Chapter 18
18
Liam took in the varied expressions of shock, betrayal, and anger. He formed a quick conclusion. ‘Ah. I see you’ve been talking about me.’ Seeing no one else wore a mask, he gratefully removed his own, placing it on the table near the door. His gaze found Penny. Her opinion was the only one he actually cared about. What the devil had been revealed and consequently, what was she thinking? How much had her anger grown? Because it certainly hadn’t retreated.
‘You bastard,’ Killian growled, his powerful legs bringing him nose to nose with Liam.
Drake flanked his other side. He put a heavy hand on Liam’s shoulder and squeezed hard enough to make Liam flinch. ‘How could you sink so low?’
‘Move aside, gentlemen.’ Hannah’s low voice was calm.
Perhaps Killian’s wife will be reasonable.
Liam looked over Killian’s shoulder and saw her pointing a pistol directly at him.
Perhaps not.
Killian and Drake followed her order, and Millicent shifted closer to Hannah. A throwing knife appeared in her palm. She flicked her wrist, the knife spinning up in the air in a series of flashing arcs before it landed with a thwack back in her palm. ‘I think you have some explaining to do, Lord Renquist.’
‘More like confessing,’ Hannah said.
Liam sought out Penny. She stood alone in front of the settee. Somewhere in the darkness behind her, a shimmer of blue silk caught the candlelight. Lady Cavendale had relegated herself to the dimmest corner of the room. Smart woman.
Penny’s lips were pressed tightly together. She had her arms crossed in front of her, a shield protecting her body from his gaze. She wouldn’t look him in the eyes, choosing instead to stare at the floor in front of her feet.
‘Hannah is right. It is time to confess, Liam. Tell everyone what you’ve been up to.’ Philippa strode across the room as stately as any ruling monarch. Walking between Killian and Drake, she took her place next to Liam. ‘I know you wanted to do this alone, but there is strength in numbers.’ She spoke quietly so only he could hear her words.
He stared at her and contemplated the inevitable. Exhaling a long breath, he tipped his chin down in acknowledgement.
Killian and Drake stepped back, joining their wives in the centre of the room. Commissioner Worthington moved behind the settee. Lady Cavendale slinked away from him, further into the shadows, and Penny stayed where she was. Her shoulders thrust back, though her gaze remained on the floor.
Philippa’s presence at his side gave Liam unexpected strength. Tightening his spine to stand tall, he started at the beginning.
‘Killian, Drake, when we returned from the Afghan War, the prime minister approached all three of us to join with him as investigators for the Crown. You both agreed and I declined.’
Killian clenched his jaw. ‘I recall. We never guessed you refused the prime minister’s offer so you could sink to such depths of depravity.’
Liam’s lips twitched and he fought the urge to smile. ‘I don’t think the Queen would appreciate you describing her group as depraved.’
Drake’s blond brows pulled down as his broken face creased into lines of confusion. ‘What the bloody hell does the Queen have to do with any of this?’
‘I didn’t take the prime minister’s offer because I had already accepted another. From the Queen of England.’
Killian’s sharp gaze darted from Liam to Philippa and back again. His wife lowered her pistol.
‘You work for Queen Victoria? You’re on our side?’ She rested the pistol against her skirts, turning to Philippa. ‘And you knew this all along?’
Philippa lifted an elegant shoulder in a gesture betraying no guilt. ‘Yes. She asked me to keep his involvement secret. And I have followed her orders, until now.’
Penny took a halting step forward. ‘I don’t understand.’ Her hazel eyes were wide, her cheeks pale. ‘What are you saying?’
Everyone else in the room disappeared and Liam closed the distance between them. Grasping her cold fingers in his much larger hand, he squeezed gently, willing some of his heat into her. ‘I have been working undercover for the Queen. To infiltrate the Devil’s Sons and find out who their leaders are so we can destroy them from the inside out.’
Her perfect lips trembled, and she bit the bottom one hard. Liam’s body tightened in response to her white teeth pressing into the plump, rosy flesh.
‘You made the deal tonight so you could trick them?’
How did she know about his conversation with the Snake?
‘You were spying on me?’
Penny’s pale cheeks darkened in embarrassment. ‘I… yes. I was listening in the servants’ alcove. I have been searching for evidence against you to give to the commissioner. For the reward money. To free my mother.’
Commissioner Worthington frowned. He opened his mouth to speak, but Liam didn’t give him the chance to interrupt their conversation. Lifting his free hand to trace down Penny’s cheek, he marvelled at the silky sensation. ‘This whole time, you thought me guilty of such heinous crimes?’
Penny’s eyes filled with tears, but he knew she wouldn’t let them fall. ‘I wasn’t sure. I… at first, I did. But then everything I discovered about you contradicted the evidence I found.’
‘Like?’
‘You bought your servants new clothes because you saw my ruined skirts. You paid for a tutor to come and teach us to read, write, or do sums if we wanted to learn. You picked up the waistcoat Molly was hanging on the line and made her laugh.’ Penny shrugged. ‘Those are not the actions of a cruel man.’
‘I told you, Penny.’ Liam shouldn’t be confessing this in front of everyone, but he couldn’t stop. ‘I did it all for you. Everything.’ He stroked his thumb over her bottom lip and leaned closer. ‘Such selfish motives hardly make me a good man.’
‘Liam.’ Penny covered his hand on her cheek. ‘You are a good man. Or I wouldn’t love you.’ He could feel the warmth of her mouth only a moment away from his. Then her words registered.
‘Wait, you love me?’
Penny smiled. ‘I do.’
‘Thank God for that. Because I’ve been in love with you for so long. Days and days.’
Penny’s smile turned into a giggle as Liam’s chest exploded with sparkling stars shooting through his veins.
Philippa cleared her throat, the sound like a gunshot in the quiet room. ‘Must I always be surrounded by lovesick fools?’
Her sharp words broke the magic spell weaving around Liam and Penny.
Penny’s eyes grew wide as if she suddenly remembered where they were and who was with them. She took a hurried step backward. Her accelerated breaths did wondrous things to her corseted breasts, and Liam lost all logical thought for a blessed moment.
‘We don’t have time for this, so let me summarise what should be painfully clear outside of the fact that one more intelligent, capable, powerful woman has fallen prey to Cupid’s bloody arrow.’ Philippa’s lip curled in an ugly snarl before she continued. ‘Liam works for the Queen. He is not in league with the Devil’s Sons. We are all seeking the leaders of this reprehensible group to bring them to justice. And thanks to Liam’s undercover work, we’ve been given a unique opportunity.’
Philippa’s clear voice drew every eye in the room.
‘Opportunity to catch these men and bring them to the House of Lords for a just trial.’ Killian looked to Drake, who nodded.
‘Opportunity to catch these men and hold them accountable for crimes we know they committed without the need for a bunch of pompous men getting in the way,’ Hannah countered.
‘Let’s split hairs later.’ Philippa winked at Hannah.
Millicent’s smile widened.
The commissioner spared a sympathetic glance at Killian and Drake.
Philippa turned to Liam. ‘You are set to meet with the Devil’s Sons in a week and they expect you to bring a maid. As it happens, we know a maid who would be perfect for the job.’ Philippa glanced meaningfully at Penny and Liam’s heart froze.
‘No. Absolutely not.’ He grabbed Penny’s hand once more, pulling her behind his body and shielding her from everyone in the room. ‘I forbid it.’ The beast inside growled with feral intensity, straining on the chains he held in a faltering grip.
‘The decision is not up to you, Liam.’ Philippa’s quiet words belied the power she so effortlessly wielded.
‘No. It isn’t. It is Miss Smith’s choice to make.’ The commissioner stepped around the settee and joined Philippa near the door. Her body stiffened and she turned slightly away from the man.
A feather-soft touch landed on Liam’s shoulder as Penny gently pushed him aside, stepping out from behind him. ‘You want me to be the bait Liam brings to the meeting?’ She directed her words at Philippa.
‘Yes. But as the commissioner said, it is your choice, Penny. No one will force you, nor would we think any less of you if you do not wish to put yourself at such risk.’
‘She damn well won’t,’ Liam growled. The men in this disgusting brotherhood were vile. They wouldn’t hesitate to hurt Penny. Especially if they viewed her as a threat. She was the last thing Liam was prepared to sacrifice.
‘I’ll do it,’ Penny stated calmly.
‘No. You won’t.’ Liam turned, holding both her shoulders. ‘I won’t allow it.’
Penny’s hazel eyes softened on Liam as her jaw firmed. ‘You know I’m not good at following your orders. You chose to take this mission, Liam. To put yourself at risk. Because you have that kind of autonomy. And while you are my employer, and you control my actions within this job, you don’t control me. I’m not beholden to you, or anyone else.’ She turned to face Philippa and Commissioner Worthington. Liam fought a wave of emotions.
God damn it. She is marvellous.
‘I want to do this. Tell me what you need.’
Never before had Liam been so proud. Never had he been so terrified.
Never before have I been in love. Until now. I love her.
His foundations shifted. His priorities adjusted. The beast within him submitted to a new master. Her name was Penny Smith.
After discussing the plan, the group determined it best Penny return to her room to avoid any suspicion from the servants. Liam objected, but Penny would not be dissuaded.
‘Molly will notice if I’m not in bed. And the Snake is down there even now, looking for you. He will wonder if you don’t return to the ball.’
With a final glance at Liam, handsome and smouldering like a golden god standing between the dark beauty of Killian and the fair fearsomeness of Drake, Penny returned to the marchioness’ suite. Hannah, Ivy and Millie joined her to help Penny change from her costume back into her maid’s uniform.
‘And just like that, the lady becomes a commoner once more,’ she whispered, staring at her reflection in the full-length mirror placed in the corner of the spacious room. Her black dress was drab in the candlelight. Her apron yellowed against the glamour of Millie’s glittering green dress, the cool blue of Ivy’s gown, and the rich chocolate shine of Hannah’s silk skirts.
Millicent wrapped her arm around Penny’s waist and pulled her flush against her in a side hug. ‘Nothing about you is common.’
Ivy stood next to Millicent. ‘I could never show such courage, Penny. That is a rare gift.’
Hannah approached her other side, tilting her head at the reflection of them all standing side by side in the mirror. ‘I was the bastard daughter of a mistress when Philippa took me under her wing. Now I’m a duchess.’
Millicent tightened her arm around Penny. ‘And I was a soft and pampered miss until Philippa taught me how to claim my power. Now I’m a blade-wielding countess who has killed to protect the innocent. Our beginnings are just that.’ Her gaze slipped to Ivy in the mirror. ‘A beginning.’ She refocused on Penny. ‘But we determine our path. We determine our destiny.’
‘We can change our stars.’ Penny’s voice shook. The idea was unbelievable. But so much about tonight was impossible. The commissioner of the metropolitan police defied the law he promised to uphold and supported three fierce women in claiming justice against the very lords he promised to serve. Philippa, the all-powerful duchess, personal friend of Queen Victoria, was asking Penny for her help. Penny! A maid raised in the prison system without two shillings to rub together. Liam – once the evil villain – was now an honourable lord risking everything to protect innocent maids with no more pedigree than Penny herself. And when he looked at her, the world stopped to take note. It was all madness.
But brilliance is sometimes mistaken for madness. I am falling in love with a marquess. Maybe that’s a bit of both.
The moment she realised Liam was innocent of the crimes she feared he committed, the walls around her heart shattered. As impossible as a future might be for them, tonight gave her reason to hope. And hope was a dangerous, wild creature thumping hard against her chest, fighting to fly free.
‘Just remember, no matter what happens, we are here to support you, Penny.’ Millie smiled at Penny’s reflection in the glass.
‘We are your friends. Now and forever,’ Hannah added.
‘And no matter what occurs, we will always be here for each other,’ Ivy chimed in, her voice gaining strength.
Penny took their promises with her as she snuck down the hall, pushed open the hidden door in the hallway, followed the glow of candles in the servants’ hall leading her to the room where Molly snored quietly in the darkness, and pulled back the covers to her bed.
The next morning, Penny dressed quickly and descended to the kitchen. Mrs O’Brian was putting a tray together. Mushrooms and bechamel sauce over an omelette oozing with cheese. Fresh strawberries and clotted cream with flaky scones. Kippers and tomatoes on buttered toast.
‘Himself is lying in today.’ She winked at Penny. ‘Someone ‘ad themselves a right rollicking time last night. Take this up to his lordship, then find Mr Coggins. But watch yourself. Coggins’ in a dark mood. He’s got the evil eye out for you, Penny. Mind my words.’
Penny reached out to heft the silver tray. A twinge of fear tightened her belly at the cook’s warning before she remembered Ivy, Millie, and Hannah’s words from the night before. She made her own destiny. And she would be damned if a rat-faced butler was going to intimidate her. ‘Thanks for the warning. Did you get to enjoy yourself at all last night, Mrs O’Brian?’
The apple-cheeked cook waved her hand in front of her. ‘Didn’t have time to even sip a tankard of ale. But never you mind. His lordship sent a note down this morning addressed to me, Penny. Said it was the best meal he’s ever eaten. Told me the beau monde was raging about the talents of a certain chef. Some of them poncy lords even talked about stealing me away.’ She shook her head, tears glistening in her eyes. ‘Imagine that. Dukes and earls talking about my food. Can you even believe it?’
Penny smiled at the flummoxed woman. ‘Of course I can. You’re the best cook I’ve ever known.’
The cook’s cheeks darkened to deep cherry. ‘Stop with you. You’ll have me crying in the soup and making it over-salty. Off you go with that. And don’t forget to find Coggins afterwards. Just mind he isn’t alone. I wouldn’t put it past the bastard to lash out if he thinks he can get away with it.’
Penny winked at Mrs O’Brian. ‘Don’t you worry. I can handle Coggins.’
It was Liam she wasn’t sure about. She needed to speak with him about her mother. If she wasn’t going to earn the reward money for evidence against him, then she needed to find a new way to rescue her mother. And Liam was still the path. She hoped.
Penny walked carefully up the main stairs, down the hall leading to the family wing, padding over the thick rug past the portraits of ancient Renquist lords and ladies until she reached Liam’s door. She tapped twice with her foot and waited for the gruff command from Liam to come in. Instead, the door swung open.
He wore a loosely belted robe and nothing else. Penny let her gaze trace over the lines and ridges of his chest. The eight defined segments of his flat belly disappearing behind the belted black silk. His knees, somehow sweet and vulnerable, poked from beneath the hem. Beautifully carved calves covered in dark-golden hair shone in the spring sunlight.
Dear God. He’s beautiful.
She wobbled the tray. Before the food spilled over the floor, Liam leaped forward, steadying her hands beneath the silver platter.
‘Please. Let me.’ He took it from her, strode barefoot to the low table next to the fireplace, and bent over to place it on the wooden surface. She absolutely watched the muscles in his buttocks as they flexed beneath the silk robe. Prickles of sensation sparked to life in the skin behind her ear, the tips of her fingers, and the hollows of her knees.
Without the tray to carry, Penny folded her hands in front of her and looked everywhere but his face. She needed to ask about her mother. Now. Before she lost her nerve.
‘I need to speak with you.’ Her voice wavered and she cleared her throat.
He took a step closer.
‘No. Stay there.’ Penny put her hand out to halt his progress. ‘I can’t have this conversation if you’re touching me.’
Liam’s brow rose. ‘I think any conversation we have would be improved by touching.’
‘It’s about my mother.’
‘Ah.’ He stepped back. ‘Except, perhaps, that.’ He leaned a narrow hip against the settee sitting in front of the table and crossed his arms over his chest. ‘Would it ease your mind to know she has been released?’
Penny’s gaze flew to his and she opened her mouth, but no sound escaped.
Liam’s lips curled and his amber eyes flashed like jewels in the morning sunlight. ‘Commissioner Worthington handled the entire affair last night after the ball. I wanted her to come here, but she refused a guest room in the house where her daughter worked as a maid. Said she wasn’t going to lay about like a fine lady while her daughter scrubbed the floors.’
She wouldn’t have believed him, but what he said was so exactly her mother. Stubborn, proud, perfect. ‘Where is she?’
‘A townhouse in Mayfair. She is staying with one of Commissioner Worthington’s contacts. A widowed woman who sometimes provides lodging for people. Your mother’s been seen by a physician, and I’d wager she’s catching up on some much-needed rest right now. You are welcome to go and visit her whenever you’d like. This moment even, but I think she’s probably still sleeping.’ His eyes crinkled as he smiled.
A sob crawled up from her chest and she pressed her hand against her mouth to hold it in.
Liam’s body strained forward but he stayed where he was, respecting her wish for distance. Except she didn’t want distance any more.
Rushing across the room, she threw herself into his arms and for a precious moment, she fell apart. He held her steady and let her.
‘I’m so sorry, Penny. I should never have put my signature on that bloody law. I’ve been such an idiot.’ He pressed a soft kiss against her temple, his hand rubbing up and down her back in comforting strokes.
She pulled away, wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand and shaking her head. ‘No. You made a mistake, but then you fixed it.’
His laugh was harsh. ‘I got your mother out, but that doesn’t erase what she has had to endure. What you had to endure as a child. What others are still enduring. How can I possibly fix the harm I’ve done to so many? Innocent people hurt because of what? A stupid boy’s desperate need to please a father he hated.’
Penny sniffed. ‘You aren’t that boy any more.’
Liam held her gaze. Their breaths aligned. He nodded his head, his eyes hardening with a decision made. ‘You’re right. I’m not. I can change my path, and that’s exactly what I plan to do. Starting now. I meant what I said last night. I love you, Penny. I want to be with you.’ He stroked his thumb down her cheek. ‘I don’t want you to work for me any more. I don’t want you to eat and sleep three storeys beneath me. I want you here. Right here beside me. Always. Will you marry me, Penny?’
Oh dear.