Page 107 of The Last Chance
If they survived the night, there was still one obstacle to overcome. “Aaron insists I watch him fight. He thinks I will despise that man. That I couldn’t possibly love a beast.”
“I’ll not lie,” Aramis said, his tone grave. “Aaron is savage in the ring. When you watch him, remember how it began and what it means for him to be invincible. Then, he may not appear quite so monstrous.”
Aramis spoke like they would win tonight’s battle and leave the field undefeated. The possibility grew more likely when they found two unconscious louts near the gate, their hands bound and fastened to the wooden post.
Aramis kicked a lackey but he lay like a lump of stone. “Daventry’s agents must have sprinted here.”
“I don’t think that was the plan.” Joanna caught whiff of an exotic cologne, the aromatic smell of myrrh, a deeply complex scent belonging to one man in particular. “Gabriel is here.” Relief flooded through her. “He won’t let anything happen to Aaron.”
Aramis wasn’t so sure. “If Rothley kills Aaron, he can marry you.”
“Don’t be absurd. Gabriel is not a murderer.” She gestured tothe rogues on the floor. “He bound these blackguards with rope instead of killing them.”
Doubt crept into her mind.
She had been wrong about Lord Howard and Lucia.
Was she wrong about Gabriel?
“I can’t take the risk. I’m fetching my brothers.” Aramis was already making his way along the path. “You’d better hurry if you want to reach Natasha before I do,” he called, breaking into a sprint.
Joanna didn’t waste a second. She stepped over the men, raised her skirts and hurried along the miry track. Despite hearing a woman’s voice heckling men to fight, she crept slowly into the fray.
An older man, who she believed was the Earl of Berridge, stood with his feet in iron shackles, his clothes muddy, a cut to his left cheek. Aaron’s hands were bound but his feet were untethered.
The earl threw punches at Aaron, a series of poorly-timed blows.
Aaron dodged them with ease, kicking the earl to the ground.
“Get up you old oaf.” A woman in a cloak cackled, then turned to the three thugs watching the bout. “Perhaps we should give Berridge a blade.”
Mrs Lowry saw Joanna first. The poor woman sat on soggy moss, a filthy rag fastened around her mouth. Her eyes widened and she shook her head, warning Joanna to retreat.
Joanna cleared her throat. “Stop this!”
Everyone turned in her direction, united in shock.
Aaron met her gaze, cold hard fear flaring in his eyes.
“Miss Lovelace,” the woman said, her insidious tone confirming she was Natasha. She was also a member of The Burnished Jade who went by the alias Miss Goswell. “What a delightful surprise.” She raised her hand, revealing the double-barrelled pistol.
Joanna did not flinch or exchange pleasantries. “I followed the boat. I have Lucia imprisoned in a secure location. If I fail to return within two hours, she will be taken to the Thames Police Station and charged as an accessory to murder.”
Natasha appeared unconcerned. “That is unfortunate. I suppose you want to make a trade. My handsome stepson for my darling daughter. Lucia is quite remarkable isn’t she? So innocent yet so conniving. And entirely biddable when she’s afraid.”
How could a mother be so cruel?
Perhaps Lucia’s lesson to learn was courage.
“You will accompany me to fetch Lucia,” Joanna said, firming her stance. “Leave with me now and you will both walk free. If you refuse, I cannot be held responsible for what happens next.”
In the tense silence, it was like the universe held its breath.
“There appears to be some confusion about who is in charge.” Natasha motioned for her lackeys to grab Joanna, but Aaron tripped both men up and a fight ensued.
Even with his hands tied, Aaron fought like a champion.
One thug fell to the ground, blood spurting from his broken nose. A sharp kick to the knee had a Scottish brute collapsing and howling like a babe.
