Page 24 of Ravished

"I most certainly did," Harriet assured him. "I did not think to bring a lamp, so I am waiting here for him to return."

"And just what in hell were you planning to do when he showed up?"

She lifted her chin. "I was going to inform him that I have exclusive rights to explore the caves under your lands, sir. I intend to warn him that if he continues to trespass, you will have him arrested."

Gideon shook his head in disgust. "You and your bloody damn fossils." He was clearly about to continue in that vein when he was interrupted by a faint whistling from the tunnel.

"There he is now," Harriet said quickly. She turned around and saw the glow of a lamp deep in the corridor. "This is excellent timing, my lord. You will be here to back me up when I tell him he has no right to be in these caves."

The whistling grew louder and the glare of the lamp shone brighter. A moment later a small, wiry man dressed in a heavy coat, a low-crowned hat, and badly worn boots emerged from the tunnel. It was the same man Harriet had seen on the beach. The lamp in his hand revealed a narrow, pinched face and beady eyes. He stopped short when he saw Gideon and Harriet standing in the outer cavern.

"Mornin', my lord. I see you made it right on time. Don't know many of your sort who bestir themselves afore noon. Brought a friend along, I see." The little man gave Harriet a surprisingly deep bow. "Mornin' to you, ma'am."

Harriet frowned. "Who are you, sir, and what do you think you are doing in my caves?"

"Your caves?" The little man scrunched his face up into a twisted grin. "Not the way I heard it."

"For all intents and purposes, these caves belong to me," Harriet said firmly. "His lordship will explain."

Gideon gave Harriet a wry glance. "I think I had better do just that before this gets any more confused. Miss Pomeroy, allow me to introduce Mr. Dobbs of Bow Street."

Harriet stared at the little man. "Bow Street? You are a Runner, sir?"

"I have that distinguished honor, ma'am." Dobbs gave her another courtly bow.

"How exciting." Harriet glanced at Gideon. "Then your plans are in place and ready to be carried out?"

"With any luck we will apprehend the thieves the next time they arrive to store their goods." Gideon nodded at the little man. "Dobbs here will keep a nightly watch on these caves for the next few weeks."

"I am delighted to hear that." Harriet looked at Dobbs. "I believe there are at least two men involved and sometimes a third man has accompanied the others. Will you be able to handle that many villains by yourself, Mr. Dobbs?"

"If it be necessary," Dobbs said. "However, I expect to have some assistance. His lordship here and I have agreed upon a signal. When I spot the villains on the beach, I will use a lamp to flash a message from the top of he cliffs."

"My butler and I will take shifts watching for the signal every night when the tide is out until the thieves are apprehended," Gideon explained. "When we see Mr. Dobbs's light flashing, we will come down to the beach and make certain all goes according to plan."

Harriet nodded approvingly. "It seems like an excellent arrangement. Every bit as clever as the one I, myself, was constructing."

"Thank you," Gideon said dryly.

"However," Harriet continued, "I do have one small suggestion to make, if I may."

"No," said Gideon, "I do not think that will be necessary, thank you." He looked at Dobbs. "Did you find the chamber where the goods are being cached?"

"That I did, sir. Followed your little sketch right to the proper cavern. A very impressive collection of loot, it is." Dobbs's eyes gleamed. "I recognize a good bit of it. Several of those items were reported missing and we've been keeping an eye out for 'em. No wonder we never turned 'em up in Town. They was bein' kept outa sight until everyone forgot about 'em. Very clever. Very clever, indeed.»

"As Mr. Dobbs will get rewards when he returns the stolen goods to their rightful owners," Gideon murmured to Harriet, "you may rest assured his enthusiasm for keeping a close watch on the caves is high."

"Yes, of course." Harriet smiled at Dobbs. "Do you know, I have never actually met a Bow Street Runner before. I have a great many questions I would like to ask you about your work, Mr. Dobbs."

Dobbs beamed with modest importance. "Certainly, ma'am. Ask away."

Gideon raised a gloved hand. "Not now. Dobbs, I am certain you will want to remove yourself from the vicinity as quickly as possible now that you have your bearings. No point taking any chances. We would not want anyone to see you hanging about."

"Right you are, sir. Well, then, I'll be off. Good day to you, ma'am." Dobbs gave Harriet another bow and ambled out of the cave.

Harriet watched him go. "Well, that is certainly a relief. I must say I am very pleased to see that things are going ahead at a rapid pace. Excellent job, my lord. But I do wish you had consulted me."

"I rarely consult anyone, Miss Pomeroy. I prefer to operate on my own."

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