no fool. Let Mrs. Dunne and Lucy go free, and I will give you whatever you want.”
A lewd sneer twisted his face. “Whatever I want?”
She ignored his innuendo. “I’m talking about money. That is what this is about, is it not? Name your sum, and I give you my word, I will make arrangements to get you what you want.”
He snorted. “You give me your word? Ha! I seem to remember that you gave me your word on another matter, and look how well that came to fruition. Your word is useless to me. If you had made that proposition a few days ago, I might have been able to accept your generous offer, but now I have another score to settle.”
He didn’t need to explain. Graham.
Amelia jumped as Edward leaned back and shouted, “Bring her in.” Then she gasped as a broad-shouldered man pulled Helena into the doorway. Helena’s chestnut hair hung loose about her shoulders, and tears wet her face. A rip in her cloak caused it to hang on her at an awkward angle, and her hands were bound behind her back.
“Helena!” Amelia tried to push past Edward to get to her cousin, but he grabbed her arm and held her tight.
His lip curled in a sickening smile. “You don’t mind, do you?” Producing a slender length of rope from somewhere, he stepped behind her and began to tie her hands.
“Tell me, dearest Amelia, are you fond of the sea?”
Edward took hold of Amelia’s elbow, just as gently as he had dozens of times at Winterwood. Except they were not at Winterwood, and instead of her arms swinging freely by her sides, a coarse rope bound her hands together at the wrists.
She winced as Edward’s grasp tightened. From the corner of her eye, she noted his discomfort. Perspiration dotted his brow. His jaw clenched, unclenched, then clenched again. She looked straight ahead down the dark corridor.
“Please, Edward, reconsider this insanity.”
“Oh, it’s Edward now, is it? Not Mr. Littleton? I’ve never known you to be so fickle.”
“Uncle George will find out about this. Do you really think he will continue as your partner when he learns how you have treated his daughter and niece?”
“Barrett’s a fool. Besides, where we are going, we will not need his help.”
She swallowed. She feared his answer. “And where is that?”
An answer did not come. He merely pushed her down the hall, and once at the end, he jerked her to a stop.
His fingernail dug through her muslin sleeve, jabbing her arm’s soft flesh. “It would be in your best interest, Miss Barrett, to keep your mouth shut.” He looked out the door, gave a low whistle, nodded, and gripped her arm. She followed him through the door. Night, black and cold, surrounded her. The wind whistled around the corner, carrying with it bits of icy rain that made her eyes water.
Outside the warehouse, shadowed men darted to and fro. Three carriages were lined up in a tight alley. Steam rose from the horses’ backs. One of the black beasts nickered, sending a plume of hot breath into the freezing air. Where was Lucy? Helena? Mrs. Dunne?
He tugged at her arm, and she dug her heels stubbornly into the muddy street. “Where’s Lucy?”
He did not answer, and when another man came up behind her, fear dragged its fingers down her spine. Edward yanked her, nearly pulling her off her feet, toward a carriage, lifted her by the waist, and all but tossed her inside. She landed awkwardly against the seat. A timid cry startled her already tense nerves. She struggled to sit up and looked at the carriage’s other occupant: Helena.
Edward cursed and looked in the carriage, his eyes wild, black hair disheveled. The wildness, the desperation in his eyes struck a chord of pure fear within Amelia, and she thought better of protesting. She straightened and sat back against the seat, hands bound behind her.
Edward pinned her with his half-crazed stare. He pointed at her and hissed through clenched teeth. “This is your fault, Amelia. Look at how your poor decisions have hurt so many.”
He slammed the door. Urgent, muted voices circled the carriage, and she waited for the sound of footsteps to retreat before she turned to her cousin.
Amelia faced her cousin, who was in the corner, sobs wracking her body. She wanted to feel compassion, wanted to comfort her, but instead eyed her warily. Had Helena played a part in all of this? Or was she merely a victim of