Chapter 11

CHAPTER 11

Wren

W ren looked out the carriage window as the edge of London grew up around them. He didn't like returning to the city with Aiden and Emilia before he was certain that he could keep them both safe, but there was little choice in the matter.

"Your leg is bouncing," Emilia said, reaching across the gap between the benches and laying a gentle hand on said knee.

He shook his head. "My apologies, I didn't even realize I was doing it."

"No apologies necessary," Aiden said, watching him just as closely as Emilia was. "You're obviously nervous, though. And you've been very secretive about just who we're going to meet."

Wren bent his head. "Yes, I realize I've been so the last few days. I'm sure it must not add to either of your sense of safety. I almost don't know what to say about the people we're putting our faith into."

"How long until we reach out destination?" Aiden asked.

Wren looked out the window again. "Perhaps half an hour, a little more if the carriage traffic is heavy."

"Then why don't you tell us a bit now?" Emilia said gently. "I admit I'd feel more secure if I knew something of where we're going here in London, so close to Wilburn and his obsessive hatred."

Wren nodded. "Of course. Let me see, where to begin. You two know that I have developed a bit of a reputation when it comes to investigating discreetly for the titled and rich."

Emilia nodded. "Yes."

"Sometimes I'm looking into a wayward spouse's affair, sometimes the activities of an estate manager who is skimming funds from a gentleman. But sometimes I look into deeper crimes. Especially when the victim in question doesn't want the public scrutiny of the guard's involvement. And that is how I met the people we're going to see today."

"So, they were victims of a crime," Aiden said softly.

"No." Wren drew a long breath. "They were the…perpetrators. Well, two of them were."

Emilia's eyes went wide. "What? You are taking us to meet criminals?"

"You sound almost excited," Wren said with a slight laugh at her bright-eyed shock.

"I admit, I don't think I've ever met a criminal."

"You lived with one," Aiden muttered, resulting in Emilia taking his hand and squeezing. "Wren, do continue."

Wren nodded. "They stole something from a very important person." He flinched. "Well, he thinks he's important, but he's actually just very pompous. At any rate, I was hired to return the item and bring the perpetrators to justice. Only when I found them, they were with a man who was driven to protect them. I realized there was…much more going on there. And I didn't fulfill my duty. Oh, I returned the item, but I had no intention of bringing the thieves to justice."

"Why?" Aiden asked.

Wren closed his eyes, flashing back to all those months ago, when he'd stood on the parlor of Richard Fitzroy and realized that the man was in love with the two thieves. That they had formed a life together. And that Wren couldn't break apart something he, himself, understood and longed for.

"They're like us," he said softly.

"You mean they're…" Emilia swallowed. "These three people are in love?"

Wren nodded. "And I couldn't trade that for a rich man's ego. We already suffered that fate ourselves. So I let them go."

"And you think that with their past as criminals they could help Emilia escape England without the viscount discovering her?" Aiden asked.

"Yes." Wren shuddered. "At least I hope they will."

The carriage pulled into the drive of a fine home and a footman from the estate hurried to open the door for them. Wren glanced at Aiden and Emilia, still close together, her hand trembling in his. He wasn't sure what was going to happen when they announced themselves to the inhabitants of this home. He could only hope it would be something good.

He exited the carriage first and didn't wait for them to follow as he strode up to where a butler was waiting. "Good afternoon, sir."

"Good afternoon," Wren replied as he withdrew a card from his jacket pocket. "Will you please advise Mr. Fitzroy that Mr. Wren is here to see him? And tell him it isn't on official business."

The butler's eyebrows raised slightly, but he motioned Wren and his companions into the house and to a parlor just off the foyer to wait while he ascertained if Fitzroy would see them. Emilia sat and Aiden took a place beside her, but Wren could only pace the room.

He moved to the fire and found on the mantel a miniature of a woman with loosely bound blonde hair looking over her shoulder with a wicked little smile. Zara Cooper. So at least Wren knew there was a still a bond between Fitzroy and the lady. He had a suspicion that meant Peregrine Huxley was also still in play.

The door behind them opened and Wren watched as Richard Fitzroy entered the chamber. He was a very attractive man, with intense eyes and a full mouth. "Mr. Wren," he said with caution heavy in his tone. Then he glanced at Aiden and Emilia as they stood to greet him. "And you've brought friends."

"Yes," Wren said, moving forward with a hand outstretched. "I-I'm sorry I didn't send word first, it was poorly done of me. But I feared after our last encounter that you might not see me."

Fitzroy was staring at him intently as he shook his hand. "At our last encounter you were nothing but a friend. I'm happy to receive you, assuming you didn't lie to my butler and you aren't here on official business when it comes to…to the people I care about."

"No," Wren hastened to say. "I come entirely of my own volition. In fact, I come seeking your aid and the aid of those very friends if they'll allow it." He cleared his throat. "But first let me introduce my friends. This is Mr. Edwards and Viscountess Wilburn. They are my dearest friends. My most…my most beloved friends."

Fitzroy's nostrils flared slightly as he looked Aiden and Emilia up and down. Then he smiled slightly. "Good afternoon to you both. I am pleased to meet you, especially since Hux will owe me a pound."

"I beg your pardon?" Wren asked.

"When you came into our lives last year, I told Zara and Hux that I thought you understood our arrangement far more intimately than the average person might have. And Hux especially denied that it could be true. He was willing to place a wager on that fact, and I assumed it would remain outstanding for the rest of our days, but now that you are here with your beloved friends, it seems I will collect."

Wren glanced at Aiden and Emilia, hoping his expression let them know he was there for them. "You shall, for you are correct that I did understand you then. And even better now."

"Then what is it you need from me? From Hux and Zara?"

Wren clenched and unclenched his hands at his sides. "When I came to you, I offered assistance because I did understand the desire to protect someone you loved, especially against another who had more power and might use it to destroy them. Now I find myself in the same position, trying to protect Lady Wilburn?—"

"Oh, please don't call me that," Emilia said softly, which drew Fitzroy's attention back to her swiftly.

"Emilia," Wren corrected. "Aiden and I need to protect Emilia and we may not be able to do it in a lawful way."

"And you think two criminal masterminds may have some advice on that matter?" Fitzroy said with a tilt of his head.

"Please," Wren said at just above a whisper because he couldn't force himself to be any louder when his entire being felt like it was going to shake down to nothing.

Fitzroy looked over the three of them for a brief moment and then nodded. "I'll fetch the others. They can make their own decisions about assisting you. Please, make yourselves drinks while you wait." He motioned to the sideboard and then departed the room.

Wren sagged with relief. The first step had been made and now his hope was growing. Aiden got up and moved to fix the drinks that had been offered while Emilia stepped up to Wren and slipped her hand into the crook of his arm as she rested her head against his chest.

"Is it wise to reveal so much?" she asked. "Even if it sounds like these three people are like us?"

He shrugged. "I must offer vulnerability to be trustworthy to these three, I think. I'm sorry if it is a humiliation."

She lifted her head and touched his cheek. "I'm proud of who I love, Wren. There's no humiliation."

He smiled at her and then bent his head to gently kiss her just as the door to the chamber opened again and Fitzroy returned, this time with Zara Cooper and Peregrine Huxley behind him. He heard Emilia catch her breath and couldn't blame her. The three of them were stunning together. Zara was a true beauty and Huxley was very tall, Wren had forgotten how tall, with curly salt-and-pepper hair and an olive complexion. Certainty all but poured from him. He was not a man to be trifled with.

"You remember Mr. Wren, loves," Richard said. "Even though when you last met him you were both in disguise."

"I remember he did us a kindness," Zara said as she nodded toward him. "One it seems he might wish to have repaid if Richard's brief description is correct. But first, let us meet your… beloved friends ."

Wren briefly introduced Emilia and Aiden and was surprised by how much warmth they were met with. The last time he'd encountered these three, there had been fear to all of them. Hopelessness. Now they seemed at peace together. Joyful. Safe.

He knew how the tables had turned. He and Aiden and Emilia were the fearful ones now. But this gave him even more hope for the future because if they could make it with all the obstacles that had been in their way, he knew he and his lovers could survive and thrive, as well.

"Please sit," Zara said, and motioned to the settee where Aiden and Emilia had first sat together. They returned to that place, but Wren only moved to stand behind them, placing a hand on each of their shoulders.

Huxley arched a brow at the action and then reached into his pocket to toss Richard a few coins. "You can collect the rest of the wager later," he said, quirking his lips. "For now, why don't you three tell us why you're here? And why her ladyship looks so fearful."

Wren squeezed Emilia's shoulder gently and drew a breath to begin, but she reached up to cover his hand and looked up at him. "It's my story. I should tell it. I should ask for the help myself."

Aiden made a soft sound in his throat and settled his hand on her knee. Together they buoyed her up as she softly told the story of their parting, of her marriage, of the attempt on her life by her husband and at last how she had fled with Aiden and ultimately came to be with both of them. When she was finished, her shoulders were trembling. Wren had never been so proud of her, to open herself up in such a way. He knew it was difficult, and also an act of trust toward him . It meant the world.

"As you can see, I need to flee for my life," she said at last.

Zara's expression had softened with every word and now she scooted forward on her chair and held Emilia's expression firmly. "You are brave, my lady."

Emilia shifted and her cheeks darkened to a fetching pink. "Thank you. I don't feel very brave at present."

"That is when moving forward is most brave," Richard said with as kind a smile for her as Zara had shared. Only Huxley was silent, simply observing with no discernible emotion about the situation. Richard continued, "We don't know each other well. Even Mr. Wren only knows our family in the barest sense, but you came here. You were vulnerable enough to share this story with us. Will you tell me what you need?"

Emilia glanced up at Wren and then toward Aiden. "I admit, I don't know why Wren brought us here, what he thinks you three might be able…or even willing to do to help me."

"We need to help her exit the country," Aiden said. "Without her husband being able to track where she goes."

"And I know very well that Mr. Huxley and Miss Cooper have some experience in disguise and change of identity," Wren added.

"Ah," Huxley said, pushing from the fireplace where he stood at last. "I see. And where will you take her?"

"My thought was Athawick," Aiden said, and glanced toward Emilia.

Her eyes went wide. "Athawick?" She looked at Wren. "You don't seem surprised by this. You two have already clearly come up with some plan."

"It's far enough away that you would be safe," Aiden said, but Wren could tell his gentle words didn't appease her.

"And it's an open-minded sort of place, I've heard," Zara said. "Where three lovers might live almost entirely openly."

"That's part of the attraction," Wren admitted, and knew Emilia wouldn't like what came next. Or at least she would resist it. "We need three new identities."

"No!" Emilia said as she jumped to her feet. "We've talked about this! I won't destroy you."

"Emilia," Aiden said softly, reaching for her.

She dodged him. "Do you not think I want to be with you two? Do you not know that it breaks me into pieces to think of losing you? But it also crushes me to think you'd turn yourselves inside out to be with me. That you'd let go of your own futures in trade for mine. I won't allow it!" She turned toward Huxley. "You're quiet, but you're clearly the one who understands this situation best."

"And how did you determine that, my lady?" Huxley asked in affected boredom, though his gaze flitted up and down her frame with an increased interest.

"It's obvious if one has eyes in their head," she snapped. "If you'll help me, I would be forever in your debt. But perhaps you can do me another favor and make these two see…see…" She burst into tears suddenly and then raced from the room.

Wren jumped to his feet, moving to follow, but Huxley caught his arm and held him in place. "Let me," he said softly.

Wren tugged his arm away and jerked his face up to the other man's. He still couldn't read him. That was Huxley's gift, it seemed. "You don't know her."

"Oh yes. I do. I know this, at least," he said. "Zara, why don't you and Richard help Mr. Wren and Mr. Edwards? I'll be along shortly."

"Of course," Zara said, and got up. She tucked her arm into Richard's and motioned Aiden and Wren toward the door. "Why don't we go to Richard's study and continue our work there?"

Aiden's lips were a thin line of worry, but he followed the pair from the room regardless. Wren moved to do the same, but at the door he paused and looked back at Huxley. "You'll be gentle with her?"

Huxley's brow wrinkled. "Would you leave me alone with her if you thought I would be harsh?"

"No," Wren said softly. "I suppose I wouldn't. Th-thank you, Huxley, for being willing to help."

He inclined his head and Wren departed to catch up with the others. He could only hope now that whatever this man said to Emilia, it could persuade her to try for a future that he and Aiden couldn't seem to convince her of.