Page 67 of The Last Chance
No. Aaron had stood beside the body in the open casket and condemned his father to eternal damnation. Still, doubts surfaced. Was the scene staged? He’d not checked to make sure the body was cold. Mere hours later, Aaron had been evicted from the house.
“We don’t have much time,” he said, banishing bitter memories from the past. “You need to change out of those clothes, Joanna. Delphine will help you.”
“What’s this all about?” Mrs Maloney said, worried.
“You heard what Daventry said, but I’ll explain it in greater detail later. You can help by sending notes to my brothers, instructing them to pack a valise and be here by ten o’clock.” He explained what to include in the letters.
“It sounds like we’re at war,” Delphine said.
“We are, though I’m still trying to identify the enemy.”
Flynn offered some insight. “In cases like these, timing is key. Why now? What threat do you pose? It strikes me the answer lies with the Earl of Berridge.”
They had avoided questioning the earl, but there was no reason to hide anymore. “I’m convinced Berridge is involved and will visit him later today.”
Unbeknownst to his kin, Aaron had climbed the steps to their uncle’s house once before. They’d been on the streets for days, and he’d gone cap in hand to ask for help. He’d been left standing in the cold, shivering to his bones. Berridge appeared, threw a bucket of vegetable peelings over him, called Aaron the scum of the earth and slammed the door shut.
He thought of that moment every time he raised his fists to fight.
A sudden knock on the front door brought the decoy.
Miss Bryant had hidden her blonde hair beneath a chestnut-brown wig. Her breasts were practically spilling out of her fashionable red dress, and her rouged cheeks made her look every bit a courtesan.
She stroked Aaron’s arm affectionately, and he tried not to flinch. “The constable is watching. I suggest you kiss me if you want to make this look authentic.”
Every muscle in his body stiffened, but he smiled for the constable’s benefit and kissed Miss Bryant on the mouth. For good measure, he patted her bottom as he shut the door.
“You know what to do,” he said, annoyed he’d broken his vow not to kiss another woman. Surely it didn’t count. “You’ve been through this with Sigmund ten times. I’ll return your brother’s vowels to you tomorrow. I can give him a beating, too, if you think it will knock sense into his addled brain.”
The young woman sighed. “Sadly, there’s no hope for him. I’m having him kidnapped and put on a boat to India. First, I need to be sure his creditors won’t come banging on my door demanding payment.”
The news brought light relief. It was reassuring to know other people faced similar burdens. “I hope you’ve told no one else of your plan.”
“Of course not. I’m telling you so you know you can trust me.”
As time was precious, he ushered the woman upstairs.
Half an hour later, Aaron was waiting in the hall.
Joanna descended the stairs, the brown wig hiding her golden locks, her heaving breasts almost spilling out of the red dress that was a tad too big around the waist.
It hurt to look at her.
It hurt to think of what might happen tomorrow.
Tears streaked her cheeks, but she dashed them away. “Will I ever see you again?” She reached for his hands and squeezed them tightly. “Will this nightmare ever end?”
He didn’t care that Delphine lingered in the background. He kissed Joanna tenderly on the lips. “I’ll do everything in my power to put this right. But I need you to be brave. Surviving must be your priority.”
She sniffed back tears and nodded. “Will you reassure my ladies? Tell them I’ve not abandoned them. If my father returns, you must prevent him from taking ownership of The Burnished Jade.”
If her father returned, Aaron would toss him in the Thames.
“I will deal with everything in your absence.” Knots twisted in his stomach. Emotions gathered in his chest like storm clouds, ready to burst. “But you must go now. I’ll follow later to ensure you’ve reached your destination but will keep my distance.”
Her eyes widened. “You can’t ride all the way to Dover. You’ll not be back in time to meet Mr Daventry at noon.”
He drew her closer, kissed her cheek and whispered, “You’re not going to Dover. Do as Sigmund says. You’ll be safe with him. He’s waiting for you in the yard of The Saracen’s Head. Hush. Say nothing.” If questioned, he did not want Delphine to lie. “I’m going to kiss you at the door. Let the constable think we’ve spent a rampant half an hour together. Tell me when you’re ready.”
