Chapter 18

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Ryker stood straight and tall as his formidable aunt glared at him. “We need to have a word.”

“Fine,” he stepped out into the hall, still shirtless, but not wanting to wake Chloe. “But I will tell you that?—”

“Good heavens, what’s happened to you?”

He looked down realizing the bruises on his torso had darkened overnight. “It’s a very long story and I will tell you all of it, Aunt Mildred, but first, let’s talk about what you came to discuss. Chloe.”

“I know about your ridiculous plan.”

Of course she did. Another way he’d been a complete fool. But he digressed. “I’ll be posting the banns by this Sunday. We’ll be married in a fortnight.”

“Posting the banns? Does that mean you’ve given up on your preposterous idea of keeping the match secret?”

“I have.” He grimaced at his aunt.

“And are you still sending Chloe to another estate?”

“Yes, but…”

“No buts. If you send her away, I shall never speak to you again.”

He sighed. “I’m going with her, Aunt Mildred, and you’re coming too. My apologies but we’re going to have to miss this season.”

Aunt Mildred’s eyes widened in surprise. “I think you might want to start from the beginning.”

“I’ll tell you all of it, but first, I need to send word to a few men. The gentleman,” he used that term loosely, “who did this is still out there and I’m going to need some help.”

Aunt Mildred looked at him, surprise widening her eyes. “You are asking for help? That’s a welcome change.”

He only smiled. His aunt didn’t know the half of it. But the footman arrived, and he handed the man the letter. “See these delivered. And on your way out, stop by the kitchen to have a bath sent up.”

The footman left and Ryker turned back to his aunt, leaning over to kiss her cheek. “Are you recovered?”

“I’m fine,” she answered, her face contorted in lines of disbelief. “Are you sure you’re well?”

“Fit as a fiddle and finally in tune.”

His aunt let out a burst of laughter. “I thought maybe that girl had what it took.”

“To what?” he asked, just wanting to hear his aunt say it.

“To tame a wild beast of a rake.” And then she turned and headed back down the hall, chuckling as she went.

* * *

Two hours later, freshly bathed, he kissed Chloe. “This shouldn’t take more than an hour.”

He’d heard back from Strongborn. The duke had agreed to meet Ryker here this afternoon. While he knew that Chloe was perfectly safe tucked in his home, he didn’t wish to leave her.

And so he made his way down to the front sitting room, where Strongborn was already waiting.

But he wasn’t alone. The Summoner and the Master were both with him.

“Gentlemen,” he rumbled entering the room.

“Helmsworth,” Strongborn rumbled back. “I’d worry about protecting your identity, but I already know why you’ve called us here.”

“Do you?”

“You’re leaving us.”

He couldn’t deny it, nor did he want to.

The Master, masked, chuckled. “So, you’re giving up the position to me.”

“If you want it,” he answered back, not the least bit sorry to quit that competition. “And I wish you luck.”

“He doesn’t care, Master, because he’s decided to marry Miss Fairchild.”

“The woman he kissed?” the Master asked.

“No. His charge.” Strongborn answered. “A beautiful blonde who has managed to twist him into knots.”

The Master looked at him, a single brow arched above his mask. “Well, that’s curious, because the Miss Fairchild he kissed at the ball that first night was also a beautiful blonde who had all sorts of potential for twisting a man into knots.”

The Summoner cleared his throat. “D-don’t be daft. She-she-she’s the same w-woman.”

All of them chuckled, but it was the Master who answered. “I got that part. What I’m curious to know is did Helmsworth know before he kissed her. Did you set me up?”

Ryker let out a long, frustrated breath of air. “The amount of trouble that kiss caused, I can assure you that I did not choose her on purpose.”

“This is a story I’d like to hear,” Strongborn said, pushing back in his seat.

“Another time.” Ryker leaned against the mantle. “We have more pressing matters to discuss than my impending marriage.”

“Adam,” the Summoner answered. Ryker still wasn’t used to the sound of his raspy voice.

“That’s right. He kidnapped Chloe from a ball last night.”

Silence fell about the room as Ryker detailed the rescue and how the man had attempted to hurt the woman he loved. “I’ll see him hanged,” Ryker grit through his teeth. “But what matters to you is that after he jumped?—”

“I can’t believe he went out the window like that. Surely he didn’t survive.”

Ryker wasn’t certain Adam was that lucky. “I’d assume he did because a wounded snake is the most dangerous. But in any event, I confiscated every item in his room, including his chest with a great many documents.” He pointed down to the floor where the simple chest sat open.

Strongborn didn’t waste any time, he dove in, pulling out several rolls of paper. “It’s a list of men in the Order of the Righteous.”

Ryker looked down, recognizing several names. “They keep better records than us.”

“They’re not hiding,” Strongborn answered. “They believe they’re in the right.”

“Murdering men is right?” the Master snorted. Then he glanced up at Ryker. “Glad you made it to Miss Fairchild’s side before too much damage had been done.”

He nodded, appreciating the man’s consideration toward Chloe.

“And I’m also grateful you collected all this evidence,” Strongborn added. “This is a great help.”

Ryker nodded. “Let me know if you find anything of significance. I’m sure you understand, but as soon as Chloe and I are wed, we’ll leave London. After what happened, we need a bit of quiet and I want my bride somewhere safe.”

The Master gave him a nod. “I’m almost jealous.”

He quirked a smile. “When you quit the club, come find me in real life. We’ll have dinner.”

“How dreadfully boring,” the Master chuckled.

“I’m going to accept that invitation, even if it wasn’t directed at me.” Strongborn rose from the box he’d been searching. “I’m going to need friends who are on the other side of the club but still understand.”

“The invitation is open.” He swept his hand over the pile of evidence. “My footmen can load all of this into your carriage, though take as long as you’d like to search it here. I hope you’ll forgive me, but I have other business to attend.”

All three of the men gave him a knowing stare.

“Go see your bride. Tell her we send our regards.” The Master saluted him.

Ryker jerked his chin in response, but he would most certainly not relay that message. Chloe did not need to know just how interested these men were. She might have told Ryker she loved him, but he was no fool.

Chloe was a treasure that he’d guard closely from now on.