Her Wanton Wager (33 page)

"You asked ..." In a sudden movement, Fines grabbed Percy by the arm. A growl emerged from Gavin's throat.

"Stay back, Gavin. I'm fine." Percy glared at her brother, shaking free. "I can take care of this."

"
Gavin.
What they said was true, then." Fines whirled on him, eyes blazing in a bloodless face. "You've ruined my sister, Hunt, and I am going to put a bullet through you."

Gavin tensed, ready to spring. Stewart's pistol cocked with a deadly click.

"For heaven's sake!" Before Gavin could react, Percy flung herself in front of him. "If you're going to shoot him, you will have to go through me first. I love him, you nodcock! And I'll probably end up marrying him, once he gets it through his thick skull that he loves me back."

Her words blazed to the knotted, tangled morass within Gavin's soul. A breath that he hadn't realized he'd been holding left him, replaced by an almost overwhelming sense of ... relief. Despite their earlier row,
she still loved him.

"What the devil are you talking about?" Fines shouted. "Get out of the way."

Percy shook her head. Though her gesture would warm his heart for the rest of his days, Gavin could not let this continue. She squeaked in surprise when he lifted her by the waist and set her gently aside.

"I can fight my own battles, love," he said.

"It isn't your battle," she insisted. "The numbskull over there is
my
brother. And as usual he's not listening to me."

"For once, do as you're told. I'm not going to hide behind your skirts."

She crossed her arms. "Are trousers any more bulletproof? Because I'm not letting you get hurt."

"Oh, for crying aloud, have I interrupted a lover's quarrel?" They both looked over at Fines, who lowered his pistol in disgust. "Are you going to explain what is going on, Percy, or should I take myself off to Bedlam and call it a night?"

"As I said, it's rather a complicated—"

Gavin cut her off. "First tell me, Fines, how did you come to show up tonight?"

The man gave him a sullen look. "I was drinking at the Red Lion, like I said. Met a pair of toffs and we got to talking. Happened that they're former employees of yours and none too happy about it."

Gavin traded quick looks with Stewart, who shrugged. Apparently the other man couldn't recall any recent disgruntled workers either.

"And?" Gavin prompted.

Fines scrubbed a hand over his face. "And they said you'd been keeping company with a pretty miss who could be my twin. Said her name was Persephone—how many of those could there be? So I put two and two and figured you had somehow gotten to her." His face darkened. "The culls at the Red Lion said this would be the best place to nab you, so that's why I'm here in this filthy armpit of a place. To defend my sister's honor."

"Oh, Paul," Percy said in a tremulous voice.

"Those men—what did they look like?"

No sooner had the words left his mouth, then Gavin heard a shuffle. The hairs rose on his nape. He heard his name—a warning cry from Stewart. He spun to see the two homeless wretches approaching, cloaks thrown off to reveal the pistols in their hands. Shots flashed, and he was knocked bodily to the ground. For an instant he lay there, stunned, blood pounding in his ears. Through the roar in his head, he heard more shots being fired.

Percy. Must protect her.

He struggled to sit up—couldn't. A dead weight held him down. His blood froze at the sight of Stewart's body collapsed atop his own, the dark pool spreading beneath the grizzled head.

THIRTY-ONE

"Damnit, Percy, stop squirming about and stay down!"

When the first shots had gone off, Paul had shoved her behind a rubbish heap and covered her body with his own. Paralyzed, she'd watched as the two brutes advanced, loaded pistols swinging from their belts. Blast after blast had gone off as Gavin's men returned the fire. And now Gavin lay in the dirt …  

"
Let me go.
" She resisted with all her might. "I have to get to him."

"You're not going anywhere," her brother panted, keeping her pinned.

To her relief, Gavin moved. He struggled to sit up—no wonder, as Mr. Stewart had fallen atop him. Her eyes widened as Gavin rolled the other man over, lifting the grizzled head into his lap.

Blood … there's so much blood.

Gavin's gaze whirled around the alley, found hers. Seeing the flare in his eyes, the trembling tension in his shoulders, she shouted, "I'm unhurt."

He gave a dazed nod, his gaze dropping once more to his mentor.

His guards swarmed the alley now. A pair went to prod at the fallen bodies of the attackers. From her vantage point, Percy could see the unblinking gazes of the brutes, their weapons scattered in the dirt around them.

"All clear, sir," one of the guards shouted. When Gavin did not respond, the other man took charge, saying, "Boys, let's block off the alley. A pair at each end and be quick about it."

"It's safe now, Paul. Let me go," Percy said urgently.

Her brother grunted as she threw him off, scrambled toward Gavin. He had his hand pressed against his mentor's temple, and she shivered to see the blood seeping through his fingers. Reaching to her petticoats, she tore off a strip and passed it to him. He took it mutely, pressing it to the wound.

Percy's throat clenched as the cloth turned red. "Should we take him inside?" she whispered.

"Can't move him. He's … bleeding too much," Gavin said tonelessly.

"Doctor's on 'is way," one of the guards said.

Yet even Percy could tell it was too late. The pallor of Stewart's face shone in the darkness, each of his breaths fainter than the last. Not knowing what else to do, she knelt beside Gavin and put her hand on his shoulder.

Stewart's eyelashes lifted. "That you, lad?"

"It's me. I've got you," Gavin said hoarsely. "You hold on, Stewart—help is coming."

"Ain't no 'elp for me this time," the other man said, coughing.

"We've been through worse." Gavin's stark voice made Percy's eyes well. "I'm not letting you go this easy."

"Not up to you, lad." Steward took a long, rasping breath. "'Ave to … 'ave to … say my peace before I go."

Gavin shook his head in denial, his eyes wet.

"Never been … good with words. Should've said  … long time ago ..."—Stewart reached a large hand to Gavin's scarred cheek—"… sorry."

"You did it to protect me. You've always protected me." Moisture streaked Gavin's face. "
Don't go.
"

A faint smile showed through Stewart's beard. "You're the son … I ne'er …"

And his hand fell.

Through a veil of tears, Percy watched as Gavin closed his mentor's eyes.  

"Mr. Hunt, someone's coming! We can't slow 'em down!"  

Shots blasted through the night. Gavin jerked upright. Before Percy knew what was happening, he shoved her behind him and drew his pistols. Paul ran to stand next to her just as an enormous black carriage came hurtling down the lane. It came to a sudden stop, the door flying open. Percy's jaw slackened at the sight of the familiar golden crest.

"No, Gavin! Don't shoot!" She pushed in front of him. "It's Nicholas!"    

A group of large men in dark coats descended from the carriage. The leader headed straight for her, his gloved hands closing on her shoulders.

"Are you hurt, Percy?" His grey eyes assessed her, and above the pristine folds of his cravat, his mouth formed a tight, imperious line. He'd never looked more like the powerful and foreboding marquess that he was.

"I'm fine," she said quickly. She addressed the tall, lanky man standing next to Nicholas, who held a gun pointed at Gavin. "Mr. Kent, please put your weapon away. This is Mr. Hunt, and he is a friend—"

The Thames River policeman's aim did not waver. "I'd be more careful in my choice of friends, Miss Fines. This man is a known scoundrel."

"Rather a dramatic entrance, wouldn't you say, Morgan?" This came from Paul. "Not your usual understated style. But rest assured, Percy is fine. I have been with her this entire time—"

"As for you, Fines," Nicholas said in even tones, "we have much to discuss. You have caused your mama no small amount of worry. Go wait in the carriage,"—his tones booked no refusal—"and we will go see her directly."

Shoulders hunching, Paul did as he was told.

Percy looked anxiously at Gavin ... and all breath left her in a rush. His scar was a violent slash across his hard features, and his eyes raged with hellfire
.
His words before the mayhem returned to her:
It has to do with Morgan. This is between him and me.

"Percy, we must leave now," Nicholas said. "As for you Hunt, rest assured I will deal with you later."

"Will you indeed, my lord?" 'Twas the first time Gavin had spoken, and the lethal quality of his voice sent a warning shiver up Percy's spine.

Nicholas' eyes turned to silver-grey slits. "You wish to settle this now? Fine." He removed a wallet from inside his jacket. "How much?"

"How much," Gavin repeated softly.

"Yes, man, how much is owed to you?"

"Are you referring to Fines' debt to me ... or your own?"

"Mine?" A look of distaste crossed Nicholas' handsome features. "I do not frequent establishments such as yours, Hunt."

"What about an establishment owned by one Benjamin Grimes?"

Nicholas paled. "Who ... who are you?"

Gavin's teeth flashed, his look that of a predator cornering his prey at last.

THIRTY-TWO

Cold satisfaction washed over Gavin to see the uppity whoreson turn whiter than a ghost. Indeed, he had raised one straight in Morgan's smug face. Rage numbed the rawness of his insides, blanked his mind of things he couldn't think about, not now. His instincts kicked in.

Whatever happens, show no fear. Be brave. Look strong.

"Who are you?" Morgan's voice had lost its authority now, was no more than a whisper.

Power surged through Gavin. "I think you know."

"My lord." This came from the River Charley still holding a gun at him. "Perhaps you wish for privacy?"

Morgan blinked, as if he'd forgotten that they had an audience.

"You may take this inside, sir." The Charley gave Gavin a hard stare. "Know that The Thames River Police have surrounded your premises. We will ensure Lord Harteford and Miss Fines safe passage from here. One false move, and I will have you thrown in Newgate."

"'Twould hardly be the first time Morgan put an innocent man behind bars, would it?" Gavin sneered.

"Will someone
please
tell me what is going on?" Percy said.

"Wait in the carriage, Percy," Morgan said.

"I will
not
wait," she said, her chin at a mutinous angle. "I'm not a child, and I want to know what is going on."

"Come along, Percy." Gavin held out his arm, felt a heady sense of triumph when she took it. "I think you should hear this. Unless you have something to hide, Morgan?"

A muscle ticked along Morgan's jaw. But he said nothing, following behind.

Once inside the sitting room, Percy said, "Nicholas, do you
know
Gavin?"

"I'm not certain." Morgan's hands curled in their fine leather gloves, white lines bracketing his mouth. "Unless … you can't be ... the boy?"

"Can't even remember my name, can you?" The familiar hatred bubbled like acid through Gavin. All these years he'd fed upon it, building his world around this day: the moment of his retribution. "I'm just the nameless, faceless boy you beat and left to die in Grimes' room."  

"You escaped," Morgan said in a low voice.

"With no help from you, obviously."

"Nicholas. What is he talking about?" Percy pleaded.

Morgan shifted his gaze to her, said tonelessly, "'Twas the time before I met your father. Those were ... dark days." He removed his hat, raking a hand through black hair silvering at the temples. "At thirteen, I was making my living as an apprentice to a sweep named Ben Grimes."

"Only he wasn't just a sweep, was he?" Though his own stomach gave an uneasy quiver, Gavin went on in a sneering tone, "And the duties you performed—more than just cleaning the stacks, eh? You and all the young boys the master fancied."

Percy's gasp of shock faded into the background. As did everything else. His gaze honed in on Morgan.
So long have I waited for this moment, my reckoning ...

A tremor crossed the other man's shoulders. "You know as well as I what went on at that house. But it is not fit for a lady's ears." Exhaling, Morgan said, "We will set another time to discuss—"

"
We will discuss this now.
" Gavin no longer had to think; the words rushed out of their own accord. "You are in my territory, and you will not leave until I am satisfied. You will admit what you did that night—
say it.
"

A shuddering breath left Morgan. His fist crushed the brim of his hat. His head bowed, and he was silent for so long that Gavin thought that he would not admit his crime.

"I killed him." The words broke over the hush like china hitting a stone floor. "I stabbed Grimes in the heart because I could not bear for him to ... touch me. Not ever again."

"Nick." To Gavin's stupefaction, Percy crossed over to Morgan. She put her arms around him—
around Gavin's enemy.
Tears were rolling down her face. "Oh, Nick. Did Papa know?"

Morgan shook his head. "For years, I told no one and hid my shame. Not until Helena ..." Though the other man's eyes held a sheen of moisture, his gaze softened. "She would not allow any secrets between us."

Percy nodded, still crying. When she swayed, Gavin started toward her—but Morgan was already leading her over to a chair. With furious bewilderment, Gavin watched the tender scene. Did she not understand that her so-called brother had been buggered repeatedly—and that he'd killed the man who'd done the deed? That he'd left Gavin
to die
? She should be recoiling in disgust, should be ...