Never Love a Scoundrel (40 page)

“In the alley.”

“I hate to ask you, but would you mind fetching him? I’m afraid I’m in need of another pair of hands with so many criminals about.” He threw Ethan a dark glare. “Describe Gin Jimmy.”

“He looks like your grandfather.” Ethan held up his hand and indicated a height near his mouth. “Shorter, maybe five foot eight, a bit thick around the middle. White hair, clean-shaven, and he has a gold tooth. And of course, he now looks like another one of Jason’s footmen.”

Footman.
A cold sensation raced up Jason’s neck. North had sent someone to see Lydia home. He would’ve immediately recognized that Gin Jimmy wasn’t one of their retainers, but Jason felt uneasy nonetheless. “I’ll go get your Runner,” he said a bit absently as he turned toward the house, intending to check on Lydia first.

The sound of a scuffle spun him back around. Ethan was standing over an unconscious Teague, still clutching the bloody knife.

Jason glanced at the weapon. “Christ, Ethan! You didn’t kill him too?”

Ethan glared at him then dropped the knife beside Teague. “I haven’t killed anyone. Tonight, anyway.”

Jason didn’t have time to be shocked by this revelation. He turned, needing to ensure Lydia had left safely. He rushed inside with Ethan on his heels. He nearly tripped over North, who was standing just inside the billiards room.

“The guests were becoming curious,” North said. “I explained you were conducting business on the terrace and didn’t wish to be disturbed.”

Several men looked up from their games, but Jason didn’t bother to send any of them reassuring looks. He doubted he’d be able to keep two murders quiet. It seemed Lockwood House really was an awful place.

“North, who took Lydia home?”

“I directed Pemley to send someone up to fetch her ladyship and see her home.”

The cold that had settled into Jason’s spine turned frigid. “Pemley’s new.”

“Which is why I didn’t ask him to see her home,” North said, his forehead creasing. “What’s wrong?”

Ethan grabbed Jason’s arm. “You think because this Pemley is new that he could’ve asked Gin Jimmy to take her home?”

Jason was certain the blood had drained from his face. Ethan was already moving.

They rushed into the foyer where—miraculously—Pemley was at the door.

“Pemley!” Jason called. “Who took Lady Lydia home?”

The footman’s cheeks reddened. “I don’t remember his name, my lord. I beg your pardon.”

“Was he older? About this tall?” Ethan gestured to his jawline. “His livery probably seemed a bit long for him.”

Pemley nodded. “That’s him. But he did as he was told. I saw him leave with Lady Lydia a few minutes ago.”

Goddammit.
Furious energy surged through Jason just as his muscles felt as though they were made of jelly.

“Come on.” Ethan ran out the door and surveyed the street.

“Where would he go?” Jason’s heart threatened to beat a hole in his chest. “Why would he take her?”

“To ensure he got away.” Ethan turned and ran north. “He’ll head back toward St. Giles. If he can get there, he’ll be untouchable—it’s why he never leaves. Do you know how fucking hard it was for me to get him out of there? And goddamned Bow Street couldn’t even apprehend him.”

Jason kept in stride with Ethan and tried to process what he was saying. “So you’re the one who turned on Gin Jimmy.”

“It was that or be his scapegoat for Lady Aldridge’s death, which I may end up being anyway,” he said darkly.

Ethan put his head down and increased his speed. Jason did the same. A few minutes and two streets later, their speed began to flag, but then Ethan spurred forward. “There he is!”

Up ahead, a man and a woman were turning onto Beak Street—the man clearly pulling her along.

Jason let out an inhuman cry and overtook Ethan in his effort to get to Lydia.

Gin Jimmy spun about, one arm locked around her neck and the other pointed at her side . . . with a knife.

Ethan lunged in front of Jason, partially shielding him, but Jason stepped around him. Ethan put his arm in front of his chest. “Stop. If you move, he’ll kill her.”

“What’re ye doin’, Jagger?” Gin Jimmy asked, his blade pressed against Lydia’s ribcage.

Jason could barely contain himself, despite Ethan’s arm restraining him.

“Let her go, Jimmy,” Ethan said. “You don’t need her. You escaped. Let’s be on our way.”

Gin Jimmy cocked his head to the side. “Somethin’s odd about ye, Jagger. I’m beginnin’ to think Wolverton might’ve been tellin’ the truth. That ye set me up instead o’ him. Why should ye give a shit about this bit o’ fluff? She’s yer brother’s lady, ain’t she? And I ken how much ye hate him. Why haven’t ye gutted him by now?” His lips spread in a humorless smile. “Mayhap ye’ve been lyin’ about how ye feel about him—like ye’ve been lyin’ to me.”

“You set me up, Jimmy.” Ethan’s tone was crisp and frigid.

Gin Jimmy’s gaze was fierce and his mouth twisted with menace. “Ye weren’t doin’ yer job. Ye were supposed to take care o’ Lady Aldridge, not squire her about town. Seemed yer fancy new place in Society had blinded yer vision. So I had Oak help things along.”

While Jason was happy to learn that Ethan hadn’t participated in Lady Aldridge’s demise, he was far more concerned with Lydia at this moment. He pushed Ethan’s arm away and stepped forward. “Lydia, are you all right?”

Her dark eyes were wide, frightened. Of course she wasn’t all right. She was caught in the grip of a murderer. But at least she wasn’t hurt. Yet.

“If you harm my fiancée, I’ll kill you myself,” Jason vowed. Indeed, he considered doing it anyway for kidnapping her and scaring the hell out of her.

“Jagger! Gin Jimmy!” A chorus of shouts and boots hitting stone sounded behind them. Jason looked back to see Teague and another man running their way.

Gin Jimmy snarled. He rotated his wrist. The knife flashed in the lamplight. Lydia’s gasp twisted Jason’s gut, and he lunged toward her.

Ethan moved like quicksilver, his hand catching Gin Jimmy at the base of his throat. Jason assumed he’d gone for the windpipe, but he’d missed. Still, it was enough for Gin Jimmy to loosen his grip on Lydia. Ethan grasped Lydia’s forearm and yanked her forward. She stumbled into Jason’s waiting arms.

Gin Jimmy raised his arm, and the knife blade glittered as he brought it down toward Ethan’s chest. Ethan just barely moved in time, but the blade caught him in the upper right arm as he turned.

With a growl, Gin Jimmy turned tail and ran down the street.

Teague and the other Runner were almost upon them.

Ethan pivoted, his features drawn, his gray eyes furious. “I won’t let them take me.”

“Go,” Jason said. Ethan had saved Lydia’s life, and though he might be a fool, Jason was certain he hadn’t killed Wolverton, nor had he orchestrated Lady Aldridge’s death. “I’ll explain what you were trying to do. How you were working against Gin Jimmy.”

“It won’t matter,” Ethan said, sounding both defeated and remorseful. “They’ll still come after me.”

Jason kept one arm around Lydia, but he reached out and clasped his brother’s wrist. “Let me help you. It’s time to trust me. Go. I’ll make sure you get a decent start.”

Ethan smiled, and in it, Jason saw himself. Saw a future they could build together. He hoped they got that chance. Ethan took a step back, and Jason let him go.

“Thank you.” Then Ethan turned and ran.

Jason turned his attention to the woman he loved. “Lydia, I need you to faint.”

She gazed up at him, her eyes confused, her lips parted. She already looked halfway there.

“I need to distract Teague,” he said urgently.

Her eyes widened with understanding, then fluttered closed. She exhaled dramatically, giving a little squeal as she did so, and dropped like a stone. Jason caught her before she hit the street.

He knelt, cradling her head on his knees, and leaned down. “That was brilliant. I love you.” He felt her flinch. “No, don’t open your eyes. Not yet. Let me deal with Teague first. Then, my love, we will get on with the rest of our lives.”

She cracked open one eye briefly enough to glare at him. “I told you Ethan wasn’t a criminal.”

LYDIA CLOSED
her eye again and feigned unconsciousness. She hoped Ethan was able to get away.

“Where did he go?” someone demanded; Lydia thought it was Teague. She’d only met him the one time after her house had been robbed, but she recognized his voice.

“He got away,” Jason explained. “I had to see to Lydia.” He brushed his hand over her forehead.

He loved her. The knowledge filled her with warmth and joy.

She figured it was all right to awaken, and so she allowed her eyes to gently open. “What happened?” she asked weakly.

“You fainted,” Jason said, his hand still stroking her hairline.

She sat up quickly. “Gin Jimmy!” she cried, hoping to put the focus on him instead of Ethan.

“I’m afraid he ran, but you’re all right.” Jason helped her to stand. He slid one arm around her back and held her close.

“Yes. Thank goodness for Ethan. If he hadn’t gone after Gin Jimmy, I might be dead!” Lydia used all of her years and experience as an accomplished storyteller to sound as convincing as possible.

Teague frowned. “He’s still wanted for murder.” He flicked his gaze to Jason’s. “Even you can’t deny that he killed Wolverton—the knife he dropped on your terrace is his, it’s engraved with the letters EJ.”

Lydia felt Jason tense and cast him a sidelong glance. He clenched his jaw. “I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation.”

“Doubtful.” Teague turned to his companion. “Let’s go.” They took off in the direction both Ethan and Gin Jimmy had taken. Lydia prayed that Ethan would somehow evade them, but he was hurt.

She turned in Jason’s embrace. “Will Ethan be all right? Jimmy stabbed him.”

“I know.” Jason stroked her shoulder with his fingertips in a circular motion. “But if anyone can emerge from this and come out on top, I have to believe it’s Ethan.”

She looked up at him. “Your opinion of him has changed.”

“Yes.” He frowned with regret. “That doesn’t alter the past, however, and he was a criminal—regardless of what you want to believe. He may not have killed Wolverton, or stolen from you, or even had anything to do with Lady Aldridge’s death, but I’m afraid there are plenty of other crimes he may yet be accused of.”

She shivered. She couldn’t reconcile the criminal with the man she’d taught to waltz or the man who’d flirted with Audrey. “We’ll stand by him.”

“‘We’?” Jason asked.

“Of course, we’re to be married, are we not?”

He pulled her tight against his chest and held her. “Yes, though I was afraid I was about to lose you. Are you sure you’re all right?”

“Yes. He didn’t hurt me. He was actually quite friendly at first.” She pulled back, and they started to walk back toward Lockwood House. “Why was he wearing your livery?”

“He killed Kerr and took his clothes.” Jason’s arm was still draped around her back, and as he spoke, his hold had tightened. She could feel his muscles coiling with anger.

She laid her hand against his chest in an effort to soothe the tension in his frame. “But why?”

“To get inside Lockwood House so he could kill Wolverton.”

Lydia realized that was the second time he’d mentioned Wolverton dying. She shook her head, trying to take it all in. “Why?”

“He was the one in charge of the gang who robbed your house.”

Lydia stopped and gaped at him. “Never say so!”

“I’m afraid it’s true. Ethan directed Bow Street to his house, where they found your necklace, among other things.” He guided her forward once more.

She thought of the pleasant visit she’d shared with Wolverton not even a week ago, and she stopped short again. “He called on me last Saturday. He commented on my necklace, and he asked the most peculiar questions about our staff—how many maids we had and so forth.”

Jason’s mouth formed a grim line. “It sounds as if he was planning the theft.”

She shook her head and started walking with Jason again. “How perfectly horrid. But I’m sorry he died. Why did Gin Jimmy kill him?”

“I’m not completely certain, but he apparently thought Wolverton had turned against him. However, Ethan is the one who was trying to get him captured by Bow Street.” Jason fell silent a moment. “I still don’t understand Ethan’s plan. I wish we’d had more time together. I wish he’d trusted me sooner.”

Lydia squeezed his arm. “You’ll get your chance. We’ll find a way to prove he’s innocent of these crimes.”

“
These
crimes, but what of others?” Jason asked hopelessly. “I just found my half brother. I don’t want to lose him again. Especially when I think of how different his life might have been if only we—my mother and I—had shown him some compassion.”

They were nearly halfway back to Lockwood House. Lydia paused and wrapped her arms around Jason. “We won’t lose him. I firmly believe that love conquers all, and you love Ethan. And he loves you.”

“That might be taking things a bit far.” He kissed the top of her head.

She wanted to argue with him, but she was suddenly bone-tired. “Can we hurry back to Lockwood House?” Plus, she wanted to hear more declarations of love.