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Sabrina always carried quite large sums of money, even though some might deem it foolhardy. It gave her a sense of security, and of freedom. Because she was not at home, and with life in Edinburgh a wee bit strange, she’d taken to carrying extra, just in case.
Thank God.
“Good for ye, lass,” Angus said. “Like a true Scotswoman, always prepared.”
“Then shall we go?” she prompted.
“We still don’t have a plan,” Grant protested. “We have no idea who this Bill idiot has with him, and don’t know the layout of the place.”
“I was there last week, so I can provide the necessary information,” Sabrina impatiently said. “Now, can wepleasebe on our way before your brother is murdered? That is not what I had in mind for him.”
“All right, we’ll come up with something on the way.” Royal glanced at his wife. “You’ll hold down the fort and explain things to Nick at the interval?”
Ainsley gave a nod. “Sabrina, give me your jewelry. There’s no need to offer additional temptations.”
Sabrina unpinned her ruby brooch and stripped off her bracelets. She kept her garnet earbobs on. They weren’t terribly expensive, and might come in handy if further negotiations were necessary.
“Royal Kendrick, you be careful,” Ainsley said, pulling him down for a swift kiss.
“Always.”
“And keep Sabrina safe, or I’ll murder the lot of you,” she added.
Angus opened the door. “Come along, lass. We’ll follow yer lead.”
Sabrina threw her opera cloak around her shoulders. “Leading is what I do best.”
* * *
In the almost thirty minutes it had taken to secure the Kendrick town coach and then make their way to the coffeehouse, Sabrina had been dying inside. At least the extra time had given her a chance to fully explain the situation and the layout of the Wee Black Dog, and had allowed them to come up with a plan.
Angus, naturally, had wanted to charge in, pistols blazing, which had almost given Grant a fit. Royal, on the other hand, was cool-headed and decisive and had quickly devised a strategy. She saw much of Graeme reflected in the Kendrick family—he’d inherited the courageous but reckless tendencies of his grandfather, along with the strength and intelligence of his brothers. As a group, the Kendricks seemed well nigh unstoppable.
The men had made it clear that they were exceedingly unhappy with her participation in their hastily contrived scheme. Sabrina, however, refused to budge. Old Bill held her responsible for Tilly’s departure and was seeking to humiliate her. If an embarrassing and even risky scene could save Graeme’s life, she would happily suffer it.
Sabrina would suffer far more than that for Graeme Kendrick.
When the carriage pulled up, Royal glanced out the window. “Grant and I will make our way around to the back of the building and hope we find another way in.”
Sabrina grimaced. “I’m sorry. I wish I’d been more observant in that respect.”
Angus patted her knee. “The lads will find a way in.”
Grant handed her down from the carriage. Even in daylight, this particular laneway had been dark and uninviting. Now the gloom was positively Stygian, with only fitful candlelight flickering in the occasional tenement window. Past the light thrown by the carriage lamps, the night was inky-black.
The groom came around and handed Royal a pistol.
“Sorry, sir,” he said. “I’ve only got the one extra.”
“It’ll have to do.” Royal checked the weapon. “You need your weapon, since I want you to stay with the coach and keep an eye on the alley.”
“Aye, Mr. Royal.”
“I’ve got a knife,” Grant said, extracting a wicked-looking blade from an inside pocket of his greatcoat.
“And I’ve got a little popper,” said Angus, pulling out a small pistol.
Sabrina thought back to her first meeting with Graeme. “You certainly are a well-armed family.”
