he said earnestly.
“Lord Clarendon, there is no debt, so long as you give this lovely lady your devotion and your loyalty,” she said with her voice full of gaiety.
Evan hugged his wife close. Uncaring that her dress was damaged and dirty, he tipped her head up and kissed her.
Epilogue
Epsom, Surrey
Christmas Eve, 1816
Sitting in the freshly painted white rocking chair, Charlotte leaned back and rocked their very engaging young son, Edward. She felt well rested for the first time in more than weeks, since having thrust herself into the life of the man whose carriage had nearly run over her younger brother, Jason. Two weeks felt like a lifetime. Today, she only wanted to revel in her
