Page 6 of His Wicked Embrace
She shook her head, but did not explainherself.
“You truly wish to stay withme?”
“Yes. If you are a man of your word.” She gave his palm another squeeze, and he returnedit.
“Very well, be quick and quiet. We must get past the men. If we can reach the street, I may be able to get you out without beingdetected.”
He held her hand, relishing her warm skin against his as they rushed down the corridor in the same direction the flock of lightskirts had gone earlier. Several rooms’ doors were open, and men were rushing to clothe themselves. Some were climbing outwindows.
Lawrence found a door that opened to the gardens in the back. “Thisway.”
“Are you sure?” Zehraasked.
“Positive.” At least he hoped so. He’d had to flee many a house via the gardens ever since he’d been old enough to seduce ladies. This wasn’t the first time he’d scaled a hedge or battled through rosebushes and rhododendrons. He and Zehra crept through the darkened maze of bushes until they found their way into the mews between the White House and the edifice next toit.
“Wait here while I find a hackney.” He nudged her into the shadows, and she flattened herself against the wall. For a moment their eyes locked, and he could see her fear and trust warring with eachother.
“Shouldn’t you hurry?” she asked in a shakywhisper.
“Right,” he muttered and rushed down the alley to thestreet.
* * *
Zehra heldher breath as she waited in the shadows. The bushes around her rustled as she listened, fighting the urge to flee. And then she heardhisvoice.
“The impertinence. Thearrogance. It will not go unpunished. I will find her. That man who bought her will have signed his name to the madam’s book. We will come tomorrow, and I will discover his name, and when I find him…” The voice sank to a low growl. “I will cut his throat and take back what ismine.”
“Aye, sir,” another man responded, carrying a rough English accent. “But wouldna that be dangerous? Cuttin’ a man’s throat? You could be caught andhanged.”
Al-Zahrani’s voice rippled through the bushes, and Zehra closed her eyes, fighting the urge to run and give herselfaway.
“I’ll kill any who stand in my way, do you understand? She has family here. No doubt she will go to them eventually. Have men watch their home, night and day. Report anything unusual. The moment I find her, I will take her by any meansnecessary.”
No…Zehra’s eyes began to well. He would kill innocent men and women to get to her, her own family. A family who might not even know she existed. Zehra pressed herself deeper into the tall bushes, willing herself to not exist in thatmoment.
Don’t let him find me, please. She begged the heavens to grant her this one favor if nothingelse.
Al-Zahrani and his man moved farther away, but she dared not move. She prayed Lawrence would come and find hersoon.
* * *
Lawrence skiddedto a halt as he reached the pavement. A number of Bow Street Runners were still on the steps of the WhiteHouse.
“Bloody hell.” He waited, watching the men for what felt like an eternity before they joined the others inside thebrothel.
“About time.” He walked briskly down the street, trying to look inconspicuous, which was difficult at midnight. He found a coach ready to take on passengers and waved for the man to come down the alley to him. Then he slipped back into the alley to find Zehra. She was waiting right where he’d left her. When he got close enough to reach for her hand, he noticed she wastrembling.
“You must be freezing.” He removed his coat and slid it over her shoulders before she could protest. “This way. I found a coach. We must move quickly if we are to get inside without being seen.” He slipped her arm in his and led her to the coach. Before they climbed inside, he caught her chin and tilted it up to his. “Understand, you don’t have to come with me. You are free to leave. Do you have friends here? Anyone who could take you in? I’d be happy to take you anywhere you wish togo.”
Zehra reached for his hand, and the gesture made his blood pound. “My lord, Iwantto come with you. You must believe me—it is far safer thisway.”
He shouldn’t be feeling so attached to her. Not like this. Yet her words moved him all the same. “Very well. Quickly, get inside.” He helped her into the coach and gave the driver his address, and it began to rattle down the street. Lawrence breathed a sigh of relief as Zehra sat beside him. Without thinking, he curled an arm around her shoulders and tucked her against his side. She stiffened a moment but then relaxed, and he enjoyed the feel of her feminine form so close to him. Her lips parted and her hands clenched in her skirts as she leaned toward the window, peering through the curtains. Her eyes were fixed on thestreets.
“It is so different here,” shemurmured.
“Different?” he asked,curious.
“Yes.” She pointed at the moonlit streets, and despite her blush, there was a fire and steadiness in her voice and gaze as shespoke.
