worse.” He glanced down meaningfully at his prosthetic leg.
Alex sent him a respectful nod. They were both men who understood the subtle gradations of pain. “I need the sapphire he took from the Italian.”
Luc nodded toward the boat’s cabin. “He showed it to me. It’s in there. In the tea caddy.”
Alex inclined his head in thanks and stepped aboard. Emmy’s voice floated after him as he stooped into the untidy living quarters.
“Oh, Luc! I’m so glad to see you. You’re not hurt anywhere else?”
“I’m fine. In fact, I probably should be thanking Danton for kidnapping me.”
“Thanking him?” Emmys voice was incredulous. “What do you mean?”
“I haven’t been on a boat since Trafalgar. I thought I’d never want to set foot on one again, to tell you the truth. But this whole adventure has reminded me just how much I love being on the water.”
“What?”
Emmys voice was strangled, and Alex suppressed a smile. He could just imagine her horrified expression.
Luc’s voice came again. “After what happened, I thought being on a boat would give me nightmares. But it’s quite the opposite. My disability doesn’t matter when I’m on deck. I can sway around as much as I want.”
Alex listened for what would undoubtedly be Emmy’s scathing response, but her answer was too quiet for him to hear. Or maybe her brother had finally rendered her speechless.
He’d like to know how to do that, himself. The only way he’d ever managed it was by kissing her. Come to think of it, he preferred his way. He couldn’t wait to silence her again.
Luc let out a satisfied sigh. “Ahh, yes. The wind in my hair, the seagulls calling, the spray on my face. I’m going to get a boat, Em. I’ll moor her at Southampton and take you and Sally on pleasure jaunts up the coast. Or over to France, if you like. I bet Camille would like to visit the old homeland.”
Alex spied a metallic silver tea caddy on a shelf. He pulled off the lid, upended it, and a blue stone the size of a walnut slid out onto his palm. The Ruspoli sapphire—evidence to link Danton to murder. Satisfied, he pocketed it and started for the door.
“Hoi, Harland,” Luc called out from the dock. “What do you suppose is going to happen to this ship, now Danton’s in custody? Will Bow Street confiscate it? I’ll give you a fair price for her, if so.”
Alex exited the cabin and clambered back onto the jetty. Luc was alone. “Where’s your sister?”
“Oh, she went back to the carriage with the dog.”
Alex started toward the trees. Luc limped alongside him. Out of politeness, Alex slowed down and shortened his stride so the other man could keep up, even though he was desperate to see Emmy again. He had to speak to her. Had she left because she couldn’t stand the sight of him after the way he’d beaten Danton? The blackmailing sod had deserved every punch, but he shouldn’t have lost control like that in front of her. Thief she might be, but she was still a lady.
The dark bulk of the carriage finally came into view, with Seb and Dan the coachman standing at the horse’s heads, deep in conversation.
Alex tilted his chin at the vehicle. “Danton’s in there?”
Seb nodded. “Making the acquaintance of a pair of Bow Street’s finest shackles.”
“Where’s Emmy?”
Seb frowned. “I thought she was with you?”
Alex glared at Luc. “Where is she?”
Luc shrugged. “How should I know? Maybe she needed a moment of privacy? She’s had a few trying days, by the sound of it.”
A rustle in the undergrowth had all four of them turning toward the sound, but it was only Brutus. He came bounding between the trees, his leash dragging on the ground behind him. Alex narrowed his eyes as a sudden wave of suspicion crashed over him. “Where are the jewels?”
Seb opened the door of the carriage. “In here. With Danton.” He slid the black metal tin across the floor—and cursed. “What the devil—? It’s too light.”
He lifted the lid. All four men leaned forward to look, but Alex already knew what he would see.
A single black feather.
He stared down at it in disbelief. How in the name of all that was holy had she—? Fury such as he’d never known pulsed in his blood. He snapped a murderous gaze to Luc, who tried and failed to look innocent. “Where’s your bloody sister, Danvers?”
Seb started laughing like a madman. “My God, I love this girl! She’s marvelous.