Chapter 34

"Just… be careful, all right?" Dominic advised Reginald as they stood in front of the adjacent house, the one George claimed was where he held Annabel and Rosie.

"Do you think there is someone else here?" Reginald asked in a whisper.

"I don't know," Dominic replied honestly, eyeing the front door. "I wouldn't trust what George Thompson says even if my life depended on it. That is why I'm just reminding you to be cautious. Listen for any strange sounds or shadows. It could be another trap."

"I will," Reginald agreed.

Dominic could feel his heart pounding and adrenaline coursing through his veins as they neared the house. Their footsteps yearning to be quick and purposeful, but were instead slow and calculated. Dominic knew why that was so.

They couldn't afford another attack. He was feeling slightly better now, but he couldn't fight. He had no more strength left in him. He was barely standing on his feet. Even walking was a feat, but he knew that he wanted to watch Reginald unlock that cellar door and give his future wife and his daughter a hug.

As they reached the weathered doors of the neighboring house, Dominic's hand trembled slightly as he pushed the door open. The metallic click of the mechanism allowed them in instantly.

"Well, that was easy," Dominic said, trying to ease the tension.

With a silent prayer, he pushed the creaking door, revealing the yawning darkness that lay beyond. Dominic and Reginald exchanged a nervous glance. With each step they took, the shadows seemed to close in around them.

"I can't see anything," Reginald murmured.

Dominic looked around. He was right. The little light that floated in through the windows was not nearly enough. And there were no candles or lamps to light with the small tinderbox he had in his pocket. It served no purpose.

"Well, the cellar is downstairs somewhere," Dominic thought about it logically. "I can ignite the tinder for a few moments when we reach what seems to be a door, and you can see where the keyhole is."

He was angry that he didn't think to bring a lamp and to at least leave it in front of the house before they entered. But now, it was too late. They moved about the house like two blind mice, until finally, Reginald seemed to find a stairwell that led downstairs.

"Slowly," Dominic advised. "One wounded man is enough in this ordeal."

"Yes, that's because you like to take up all the spotlight," Reginald hit him back with a retort Dominic wasn't expecting. It made him chuckle so loudly that his sides burned in protest.

"That was very good, old boy," Dominic said, patting him on the back in the dark, but instead he patted him on the side of the head. "Sorry about that. I can't see my own finger before my nose in this pitch black."

"Wait…" Reginald said a bit further away. "I think I feel a knob here. I need some light."

Dominic followed the sound of Reginald's voice, then he bumped into him. "Here," Reginald said again. "Some light."

Dominic fumbled in his pocket, extracting his tinderbox. He struck the steel against the flint to create sparks, which ignited the tinder, illuminating a door.

"That's it!" Reginald exclaimed joyfully, his trembling fingers trying to pinpoint the keyhole. He managed after the second try, with still trembling fingers and with no familiarity of the lock. He relied on a sense of touch, guiding the key into the place, his movements slow and deliberate as he turned it with careful precision, listening for the subtle clock that signaled success.

Reginald pushed the door open suddenly, revealing nothing but darkness beyond. Dominic and Reginald exchanged a wary glance, their senses on high alert as they peered into the depths of the cellar. The faint glow of the moonlight barely penetrated the inky blackness, casting eerie shadows along the damp walls.

With a cautious step forward, Reginald called out. "Annie? Rosie?" His voice echoed faintly in the stillness of the cellar. "Is anyone there?" he called, his words hanging in the air like a whisper.

But there was no answer, only a silence akin to the one in a tomb as it enveloped them like a suffocating shroud. Reginald turned around to exchange another nervous glance with Dominic, who didn't know what to say. His heart was pounding in his chest as he braced himself for whatever lay ahead. He couldn't even imagine how Reginald must have felt, standing there, wearing his heart on a sleeve, hoping that he did not come too late.

"Reggie?"

It was a soft whimper, but both men heard his name clearly. With a shared sense of trepidation, Dominic watched as Reginald delved deeper into the darkness, turning towards the source of the sound. A moment later, Reginald emerged out of the cellar with the girls. He was embracing them both, showering their faces with kisses, when Dominic gently nudged him.

"Let's get out of this house," he advised.

"Yes, please," Annabel was the one who agreed first.

They found their way up the stairs and back into the open space of the night, but the moonlight seemed to shine even brighter, as if celebrating the tearful reunion.

Dominic could see the faces of the girls, pale and tear-streaked, their eyes wide with fear and relief as they stumbled into the light of the moon. With soft cry of disbelief, Reginald embraced them both again, his arms enveloping them in a tight embrace as tears streamed down his cheeks.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still as the family was reunited at last, their hearts overflowing with joy and gratitude amidst the darkness that had threatened to consume them. Dominic looked on, his own eyes misting with emotion as he witnessed the tearful reunion, a silent witness to the power of love and perseverance in the face of adversity.

With trembling hands, Reginald reached out to wipe away Annabel's tears, his voice choked with emotion as he whispered to them both.

"Are you all right?" Reginald asked, holding Rosie in his arms, as her little arms wound around his neck like a precious necklace. "Did he hurt you?"

"No, no, we're both all right," Annabel assured him. "George brought us down here the first day, and he barely visited us. A man came to bring us food and water every day, but we were so frightened, Reggie."

"I am so sorry this happened, my love," Reginald apologized.

Dominic could understand that he felt as if all of that was his fault. But Dominic knew better, and he was certain that Annabel felt the same way. He watched as the reunited family clung to one another in the darkness, their bond unbroken by the trials they had endured, their faith in each other now stronger than before.

He frowned as the onslaught of pain attacked him again. Suppressing a groan, he addressed them.

"I really hate to interrupt you, but perhaps you would rather do all this with a hot cup of tea in your hands and some nice food?" he suggested.

"Scones?" Rosie wondered.

"With strawberry jam?" Dominic asked tenderly.

"Please!" Rosie smiled, clapping her little hands. Dominic was glad to see that she wasn't as affected by this ordeal as her mother. Then again, it was probably because of her mother that she endured it without an effect on her psyche.

By the time they had returned to Tim, the constables were already there. It turned out that Tim had anticipated it would take some time, so Charlie was called in for a favor: to fetch the constables at exactly the right hour and send them to that house.

Dominic patted Tim on the back. "That was great timing, old boy. Truly great."

"I wouldn't have forgiven myself if something had happened to that little girl," Tim said sorrowfully, his voice filled with melancholy for the mistakes that would never be undone.

"You are a good man, Timothy Hallifax," Dominic said compassionately. "I am proud to call you a friend."

"I feel the same way," Tim smiled. "All's well that ends well, eh?" And just like that, he was back to his usual self. Dominic was glad to see that.

"I expect you at dinner tomorrow, old boy," Dominic reminded him.

"With that gunshot wound in your side?" Timothy gestured. "I doubt you'll be having anything but soup for the next month."

"Want to bet?" Dominic replied playfully. His wound acted up again, as if it too sided with Timothy.

Dominic convinced Reginald to join that evening, and for the next few evenings, as well.

"Catherine would love to have you all," Dominic said. "And you know I don't argue with your sister."

"Ah, what a good husband," Annabel chuckled, leaning into Reginald. "You should learn a thing or two from this man, Reggie. He is smart."

Reginald chuckled, approaching Dominic. Dominic had no idea what would happen next. Maybe another shake of the hand, some words of gratitude. He was fine with anything. Hopefully, he had managed to prove himself. If not… well, hopefully there would be no more abductions that would require their attention and more proof of his own righteousness.

However, what Reginald did next left him completely stunned. Without a word, Reginald wrapped his arms wound around Dominic, pulling him close into a brotherly embrace. He didn't say anything at first. He didn't need to. Dominic could feel all the words that Reginald could not say. After all, they were men. Men were not supposed to express their emotions, but this was a special occasion. A very special one.

Dominic returned the hug, allowing Reginald to dictate the length. When Reginald finally released him from his grip, Dominic could see a stray tear in the man's eyes. He had rarely seen a man cry, but when he did, it was always for the right reason. And this was no exception to that rule.

"I… I don't know to thank you for everything you have done for us," Reginald spoke with a tearful voice that was on the verge of breaking. With a deep breath, he continued, his words a testament to the bond of friendship that had sustained them through the darkest of times.

Dominic wanted to prove himself to both Catherine and Reginald, and he finally managed to do that, not out of any selfish reasons, but on the contrary, out of the right ones.

"You risked your own life to save us," Reginald continued. "To protect us from harm when it was most dangerous. You… got shot to save me. Without your courage and bravery, I doubt any of us would be standing here together today."

Dominic listened quietly, his heart swelling with pride and humility at Reginald's words. "It was my honor to stand by your side and help you get your family back. Nothing is more important than family, as you yourself already know."

"I am glad that you have become ours," Reginald said with a smile. "I disapproved of this union at first, you and my sister. But that was before I knew you. You are not only my sister's husband, but you are a brother to me. You are a good man, Dominic Worthington."

Dominic grinned. "All right, but let's keep that a secret, shall we? I don't want your sister to know."

His comment made everyone laugh, although it pained him to do so. However, it was worth it. "Now, how about we head on home, before I bleed out, shall we?"

Everyone nodded concernedly, to what he assured them that he was in no pain. The truth was, he wasn't. And that was exactly what worried him. He was shot. He was supposed to be in a mountain of pain, yet he was walking and laughing as if it were just a scratch.

The carriage ride home felt slow. Dominic wanted it to take a single instant and for him to have Catherine in his arms, showing her that he had kept his promise. Nothing would have prevented him from doing so. The carriage passed through the familiar cobblestoned streets of London, finally taking him home through the gates. A small light flickered at the threshold, and something assured him it was Catherine.

He wondered if she had even slept. Probably not. She was not the type who could be sleeping soundly while her husband and brother were in mortal danger. Of course she would remain out there waiting for them. All night, if need be.

He was the first one to leave the carriage, and with a cry of alarm, she rushed forward to meet them, her hands trembling as she reached out to touch Dominic's face. He had never felt more loved, more welcome, more cherished than at that very moment. He could see all the love in her eyes, all the devotion and he knew that they belonged to each other forever more.

"My love, what has happened?" she exclaimed, her voice thick with emotion.