Chapter 19

CHAPTER 19

B illy looked around wide-eyed as they pulled into the yard before the stables, as if he had never seen the like.

"This way, lad," Westwood said.

Patience directed Peter to go in and fetch some biscuits and milk from Cook and bring them back to the stables. She then followed Westwood. He led Billy to the room where they had held his father only a day before. Had it only been one day?

"Have a seat and tell us why you've come." Westwood leaned against the desk and pointed to a chair, and the boy sat nervously, his gaze darting back and forth between them. "I over'eard 'em talkin' about 'ow my pa might get transported. I wanted to offer meself up to go with 'im."

"Does the gang know you've left, Billy?"

He looked down at his hands. "I suspect they know by now."

"I can arrange for you to be with your father, but you must help me first."

Peter entered, carrying a tray with a jug of milk, sandwiches, and fresh jam tarts. He set it down on the table and gave Patience a wary look. "Thank you, Peter."

She put some sandwiches and tarts on a plate and set them before Billy, then filled him a glass of milk. "Go on. I am guessing you have not eaten today."

"No, miss. I was tryin' to get to Da before they rode out, but 'e was too well guarded." He practically inhaled the sandwiches.

Westwood waited until Billy finished and drank down the milk.

"Billy, were you ever with your dad when he received messages?"

The look of guilt on his face was telling. "Only once when I wasn't 'posed to be there. I followed 'im and 'id."

"Where was this?"

"At The Golden Goose. It's where everyone gathers after work of the evenin'."

"Did you ever see the man that gives orders?"

"I didn't see 'is face. 'E was a right fancy toff. 'E wore one of them tall 'ats and carried a stick with a shiny snake on top and smoked a cigar."

"Was he tall or short? Fat or thin?"

"Mebbe neither. Middle, I'd say. Liked his drink, though. 'E patted 'is stomach."

"Could you tell how old he was?" Patience asked.

"Old, mebbe bout 'is age. But not as old as Da."

Patience was hard-pressed not to laugh aloud. Old, indeed.

"You seem to have a keen eye, Billy." Patience detected sarcasm is Westwood's voice.

Billy shrugged a shoulder. "People never think I know nuffink."

"Is there anything else you saw that might help us identify the man? It could be very important."

"Like what?"

"The colour of his hair? Did he leave in a carriage or by horse? Did you see what colour the stone was in his ring?"

"No, miss." He shook his head, disappointed as if he were failing them.

"You've done well. If you think of anything else, just tell someone that you need to speak with me. Even if it seems small, it might help."

"Did I 'elp you some?" he asked eagerly.

Xander began to bark and she could hear Peter trying to hush him outside the door.

"He must have realized I've returned." She cast an apologetic glance at Westwood.

"Is that your dog, miss?"

Patience looked to Westwood, who gave his assent. She walked over and opened the door, and Xander ran in and circled her excitedly. Once he had calmed down, she showed Billy how to hold out his hands and let Xander sniff before he petted him.

Westwood stood from the desk. "I need to find a place for you tonight, Billy. I am going to speak to Chauncy, perhaps he can stay with Peter and the others," he said to Patience. That seemed like a good plan. The boy certainly did not seem like a threat, especially as she heard him giggle when Xander licked him, and she hoped Westwood would not feel compelled to lock him up. He had come there of his own free will. How did a man with Devil's reputation wind up with a son like this?

"Do you often work for your father, Billy?" Patience could not help but ask.

He shook his head. "Everyfin' changed when me mum died last year. Pa 'as always worked near the docks, and sometimes there would be jobs 'e'd take me along on when they needed more 'ands to move cargo if it were small enough." He looked down with shame, as though it was an immortal failure not to be big and strong yet.

Patience remained quiet, hoping he would continue to chat.

"A few months ago, 'E got this big offer and said we were goin' to be rich and move from Lunnon. It was too far, so 'e brought me along with 'im."

"What kind of jobs did you do?"

"Sometimes I moved cargo, but mostly I was a lookout." He was petting Xander, who had now decided the boy was friendly enough that he could roll over on his back. Billy knelt down and continued petting the shameless pup. "This job were different."

"What did you do with the cargo once you had it?"

"Sometimes it were loaded straight onto a cart, and sometimes onto a boat."

Patience nodded, but that was not the information she needed. Where else would they load it? She had to think of a way to ask the question differently. "Did you ever see or hear what happened to the cargo after you moved it?"

"Not really. 'Cept with the last one, it 'ad to be 'eld till the coast were clear, they said."

"Is it still being held somewhere?"

"I couldn't say. We stuffed it in some fancy ship."

Patience could barely contain her excitement at finally discovering something, even if the likelihood that the ship with the stolen arms was long gone.

"Do you know anything about what you've been waiting for this time?"

"Only that it were the big job. The one wot would make us rich."

She could see he was growing tired of all the questions. She would have to try again later.

Peter returned and looked with a bit of trepidation at the boy. "Miss, his lordship has asked me to look out for Billy. Maybe have him help me with my chores."

Patience looked at Billy, who looked as though he could not believe his good fortune. He looked at her for approval.

"I think that is a fine idea. You will be safe with Peter. We will let you know if we have any further questions."

As Patience left the stables, Xander on her heels, Major Stuart rode up on Caesar. Both males were magnificent specimens, but the two of them together in motion was something otherworldly to witness. She waited for him to come to her as she wondered at her reaction to the man.

He tipped his hat to her and smiled.

"Major Stuart." She curtsied. "Returning alone?"

"Did Carew not arrive earlier with messages?" He looked concerned.

"He may have. Westwood and I called on Sir Horace, and we had a surprise visitor that I have been in the stables with until now."

"Oh?" He slid down from his mount.

"Devil's son, Billy. We found him near the gates as we were returning. It seems he ran away and wanted to beg Westwood's mercy to let him be with his father."

"What an interesting turn. Chum just told me that he was not with the gang."

"We have been questioning him over Cook's sandwiches and jam tarts. He was very eager to be helpful, but the only thing of note that we learned was our man carries a walking stick with a shiny snake on top and that he smokes cigars."

"Where is he now?"

"Shadowing Peter. Westwood thought it best to keep him with one of the younger boys."

"We need to make certain he does not discover his father is still here on the estate. For now, I think it is to our advantage in case we need him as a bargaining chip."

A groom must have realized Stuart had arrived and came out to take Caesar. "I will see him brushed down and given a bucket of oats, sir."

Stuart nodded his thanks to the groom. "Where is Westwood? I would like to confer with him and Renforth," he said as they began to walk.

"He must have gone back to the house."

Apparently, Renforth was keeping to himself in the Dower House, she discovered once they found Westwood. Surprisingly, Patience was invited to come and share her observations since she'd spent more time talking with Billy after Westwood had left to make arrangements for him.

Fielding also came from where they were keeping Devil in the gamekeeper's cottage, while Baines remained with Devil. If Renforth and Fielding were surprised to see her, they did not say as much as they stood when she entered with Westwood and Stuart.

Quickly, Stuart relayed what they had discovered in London, followed by Westwood's observations with Sir Horace being responsible for Rupert's death, then finally Patience was invited to convey how they had found Billy and what he had told them.

"That's quite a bit for the past four and twenty hours," Renforth remarked. "Not that I am complaining, mind you."

"It is," Stuart agreed, "but I think what we need to centre our efforts on is who they are working for. We need to use Billy to make Devil talk. Billy is the only thing he seems to care about."

"Agreed. We need to make sure Billy does not find out his pa is here," Westwood added.

"I think he's been on the estate. Midnight was spooked when I was out riding and I'm certain it was him I saw." Patience noticed Stuart's glare at that news. She ignored it.

"He didn't ride out to attack the caravan. There were only four riders."

"Very well. Let's give Devil one more chance so we are going in with as much ammunition as possible. Fielding, I'd like you to go to the docks and see what you can discover about the fancy ships moored there. Perhaps the goods have been hiding in plain sight the whole time."

"What I'd like to know is what shipment they were waiting for. They could not have known about the one we instigated," Stuart said.

"We could clarify with Upton, but I imagine it has been touted as one and the same. We may never know the answer to that. After you finish questioning Devil and Fielding returns, I want to reconvene to finalize our plans for tomorrow."

Ashley was not surprised that Patience was upset with him for not letting her go along to question Devil. Even though the risk was small that Devil would ever be within reach of her, he would not put her in such danger. He'd rather risk her wrath. Not that he minded her wrath one bit. She was fierce and beautiful, like a warrior queen when she was in a taking.

Part of him would be sad to see this mission complete. He had grown rather accustomed to being around the little termagant every day.

He entered the cottage with a nod to Baines, who certainly looked like he was quite done with this assignment. Ashley took one of the wooden chairs at the table and spun it around, sitting backwards on it to face Devil, who also looked worse for the wear after almost a week of very little food and sleep.

"I've got news," he began.

"Finally." Baines stood and stretched and took a turn about the room.

"It seems your son Billy has turned himself in."

Devil sat up straight at attention. "Where is he?"

"It just so happens that he threw himself on his lordship's mercy. He ran away from the gang and asked to be sent to be with you."

A string of curses that would put a sailor to the blush erupted from Devil.

"I think it's rather touching." Ashley taunted a bit.

Devil spat at his feet.

"He's been talking rather a lot, which is unexpectedly helpful considering tomorrow is the big day." Ashley inspected his fingernails. "He was very willing to open his budget so eager he is to be with you."

"He doesn't know anything."

"Apparently, he knows more than you give him credit for. He snuck out to see you meeting with our man at The Golden Goose one evening."

Angry, Devil was a sight to behold. The veins on his face and neck were bulging and the hue of his face was somewhere between red and purple.

"If you'd like to see your son again, I suggest you tell us the rest of what you know."

"I've done told you everything."

"I'm beginning to think not. Billy mentioned you offloaded the goods onto a fancy ship. You never mentioned that, and I am quite, quite certain we asked that."

"What of it?

"I want to know where and the name of the ship."

"'Ow is that important if it's long gone by now?"

"You're telling me you weren't to load the next shipment onto it as well?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "We ain't been told what to do with it yet. 'Tis need to know with this fella."

"The name and location," Baines demanded.

"It was just across the way at the Greenwich docks. It was Le Coquette or something Frenchie like that."

"But you do not know where it went after that?"

"I assumed it went wherever he wanted it to go. I ain't no sea captain."

Ashley glanced at Baines. It appeared Devil was telling the truth. It all came down to asking the right questions, which they had not. Another question they had not yet asked. "Do you know where the goods were to go?"

He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Aye, that I do know, least with the next shipment. We were to take it and the goods to America. Me and Billy, we're going to make a new life there."

Ashley paused for a few moments to contemplate that knowledge and how best to use it.

"I'll tell you what, Devil. If we can catch this man, I'll try to make that happen. It matters not to me whether you go to Botany Bay or the untamed colonies."

"Why would you do that?"

"It just so happens your Billy has charmed one of my partners."

Wouldn't Patience Whitford cackle with glee if she'd heard him call her that? He dared not look over at Baines, lest he be fully transparent.

"Is there anything—anything at all you can think of that would help us catch this man?" Baines asked.

Devil hesitated. "Iffen you'll let me go long enough, I can try to send a message to 'im."

"I beg your pardon?" Baines growled. "I've been asking you day and night if you knew how to contact him."

"You never offered America to me," Devil shot back.

Ashley would have laughed if they weren't so close to moving in for the kill.

"How can we trust you won't tip him off?"

"I don't s'ppose you can, but all I do is let someone at The Golden Goose know and he magically appears later that night."

"He must know you've been taken prisoner. He may smell it for the trap that it is."

"'E might, but I reckon it's the best chance ye've got."

"Very well. I will run the plan by my commander. We will need a plausible story of how you managed to escape. But we will hold Billy here until you've kept up your end of the bargain."

Devil gave a reluctant nod of agreement. It was his only chance for freedom and he knew it. At least there was a glimpse of soul left in the man.

After leaving the stables, feeling as if they were finally getting somewhere, Ashley sought out Patience. He found her in the garden, tossing a stick with Xander.

Pausing just beyond Patience's vision, he stole a few minutes of watching her unbidden in order to try to sort his thoughts.

His heart clenched as he watched her and could not help but wonder at the possibilities. Certainly, she was unlike any female he had ever known, and none of which had tempted him to consider the thoughts he was having now. Life would never be dull with Patience Whitford, and he could not imagine a future without her. For one, her spirit of adventure seemed to match his. Would she be content with the life he could offer? It would be comfortable, but not grand.

He could envision discussing his work with her in the evenings, seeking her opinion even. Would she be content with that level of involvement? He was not sure, but as he watched her laugh as she tried to wrestle the stick from the dog, he wanted to see that smile every day. When had she changed his mind? He shook his head. He had no notion if she was aware of his feelings. Though that kiss…

Xander finally dropped the stick and sensed his presence. He bounded towards Ashley, ending his moments of guilty pleasure.

He raised his hand in greeting and her wide smile encouraged him.

"May I join you?" he asked.

"Of course."

He offered his arm and they began to walk like they were in Hyde Park, London on promenade.

"Were you able to obtain any further information from Devil?" she asked, bringing his thoughts back to the task at hand, breaking the spell of his mind's dangerous wanderings.

"Indeed. He was much more forthcoming, knowing we have Billy. He admitted they had unloaded the goods onto a private yacht named Le Coquette , but seemed to believe the goods had already sailed away. He and the gang have been waiting for the next job, which would be to transfer the goods to a ship that would take them to America. He planned to start a new life with Billy there."

He heard her swift intake of breath and knew what she was thinking before she said it.

"I've already thought the same thing, Patience. If he agrees to help us, then I will petition on his behalf. I can see little difference between sending him there versus Botany Bay."

Patience stopped and turned to look up at him, and the look in her eyes encouraged him. "You are a good man, Ashley Stuart."

"You doubted it?" He was not feeling precisely good in that moment with where his thoughts were leading. They had wandered far from the house, and he saw no reason at all why he should not take advantage of the most excellent circumstances. He brushed a finger down her cheek, giving her plenty of time to object. Instead, she wound her arms around his neck and pulled his face to hers.

And the rest of his thoughts were lost in the moment. The taste and feel of her were intoxicating in a new way. This did not feel like a temporary drug to relieve a craving, but something necessary for his existence. How did she always seem to take control of the situation?

Her lips were soft, but the kiss was not. She was as eager as he, and he pulled her closer, wanting all of her, needing her. This would not be enough. They would need to have a discussion, but now was not the time. He forced himself to pull away whilst he could maintain any semblance of control. This time, he could see her face, and the look in her eyes and the blush on her cheeks told him that she was just as affected as he. "We need to return to the house," he said softly.

She opened her mouth to speak, but he hushed her with a gentle finger over her lips. "Later."