The Spy Who Loved Her: Once Upon an Accident, Book 3 (8 page)

She stopped on the step and looked down at the matron. “Fiddle?”

“They were trying to open the lock.”

With her frown deepening, she continued on her way. “Do you have any idea what the reason behind it might have been?”

Anna walked into her office. Several staff members, including their bookkeeper, Mr. Francis, were in deep discussion. She did not have to ask what their subject was. It was easy enough to discern from their expressions.

“What is going on?”

Mr. Francis stepped forward. He was a wonderful man, just two years older than she. He was the son of a wealthy merchant who aimed to step into his father’s shoes one day and run their spice business. But his father believed in giving back to the community, and so he had volunteered his time to handle their money.

“My lady. I did not hear of this until I showed up this morning.”

He cut a cold look at Miss Richardson, one of their teachers. Her spine stiffened. “I did not see the reason for bothering anyone about it this morning. Mrs. Markham and I were sure the watch would not come down here in the middle of the night and Lady Anna had a board meeting to attend to last night.”

She sighed. “I will contact my brother to see what can be done. But I am afraid Miss Richardson is correct. The watch will do nothing unless something happens.”

“So they wait until someone is hurt, then they do something.” The disgust dripped from Mr. Francis’s voice. He had led a sheltered life, perhaps more sheltered than her own. While not a stupid man, there were things he was a bit naive about.

She offered him a shrug. “I am sorry, but that is the way of the world. Thankfully, we have the power of my brother. We will definitely make sure there is someone to take care of things. Now I am sure that all of you have duties to attend to.”

Everyone filed out of the room except for Mrs. Markham. The matron closed the door behind them.

“We will have to keep an eye on those two.”

Anna paused in sitting down. “Who? Miss Richardson and Mr. Francis. They cannot stand each other.”

The older woman laughed. “Where there is emotion there is something else beneath it. Both of them have been at each other the last few weeks.”

Anna pulled out a piece of paper to write a note to her brother. “I trust that the children have not witnessed any arguments.”

“No.”

“Well, hopefully it will blow over.”

She chuckled. “The only thing that will help that blow over is a good roll in bed.”

Heat filled Anna’s face. “Really, Mrs. Markham.”

Even after all these years she was not accustomed to her matron’s frank talk. Anna guessed that was what happened when you hired a former working girl to be the head of your orphanage.

“I am just speaking plain.”

“I do not think it is any of our business. So why don’t we discuss what is going on. Do you have any idea why someone would try to break in? I can’t see a reason around here.”

“That is what is puzzling me, my lady. Most of the residents would never allow someone to even knock on the front door. It had to be someone new, or someone not from the area.”

“Hmm. Well, I will send a note to my brother. I am sure we can get someone to watch the area at night to make sure. He can also bend the ear of a few friends and see if we can get more watch patrols.”

“Not likely, especially at night.”

She smiled at the woman. “It is worth a try.”

Mrs. Markham chuckled. “You are always so optimistic. Do you never see the bad in the situation?”

Anna shook her head. “I see the bad. I just think that there is some good in all people.”

“I hope you keep that idea, my lady.”

Several hours later, Anna hid behind a smile as she finished a country dance. She knew this would happen. Her mother would make her attend more soirees after she attended Cicely’s ball. There was not much she could do about it. Complaining would not work, and whining was beneath her. It was little to ask of her. Her family had been very patient and understanding after what she had done. And she thought it might be a good place to raise funds.

Unfortunately, she had been besieged by young men since she had stepped into the ballroom. Young men who did not have control over their fortunes, and most of them could care less about the orphanage. Most other men did not care either, but they were married and their wives did.

“It is good to see you out more, Lady Anna.”

She cut a sharp glance at the young man returning her to her mother.

“I go out, Lord Greenwood.”

He reddened and swallowed and she instantly felt guilty. He was a nice enough man with a shock of curly red hair, dark green eyes and the sweetest disposition. Unfortunately, even though he was several years older than Anna, she always felt as if she was the older of the two of them.

“I do apologize. I did not mean that you did not do anything. I know that you do a lot of work with your orphanage.”

That made her stop in her tracks. “You do?”

He smiled. “My father told me all about it. Apparently, your mother does talk about it.”

His father? She had no idea her mother was acquainted well enough to be discussing her daughter with the man. She looked for her mother in the crowd and found her looking up at the Earl of Greenwood with a smile that stunned Anna. She could not remember ever seeing her mother looking like that, not since their father died.

“Lady Anna.”

She turned to find a young footman standing beside her. “Yes.”

“This came for you a moment ago.”

She took the envelope and recognized the penmanship immediately. She tore it open and read the note from Mrs. Markham. Several of the boys were sick. Panic welled up inside of her.

She turned to Lord Greenwood as she ordered herself to calm down. “I do apologize but something has come up. Could you tell my mother that I had to go home?”

There was no reason why she should tell her mother that she had to leave for the orphanage. It would only take a moment to stop by and double check on the boys. Mrs. Markham could take care of it herself, but the truth was the doctors tended to come faster if they knew the summons was from her and if she were in attendance.

“If you are—”

“Nothing all that important, but I need to make sure this staff member is taken care of.”

She smiled at him and he seemed to lose his concentration as he stared at her.

“Lord Greenwood?”

He shook himself out his stupor. “Of course, Lady Anna.”

She thanked him again, then made her way out of the ball room. If one good thing came out of the illness hitting the children, it had helped her escape early.

Daniel crept down the street ever aware of the danger around them. Yes, meeting a former French spy was dangerous, but Daniel knew the bigger danger was those who inhabited the streets here. They were the lowest form of scum on the earth, and many of them could care less whether they lived or died.

“Do you think there is a chance the froggie will run?” Jack asked.

“I have no doubt he will be here. He owed everyone in town.” And he had said he knew of the Viper. That had been enough to pull Daniel away from anything, especially the ball.

When they stepped onto the street, he realized that they were just a block or two over from Anna’s orphanage. He would have to come up with something that would keep her out of here. He was not a man who thought women should be sheltered, but running around the East End was just not the thing. Even during the day. He knew he didn’t have a right to tell her what to do, but he truly didn’t want her hurt. If she continued in this fashion, something would happen.

He pushed those thoughts away. Having a woman, especially this woman, on his mind was not a good thing considering their mission. He had to keep his mind on what was happening around them. As they made their way to the pub, Daniel sensed a stir in the air. It gave him a sense of foreboding before the man stepped out of the shadows.

“I hear there are wolves running loose in London.”

Jack jumped, his hulking figure moving toward the man. Daniel stopped him. “No.” Then he turned to the man. “You should not pay attention to the gossip of the ton, my lord.”

The man stepped into the light and the nerves that had bunched up seemed to relax. Both Jack and he walked toward the man. They were not alone, Daniel was not stupid. He had brought backup, some of his own, some of Jo’s.

“I understand you have news of the Viper?”

The man licked his lips. As Daniel moved closer, he realized the man was not that old. A shame for someone so young to be entangled in such a mess. He would not recognize Daniel in his costume, but Daniel knew him. A baron that had come into his fortune early on and squandered it. There was a reason he could sell the secrets to the French. The man’s brother worked in the home office.

“Yes. There have been a few people talking.”

“And?”

“They say he is back in business. And he has put it out that you are his quarry.”

Which made no sense whatsoever. If the man needed the money to spy again, that he understood. But what he did not understand was the man calling him out. Or the way he was making it known he was after Daniel. It was dangerous to him.

“Do you know who this man is?”

He shook his head. “No, but I know he is from the Dover area.”

“How?”

But the man was no longer paying attention to him. He looked over Daniel’s shoulder out onto the street. “Lord, have mercy.” He uttered the whispered plea the moment before a knife flew past Daniel’s face and into the man’s neck.

Jack was already shouting for their reserves as Daniel turned to face their attacker. Another knife was thrown, catching Daniel in the shoulder. He barely noticed the sting of it as he made his way to the figure standing at the entrance to the alley. It was too dark to see the man, but if he could get closer he might be able to get at least an impression.

When the man realized the number of people flooding the area, he backed away across the street and began running. Daniel tried to chase after him but a carriage pulled in front of Daniel and stopped. His vision blurred and his head began to spin. He blinked twice and tried to focus on the carriage. He recognized the crest as Sebastian’s the moment before he sank down on the street.

“Daniel?”

He could not open his eyes, his head fuzzy. The scent of rose water surrounded him as he felt a hand brush against his face.

“Daniel! Jeffries, it is Lord Bridgerton. We must get him inside. Good Lord, he has a knife in his shoulder.”

“Ma’am? I think I can take care of him,” Jack said.

“And just who are you?” Her voice was filled with indignation.

“I’m his friend.”

“Not much of one if you let this happen to him.”

Daniel thought he heard snickering.

“Well, all of you need to help me get him up into the carriage.”

“But…”

He wanted to tell the men not to let her take him, that it was a risk to her, but his brain did not seem to be able to tell his mouth to function. He opened his mouth but nothing came out. A wave of nausea hit him just as his world faded to black.

Chapter Seven

Daniel returned to consciousness as he was being jostled from the carriage.

“Oh, do be careful. He is an injured man.”

“That one does like to tell a man what to do,” Jack mumbled under his breath.

“I heard that.”

Jack said nothing else but grunted as he stepped down from the coach. The knocker sounded and the door opened.

“We have your lord. He’s been stabbed,” Anna said.

“My lady?”

“What is it, Higgens?” His mother. Bloody hell, this was getting worse by the minute.

“Ah, it seems that Lord Bridgerton is indisposed.” From the sound of Anna’s voice she was not pleased his mother was home. He could not blame her.

“Indisposed? Oh, Anna. What in heaven are you doing here?”

“I had to attend to something at the orphanage, and on my way home I came upon Daniel who almost was run over by my carriage.”

“And why is Jack carrying him?” his mother asked.

“Well, he passed out and he is too heavy for me to carry. I assumed they were friends.”

“Passed out, as in drinking?”

Anna said nothing for a moment, apparently sensing the desperation in his mother’s voice. “No. He was stabbed. Jack, if that is the brute carrying him, pulled it out and the bleeding has stopped.”

She paused as Jack carried him up the stairs to the front door. With each step, the ache in his shoulder burned, a spark of pain shooting through his body. It took all his energy to keep himself from losing the contents of his stomach right there.

“Stabbed?” His mother’s voice had risen, desperation threading her tone. “Bloody hell. Get him inside.”

“Lady Adelaide, you need to step aside for us to do that.” Anna said the words firmly, but he could hear the compassion beneath it.

“Of course. Higgens, call Doctor Timms.”

“Oh, and we will need some good cloths and warm water.”

He would not have Anna in his sick room. He would not lose his dignity. It was bad enough how he had embarrassed himself in front of her already. He lifted his head to tell her just that but his vision faded again and he felt himself slip under.

“Thank goodness he passed out again,” Anna said.

Lady Adelaide sighed as Jack removed Daniel’s shirt. “I am just glad you were there when this happened. Who knows what would have happened.”

“We would have taken care of him just fine,” Jack said.

She glanced at the man who was a strange companion for Daniel to be sure. He wore simple clothes, his demeanor was as if he worked for the Bridgertons, but she did not recognize him. He was small in stature and had a face that was quite unpleasant to look upon. His gaze moved from side to side as if he were waiting for the next attack.

When he pulled the fabric free of Daniel’s body, she gasped. Bruises marred his flesh, bright purple and yellow over his torso. They were at least a few days old.

“What in the world happened to him?”

“Oh, you know boys.” Lady Adelaide sounded as if she were trying to avoid the conversation.