Page 88 of No Man's Land

“I’m afraid it already has,” Josef said, rising too. His knee stung, and a deeper pain in his knee joint twinged—he’d stiffened up, sitting still for so long.

“No point thinking like that,” Lottie said crisply. She too was dressed in her hat and coat and had a smaller bag slug across her body. “Today, we must all bejusqu'au boutistes, yes?”

She meant they should fight to the bitter end, accept no quarter from the enemy. Win at all costs.

And she was right. In this, at least, she was right.

“So,” Violet said, eyebrows rising in query. “Where are we off to?”

Chapter Twenty-six

Afternoon was waning when they reached the corner of King William Street, and as Josef led them across the road towards W.R. Renshaw Ltd, a figure detached itself from the gathering shadows to intercept them.

Not a ghoul, but possibly worse.

“Mr Shepel,” said Daljit Dutta. “Lady Charlotte—I suspected you might be mixed up in this.”

“Mr Dutta.” Lottie came to a halt next to Josef. “Charmed, as always.”

Dutta smiled cooly. “Where is Lord Beaumont?”

There was a slight bulge beneath his coat which drew Josef’s eye: a gun. Well,hehad a gun too, and drew his own coat back far enough that Dutta could see he was armed.

Their eyes met, and Josef said, “We’re on our way to help him. Don’t get in our way.”

“It’s been over twelve hours since he was compromised.” He glanced around at the people passing by. “It’s too late to help him now.”

Lottie said. “I treated his wound this morning to delay the progression of the infection. There’s still time, though the longer we stand here in idle conversation, the more sand runs through the glass.”

“For God’s sake,” Josef snapped. “Either help us or get out of the way.”

Dutta’s eyes widened, the only hint of feeling in his haughty features. “Saint has given his orders regarding Lord Beaumont, and I—”

“You what?” Josef said, stepping forward, close enough that he could see the subtle circles beneath Dutta’s eyes, the lines of tension in his face. “You’re going to be a good little soldier? Or are you going to help us save your friend?”

“Helpyou?”

“Alex is injured. He can’t walk. We could use another man to help carry him out. Or to fight off pursuit.”

Behind him, Violet snorted her disagreement.

Dutta’s jaw set in dislike, and after a long look, he switched his attention from Josef to Lottie. “Is there a chance?”

“I’d hardly be here if there wasn’t,” she said. “Although I don’t expect you to help us. Unlike Mr Shepel, I well know The Society’s rules about associating with women of our ilk.”

“Sod The Society’s rules!” Josef cried. “And sod you, Dutta. Alex needs help. Now.” With that, he pushed past the man. Or tried to, but Dutta grabbed his coat lapel and held him in place.

“You’re taking an enormous risk with his life,” Dutta hissed. “Bigger than you can possibly know. Even if he survives, don’t think he will be the same man. And don’t think he will thank you.”

Josef wrenched himself free, shaken. “Alive is better than dead.”

“For you, perhaps. But this has been about you from the start, hasn’t it?”

“You don’t know anything about it. Or me.”

“I know what Alex—”

“Enough!” Violet pushed herself between them. “This bloody nonsense is why men never get anything done. Come on, Lottie, we might as well get to work while these two growl at each other.”

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