back. That’s why they weren’t there.”
“They’re there now,” Blake growled.
Niall made a sound of agreement. “We’ll go back. Now.”
“But we have to be careful.” Blake folded the letter, but didn’t bother shoving it back in its envelope as he marched to his suitcase to fish out the bank draught and instructions. “He’s likely already put something in place to double cross us.”
“I believe you’re right,” Niall said grimly. “So we’d best tread carefully.”
They bundled up in their already wet coats and headed out into the rain again. Night was falling, which, combined with the rain, lent an aura of gloom and desperation to the evening. Shell Cottage didn’t look any less abandoned when they reached it, but at least there was a thin trail of smoke coming from one of the chimneys when there hadn’t been earlier. In addition to that, a plain, black carriage was parked in front of the garden gate.
“That’s them,” Niall said, equal parts relief and anger as he picked up his pace and approached the carriage.
Before they could come within twenty feet of it, the carriage door opened and Ian stepped out. “The medallion and the money, if you please,” he said without introduction.
Blake took the envelope with the bank draught and the box with the fake medallion from his coat pocket and held them up, but said, “Give me my children first.”
Ian scowled, shifting restlessly. “They’re in the house.”
Blake nodded and stepped forward to hand him the envelope and the box, but Niall thrust out a hand to hold him back. “Prove it,” Niall said.
Ian snorted, but his shoulders bunched anxiously. “You think I’m lying? That I’d go back on my deal?”
“Yes,” Niall said.
“He’s not lying.” Annamarie scooted to the carriage door, but rather than climbing down, she stood, hesitating as her traveling dress filled the doorway. She picked at her skirts and grimaced up at the rainy sky, as if loath to ruin her clothes.
“Forgive me if we don’t believe you,” Niall told her.
Annamarie made an offended sound and turned up her nose at Niall. “But of course, a man like you wouldn’t believe a decent woman. I’m certain you have no experience at all with good people, you perverted husband-stealer.”
Niall huffed and rolled his eyes.
Blake ignored the interaction and marched closer to Annamarie. Ian flinched as though he would intercept him, and Annamarie yelped and braced herself in the door, as though Blake meant her harm.
“I just want the children, Annamarie,” Blake said, pausing when he was still several feet from her and holding up his hands to show that he meant no harm. He wouldn’t hurt her, but if she thought he might and it spurred her to return the children faster, then he would let her believe it. “Is Ian telling the truth about them being in the house?”
“He is,” Annamarie insisted.
“And I say prove it,” Niall repeated.
“Oh, Ian, they aren’t going to leave us alone unless you show them,” Annamarie whined.
“Fine,” Ian grumbled, then marched to the gate. He threw the gate open so violently that it rattled on its hinges, then marched up to the window beside the front door. He rapped on it angrily and shouted, “Show your faces, you little wretches.”
Fury like nothing Blake had known roared in his gut, and he started toward Ian, intent on throttling the man, if he could. He stopped dead after only a few paces when the curtain parted to reveal Greta and Jessie, or at least their heads and shoulders. The window was too high to see all of them, or to see Alan, but it was most certainly them.
“Darlings,” Blake cried out, picking up his pace.
“Wait!” Annamarie shouted as he rounded the front of the carriage. She hopped down, squealing at the rain, and dashed around the carriage to meet Blake. “I….” her mouth hung open for a moment as her gaze traveled past Blake to Ian. As Ian marched forward to join the interaction, Niall did as well.
“You’ve seen them,” Ian said. “Now give me what I asked for.”
Blake held the envelope and box out to Ian, but Annamarie threw herself into Blake’s arms before Ian could take them. The gesture was a shock and threw Blake off balance.
“I know you’re a good man, Blake,” Annamarie said, her eyes shining with tears and regret. “If you had only loved me the way I wanted you to, this whole thing could have been avoided.”
“But, you see, I could never love you that way,” Blake said, his heart feeling