The park suddenly seemed as desolate as the moon. The men forced Kendra and Alec to walk ahead of them, along the twisting path that cut through trees and shrubs. We are being kidnapped in broad daylight, she thought in disbelief. Can no one see us?
But how many times had she leafed through manila folders thick with crime scene photos that had begun with an abduction similar to this, the kidnappers eschewing the darkness for a bold attack in the middle of the day? She wondered if those victims had felt the same incredulity as she was feeling now.
They came out of the woods on the street farthest from the Duke’s mansion. A dusty black carriage was waiting against the curb like a fat beetle.
Kendra shot a wild glance up and down the wide lane. Here, there were people. A young maid was sweeping off the steps of a terrace house only two hundred yards away. Farther down the street, three women were walking and talking. Beyond that group were two men on horseback, who’d stopped to converse as well. The shutters were off all the windows. Surely someone was looking out? Didn’t anyone see their captors behind them, holding guns?
Kendra didn’t think she slowed her pace, but she felt a sharp pain as Tom dug the muzzle into her lower spine.
“Don’t even think about doin’ anythin’ stupid,” he growled.
“Leave her be, damn you,” Alec snapped. “You have me. You don’t need her. You can leave her behind.”
Tom ignored him and ordered, “Snake, get the door.”
The kid sprinted forward. From his perch, the coachman shot them a testy look. “’Urry up, will ye? The damn Watch’ll be making the rounds soon.”
Tom shoved Kendra forward. “The mort gets in first. Get up with ye, bitch, and be quick about it!”
Alec moved forward, but Ned pushed him back.
Tom brought up his flintlock to Kendra’s temple, the steel cold against her flesh. “Ye don’t wanna do anything rash, gov’ner, or the mort’ll be ’avin’ an extra ’ole in ’er ’ead.”
Alec tensed. “Let her go and I promise to go with you peaceably.”
Ned gave an ugly laugh. “Ye’ll be goin’ with us, peaceable or not.”
“Stop it, Alec,” Kendra said quietly, although her heart began hammering in her chest. The pressure of the muzzle against her temple made her feel vaguely ill. “I told you, I don’t need you to protect me.”
“She’s a right plucky one, ain’t she?” Tom said. “But ye’re right, me lord—we don’t need ’er. We can end ’er right now if ye don’t move yer arse!”
A muscle leaped in Alec’s jaw. Kendra ended the standoff by climbing into the carriage, which reeked of sweat and smoke. As she settled against a leather seat cracked with age, she thought she saw the servant girl pause in her sweeping, giving them a curious look. Kendra tried to make eye contact—help us—but then her view was obstructed when Tom came up behind her, followed by Snake, Alec, and finally Ned, who slammed the door shut. He rapped his knuckles on the trapdoor on the ceiling, keeping his gun and eyes trained on Alec.
“Move!”
The carriage lurched forward. Inside, the space was tight, with Tom and Alec sharing one seat and Kendra squished next to Ned and the boy named Snake, making it impossible to fight back. Threadbare curtains hung over the windows, darkening the interior and making her feel slightly claustrophobic.
“Who are you?” she demanded, and was pleased that her voice revealed none of her inner turmoil. Show no fear.
“Oi’m Tom, and that there’s Ned. And Snake.”
Kendra glanced at the kid. “Snake?”
The boy grinned and pulled out a silver flask from his coat. Kendra realized that had probably caused the flash of light that she’d seen from her bedroom window.
“Aye, Oi’m a little snakesman,” he said, and unscrewed the top. She caught the strong, sharp smell of whiskey, and couldn’t control her shock as she watched him take a swallow. Underage drinking and drugs weren’t exactly unknown in her era, but still . . .
“He’s a thief,” Alec clarified, drawing her attention. “Young children are often used by housebreakers. They’re small enough to wiggle through tight areas—down chimneys or through sinkholes. When they get into the house, they unlock the doors and let their . . . accomplices inside.”
“Snake ’ere is the best in the business—if’n ’e lays off ol’ Greta’s pies,” Tom said, earning a sheepish grin from the boy.
Kendra asked, “Were you the ones who broke into Lady Dover’s house?”
Tom, who appeared to be the spokesperson of the trio, scowled. “Nay. But we’ll find them that did.”
Uneasily, Kendra met Alec’s gaze. She didn’t like that their captors hadn’t made any attempt to mask themselves and gave their names so easily. That was never a good sign. There were only two reasons a criminal didn’t bother to conceal their identities: they were idiots, or they knew their victims wouldn’t be able to identify them because they had no intention of leaving them alive.
She didn’t think these men were idiots.
“What do you want with us?” she asked again.
Tom’s eyes glittered at her like those of a malicious rat. “Not ye. Snake ’ere watched the gov’ner’s house for ’Is Lordship ’ere. When he left this mornin’, we’d known he’d be comin’ back, so we waited for ’im. But ye . . . ye’re an unexpected surprise. Ain’t she, Ned?”
In answer, Ned gave a nasty laugh. “She’s a tasty morsel.”
Alec gave them a cold look. “This woman is the Duke of Aldridge’s ward. Do you understand what that means? If she is harmed in any way, you’ll be swinging at Newgate—or, if you’re lucky, sent to Botany Bay. The Duke shall offer a reward that will turn your friends into enemies. You won’t be able to trust anyone. Not your mother. Not your father. Not your goddamn doxy.” He let his words hang in the air for a moment. “If you don’t let this woman go, you shall be dead by nightfall.”
There was a brief silence. Then Tom snorted. “What, d’ya take me for? A singleton? No ward of a duke would be out walkin’ alone with ye in the park. Ye’re jest tryin’ ter protect yer light skirt. Ye’re the Marquis of Sutcliffe. Ye’re the Duke of Aldridge’s nephew. Ye’re the one ’Is Grace’ll be wantin’ back. Ain’t that right, Ned?”
“Aye, but we’re not gonna oblige ’im. Someone else wants ye more.”
“Who wants him?” Kendra demanded.
“Bear wants ’im,” the boy piped up from beside her.
Bear, Snake. What is it with the animal nicknames? Kendra wondered. She looked at Alec. “Is that slang for another criminal activity?”
“None that I’ve heard.”
“Guy’s ’is name,” Snake continued, “but ’e fought a bear, ’e did, and—”
“Shut it,” Tom growled at the kid.