Kisses and Scandal (A Survivors Series Anthology ) - Shana Galen Page 0,66
and if anything ever happens, know that you can bring him back with no questions asked.”
“Thank you. And thank you for taking such good care of him.”
Lady Julia nodded and left Bridget alone. Bridget pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve and wept.
Eight
He’d fought as hard as he could until Bridget was safely away, and then he’d fought more. In the end, he was no match for four men. They’d bound him and dragged him away, all while startled grooms watched.
“I haven’t done anything to you,” Caleb argued as they shoved him inside a coach. “Let me go.”
“You’ve got a price on your head,” one of the men said. “And we all get a portion once you’re delivered.”
“I’ll pay you,” he offered as they wrestled him inside the conveyance.
“How much?”
“A guinea each.”
“We’ll make ten each when you’re delivered.”
They drove him to a house. He didn’t see where, as the coach’s curtains were drawn, but he knew they hadn’t traveled long enough to be out of London. They hauled him out, marched him through the empty house, shut him in an empty room, and locked the door.
Caleb sat on his heels and reached his bound hands into his boot, drawing out the knife there. The hired men hadn’t searched him, and that was their mistake. He had a few hours to make the most of their oversight, because the men who were coming for him wouldn’t make mistakes. He’d be dead by morning.
As Caleb struggled to turn the knife to a useful position, he studied the light coming through the drawn curtains. It was late afternoon now. Had Bridget found the orphanage? Had she found their son?
He finally had the blade in position and began to work it against his bindings. The rope was thick, and it would take time to cut through it. It was time he didn’t have. He desperately wanted to meet his son, to see Bridget again, to board that ship to Canada. The government might come looking for him, especially if what the grooms saw in the West End was made public. But by the time they tracked him down, he’d have washed up on the side of the Thames.
He had to cut these ropes. He sawed with renewed vigor, his fingers growing sweaty, until he dropped the knife.
JAMES—JIMMY HAD HELD her hand all the way back to the academy. It had seemed the most natural thing in the world to walk with his hand in hers, keeping him close to her side and safe from the coaches on the streets.
She carried his valise, which she didn’t think was his at all. It looked very much like the sort a lady of the ton might own. And that was just another kindness Lady Julia had done them.
“Will my father be waiting for us at this school?” Jimmy asked.
“I hope so, but I don’t know. He was a hero during the war, and now London is dangerous for him. That’s why we hope to go to Canada.”
“My father is a hero?”
“Yes. He was very important during the war. He might not be able to meet us if it’s too dangerous. In that case, we’ll stay in London. I have a room and enough money to buy us food and clothing and pay for your schooling.”
“I have clothing,” he said. “Lady Julia always made sure we had clothing. This shirt used to be Michael’s. I don’t know who the trousers belonged to. The shoes are new, though. Lady Julia says we boys are hell on shoes.” He squeezed her hand. “But don’t tell her I said the H-word. I’m not allowed to say it.”
Bridget squeezed his hand back. “I won’t tell.” As she looked down at him, a wave of love swept over her. He was so sweet, so good, so beautiful. She’d never thought she’d have him back, but now that she did, she would never, never let him go.
Finally, just before dusk, they reached the academy. She led Jimmy inside and took him straight to the kitchens. Mrs. White was counting the silver, but her eyes widened when she saw Jimmy. “And who’s this love?”
“Mrs. White, this is my son, James Lavery.”
“You can call me Jimmy,” he said, sitting in a chair at the servants’ table.
“Well, you’re welcome, Jimmy. Are you hungry?”
“A little.”
“Of course you’re hungry. A growing boy like you. Let me get you some bread and soup.”
“Jimmy, I’ll be right back,” Bridget told him. “I want to check on something.”