Page 114 of Four Promises to Love

“The babe has been keeping her up.” Lines of worry bracketed Lord Ethan’s mouth. “You should have a lie-down, pet.”

“I agree,” Lady Blackwood said. “Increasing ladies need their rest.”

At her mama’s pointed look, Gigi protested, “I get plenty of rest. Tell her, Grantley.”

“Gigi sleeps like a log.” Grantley slid his wife a wicked glance. “She also snores like one that is being sawed.”

His duchess’s squawk of protest was drowned out by laughter.

Thirty-Two

The day passed in a flurry of activity.

As the first order of business, Finn went to find Caleb at Pell House. He wasn’t there, but to her astonishment, half the village was. News of the ransacking had spread, and the villagers had rallied to help. The carpenter had come with his apprentice, and the two repaired the damage to the walls and furnishings. Mr. Duffield was lending his expert eye to the selection of the new upholstery. Others were sweeping and cleaning, and Mrs. Thornton had brought a feast to feed them all.

Even Wally and Mr. Khan were there, and although they were mostly eating and chatting, their show of support touched Finn. In fact, the outpouring of kindness had her fighting back tears and made her conscience feel heavier than a bag of bricks. At the same time, she hastily instructed Simon and Nell to hide any incriminating evidence of their spiritualism scheme.

Leaving the Hawks to oversee the restoration, Finn had gone with the Grantleys to the Pearce estate. Unfortunately, she didn’t get a chance to talk to Owen because he’d taken Xenia’s place, accompanying Lord Ethan to search the village square. With her plan once again thwarted, Finn focused on the task of locating Felix Pearce’s last resting place. She began exploring the grand, showy manor and grounds with the Grantleys, and it became readily apparent that it would take days to complete a search.

They left empty-handed.

Now it was after supper, and Finn was once again staying at Bottoms House. However, Nell and the others had declined to join her.

“As nice as the Harringtons are, they’re pigeons, Finn.” Nell had bitten her lip. “We cannot get too close. Maybe Caleb had the right of it.”

God only knew where Caleb had gone. Or when he intended to come back. When he had a head full of steam, he was unpredictable. His actions were splitting the gang apart when they needed to band together to save Iris.

Finn knew it was time to tell Owen everything. She had no choice but to risk his anger…and even losing his love. But her trust in his honor, decency, and loyalty prompted her to act. After she was certain everyone was abed, she left the bedchamber and stealthily made her way toward the gamekeeper’s cottage.

She didn’t get far. In the corridor downstairs, she heard a noise. Years of instinct had her flattening herself against the wall. She pinpointed the origin of the sound: a room up ahead—Lord Ethan’s study.

She crept over and saw the door was ajar. Hushed tones came from inside.

“Scream, and it’ll be the last sound you make. Do you understand?”

The growled threat raised the hairs on her nape.

“Y-yes.”

Her blood chilled further as she recognized Xenia’s terrified whisper. Cursing herself for not bringing her dagger, she looked around for a weapon⁠—

“We’re here for the ring. We know it’s in here. Tell us where it is.”

“I-I don’t know⁠—”

“Tell us, you uppity bitch.”

Xenia’s whimper sent Finn through the door.

“Easy, fellows,” she murmured.

She held her hands up, showing she was unarmed. Nonetheless, two of the brutes trained their pistols upon her. The leader held Xenia against him like a shield, his blade at her throat. Wearing a dressing gown that showed the slight swell of her belly, Xenia was shaking like a leaf.

“Carver just wants the ring.” Finn continued to speak in low, soothing tones. “You don’t need to hurt her.”

“Look at what flew in.” The leader sneered. “Carver ain’t too pleased with you, little Hawk. Sent us to finish what you couldn’t.”

Get Xenia out of danger first. Worry about the rest later.