Page 95 of When a Lady Dares
Henry covered the ground with long, sure strides. Rebecca’s gaze tracked his movements, facing Henry with what seemed a perfect mask of a smile.
“I see you’ve come to protect us,” she said.
“If need be,” the broad-shouldered Scot replied. “Where is Sophie?”
Rebecca inclined her head toward the coach. “She went to greet our visitor.”
With a heavy thrust, Sophie slammed her heel into Jack’s instep. With a grunt of pain, his arms loosened their hold.
“She has a gun!” Sophie screamed.
“What the bluidy hell—” Henry whipped around. Shocked comprehension fell over his features.
“She’s right.” Rebecca’s soft-spoken voice dripped malice. “And I do know how to use it.”
A shot exploded.
“Why?” Clutching his upper chest, Henry staggered backward. His legs crumpled, and he sank to the ground.
Blood pounded in Sophie’s head. The world tilted, and for a moment, she thought she’d faint. Only the need to help the Scot kept her thoughts focused, kept her upright. She fought Jack’s hold, but he restrained her in the hard vise of his arms.
“Stop struggling, ye little—”
The coach door opened. Jack went still.
“That will be quite enough.”
A woman stood in the entry. Dark brown hair framed a face Sophie might’ve described as angelic if not for her hardened jade eyes.
Dear God! Lady Ellicott.
Sophie had covered the woman’s Winter Charitable Ball for theHerald.After her marriage to Lord Ellicott, the celebrated actress had taken to the role of Society Matriarch as if she’d been born to play the part. The former Lillian Bartlett had devoted hundreds of hours to the benefit of the less fortunate. Surely, she was not allied with this criminal.
“Aye,” Jack said with a grunt.
“Please, join me,” Lady Ellicott extended her gloved hand. “I promise you won’t be hurt. Not if you cooperate.”
Once again, the ground beneath Sophie tilted. The world had gone topsy-turvy.
“I will explain everything, Miss Atherton,” Lady Ellicott said, the faintest of smiles pulling at her lips. “That’s right. I know who you are. Miss Beddingham has proven herself invaluable, time and again.”
“She’s been spying for you—why?”
Lady Ellicott crooked her finger. “I’ve no intention of dirtying my feet onhissoil. So come inside the coach. We may be able to reach an agreement. A woman with your talents could be a great asset to our organization.”
“Very well.” Sophie swallowed against her apprehension and stepped inside the coach.
Lady Ellicott gestured to the sable-haired man who sat with his legs stretched out before him. “I believe you have already made Mr. McNaughton’s acquaintance.”
Adam McNaughton’s gaze washed over her, as surly as he’d been during Trask’s gatherings. Sophie’s stomach knotted. Bile rose to the back of her throat.
“You thought you had me fooled,” he said. “But I was wise to you.”
Sophie’s recollection disputed that statement. The bastard had been eager for her to dole out any crumb of communication from his deceased twin, but she held her tongue. “I suspected as much,” she said to preserve the pretense of civility.
“Please, make yourself comfortable,” Lady Ellicott said. “I meant what I said… You will not be harmed, if you cooperate. Do you understand?”
Sophie nodded. “Do you intend to tell me what this is all about?”
