Mistletoe and Mayhem - Cheryl Bolen Page 0,119

things, Timothy, you can never unsee,” Rory whispered after closing the door.

The third was a small, narrow room, and a boy lay on a blanket on the floor. He lifted his head as Rory entered. Placing a finger to his mouth, he motioned for the boy to stay silent. Closing the door, he crouched before him, holding out some coins.

“Do you know where a nobleman is? His name is Mr. Redfern, or Jackson. He wears a bright-red-striped waistcoat.”

The boy looked at the coins. Rory pulled out a few more and added them to the ones in his hand. He took them, putting them into his pocket before getting to his feet. Rory watched him slide his feet into a pair of shoes that were too big, and then he walked to the door. He hadn’t uttered a word, but Rory followed.

The boy paused to look Timothy up and down, and then went to the stairs and started to descend. They followed.

“What if he’s tricking us?” Timothy said.

“We are both armed. Stay alert,” Rory whispered.

Once they were on the second floor, they walked to the end of the hall. The boy opened another door. Inside was a hidden set of stairs. This they climbed. At the top was a narrow door with a key in the lock. The boy turned the key, then swung the door open.

“Stay outside, Timothy.” Rory had no wish for them both to be locked in there if they were walking into a trap.

The room wasn’t big, but contained a bed. Moving closer, he found Jackson Redfern lying on the filthy mattress, shivering in a pair of breeches. He was trying to curl in on himself, but his feet were tied to the bedposts.

“Jackson.” Rory touched his shoulder.

He rolled, and the eyes that looked up at him were sunken, but there was a flicker of recognition.

“H-Haddon?” His teeth were chattering.

Pulling a knife from his boot, Rory cut the bonds that held him on the bed.

“Come, there is no time to wait. We must leave now. If you show us the quickest way out of this building, boy, I will reward you with more money.”

“If I’m seen, I can’t stay here,” he said in a solemn voice. The eyes that looked at Rory had seen far more than a child of his age should.

“I will ensure you will be safe. You have my word on that.”

The boy nodded.

Lifting Jackson to his feet, Rory draped one of his arms over his shoulders. Bracing an arm around Jackson’s back, he started for door.

“Sh-she’ll kill you. She’s an evil bitch.”

“Madam Layla?” Rory walked them to the door.

“I-I thought she c-cared b-but—”

“But instead she wanted your money. Save your strength, we can talk later, Jackson,” Rory said, knowing all too well the lure of a beautiful woman.

“Y-yes.”

“I don’t plan on letting her see us. Quiet now.”

Timothy walked behind them down the narrow stairs, bracing Jackson from the rear. The boy scurried ahead, leading them back to the kitchens. They encountered no one. They had reached the door that led back outside when a voice stopped them.

“Stop!”

“No!” Jackson’s cry was desperate.

“Run!” Rory thrust his friend at the footman, then moved in front of them as they hurried out the door. When he turned, he was holding his pistol.

“I said stop!”

“To late, he has gone.”

There was no doubting this was the woman Jackson had spoken of. Dressed in a deep emerald velvet dressing gown, she had an angelic face and golden-blonde hair that hung in thick curls to her waist. Her eyes were blue, fringed by thick lashes and curved brows. Lush, was Rory’s first thought. His second was that such beauty could easily entice a man.

“I presume you are Madam Layla, the evil bitch my friend referred to when I found him shackled to a bed in your establishment?”

“Those words are insulting, sir, and I assure you I do not deserve them.” She pouted before giving him a sultry smile. “Your friend enjoys being shackled to my bed. In fact, he requested it, and I doubt there is anyone who would state otherwise.” She licked her lips, the gesture designed to lure, and yet it did nothing for Rory. He’d much rather have Ivy scowl at him. Where had that thought come from?

“I don’t think so. In fact, the condition he was in told me you lie. That and the fact you sent a blackmail note to his sister.”

If Rory could keep her talking, the others would get safely back to the carriage