Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Paul Walters, the Marquess of Elmstone, was paying Isabella's father a visit. He had traveled to Cornwall, and now that he'd returned, it was up to Isabella and Eliza to entertain him.

As Isabella finished reading the last few lines of her favorite poem, she couldn't help but consider just how inconvenient his timing had been. Nobody had expected him that day, and Eliza had asked her an important question when he'd arrived.

Lord Elmstone was the kind of man who could visit for hours. He and her father had been friends since school, so they always had plenty to talk about. It was likely that he'd be there for dinner, too.

Isabella needed to prepare herself for a long evening. In the meantime, she pondered just how she would respond to Eliza when the chance came.

In truth, it wasn't difficult for Isabella to know that she'd give up any kind of life for one filled with adventure. She didn't expect Eliza or anybody to understand her or the way she felt about it.

Her poem was finished, and she rejoined the rest of them at the table as Eliza took her seat in front of the pianoforte. She had hoped that Lord Elmstone would spend most of his time reminiscing with her father, leaving her time and space to dream of Mr. Alton.

So, when he turned most of his attention on her, she wasn't sure what to think of it.

"What have you been keeping yourself busy with, Miss Owen?" he asked with a charming smile. "Any new hobbies since we last saw each other."

Isabella shook her head. "None that I can think of."

"And your social life?" he continued. "Any new friends? Any new favorite spots you like to go to?"

His questions were odd. She didn't normally get that kind of attention from him. However, she merely figured that he was trying to get to know her better or make polite conversation.

"Isabella likes to read as always," her father answered. "Although I'm pleased she spends a little more time out these days."

"I just go to tea with friends," Isabella said sheepishly.

"Is that so?" Lord Elmstone asked.

She nodded.

To her relief, her father took the conversation in another direction, and she was free to think about all that had truly happened in her life the night before.

She felt like a woman who no longer belonged at that table. Isabella belonged out in the world, seeing and experiencing as much of it as possible. She wanted to be at Mr. Alton's side.

***

A few nights passed when Eliza came to knock on her door. She entered timidly and with a look of concern on her face.

"What's happened?" Isabella asked, lowering her book.

"Mr. Langley has passed on another message for you," she explained. "Mr. Alton wants you to meet him in the alleyway at midnight tonight."

Isabella slammed her book closed and smiled widely. "That's great news, Eliza! Why do you look like it was bad news?"

"I don't know if it is such a good idea," Eliza confessed. She was wringing her hands. "After what happened last time, I think this has all gone too far."

Isabella understood Eliza's concern but didn't agree with it.

"We understand the danger we're in better now," Isabella argued. "We'll be safer this time, I'm sure of it."

"Well, I know I can't stop you," Eliza continued. "You snuck out without telling anyone last time. At least this time, someone knows that you're going."

Isabella felt a flutter of excitement flow through her. Finally, she would be close to him again.

"All this going out late at night, unchaperoned, and into such dangerous places," Eliza said. "I won't be able to sleep until I know you're home safely."

"Then I'll be sure not to be out too long," Isabella said. "But do excuse me from breakfast in the morning. I think I'll lie in a little while."

With that, Isabella rushed to get ready. Then she paced until it was finally time to meet Mr. Alton in the dark alleyway. As she snuck through the garden and toward where he was waiting, the pace of her steps quickened.

When his silhouette came into view, she did not stop to admire it like the last time. Instead, she rushed over to him and he met her with open arms. His arms wrapped around her waist as he gave her a warm kiss as a greeting.

"We must hurry," he said when they paused a moment. "I know where the next gathering of the Phoenix Society will be, and I want to know what they're saying."

"That sounds like a brilliant way to spend the night," Isabella said with a wide smile.

They traveled for much longer than usual. That night, instead of sitting across from each other in the carriage, they sat beside each other. Isabella could feel the warmth of Mr. Alton all the way.

As they rode, they spoke about anything and everything that they enjoyed and wanted. They spoke like old friends who hadn't seen each other in some time.

Eventually, though, the carriage came to a stop, and their conversation came to an end.

They were on the outskirts of London and stopped in front of an abandoned warehouse.

"This is where the next meeting is being held," Mr. Alton explained. "From the sounds of it, it's a large gathering. We should get a lot of information."

Mr. Alton held out his hand to her, and she took it. Hand in hand, they walked toward the warehouse in search of a way inside. With her hand in his, Isabella felt no fear at all as they approached the foreboding building.

The air was cold, and the building was dark and falling apart. The weather seemed to be matching the area as dark clouds rolled in.

They tried the first door they found, but it didn't budge. Eventually, as they made their way around the building, they found a small door. Mr. Alton nudged at it, and it creaked open for them.

Once inside, they had a lot of ground to cover. Isabella's footsteps echoed through the space despite her best efforts to tread lightly.

"How did you find out about this gathering?" Isabella whispered.

Mr. Alton peered around the corner of a corridor to make sure it was empty before leading them down it. "It was written on a note that fell out of the pocket of one of Finch's thugs. I've been following them for a few days."

Isabella swallowed. "They dropped it?"

Mr. Alton nodded. "It was lucky for me. Thankfully, thugs tend not to be the smartest of men."

The warehouse was large and the gathering could be in any number of rooms. Eventually, they made it into a large corridor. There were rooms on either side with closed doors.

"Let's listen at the doors," Mr. Alton suggested.

Isabella nodded and they separated as each of them went down one side of the corridor. She moved slowly and leaned into each door, bringing her ear as near as possible to listen inside.

With each new door, Isabella became more nervous. Eventually, they would find the gathering. The warehouse was large and it was a long way back to the carriage.

If they got into trouble, it wouldn't be an easy task to get to safety. Isabella wished then that they'd come up with a better plan.

She heard a shuffle.

The hair on her neck stood on end as the realization set it. It was a footstep she heard, somewhere beyond the next door in her line. Isabella lightened her step and approached.

She brought her ear in as close as she could.

The voices inside were familiar to her. Lord Mortimer and Lady Arabella were once again arguing about something. But there was something wrong. Theirs were the only two voices she could hear.

Mr. Alton's information had suggested that the gathering would be a large one. Why could she only hear the two of them?

Isabella placed her hands on the door and leaned in even further until her ear was against the wood.

"This is pointless," Lord Mortimer said. "You've wasted my time."

Lady Arabella let out a slight chuckle then. "Oh, no I haven't."

She heard the sound of two claps sound out in the room. Within a second, the door gave way, and Isabella stumbled inside. She had been wrong. There were more than two people in there.

Lord Mortimer and Lady Arabella had some henchmen with them. Large, strong hands wrapped around her arms, stopping her from hitting the floor.

"We've got you now," Lady Arabella said with a wicked smile.

Isabella struggled against their grip but it was no use. They held her so tight that she could already feel the bruises forming. She had no idea where Mr. Alton was.

She had lost track of him the moment she had pressed her ear against the door. Had he been apprehended as well?

Her heart was racing.

"You're in way over your head, Lady Owen," Lord Mortimer added. "This game is not for the likes of you."

"It's not for the likes of you, either," Isabella said.

"What should we do with her?" one of the henchmen asked.

Lady Arabella shrugged. "Tie her up here somewhere and leave her behind. Nobody comes in here. You've seen this place. She can call for help all she wants and nobody will hear her."

"I won't say anything," Isabella negotiated.

"That's a lie. We all know it," Lady Arabella said with a laugh. "You should have listened to our warning."

When Isabella turned her head to look at one of the men who had her apprehended, she noted the burn marks around his eyes.

"Remember me?" the henchman said. "Boy, am I glad we've caught you now."

"What a waste of everyone's time you've been," Lord Mortimer added.

Isabella could hardly concentrate on anything they were saying. All she worried about was Mr. Alton. She needed to know where he was and if he was safe.

It wasn't until the henchman to her left started coughing that she noticed the smoke rolling into the room. It was curling in through the door, and it was coming in quickly.

"What's going on?" Lord Mortimer asked.

"The building must be on fire," one of the men answered.

Within moments, the room was so full of smoke that they could hardly see and all of them were coughing. Isabella was gasping for air as she blinked to see what was happening.

If the building really was on fire, the fire was large. The warehouse would come crumbling down on top of them soon enough.

A pained squeal came from one of the henchmen that held her. He doubled over, and Isabella caught the sight of a fist as it slammed into him a second time.

His hand slipped from her arm, freeing her somewhat.

"Put this over your nose and mouth," Mr. Alton said as he came through the smoke.

He offered her a piece of his shirt, the rest of which was wrapped around his face. Seeing so much of his body blanketed in the smoke made her immobile for a moment.

She lifted the shirt to her face as she watched him move. It made her knees weak.

Mr. Alton raced over to the other henchman and took him by the arm. Mason ripped the man from her, freeing her completely, before bending the man's hand backward, breaking it.

She searched around her for a sign of what to do and where to go. Everyone was choking as the smoke got thicker.

"We need to get out of here," Mr. Alton said.

He wrapped his arm around her waist and led her through the building. There wasn't enough time to go through the door they had used to enter. It was an open window that granted them their freedom.

As soon as they were in the fresh air, Isabella sucked in her breath. She was dizzy, and as she steadied herself, her hand made contact with his bare chest.

She pulled it away suddenly, but he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his arms. He helped her cross the parking lot and didn't stop until they reached the carriage.

"You're safe," he said as he pulled her into a hug.

The carriage jerked into action just as Lord Mortimer, Lady Arabella, and their henchmen came running out of the building. The entire side of the warehouse was on fire, and large, bright flames reached into the night sky.

Wrapped safely in Mr. Alton's arms, Isabella was led away from danger.