Chapter Twenty

Graceview Manor

Folkestone, Kent

Evening

S in saddled his horse, preferring to do it himself. His head pounded with frustration and worry. He needed to keep his hands busy and keep his mind focused as they readied to leave. Hearing voices, he glanced over his shoulder and saw Romney and Bethany walking closely together, hands clasped, approaching the barn. He knew Bethany well enough to know she would want to go. She was capable and courageous, and had she not been pregnant, keeping her here would have been next to impossible. But as much as he knew this, he also knew that Romney would never allow her to go in her condition.

Sin contemplated everything that had gone wrong since the moment he encountered Lizzie at the Armstrong ball. He should have realized what Blackwood was capable of. He should have known that a man like that would never let go of an obsession. And he was clearly obsessed with Lizzie. Why had she not fully confided her fears to Sin? Was it because she didn't want to worry him? Was it because she was so used to fending for herself and thought she could somehow cope on her own?

Sin could kick himself for being so blind to what had been right in front of his nose all along.

In addition, he could have been honest with her about his mission. It could have given her hope and reinforced her faith that he truly did care about her concerns about her brother. Of course she would have wanted to know the truth about his mission. It would have cost him nothing and meant everything to her.

He shook his head as he cinched the leather straps of the saddle. What a fool he'd been. All for the sake of duty. The importance of following protocol. Nothing was more important than Lizzie. Besides, deep down, didn't he relish the thought of being a hero in her eyes? By saving Michael and returning him safely, Sin would bask in the light of her gratitude and love.

He scoffed at his own selfish pride. He had failed Lizzie. Had failed to protect her. And now she could be lost to him forever, kidnapped by a lunatic. And each minute that ticked by was another minute that bastard could do something to hurt Lizzie, Simon, or Josie.

"There you are," Romney said as he and Bethany reached his side. "Jeeves said you had gone ahead. Armstrong and Wright will be here in a few minutes. Armstrong sent word for his outriders to join us. And Wright sent word to his men aboard his ship."

"We were worried you'd gone ahead alone," Bethany said.

Sin arched a brow. "I thought about it." He knew better than to leave without reinforcements. He planned to save Lizzie and Simon, not put them in more danger.

"We just came from seeing Michael," Bethany continued. "Despite his stubbornness, we managed to convince him that Lizzie would not want him risking another fever should he become hurt."

"Luckily, Lady Beadle was most insistent on sitting with Michael and telling him all about her adventures with Lizzie," Romney added.

"My aunt is one of a kind," Sin said with a faint smile. "I thank you both for speaking with Michael. For everything you've both done for him, for us."

"You crossed an ocean to save me," Romney said, clapping Sin on the back. "It's the least we could do."

"We're ready," Armstrong called out as he and Wright strode toward them. "Between my outriders and Wright's men, we'll easily overtake Blackwood and his thugs."

"Aye, we'll be done and back in time for dinner." Wright grinned.

"We have no idea what we're going to find at Blackwood's," Sin said. "The place is set a fair distance from the road. I regret we didn't get a better look at the house and property when we were there. It's of a significant size and shrouded by trees."

"But we'll have plenty of men to spread out," Armstrong said. "We'll get them out safely, Sin."

Sin prayed his friend was right.

*

Lizzie awoke from a light doze to the sound of thumping from above. The heavy footfalls of what sounded like many men moving were enough to cause dirt to sprinkle down onto her head in the small underground room. She glanced around and saw the boys and Josie huddled together, still asleep. She continued to listen to the thudding, her instincts suddenly on high alert. Something was wrong. The sounds and shouts seemed more than just a group of rowdy men eating and drinking and contemplating a night on the town. There was something else that had woken her up.

A faint, acrid smell reached her nostrils, and she glanced around the small space and noted the two tallow candles they'd placed on a low bench. The flames had all but petered out. But the smell was too strong to be coming from the candles.

Lizzie's eyes suddenly widened in panic. Fire! The house was on fire.

Grabbing Simon's shoulders, she shook him and then Bobby. "Get up, boys. The house is on fire. We must escape this tunnel, or we'll suffocate from the smoke."

Simon stood and roused Josie. He sniffed the air. "That fire is a big one. It's spreading fast."

Bobby sniffed the air. "Smells like something caught fire in the kitchen. It's close. We should go to the shed. I'll show you the way," Bobby said in his gap-toothed lisp. "It's the same way I brought Simon down here."

"Good boy. We must make haste," Lizzie said. The smell of smoke was becoming stronger, and she could see it swirling above their heads. She held Josie to her chest as she watched the boys grip a large, heavy piece of wood, revealing a narrow tunnel with a low ceiling.

Bobby led the way, followed by Simon and Lizzie, who kept Josie cuddled in her arms as they made their way through the dark tunnel.

"We're almost there," Bobby said over his shoulder. "We'll have to crouch down and crawl the rest of the way, Miss Lizzie, or you'll hit your head."

"Thank you, Bobby," Lizzie said. "How far away is the stable? We'll need a horse to help us get away faster."

"The stable is next to the shed," he said.

The small group made their way carefully through the tunnel. Lizzie could feel the air growing hotter, realizing they must be passing underneath the blaze. Although she knew dirt wouldn't catch on fire, the place would heat up and the smoke would smother them if they didn't get out in time. Peter had explained so much to her before he set out to join his battalion when they lived in Boston. He'd spent hours teaching her so many practical things she would need to know to manage on her own.

Despite the growing heat from the fire over their heads, she felt a surge of determination course through her. She hadn't thought about her late husband in a while, but in that moment, she could have sworn she felt his presence.

"You can do this, Lizzie…"

How many times had he said those very words of encouragement when teaching her how to properly chop wood or wield a hammer?

"You never know when this will come in handy," he'd remind her.

Peter had even taught her how to load and shoot a pistol. She'd kept one beneath her bed—until she had to sell it to buy food.

Despite her determination, her fears became more urgent as Simon and Bobby began to cough. She said a small prayer of thanks as they had to crawl on their knees. It meant they were nearing the end of the tunnel.

"We're here," Bobby whispered, reaching up and unhooking a trapdoor.

"Thank goodness we've made it," Lizzie breathed, handing Josie to Simon.

She placed her ear to the door of the shed and could hear distant screams and shouts. Slowly opening the door to the shed a crack, she peeked out. It was dark, well after sundown, and the air was full of smoke. "You boys stay here with Josie while I slip into the barn and check for a horse. Keep a sharp lookout."

"We can go with you," Simon said. "Maybe we can take two horses or a carriage."

"I'm sure the three of us and Josie will be fine on one horse," Lizzie reassured him.

"You know how to ride a horse?" Bobby lisped. "I like horses. They are always nice to me."

"Horses are very nice creatures," Lizzie agreed. "And yes, I learned to ride at my grandfather's house. If I hurry, I can saddle a horse and we'll be off in no time."

She wrapped her arms around the boys and hugged them both. "Thank you for coming to the rescue. You're both very brave boys. But I want you to stay hidden from those bad men until I give you a signal."

"How will we know what the signal is?" Bobby asked.

"I'll whistle." She smiled as the boys exchanged a look, their faces showing surprise and a little awe. She'd clearly impressed them.

Peter had taught her a lot, but so had Michael. She was eight years old when her brother showed her how to whistle using her thumb and index finger under her tongue on a fishing trip at the local pond on their grandfather's estate. What a wonderful day it had been.

She blinked back sudden tears. She prayed she would succeed in getting the boys safely to the Romney estate. How she longed to reunite with Michael. And Edward—God how she missed him. There was so much she wanted to tell him. So much she wanted to share…

Lord Armstrong and Lady Beadle had no doubt reached Graceview and informed Edward about the kidnapping. Knowing Edward, he would have immediately organized a search party. But would they know where to look and who was behind it all? She couldn't afford to wait. She had more than herself to think about. She had to keep the boys safe.

"You boys stay hidden. I'd rather you stay here where it's safe, but if something happens, I'll yell, and I want you both to run away as fast as you can."

"Don't worry, Miss Lizzie," Simon said. "I'll watch over Bobby and Josie."

"And I'll watch over Simon," Bobby added.

Lizzie's heart tugged as the little gap-toothed boy hugged his big brother close.

Simon slipped his arm around Bobby's narrow shoulders as he kept a tight grip on Josie's leash. Thankfully, the dog understood the need to be quiet. Simon had done a good job training her.

Lizzie crept out of the shed and made her way to the barn. She stopped just inside, waiting for her eyes to adjust to the darkness within. Scanning the interior, she spied a large horse already saddled. Relieved, she approached the horse and murmured soothing words to the animal as she reached for the reins. "Good boy," she whispered as she patted his flank.

She was about to turn and lead the horse out of the barn when she felt arms snake around her.

The point of a cold steel blade pricked the skin beneath her throat. "Do not scream, or I'll slice your pretty little neck," a raspy voice breathed into her ear. "I thought my chance to have you had slipped away," he said. "You're a clever girl, Lizzie. It's something I had not anticipated. But no matter. I've waited a long time to taste your charms. I can't wait to do what I have planned… You'll never guess all the tricks I've learned over the years," he said, pressing himself against her back. "Unfortunately, it will have to wait until we're far away from this dank hellhole."

Swallowing her revulsion, Lizzie did her best to maintain a calm fa?ade. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the boys poking their heads out the door of the shed. She hoped it was too dark for them to see, or they would no doubt rush to her rescue. Think, Lizzie! Think!

"Let her go or die," a deep voice called out in the darkness.

Edward! She almost sobbed her relief.

"I'm afraid you hold no power here," Blackwood said, laughing. "She's mine." He swung Lizzie around and pressed the point of the knife deeper, causing a warm stream of blood to run down her neck. Her knees trembled so badly she thought they would buckle beneath her. She kept her breathing shallow—she feared a deep breath would push the blade even further.

Lizzie met Edward's across the stable yard. His eyes burned with a fury she'd never seen before.

"I'm giving you one more chance to let her go, or you will die where you stand," he said, his voice lethal.

Frantically, Lizzie tried to think about how to escape before a flash of memory stirred her. She recalled Peter's lessons on how to fight and defend herself. He'd warned of renegades on both sides who would think nothing of assaulting a woman. She could hear his voice in her head. "Try to remember these things, Lizzie. I don't want to leave you, but more than that, I don't want to leave you vulnerable."

Closing her eyes, she pictured Peter showing her what to do.

"With the heel of your boot, stomp as hard as you can on top of his foot. You'll break most of the bones and be able to get away…"

Biting her lower lip in determination, she calmly counted to three and lifted her right leg, then drove her heel into the top of Blackwood's foot.

His shrill scream pierced the night, and he dropped his knife. When he released her, she ran toward the boys and embraced them. She turned just in time to see Edward leaping through the air, a battle cry roaring from his throat, and toppling Blackwood to the ground.

Punch after punch, Edward pounded and pummeled Blackwood's face and chest. Lizzie hesitated, not knowing what to do. Blackwood was an evil man, but she didn't want his death on Edward's conscience.

Just then, shouts reached her ears and Wright and Romney reached Edward's side, each hooking an arm around him to pull him away from Blackwood.

"Stop, Sin," Romney bellowed. "He's still a peer. You don't want his blood on your hands. And he'll feel the hangman's noose soon enough."

"I don't care," Edward growled as he struggled against his friends.

"Think, man!" Wright shouted. "We need to bring him in alive to question. We need to find out about the extent of his operation. And dead men can't speak."

"All right!" Edward barked. He shook off his friends, scanning the yard. "Lizzie!"

"We're here, Edward."

He spun about, and his eyes met hers, his chest heaving. He strode toward her, his eyes never leaving her face. Her vision blurred with tears as he reached her side.

"Lizzie," he breathed, and wrapped his arms around her.

A sob escaped her as she hugged him tight. "I love you, Edward, and I'm so happy to see you," Lizzie said, gazing up into his face.

*

"I love you, Lizzie. And I'm so happy to see you too," Sin said.

She was alive and safe and in his arms. He would never let her go.

When he saw the knife pressed against her throat, he'd fallen into a black haze of fury and heard a roaring in his ears as he launched himself at Blackwood and began to pummel him. All he wanted was to punish the bastard who'd caused so much pain, death, and destruction.

But it was over. It was finally over. He could breathe again as he held the woman he loved more than life itself.

"Are you all right?" He pulled out a handkerchief and gently dabbed at the blood still streaming from the wound on her neck. "My God, when I saw his knife against your throat, I almost lost my mind."

"Hush, it's all right—just a scratch, see?" she said, taking the handkerchief from his hands. But you, on the other hand, have quite a few scratches and bruises." She laid her hand against his cheek.

"You are the bravest, most courageous woman I have ever known," he rasped, his voice breaking.

"And you are the most wonderful man. I love you, Edward Sinclair."

A bark from Josie made them both chuckle.

"And I see young Simon has perfected the art of sneaking onto carriages," Sin said.

"I'm sorry, milord. But I had to be sneaky to help Miss Lizzie," Simon said.

"These boys are heroes," Lizzie said. "They rescued me from a room where Blackwood was holding me prisoner."

"How did you all manage it?" Sin asked. "We searched the house from top to bottom and couldn't find you. We had a devil of a time when one of the thugs caused a fire in the kitchen."

"They took me through a narrow tunnel and hid me until we could escape through a trapdoor in the shed."

Sin crouched down and smiled at the boys. "I'm sure Kingsley gained a few more gray hairs when you took off, son. But I am grateful to you for your courage in protecting Lizzie." He squeezed Simon's shoulder.

"Thank you, milord, but it was my brother Bobby here who did most of the work. He led us through the tunnel."

Sin turned to Bobby and held out his hand. "I thank you for your courage. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." The little boy looked like a smaller version of Simon.

"I missed my brother," Bobby said, looking up at Sin with wide eyes. "Can I come home with Simon and Josie?"

"You certainly can! I would be delighted to have such brave boys living in my home." Josie barked as though indignant at not being part of the conversation. "And Josie, of course—we would never forget such an important member of the family." Sin chuckled, scratching Josie behind the ears.

Hearing Armstrong call out to him, Sin stood and turned. Armstrong and his men approached on horseback, each carrying one or two young boys. The youngest looked to be barely three years old. The children were all thin, wearing dirty, shredded clothing that barely kept their emaciated bodies covered, and some were crying, no doubt from fear and hunger. "The children were being loaded onto a wagon bound for the tunnels—the same place we found Robinson."

"We'll take them back to Graceview," Romney said.

Sin noted two of Romney's men were standing guard over an unconscious Blackwood, his arms and legs tied with rope.

"From what I've been told, there are many more that could use our help," Armstrong added.

"Did you round up all of Blackwood's men?" Sin asked.

"Yes, my lord," one of the outriders responded. "The magistrate and his men have arrived and are loading them onto the wagons."

"Well, you can take Lord Blackwood along to the magistrate as well. Make sure he has at least two men always guarding him."

"Yes, milord." Armstrong's men nodded and then hefted Blackwood onto the back of one of the horses and led him away.

"Those poor children," Lizzie whispered beside him, reaching for his hand.

Sin turned to look at the woman he'd loved from the first moment he'd stumbled into her small cottage back in Boston. "We'll make sure they will all be cared for. I'm certain Celia will know of families who would open their hearts and homes to the children."

Lizzie nodded, wiping tears from her eyes.

"I'd best get you all back to Graceview," Sin said. "I'm certain Michael is impatient to see his beloved sister again."

"Bethany had a few things to say about his trying to come with us," Romney said. "And just before we left the manor, a messenger arrived with something from Wellington for him. I'm anxious to find out what it was."

"And dear Millie?"

"I'm sure she's impatient too," Armstrong said. "Last I heard, she'd misplaced her ear trumpet."

They helped the orphans into the back of a wagon and covered them with blankets to keep them warm. Sin and Armstrong assisted Lizzie, Simon, Bobby, and Josie into the wagon.

Romney was sitting in the driver's seat, holding the reins. Wright and the other men had mounted their horses, ready to depart. Armstrong sat astride his horse, holding the youngest boy protectively in his arms.

Sin hopped into the back of the wagon and settled himself next to Lizzie. "It's going to be a long journey for these children," he whispered, taking her hand in his.

"We'll help them every step of the way," she whispered back, laying her head on his shoulder.

"Lizzie, I have a lot to make up for. But I plan to rectify that very soon." Sin kissed her on the cheek, gently wiping the fresh tears that tracked down her lovely face.

"As long as we're together, that is all that I could ask for," she said.

Sin still couldn't believe how lucky he was to be loved by a woman as remarkable as Mrs. Lizzie Pritchett. But he would spend the rest of his life showing her just how much he loved her back.