The Fall into Ruin, page 22
Anthony was going to murder her. Never mind marriage or building a life together because Rose would be dead. Strangled to death by his own two hands. He’d hit the marketplace at a run with no doubt in his mind his betrothed had sent him on a wild goose chase. There were no taverns here; he hadn’t passed a one. He had passed fine establishments selling fripperies, gowns, a bookstore, a bakehouse and an apothecary.
He’d had to move slowly at first lest he trip and break his other ankle so by the time he reached the square and heard the commotion of stallholders setting up for the morning’s trade, his blood was at boiling point. There was no point in asking for directions to the tavern now so he instead asked for the way of the docks. Not that he couldn’t smell them, hear the birds squawking for fish heads and see the occasional mast between warehouses. He made his way a little faster as the sun began to rise behind the clouds. The drizzle had stopped but his mood was in hurricane mode.
He snuck down an alleyway in order to get his bearings once he could see water but a sound caused him to freeze. A scuff of a shoe? A rat? Suddenly, arms encased his and a hand wrapped around his face, right over his mouth.
He lashed out, began to struggle for his life. He lifted both feet and kicked hard towards the left and then the right but it seemed at least three men held him.
“It’s me,” was spoken into his ear at the same time the sharp point of a knife found his neck. “It’s James.”
Another man approached. Hobson. Trelissick’s man and cut-throat if first impressions were to be believed, though he was introduced as an ex-soldier. Anthony placed his feet back on the ground and nodded and he was immediately released. How easy it would have been for them to cut his throat and leave him in the gutter if they’d been pirates or even thieves. He really wasn’t as good at this as he’d thought.
Anthony wasn’t sure whether he should embrace his brother-in-law or punch him in the nose. “What are you doing here?” His note couldn’t have reached them already.
James beckoned him back into the shadows and said, “I was tasked with putting a team together to root out Smith once and for all. We were led here some days ago but there has been no traffic to or from the ship. All aboard have stayed aboard and none have approached.”
“Perhaps they knew you were here?”
James flicked him an irritated grimace. “I rather think we’re better at our jobs than that.”
“Well, Smith isn’t on the ship anyway. She’s holed up at a tavern down the way…somewhere.”
Hobson growled a curse, the same one Rose had used earlier, and then grabbed Anthony by the ratty shirtfront and slammed his back into the cold, hard wall behind them. “Where is she? What do you know?”
Fury rose in him, the likes of which he’d never known. Not even the torture at school had made him feel lower than grown men constantly refusing to see he had worth. Any worth. Did Hobson think Anthony had sided with the fugitive? Thrown his lot in with the very people he despised the most? Anthony roared and charged, his shoulder in the man’s gut pushing forward until Hobson lay on his back in the mud. He got one decent punch in before he was lifted free, his fist connecting with the man’s cheek.
Hobson sat up, a little dazed and spat to the earth. “What the hell was that fer?”
Anthony shrugged off the men who once again held him. “Let. Me. Go.”
James swung his attention from one man to the other. “Feel better?” he said.
Anthony straightened his shirt and ran a hand through his hair. “He could have just asked.”
James picked up where Hobson had tried to go. “What are you doing here? I knew you were in the vicinity with your bride-to-be but what are you doing here?”
“I sent word to you, well, to the house—”
James swore long and loud. “If Daniella gets your note and not me, is she like to call for the carriage?”
“We don’t have time to ponder if my heavily pregnant sister might come to join the fray. Not when we have a heavily pregnant Smith and a wild Clairmont to worry about.”
That got everyone’s attention. “She’s with child?”
“According to Rose she is.”
“Your bride?” James asked.
“Rose Clairmont and a stable lad from Ashmoor’s estate have been smuggling for years here but that’s not why Smith is cooling her heels. Rose’s brothers fleeced her when she was forced to flee London and she won’t, or can’t, leave without the blunt.”
“Wait,” James said, his palm vertical in front of his chest. “Josiah and Samuel Clairmont? What have they to do with Smith at all?”
“They knew her in London, gambled at her tables. She introduced them into her fold, into her bed. She probably needed a scapegoat or someone who could be bribed easily if she were caught. A love-sick fool and an heir to a fortune would do her well but the sons of Clairmont would do even better.”
“But they double-crossed her?” James guessed.
“Left her with child and took the coin and notes her clubs had amassed, the ones you didn’t get to after that night.” Anthony shuddered. He hated to talk of that night and he wasn’t even there on account of his shattered ankle.
“She’s after revenge,” Hobson suggested.
Anthony shook his head. “Not by the sounds. I think she only wants her money and then intends to flee.”
One of James’s men stepped forward. “Then we let the navy deal with her in open water.”
“No,” Anthony told them all. “She will take hostages. Rose and I were to be those hostages but Josiah kidnapped us first, before we could…be taken.” He wasn’t going to tell these men his intended had planned to deliver him right to her.
James looked around as though he searched for something. “Where is Rose now? Where is Josiah?”
“I don’t know where either of them are. Rose and I escaped the stable where we were held but then got separated. She’s probably right this minute warning Smith in return for Michael’s release.”
“Michael?”
“Her friend,” he spat. “Ashmoor’s bastard who has been helping Rose with her smuggling.” Or hiding behind her if he was caught, more like. “Smith took him yesterday.” Was it only yesterday? So much had happened in such a short amount of time.
“What does Smith want with a bastard stable boy?”
Irritated, it was Anthony who cursed this time. “Michael was the bargain so Rose would come back with Smith’s money. Rose and Michael are comrades; she wouldn’t leave him behind.”
James rubbed the bridge of his nose with a thumb and forefinger. “So your future bride has had a sit-down with London’s most notorious criminal for an age, has herself been breaking several laws including smuggling, has been taking up with a stable lad, and all right under the nose of the man who is charged with keeping the law in London?”
“She has not taken up with a stable lad.”
“I did my own investigation into Rose Clairmont,” James told him. “She has been left alone out here for years. If what you’re saying is true, you can’t marry her.”
He grit his teeth. “Rose Clairmont and I will be married.” If she didn’t get herself killed first.
Silence descended on the assembled men before James gave a single nod. There came a strange bird call from the direction of the shore front and everyone ducked and ran for the cover of the shadows. Anthony did the same. They crept along the side of a warehouse that reeked of rancid fish and brine, salt crunching underfoot the closer they got to the dock. A small party of around a dozen were making their determined way towards a rowboat. A flash of sun broke through the haze of cloud. Rose! Not dead yet then.
He was about to get closer when a hand closed around his arm. “Look,” James said with a gesture in the opposite direction.
“Fuck,” Anthony breathed. It was Josiah and his men, Samuel in tow. None of them looked to have bags of coin with them. They were well-armed though. Hired thugs who didn’t care what the job was, as long as they were well compensated.
Smith’s crew was also well armed, the lady herself, with her bulging middle even a full-length cloak couldn’t hide, had a sword over her shoulder and a pistol in hand. Rose was about to get herself caught in the middle of a gunfight. When he looked closer, she appeared very pale. She was being held but was not bound. He thought she almost appeared frightened.
So far Anthony had tried to do it all by the letter of what was right and just, but the only times he got anywhere was when he just let loose, like knocking a man unconscious before he’d had time to blink. The only satisfaction he’d had was in letting go of what he wanted from life, letting go of the control he thought would make him the proper gentleman in the eyes of a society who’d never given him a chance, and simply given in to the moment. Those were the times that he’d felt a measure of power and he liked it.
With James’s men at his back and villains in front though, how could he end it without putting Rose in even more danger than she already was?
This was not going to be a fair fight, of that he was sure.
*
Josiah pulled up at the same time Smith did and the two each eyed the other, taking in the men, the weapons, the chances and choices.
Smith spoke first. “How nice to see you, Josiah, Samuel. I presume you have my money?”
Josiah barked a laugh. “You should know by now that that money is long gone.”
Smith swallowed, swore, gathered herself. “Then it’s a good thing I have your sister isn’t it?”
A smirk followed another short burst of laughter that bordered on the edge of hysteria. “It is a good thing you’ve found our Rose. She has an annoying habit of turning up where you least expect her.” Josiah leaned slightly to make eye contact with Rose around the man at Smith’s side. “Where’s your beau, Rose? Run to get help?”
Rose bristled. Anthony was twice the man her brother could ever hope to be, Runner or not. She drew herself up and addressed Josiah in return across the distance. “I hope you get shot today, brother. I grow rather tired of your presence.”
Josiah raised his weapon and pointed it in her general direction, which caused Smith’s men to raise theirs in return. Perhaps it wasn’t wise to bait her brother? Or perhaps it was.
Rose continued, attempting to step forward when a meaty hand closed about her shoulder to keep her where she was. “What’s the plan now, Josiah? Much like me, you’ve nothing left to bargain with. Strange how everyone’s plans hinge on the one man no one gives a thought to.”
Josiah shrugged. “I don’t need Germaine. Smith here is the one who can’t get away without him.”
Lucinda returned, “I have Rose to ensure no one retaliates once we are under sail.”
Samuel threw in, “No one has to die here today. Lucinda, please, we can talk about this.”
Lucinda swung her gun in his direction. “That’s where you’re wrong, lover. You could have prevented this. You could have been true to your word and prevented all of this.”
The maniacal laughter rang out from Josiah once again. “Do you still honestly believe he would have married you? Father wouldn’t have allowed it for one, and for two, how would we prove the origins of this get?” He gestured his pistol at Lucinda’s belly. “It mightn’t be Clairmont blood at all.”
Rose was shocked to witness Samuel hold Lucinda’s gaze and reply, “I wouldn’t have cared if the babe was mine or not. I would have cared for you both.”
“As your mistress? Your plaything until you grew tired of me, of us?” Lucinda spat. “No thank you to the both of you. I’ll take my chances on my own.”
Smith shuffled sideways towards the long jetty and Rose was jostled along too until Josiah roared, “STOP! No one is going anywhere.”
Lucinda ignored him and kept moving, kept her pistol high and trained on Rose’s siblings. “I am getting on my ship and I am leaving this place.”
Josiah shook his head. “And how long until you come back? For vengeance or for coin? How long? This ends now.”
A shot rang out and Rose immediately dropped into a crouch as others returned fire. The clash of steel on steel followed. Her fingers found the hilt of her dagger but before she could pull the knife from her boot, the hand was back on her shoulder and propelling her to take cover behind a large pallet of timber boxes. She twisted until the dagger was in her hand. Not great as far as weapons went but she could defend herself at least.
She peered around the side of the boxes to see Smith’s men holding a line at the end of the jetty while Lucinda, Michael and three more men ran for the rowboat. Rose didn’t waste any more time. She plunged her knife into the thigh of the man who held her and then pulled the blade free and got up to run. He reached out and grabbed her by the ankle, causing her to fall heavily on her side.
“Bitch,” he called her before gaining his feet. Rose did not like the expression he wore. He withdrew his own blade from the belt at his waist and closed the distance. Rose retreated on her backside and hands but the man was quicker. Close fighting sounded from her right but she didn’t dare take her eyes from her current adversary. Adjusting her sticky grip on the dagger’s handle, she was about to thrust up into his leg again when the hilt of a sword clobbered him from behind. He fell forward, pinning Rose to the cold, wet ground.
She let out an oomph as she tried to kick him off her legs.
“Seems you might need a spot of assistance,” was drawled from the crate’s edge.
Rose scowled and hissed, “Help me up.”
Anthony shook his head in defeat but he did use his boot to roll the oaf from her and took her hand to help her to her feet.
She got in the first word before he could. “Yes, I know I’m an idiot—you don’t need to say it.”
He shot her a grin. “The fact that you’re even still alive is a wonder.”
“And you,” she replied, picking up the man’s short sword in her bloodied hand and testing the weight.
“You don’t need that, Rose. We are getting out of here. Trelissick can handle the arrests.”
Rose peeked out again at the unfolding scene. Some men lay in pools of blood, some groaned, some still fought. Josiah was carving a path towards the jetty clearly still intent on murder. Or was it escape now that he knew he couldn’t simply dispatch his troubles?
“We have to help Lucinda and Michael. Josiah will kill them both.”
Anthony muttered, “Bloody Michael,” under his breath but she heard.
“There’s something I must tell you—”
He cut off her words with: “It can wait. We cannot let any of them make the ship.”
Rose agreed and they skirted the edges of the fight, Anthony tucking Rose behind him, but no one paid them much attention at all.
Quietly but quickly they followed behind Josiah, Samuel nowhere in sight.
Josiah was intent on doing maximum harm and swung his sword.
Rose screamed, “Michael!”
The man turned with his sword raised and deflected what would have been a killing blow. When Josiah lunged at him again, Michael parried and managed to push Lucinda out of the way. “Go,” he roared at her. “Get to the ship.”
Anthony sprang into action but Rose held him back. “Please, help Michael. I will go after Lucinda.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Anthony was torn between catching a wanted murderess and saving the life of Rose’s friend. He should go after Lucinda. He should do the right thing.
The beseeching in Rose’s golden-flecked eyes got the better of him and he gave her a brief nod. After all, the more dangerous foe right then was a madman, not a pregnant woman.
But Anthony didn’t fight with swords. He’d done a little fencing over the years and was more often the loser than the winner. He was much better with his fists and was fast enough on his feet. The next time Josiah lunged at Michael, Anthony swung his leg and kicked the man in the thigh. He stepped back in time to keep his head rather than have it cleaved from his neck as Josiah roared.
Michael came at him again and again but Anthony couldn’t get close enough to do any real damage. He lunged with the sword, hoping to wound, and sliced through Josiah’s hip. Rose’s brother turned with surprise on his face, dropping to his knees on the rough timbers of the jetty with a howl of pain. A dagger slid from his boot to clatter at his side.
Josiah wiped blood from his side. “You stabbed me in the back,” he said.
“Aye,” Anthony said, holding the point of his sword to the man’s chin. “And you’d have done the same to me, to Rose, to any one of us.”
Leaning heavily on his sword to stay upright, Josiah nodded.
Anthony addressed the other man present. “Rose has gone after Smith. You guard this filth and I’ll go after her.”
Michael shook his head. “Your sword skills are atrocious. You stay; I’ll get Rose.”
He wanted to protest. Rose was his to save. His to prove his worth to. But Michael was right. He was a much dirtier fighter and was stealthier with the sword. He nodded. “Keep her safe.”
Josiah began to laugh again.
Anthony sighed. “Everything is quite hilarious to you today,” he said.
“You actually have feelings for Rose. You’ve known her less than a week.”
“You don’t get to talk about your sister. You gave up that right when you kidnapped her and planned to kill her.”
Josiah just kept on chuckling. He was more than cracked. He needed to be in an institution. Anthony used his foot to slide the dagger closer to his own hand rather than risk Josiah picking it up.
“Throw away your sword,” Anthony told him.
“Throw away yours,” came the reply.
“You’ve lost. Can’t you see it?”
Sobering in an instant, Josiah said, “You’re the one who doesn’t see it. I’d rather die than be arrested by the likes of you. A nobody. You spout on about honour but you didn’t arrest Rose. Didn’t turn her in to Father. You could have prevented her being here but you didn’t. Why is that?”
Anthony thought about it. “I didn’t have the entire story.”
