The other man eyed his wife.
“Will you allow me to escort Emily home? We are now an engaged couple, but if you’re more comfortable, Aunt Mildred could chaperone.”
Bash frowned but gave a terse nod. “I do believe Isabella would like to stay and Abigail needs a chance to get to know Blasphemy.”
“Word of advice,” Brandon said, turning away from the sisters. “Call him by his actual name if you want them to soften toward the man.”
Bash scratched his chin. “I’m not even certain I know his actual name.”
Brandon turned back to Emily. “I’ll find your aunt. I think it’s time to take you home.” She gave a terse nod, but her shoulders slumped in relief.
Half an hour later, he had the two women bundled into the carriage. A very tired-looking Emily and an irritated aunt.
But he settled across from them, watching the woman he’d chosen for his wife.
She was clearly upset, and he knew why. He was an ass. Worse. He wasn’t being honest about this past.
He cleared his throat. “You made a favorable impression on our king.”
She didn’t look at him. “Aunt Mildred can tell you that I frequently make a good first impression.”
“She does,” Aunt Mildred said, giving him a large, albeit disingenuous smile. “But none of the men who has shown an interest has been as charming or handsome as you.”
Emily sighed. “None of those other men seemed to stay by my side for very long either.”
“Their loss,” he rumbled, his eyes squinting as he stared at her. He knew that meant something but what?
She didn’t respond as the carriage slowed on a busy thoroughfare. “How strange,” she murmured. “Those men are weaving through the carriages on foot.”
He parted the curtain on his side, looking out. Sure enough, four men headed their way; and worse still, they were all staring fixedly at his carriage. “Damn it all to bloody hell.”
“What is it?” she asked, sitting forward.
Aunt Mildred gasped. “I don’t know why I ever get in a carriage with you people.”
He rapped on the wall. “Get us out of here, now!” Then he drew a Derringer from his waist.
The whip cracked and the horses whinnied. “Where, Your Grace?” the driver called back. “Most ways are blocked.”
“Just go,” he barked, every muscle tensing. The men had nearly reached the carriage. One had reached the back corner while another was coming around the side toward the door.
Brandon watched as the man pulled out a pistol and then reached for the door.
Brandon grabbed the door and swung it open with a quick jerk, knocking the man to the ground. Then he jerked the door closed again.
Just then the vehicle lurched forward, taking a sharp turn down an alley.
The sound of a shot filled the air, and muffled screams followed them as they began to speed away.
Brandon looked out the window again. The men and the crowd disappeared.
“Will anyone follow?” the driver called back.
“I don’t know,” he answered, his eyes meeting Emily’s. Her face was now ghostly white. She was in danger. That he knew. “I’m not sure we should return to Bash and Isabella’s.”
“Why?” Emily asked, leaning toward him.
He took her hands in his. “They might be waiting to ambush us there.”
“But my sisters,” she gasped.
“Will be at the palace for hours. We’ll send word to Bash there. But right now, we need to get you to safety. And I know just where.”
“That’s all well and good, but I’d like to know the why and the who. Who attacked us and why would they want to?”
“Arrests were being made today.” He grimaced. “They should all be in prison.”
Emily gasped. “What should we do?”
He raked a hand through his hair then tapped to signal the driver again. “Head toward the docks.”
“The docks?” she said, her voice trembling.
“Oh no.” Aunt Mildred shook her finger. “This was not part of my contract. Sea voyages were definitely not listed.”
“Stay on the docks then,” Brandon gritted out. “But Emily and I are headed to where she will be safe.”
He would not make a mistake again. He’d put her safety first. Above everything else. They needed to leave London.
He’d deal with all the other consequences after she was safe.
Chapter Ten
Emily stood on the bow of the Return looking out at the inky sky. The captain said the sun would rise soon but it was dark, she could hardly believe it.
A cold, stiff wind pulled at her skin and hair, but she ignored its bite.
Aunt Mildred had been tucked into a cabin, rather grumpily complaining about a lack of clothing and Brandon had sent a hastily penned note to Bash warning him of the attack, but she had no idea if her family had made it home safe.
She drew in a shuddering breath.
She understood why he’d shuttled them off onto this boat. Mostly because he’d explained it several times at length.
But it wasn’t in her nature to leave her sisters like this.
Brandon had said the attacks had focused on her. True. And that she might be drawing danger away from her sisters. Hopefully.
But what if she were just leaving them to bear the brunt? What if they now focused their efforts on Abigail?
Emily’s breath stalled in her chest. It was for her safety that he was packing her off to who knew where.
And their nuptials? She hadn’t a clue. Would they marry now? Later? Not at all?
She sighed. Why was she never in control?
Yes, she was a woman, but her sisters seemed to manage their lives just fine.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to marry Brandon. She did. But he wanted her for all the wrong reasons and her heart knew something wasn’t right.
“You should get some rest.” Brandon came up behind her.
He didn’t touch her, but she stiffened away slightly, her irritation rising to the surface. “I’m not tired.” The truth was, she was exhausted. Deep-down-to-the-bone tired. But she didn’t wish to admit such a weakness now.
She reached for the rail, her hand wrapped about it, her grip tight. With her
