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The room around him spun out of control. Wayne closed his eyes and prayed that he wouldn’t lose consciousness. A voice he recognized muddled through the fog in his brain, making him once again try to open his eyes and see.
Finally, the objects in the room were clear, as were the people. Randolph Donley, Wayne’s friend at the Bow Street Runners’ office, knelt beside Harold, holding a handkerchief to the earl’s bloody nose.
“Arrest that man,” Wayne shouted. “I have found the proof of his illegal activities.”
Donley’s eyes widened as his gaze jumped between Harold and Wayne. The other Runner shook his head and looked back at Harold.
“What is he talking about?” Donley asked the earl.
Harold grumbled. “The man knows about the warehouse andSweet Nectar.”
It didn’t matter how much Wayne’s head spun in different directions, he knew betrayal when it hit him in the face and made his gut churn. “Donley? Are you involved some way with the earl?”
Donley shrugged. “He pays me well to watch the docks. I’m his eyes and ears. That is all.”
“That is all?” Wayne’s voice lifted as anger filled him. “I would think that giving information to the man is enough to consider you an accomplice, which in my eyes, makes you as corrupt as the Meyer’s family.” He stood, even if it made him dizzier. But something needed to be done about these criminals, and he was the only one with authority to make arrests. “Donley, you are a fool if you think you’ll get away with this.”
Slowly Donley stood and withdrew his pistol, pointing it at Wayne. “It appears that I am the one with the weapon, not you.” He grinned. “So, Iwillget away with this because Lord Penrose and I will take you to the docks as he suggested.” Donley glanced at the rest of the men, all in a stupor. “Since the rest of the men appear to have taken the sweet nectar being made, I’m sure the earl and I can handle a weakling like you, Nichols, now that you are injured.”
If only Donley stood closer, Wayne would shove his fist into the man’s face as he did with the earl. Sadly, the man was correct. Wayne couldn’t fight two men in his condition.
He lifted his hands in surrender. “Then let me suggest you hurry and take me to the waterfront. I cannot stand the painful throbbing in my head, and I don’t want to feel it anymore.”
Donley and the earl exchanged surprised looks. Wayne was sure they expected him to fight, but he didn’t think there was any left in him. Then again, with Harold free to do his business, Regina was still in danger. If Wayne couldn’t protect her, who would?
Harold rose to his feet, still holding his bloody nose as he glared at Wayne. The earl didn’t appear as dignified now. If only thetoncould see Harold and his selfish daughter now.
“My Lord? Are you able to walk?” Donley asked.
“I’ll be in the carriage, you dolt. I’ll be fine.” Harold motioned with his hand. “Let’s go.”
Wayne walked slowly toward the parlor’s door, only because going too fast would cause him to be ill. It was bad enough he felt as though he had drunk thesweet nectaras Donley had called it. He reached the door and placed his hand on the knob. Silently, he groaned. He couldn’t allow these criminals to take him out of here. But what else could he do?
Expelling a deep breath, he opened the door. The corridor seemed to swim in front of him, and the glare from the sun’s brightness coming through the windows nearly blinded him. He stopped again, closing his eyes.
Donley pressed the tip of the pistol against Wayne’s back. “Get going. We do not have time to wait for your slowness.”
Wayne blinked and stepped into the corridor. His legs trembled as he turned toward the front door.
Immediately, he heard a loud thud and then the groan of Donley mere seconds before he crumbled to the ground. Wayne spun around, not caring that the room swayed again, and although his vision was still unclear, he recognized Regina holding the empty wine bottle, standing over Donley’s unconscious form.
Before Wayne had time to react, she bent and picked up the pistol that had been in Donley’s hand. She stepped in front of Harold and pointed it toward him.
“Forgive me, my Lord, but I cannot allow you to take the man I have fallen in love with, down to the waterfront to kill him.”
Harold gasped and turned his attention to the inside of the parlor. Wayne suspected the man was searching for someone to help him. Thankfully, nobody could.
Being extremely careful, Wayne bent and withdrew the Derringer the Bow Street Runner usually kept in his suit-coat pocket, aiming it at Harold.
Wayne sighed and glanced briefly at Regina. “You saved my life twice now.”
She smiled. “After all these years of looking for the man I could give my heart to, I couldn’t necessarily allow the Meyer family to take him away from me, now could I?”
He glanced at her again. “Certainly not.” He moved beside her and slid his arm around her waist. “And just so you know... I share your feelings.”
Her cheeks grew pinker. “Splendid because I enjoy sharing things with you.”
Footsteps sounded on the corridor, and Regina whipped around, pointing the gun at the servant walking toward them, who Wayne still couldn’t see very well.
