Page 168 of Storm of Bells
‘Can we dispose of Dalgliesh now,Sahib?’ Karim enquired.
‘So,’ Jenny concluded with admirabledeductive skills, ‘I guess dis fellow ain’t a friend of yours?’
For one long moment, Mr Ambrose’s icy gazefully focused on her. ‘Most. Certainly. Not.’
Behind me, the reverend groaned and twistedon the ground. Jenny glanced down at him. ‘Hm. He’s coming round. Ithink whatever plans ye’ve got for da blond twit, it’ll ‘ave towait.’
‘Agreed. Karim, open those drawers! See ifyou can find me some sheets to serve as bandages.’
Mr Ambrose took a step forward. ‘You’re notseriously suggesting that we—’
‘Oh, I am,’ I cut him off determinedly,‘We’re going to keep him from bleeding out. As you may remember, itwas my humble self who had the brilliant idea of firing on him. Idoubt he’ll admit to being shot by a woman if he survives. But, asvindictive as he is, he’ll probably manage a deathbed accusation ifwe let him bleed out. So we’d better keep him from kicking thebucket. Unless, of course, you’d like me to be brought up on murdercharges?’
‘I have significant influence over parts ofthe judicial system. I would say that there is a seventy-five percent chance I could get you acquitted, if the evidence is merelycircumstantial.’
‘Thanks so much. I think I prefer myway.’
Grabbing the sheets from the hands of areluctant Karim, I started ripping them and handing the bits toJenny, who presumed to wrap them tightly around Dalgliesh’slegs.
‘Dis makes an interestin’ change.’ Shegrinned. ‘Normally, I take da clothes off people, not da other wayround.’
It didn’t take long to patch Dalgliesh up.And if, in the process, we happened to knot his legs together andtie him to the bedposts, it was a mere coincidence. Finally, theman Mr Ambrose had sent up the road to fetch the doctor returned,huffing and puffing.
‘The doctor is just at Mrs Delaney’s, Sir!He’s making sure the children are all right, then he’ll be overhere directly.’
I nodded. ‘Good.’
Mr Ambrose looked as if he’d choose adifferent word for it.
‘What are we going to do?’ he hissed. ‘Weintended to deal with Dalgliesh here, today. If he gets back to hisprivate army…’
He left the sentence hanging in the air,looking as if that was where he’d like to leave Dalgliesh hanging,too, dangling from a noose.
‘We’ll have to see.’ I glanced at the door.‘Let’s get the doctor in here. Let’s make sure he orders alongbedrest. That’ll give us a bit of time to workwith.’
He looked deep into my eyes. ‘And what are wegoing to do with that time, Miss Linton? He knows about your…twinbrother. And he’s not simply going to sit on that information anddo nothing with it. He’s going to use it to hurt us. To hurtyou.’
Swallowing, I reached out to touch his face.‘But…I thought you didn’t mind. Not anymore.’
A muscle in his jaw twitched. ‘I don’t. Butthe rest of the world might.’
‘What about me,’ I told him, unable tosuppress a smile, ‘gives you the idea that I give a flying fig whatthe world thinks of me?’
‘Adequate point. Still…’
‘Yes.’ I nodded. ‘Still.’
I knew what he meant. If Lord Dalglieshrevealed what he knew about me, my life would never be the sameagain. And neither, although he was very careful not to mention it,would Mr Ambrose’s. When we’d first met and he’d categoricallyrefused to accept me as a female secretary, he’d had his reasons.Infuriating, chauvinistic reasons, perhaps, but reasonsnonetheless. His business would be hurt by the truth. He would behurt. And while he might be willing to risk that, I was not.
Besides…
My achievements were mine. I wouldn’t allowDalgliesh to twist them for his own purposes. If one day I decidedto reveal my true identity to the world, it would be on my terms,for my own reasons, to my own ends. I would not be blackmailed!
Blackmailed…
Like a lightning bolt, an idea flashed in myhead—burning with brilliance and evil genius. Slowly, a grin spreadacross my face.
I was just about to open my mouth when Iheard the faint squeak of the door from the corridor, followed bythe housekeeper’s voice.
