Page 106 of The Last Chance
Natasha motioned to Pike. “Gag that woman. If I hear another word from her, I’ll shoot you in the foot.”
While Pike saw to the task, the earl’s temper raged. “You promised me vengeance. You said we’d rid the world of this filthy scourge. You promised me half of Fortune’s Den.”
“More fool you for trusting a woman,” Natasha countered. “Vengeance is mine tonight. Pike, untie the earl’s hands but keep his feet bound. Let’s watch the men battle it out, just as Ignatius would have wanted.”
Joanna hugged herself for the duration of the five-mile journey to the Isle of Dogs. Time was against them. She wished the carriage could sprout wings and cover the distance in seconds, not a painstaking forty minutes.
She looked out of the window as the vehicle charged along the Deptford and Greenwich Road, one of few byways on the Isle. The carriages belonging to Mr Daventry’s men stopped near the windmill to allow them to alight. The agents cut across the marshland on foot before disappearing into the foggy blackness.
Everyone else headed to the Ferry House Inn and parked in the deserted yard.
There was no sign of Gabriel’s elegant coach, though that didn’t worry Mr Daventry, who was quick to reassure Aaron’s brothers. “Rothley may have followed by boat. It’s easy to find an empty vessel moored at this time of night.”
Aramis adopted Aaron’s role, insisting everyone remain in the yard while he searched for his brother. “We can’t all go charging across the marshland. It’s best I go alone. Natasha won’t hear me coming.”
His wife Naomi disagreed. “We should remain together. We’re safer in numbers and your stepmother may have gathered an army.”
While Joanna grew tired of waiting, Mr Daventry saw the merit of both plans. “Aramis can have a five-minute advantage and we’ll follow behind. There is strength in numbers.”
“Let me go,” Joanna said, trying to think of a logical reason why Aramis might agree. “I heard Lucia’s story and can use it to stall Natasha. She won’t see me as a threat. I’ll say I never left Lambeth and followed the boat.”
“Saving him is my responsibility,” Aramis countered.
“We all want to save him.” Joanna gestured to Christian and Theo and a determined Mrs Maloney, who clutched the antique musket like she would fire without warning. “But I have a better chance of getting close to Natasha. I’ll distract her while you surround the area.”
Mr Daventry raised his lamp aloft and looked out over the marshland. “If Natasha runs, it will be impossible to find her in the fog. Miss Lovelace is right. She can approach quietly. Wewill split into small groups with the aim of surrounding the area. We’ll move in on my signal.”
Like his elder brother, Aramis vented his frustration. “I’ll not follow behind like a hapless sheep.”
Joanna touched Aramis’ upper arms, arms too muscular to grip. “I love Aaron. If we have any hope of finding the happiness you and Naomi share, let me go. Don’t let history repeat itself. Don’t shut us all out and tackle this problem alone. Don’t treat your brothers like children.”
The comment hit a nerve.
After a tussle with his conscience, Aramis exhaled sharply. “You’ll need a weapon. Something easily concealed.” He beckoned his wife to give Joanna the muff pistol she carried in her reticule. “Leave it uncocked. The slightest bump may cause it to discharge.”
“I’ll only use it in an emergency,” she said, slipping the pistol into her pocket. She still wore Aaron’s coat. His scent enveloped her, bringing the calm reassurance needed to complete her mission.
“Go now,” Aramis urged her. “We won’t be far behind.”
Mr Daventry pointed to a path heading into the distance. “It’s not far to the Dog Pit. We’ll surround the area. Have confidence help is at hand. Aramis will accompany you as far as the gate. Natasha may have posted men there to ensure no one uses the track. You’ll need him to dispose of them.”
Aramis grinned, relishing the chance to use his fists.
Joanna followed him, circling the stables to the rear of the tavern and heading towards the track. The fog lingered, dense and unmoving, always ten feet ahead. While their next steps were visible, the future remained unclear.
“Aaron is in love with you,” Aramis whispered.
“Yes, he told me.” She would never forget the warmth in Aaron’s eyes when he made the confession, the way his smilestole her breath. It was a moment of bliss. She would walk through fire to see him that happy again.
“He did?” Aramis sounded surprised.
“If we survive tonight, we have difficult decisions to make.”
“You mean how he’ll commit to you when he made a vow to us?” Aramis didn’t wait for an answer. “The role of family patriarch is all Aaron knows. We didn’t challenge him because it gave him a purpose, a reason to keep his demons locked in a cage.”
“I know life together won’t be easy. He lives under the constant threat of attack.” From the lofty lords who owed him a fortune. From memories worse than nightmares.
“I have no doubt he will be an exceptional husband and father. It’s time he buried the ghosts of the past.”
