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Pippa froze. Did she step forward now and reveal herself or hide? She couldn’t leave Mr. Ainsworth without ensuring that he was well, but she wasn’t sure getting caught by this group was wise either, not when she hadn’t yet heard William’s voice.
“Find him,” another voice said; it was too dark to see, but it could have been William.
Her choice was made for her when a figure approached, nearing the place Pippa knelt beside Mr. Ainsworth’s unconscious body.
“Here,” she said, gathering his attention before he could step on her. The man jumped, startled. “Mr. Ainsworth is right here. Is that who you were looking for?”
“Miss Sheffield?” the man asked, disbelieving, and she could see him well enough now to make out his identity. John Caney looked back at her, his eyes dark and beady beneath the moonless sky. His hat was missing, and his hair appeared rumpled and wet.
“Good evening, Mr. Caney,” she said pleasantly.
“What...I do not understand.” He gestured to the prone man beside her. “Who is that?”
“Mr. Ainsworth,” she repeated.
Another man approached, and Pippa rose to her full height, grateful to see William. Though she could not help but be offended that he would admit people of Collacott—her people—into his schemes, yet he would not so much as tell her of them taking place. She could have helped. Clearly she made an excellent lookout. Unintentional as it had been.
William’s eyes were hard, glittering. “What happened?”
“Nothing. He merely...fell.” Her explanation was weak, and William would undoubtedly see directly through it. “Hurry, all right? You’ve not got much time. He could awaken at any moment.”
“He is alive then?” William asked.
Pippa suppressed her gall at the very question. “Of course he’s alive. But he won’t remain asleep forever. If I were you, I would beat a hasty retreat while you still can.”
William shook his head.
“Will?” Mr. Caney asked.
He sighed and brought his hand up to his face. It was too dark to see clearly, the night was lit by very few stars, but she could make out William pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. It was ridiculous that he was so put out, honestly. She had done him a massive favor.
“You heard her.” William sighed heavily. “He won’t remain out for long, and we really ought to avoid being caught.”
“Right.” Mr. Caney jogged back toward the boat to help unload the remaining barrels. Clouds shifted above them, revealing more stars, and subsequently more light. Though Pippa still could not discern whether William was grateful or annoyed by her presence.
He stepped closer, and her heart picked up speed, but he passed her and crouched beside Mr. Ainsworth. After ensuring that the man was indeed alive, or whatever it was William was doing, he looked up at her. “What are you doing here, Pippa?”
“Saving your hide. You’re quite welcome for that. He had a gun, William. A gun. Though I can’t find it.”
He stood, resting his hands on his waist. “Go on, now. Get home. This is dangerous, and you shouldn’t be here.”
“But you should?”
He scoffed. “I haven’t a choice. You do. Now get on home.”
The very idea that he felt he could tell her what to do rose the stubborn beast within her breast, and Pippa, though she had quite longed for her warm bedchamber a moment ago, was decidedly not leaving yet. “I will remain until I can ascertain that Mr. Ainsworth has not been seriously injured.”
“I will see to that.”
“You should see to your illegal contraband, I rather think, and quickly at that. Or this law man is bound to awaken and get precisely whatever it is he came here for.”
William swore mildly.
“What sort of law man is he, exactly?” she pressed. “He wouldn’t happen to be an exciseman, would he?”
William leaned closer. “Go home, Pippa.”
Her gaze shifted to Ainsworth and back. “No.”
