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“I swear you enjoy baiting me.”
The other man’s expression remained unchanged.
“Very well,” Will conceded. Restless, he again began pacing the room’s length. “I don’t like it. This was too easy.”
Richards’s brows shot up. “A dozen men tried to take your life tonight. Two of the bastards got away, and Benjamin was mortally wounded. I’d hardly call that ‘easy.’”
“As much as she wants him dead, she ought to have sent more—either more men or better skilled.” Anxiety gnawed at his insides. “I need to see Jacqueline.”
A new voice spoke. “I would not advise leaving the premises.”
Turning, Will saw his friend John Loxdon standing in the doorway. “About bloody time.”
The other man chuckled. “I came as soon as I could. What have you gotten yourself into this time?”
Will began explaining the situation. The look on his friend’s face grew graver with each moment. When he mentioned he was impersonating the Archangel, however, Loxdon’s telltale hiss of indrawn breath made him stop. A prickle of intuition crept up his spine. “You know him, don’t you? My God, do you have any idea how much time I could have saved if only I’d—”
“Boucher thinks
you’re him?” Loxdon cut in.
He nodded. “But he’s not her only target. There’s a girls’ school—”
Alarm wrote itself on Loxdon’s face. “Bloody hell, she knows about the school, too?”
“Yes. There have been several nasty incidents. Yesterday, she managed to poison the milk delivery. Fifteen children are ill, one of them was at death’s door when I left. Dr. Horton is caring for them.”
“This is bad. Very bad, indeed. If she knows about the school, then she knows who its headmistress is.”
“Yes, Boucher knows. She sent a letter demanding the name of the Archangel this morning just after the girls became ill. That’s why I’m playing the role of Lord Huxton. We told her he’s the Archangel. Jacqueline sent word to the real one several days ago telling him to stay away until this is resolved. He’s gone to the country.”
The other man let out a snort. “In a pig’s eye, he has. He was in my office this evening asking me to have my people watch the school.”
The blood all but froze in Will’s veins. “He called?”
Loxdon nodded sheepishly. “Happens to be a very old, very good friend of mine.”
No matter how much he wanted to, there was no time to explore that nugget of information. “Where is he now?”
“Likely already there.”
“A bloody mess, that’s what this is!” exploded Will. “I sent several of my people to have an eye on the place while I’m here acting as bait. God willing, they won’t mistake him and your men for enemies—whom I’m certain are present, as well. This is a disaster. We have to go at once.”
“You cannot,” said Richards, speaking for the first time since Loxdon’s arrival.
“He’s right,” agreed Loxdon. “If she thinks you’re him, she’ll have people waiting for you.”
“I don’t care if she’s opened the bloody gates of Hell and set every demon in it on me,” he snapped. “Jacqueline is there, and I’m bloody well going. I sent her a message hours ago. She ought to have replied long before now. Something has gone wrong. Now, I’m leaving, and you’re not going stop me.” Turning, he made for the door. Behind him, he heard Loxdon swear before following him.
“At least take some reinforcements,” said Richards, who’d also followed. “I’ll come with you, and I know the others will, too.”
“And if you think you’re going off half-cocked without me, you’re insane,” added Loxdon.
“Thank you, both of you.”
Most of the other staff were gathered in the kitchen managing the bodies of slain assailants. Will assembled them and explained his intent. Though several looked doubtful of the plan’s success, all present agreed to join him. He waited impatiently while weapons were reloaded and everyone prepared for another battle.
His heart wouldn’t find ease until Jacqueline was safe in his arms.
