Chapter 11

11

T his…was a gamble. Felicity’s smile was fixed in place, despite Everson’s gaping.

Felicity had known this would be a gamble, of course. But it was funny how the risks involved in a gamble seemed so much more frightening in the moment then they did when they were a mere idea.

There was nothing theoretical about the knife he still held in her direction. And the words she’d just uttered had been very, very real.

There was no going back now. And despite all the lectures she’d given herself beforehand, all the ways she’d thought this through…

Her heart still clattered about wildly as thoughts such as what are you doing?! echoed against her skull.

But it was too late now. Ridiculous or not— ridiculous! that same voice shouted, Definitely ridiculous! —she was here now, and it was done.

Everson finally recovered enough to cock his head to the side, fix her with a look of disbelief, and say, “Pardon?”

Fine, it was almost done. She supposed now was the time to explain her reasoning.

But first, she told herself… First she had to get control of this situation once more. Because honestly, there was every chance Marlin didn’t take Jane’s message seriously. Or perhaps he forgot…

And even if he had taken the message to Albright, as requested, what if Albright thought it was a joke? Or worse, what if he just didn’t care?

And even if they were both frighteningly eager to get here, there were any number of ways they could have been delayed, especially in this weather.

Everson was starting to regain his senses, and he scowled down at her. “I beg your pardon?”

She folded her hands together in front of her and gave the dagger a pointed look.

With a look that was almost embarrassed, Everson hurriedly dropped the dagger to his side. “My apologies, Felicity. I’d thought you’d come here as an adversary.”

Some of his debonair manners seemed to have returned. He even gave her a crooked smile that might have made her swoon if she hadn’t taken such a dislike to him from the start.

And that was before she’d discovered he was a thief out to bamboozle her great uncle.

“On the contrary,” she said, her voice filled with the sort of happy enthusiasm typically reserved for a wedding toast. “I came here because I saw an opportunity for us both to get what we want.”

Everson tugged at his ear, considering her.

Meanwhile, Felicity did her best to listen. She waited to hear any scratch or rustle…

Anything that might alert her to Albright’s presence. When she didn’t hear anything, she felt the most unusual mix of relief and disappointment.

As with any good plan she’d had a plan and a backup plan. Neither was ideal, and each had its cons, but…

Well, now was not the time to fret over how this might end. She was here now, and she meant to see this through.

“You see, Mr. Everson,” she started. “I find I’m in a bit of a pickle. My family is eager for me to marry, and quickly.”

He made a noise of understanding. “And how does this affect me?”

“I understand that you require funds at this point in time, is that correct?”

Everson looked suspicious so she smiled brighter. “I’m sure you’ve heard of my dowry, have you not?”

His suspicion transformed to burgeoning excitement almost instantly as he pieced together what she was after. And a second later his face fell. “Your parents want a title, everyone knows that.”

“Indeed they do. But I do not. And my parents will have to accept the man of my choosing…if they mean to avoid scandal.”

His brows arched and his eyes widened as he caught her meaning.

Really. For a man who dealt so frequently with criminals, he was awfully easy to shock.

“You mean…”

“Yes,” she said simply. “It would be easy enough to arrange a…situation in which we are caught.”

His eyes narrowed, but not so much with suspicion as renewed interest. “What’s in it for you then?”

Her smile felt far more genuine now that he was finally catching on and they were getting to the point. She stayed quiet for just a moment. But no…

Still no sign of Albright.

For the best, really. Perhaps this plan to marry Everson would work just as well. With that thought, she straightened, and spelled out how it would work. “You would have all the money. And you’d drop this investment scheme—” She arched a brow in warning when he tried to protest.

He fell silent and waved for her to continue.

“There will be no need to fleece good men like my Uncle Edward if you have my dowry.”

He gave a little nod of assent to the unposed question.

“I assume you want that money because you are keen to escape the country…” It was a guess but it made sense to her so she wasn’t surprised when he nodded again.

A hint of panic filled his eyes as he fidgeted with the dagger but when she remained silent, he admitted, “I’ve made some…enemies here in London.”

His expression took on a hunted quality that made her wary. A desperate man could be a godsend or a danger. She had to choose her words wisely.

“Your enemies and your former business interests are none of my concern,” she said, in a tone as reassuring as she could manage. “What is my concern is my uncle and my freedom. My proposition is this—marry me, take the dowry, and leave the country?—”

“But you?—”

“I will be in disgrace, yes, but a disgrace who is free to live on her own terms. I have enough money from an inheritance on my mother’s side that I will be able to have my independence.”

“You…” Everson said. “You are serious.”

She took a deep breath and met his gaze. “Indeed.”

Everson stared at her in disbelief for a moment longer before scrubbing a hand over his eyes, confusion and hope mingling with a paranoia that made her doubt his sanity. He scratched his chin. “To be clear, you know that I have been running a smuggling ring…”

She nodded when he paused.

“And that I’d planned to fleece your uncle and his friends…”

She nodded again, and his face caved with confusion.

“Then, for the love of…” He shook his head as his voice trailed off. “ Why ?”

She didn’t have a chance to explain because at that moment a ruckus broke out in the warehouse. Men seemed to surge out of every doorway, and her heart surged into her throat as she caught sight of Albright at the front, rage marring his features.

Marlin was right behind him, and from the far side came The Duke of Carver, Lord Kalvin, and several men she did not know.

Everson was obviously more than outmatched. Indeed, it was overkill. She nearly felt sorry for the man as he toppled, the crowd descending too fast and too suddenly for him to lift his dagger.

She missed what was said, only that one of the men she didn’t recognize seemed to be in charge, barking orders.

What she didn’t miss was the look of rage that twisted Everson’s face. He was sprawled on the ground, with several men holding him still, but his eyes were fixed on her, and the emotion was…

Well, she didn’t wish to sound melodramatic, but the word murderous came to mind.

She found she couldn’t look away until one of the men blocked him from view.

“Felicity.” Albright was next to her, and Felicity looked up at him.

She instantly wished she hadn’t. The sight of him hurt. Which was ridiculous.

Ridiculous, but true.

The sight of his warm brown eyes, filled with concern, the furrowed brow and the lines at the edges of his eyes…

When had his face become so familiar and so…so dear ?

It made no sense and it was not fair. Had she not been through enough today? Did he really have to look at her like this right now?

“If you’ll excuse me…” She began to edge around him. “I fear the events of today have made me….”

She didn’t finish.

She couldn’t.

Tears were stinging the back of her eyes and making her throat swell shut. So she did the only thing she could…

Felicity ran.

She didn’t make it far, obviously. Albright caught up to her and blocked her path, his hands on her arms.

She waited for his ire, braced herself for the angry lecture to come.

And then she waited some more.

When she finally looked up she found he was studying her, his eyes taking in every feature as if he were reading a book. “Please,” she said. “I’d just like to go home.”

He hesitated but then nodded. “I’ll take you.”

She wanted to argue. The last thing she wanted was to be alone with Albright.

He might not have shouted at her, but he was angry, and no doubt disappointed in her.

The thought stung, but what made it worse was that she cared.

She’d always prided herself on not minding what others thought, but here she was fretting about his good opinion, absurd thoughts creeping in as he led her toward the door. Thoughts like, Ann never would have done something so reckless.

His wife would never have been so brazen.

What did it matter if she did not live up to sweet, charming Ann or his angelic wife?

She’d never wanted to. So it was fine. Just fine.

They were nearly out the door when noises broke out behind them. Everson was struggling as the men informed him of all they’d overheard. In short—his confession.

“We heard it all,” one of the men said.

All? Felicity doubted it. But they’d likely heard enough to put him away for a very long time.

Everson would no longer be a threat to her uncle.

So there.

That was something.

Wasn’t it?