Page 90 of A Most Unlikely Lady
Ivy cocked her head. ‘I don’t understand.’
‘Of course you don’t. A woman’s delicate brain couldn’t possibly be strong enough to hold the plans men create. Your dear friend Olivia here was kind enough to forge a letter from your lover. It’s already been placed in your bag awaiting discovery.’
Edward? But I haven’t told Olivia about Edward.
‘Not a real man, of course. Who would want to seduce a cold plank of wood like yourself? But no one need know that. According to his letter, the two of you were plotting to steal the money from this charity event and escape to the Americas. When Commissioner Worthington finds the money gone and you with it, convincing him to abandon his task force and track down a thieving bitch who betrayed him will be easier than convincing Olivia here to follow the commands of her husband. By the by, aren’t you supposed to be taking those children to the mews?’ He raised a brow at Olivia.
Olivia brushed past Ivy. ‘I am so sorry,’ she whispered.
But her apology only increased Ivy’s fury. ‘What good does that do? Don’t be sorry. Be better. Fight with me,’ she hissed.
Olivia wouldn’t meet her gaze as she awkwardly tucked the gun under her arm, knelt beside Henry and untied his feet. Then Sarah’s. Ivy wished she could bash Olivia over the head and knock some sense into the woman.
‘Come along, children.’ Olivia spoke the same way she’d done when inviting them to the kitchen for pudding. ‘Upsy-daisy.’ She stood, grabbing the gun in one shaky hand, then reached down to help Henry up, but pulled back her arm as if she’d been bit. A crimson stain soaked through the sleeve of her gown. She looked rather dumbfounded at the wound. ‘He c-cut me.’
Henry lunged for her again, his eyes wild, his lips pulled back in a snarl. This was the boy who’d spent years on the streets, fighting for his survival. ‘Get away from us,’ he screamed, brandishing the dagger as he put his body between Olivia and Sarah.
Smithwick swung his gun around. He cocked the pistol. The weapon was pointed at Henry. He was going to shoot the boy.
With a feral war cry, Ivy launched herself at Smithwick. He didn’t have time to retrain his weapon before Ivy was on him. The force of her attack toppled them over and she landed on top of Smithwick. Gripping him tightly between her thighs, she scrabbled for the gun. Grabbing his wrist, she slammed his hand against the cobblestones once. Twice. Three times until he lost his grip. The weapon fell free and Ivy dove for it.
Sharp pain nearly stole her breath as he gripped her hair, wrenching her back. But not before she grabbed the pistol.
‘Not so fast, you skinny little bitch.’ He was in an awkward position on the floor, his hand twisted in her hair, but she ignored the pain.
While he surpassed her in strength, Ivy fought with wild abandon. She couldn’t fire the gun at such close quarters, but there was more than one way to subdue an adversary. Thrusting her elbow behind her into his ribs, air exploded from him as he lost his grip on her hair. Twisting her torso, she arced the pistol through the air, using it as a cudgel against his cheekbone. The hard metal cut into his skin, opening a wide gash that spewed blood. She fisted her other hand and slammed it into his throat, revelling in his choked gasp. Scrambling to her feet, she kicked him with all her might, aiming for his soft belly. Curling into a foetal position, one hand pressed against his gushing cheek, the other trying to protect his middle, Ivy kicked him again. His high-pitched scream was like music.
Ivy stood over him, the pistol held tightly in her hands. One flick of her finger and it would be done. Smithwick would be dead.
‘Ivy, don’t pull the trigger.’ Edward’s voice was like a shock wave through her system.
21
Edward’s heart was in his throat and his legs had cinder blocks attached because they were too heavy to move. Every cell in his body wanted to run to Ivy. Hold her in his arms. Convince himself that she was safe, and well. She was magnificent standing over the snivelling weasel. But he dare not take a step closer. She was balancing on the brink of a madness he knew well. One false move and Ivy might fall.
‘Philippa, find Olivia. She went that way.’ Edward pointed to the back of the stables. The fair-haired beauty had made a run for it the moment Edward skidded into the stable, right before Ivy slammed her fist into Smithwick’s throat. Olivia’s bright hair and iridescent dress would help Philippa hunt the woman down in the darkness.
With a swift nod, Philippa pulled a pistol from her skirt and quickly disappeared into the shadows.
He forced his gaze away from Ivy to the children. ‘Henry, Sarah, come behind me. Yes, that’s it.’
Henry helped Sarah to her feet, the dagger still held in one hand. They skirted the edge of the stables and then cut across the short distance in the centre to huddle behind Edward.
Returning his gaze to Ivy and Smithwick, Edward put his hand on Henry’s shoulder and held the boy’s gaze, willing some of his strength into the lad. ‘Take Sarah to the kitchens. Find the butler, Stokes. Tell him what has occurred and that we need to locate Lord Killian, Lord Drake, and Lord Renquist and their wives. If they’ve left the ball, he can send a runner to their houses. They are needed here. Immediately.’
‘Yes, sir.’ The boy’s voice wavered.
‘Good lad.’
When Henry reached for Sarah’s hand, she pulled away, her eyes on Ivy.
‘I won’t leave her.’ The girl’s voice wavered, but she thrust her chin out in an expression reminding Edward of Philippa.
‘She wants you to be safe. I’m here. I’ll protect her, Sarah. You can trust me. Right now, you must go with Henry.’
She blinked and pressed her lips together. For a terrifying moment, Edward thought she would refuse him. He had no idea what he would do if she did.
‘You promise she’ll be okay?’ Sarah asked.
