The Accidental Courtesan (37 page)

Once they reached their destination a short time later, Noelle had only a moment to glimpse the outer prison walls before they were dragged inside by the chains that bit into their fragile wrists.

The door slammed closed behind them. This was an entirely new world composed of danger and terror. It was dark, vile, and without rules.

Newgate. Bile raced up the back of her throat. At least Bliss was shackled to her, and Noelle had something real and comforting to hold on to. The dim, dank passageways were filthy and rat-infested. The two women stumbled along, their skirts tangled together, desperate not to be separated. Bliss was no longer crying. Her tears had turned into whimpers as they faded into the bowels of the prison.

Sounds of despair came from barred cells, as if the occupants had long ago given up their sanity. Shrieks and moans and mumbled voices filled the passageway, and clawed hands reached through the barred doors toward her, until Noelle was certain she'd go mad with fright.

She felt sick and struggled not to empty the contents of her stomach on the unswept stone floor. Bliss needed her, and she would be strong.

The guards finally shoved them into a cell, the floor covered with straw and, likely, vermin. The toothless guard unshackled them, taking his time with Bliss. The girl tried to twist away when his hand groped her breast.

“Ye are a beauty.” Spittle droplets sprang from his mouth, no teeth to block the spray.

Noelle pushed his hand away and shoved herself between them. “Don't touch her.” She stood to full height. The top of her head barely came to his chin. “I have friends who will see you hanged if we are harmed.”

Whether it was her tone or her aristocratic speech that caused him to back away, Noelle couldn't know. But he finally left them and slammed the heavy door closed behind him.

“What is happening?” Bliss asked, her voice high. “Mister Blackwell swore he wouldn't see us imprisoned.”

Noelle scooped her into her arms. “I am positive he isn't responsible for this.” But not as positive as she'd like. She petted Bliss's hair and made soft, soothing sounds. “We have to hope that someone saw us taken and will come to our rescue.”

Noelle watched a pair of mangy rats move over the straw, searching for edibles, their black beady eyes intense. She led Bliss to the soiled cot, eased her down onto it, and joined her on the tattered surface. Both women tucked their legs up beneath them in hopes the rats wouldn't come in for a closer look.

Rat bites were suspected to cause disease.

“We have to remain strong.” Noelle clutched Bliss's cold hands and tried to manage a smile. When that failed, she managed to force out, “Someone will come for us. I know they will.”

As the hours passed and their situation became more desperate, Noelle began to worry they'd never escape. The guards took turns looking through the small barred window of the cell, their evil eyes burning through their clothing, silently promising it was only a matter of time before they violated the two women. Eventually the bravest of the group would overlook Noelle's obvious aristocracy and threats and would pounce.

She tried twice to gain the attention of a guard, hoping if she told him her name and title, she could gain release. However, the men seemed content to ignore her pleas.

It took some time before the occupants of the adjoining cells settled to sleep, and Noelle suspected it was nighttime. Without exterior windows to confirm her suspicions, it was but a guess. Bliss had fallen into a restless, exhausted slumber with her head on Noelle's lap, her soft breathing uneven.

Noelle kept watch, glaring at the guards as they passed. The smells of disease, urine, and filth helped to keep her vigilant. Two sleeping women were easy prey. And though Noelle knew that eventually they would be victims, she'd fend off the inevitable as long as possible.

Time passed without notice, and Noelle didn't realize she'd dozed until a sound snapped her awake. The toothless guard and another man had slipped silently into the cell and loomed over the cot. Bliss came awake at Noelle's cry and screamed. The two men grabbed for them, one jerking Bliss to the floor.

Noelle clawed at her attacker, barely noticing Bliss being pushed down into the straw. The toothless guard tore at the courtesan's clothing while the second guard shoved Noelle down on the cot and climbed atop her. His weight was so great, she couldn't push him off. He tore at the opening of his trousers, at the same time shoving up her skirts. Noelle pummeled his face with her fists, hoping to break his nose.

“Get off!”

Bliss fought as well, kicking the toothless guard with her slippered feet. He slapped her hard, and she went still.

Noelle whimpered, gouging her attacker's eyes with her nails. It was a replay of the night of the courtesan ball. The man grinned sickeningly. “Ye might well lay back and enjoy it.”

“Never.” She spat in his face. The man glowered and closed a fist. She braced herself for the blow. Instead, he reared up, his face filled with shock and surprise. He tumbled off the cot onto his face and went still; a knife was buried deep in his back.

Her eyes wide, she saw Gavin standing behind the fallen guard. “Gavin!” she screamed. Noelle scrambled from the cot, only then noticing the toothless guard similarly prone on the floor, a knife in his neck. The Earl of Seabrook reached down to gather the stunned Bliss into his arms.

Gavin took Noelle by the hand and pulled her against him. “Are you hurt?” She shook her head. “Come, then, we must go.”

Gavin took the lead, dragging Noelle behind him. The earl, carrying Bliss, brought up the rear. They made their way quickly through the darkened passageway. Noelle had no sense of direction in the maze of passages and had to rely on Gavin to lead them to safety.

Shock kept her from questioning his appearance or doing more than notice that Crawford had joined them at the back door of the prison. They were quickly hustled into a waiting coach. The investigator rapped his fist on the roof. The coach jerked forward, and the prison was soon well behind them.

Gavin snuggled her close to his side and looked into her eyes. The blue depths of his eyes showed how deeply concerned he was for her. Both relief and worry were there. “Are you hurt?” he whispered. “Did he—?”

She touched a fingertip to his lips. She couldn't speak about her near-violation now, while it was still fresh. “We are both unharmed. You came in time.” She watched his eyes fill with relief. “How did you find us?”

“Your sister saw you taken, and sent for me.” He leaned to press a firm kiss on her brow, then another. She felt his body shudder against her, and she realized how truly fearful he'd been for her. She clung to his coat and held on. “Crawford bribed a guard to look the other way.”

Noelle pressed her head to his mouth and resisted tears. He was warm and stable in a day gone mad. Had the rescuers' arrival been delayed by minutes, there would be nothing left of her to save. She would have killed herself rather than live with the aftermath of her violation.

“Thank you for coming,” she whispered, and nuzzled her face to his shoulder. His scent washed some of the lingering stench of the prison from her mind. It still clung to her clothing, and she longed to rip off her soiled dress and toss it out the window. She'd see everything burned.

“You're welcome.” He caught her hand and pressed it to his lips. “When I discover who did this, I'll see her hanged.”

Noelle tucked her hand under his arm, fearful she'd awaken from this dream and find herself back in the prison. If she held on tightly enough to him, she could stay safe forever.

“How many kidnappings does one have to endure in one's lifetime?” she asked, resigned.

“If I have my druthers, this was the last,” Gavin replied. “I plan to see that your life from now on is normal on every front.”

Normal sounded wonderful. She clasped his hand. “I will hold you to that promise.” She turned to smile gratefully at Crawford. He grinned and nodded. She'd thank him properly once they were well away from Newgate.

“How is Bliss?” Noelle asked softly. She watched the earl smooth the courtesan's dark hair back from her face. Her head was in his lap, her lids open slightly as Bliss roused and looked up at His Lordship. He gave her a smile and cupped the side of her face.

Bliss smiled weakly. “Your Lordship.”

“You stole Hortense's necklace.” He shot her a teasing glare. It was as if Noelle, Gavin, and Crawford were not in the coach. “I'd paddle you if I didn't think you'd suffered enough for your crime.”

“I didn't mean to take it,” she said. Tears sprang to her eyes. Bliss was filthy and mussed up, her gown torn and her hair in disarray. Her condition didn't seem to bother the earl in the least. He held her close. “I would never steal from you.”

“I know.” The earl shook his head. “Rest now, dearest. There will be time later for a discussion on how not to be led astray by the whims of your maid.”

The pair slipped into a quiet conversation. Noelle finally submitted to exhausted slumber, her head on Gavin's shoulder and his arm tucked snugly around her.

 

G
avin felt Noelle go slack, and he sighed. When he'd seen his beloved courtesan-thief beneath the guard, fighting for her life, he'd felt a burning rage like no other. He hadn't hesitated when he'd buried his blade so deep into thick flesh; he'd known the man would not live to attack another defenseless woman.

When Eva had sent him the frantic note, he'd gone icy cold with fear. Crawford was the first person he'd thought of who could help. The investigator had connections all over London. Gavin suspected what had happened from Eva's note. He knew Crawford could confirm that the women had been taken to Newgate and could help plot their rescue. And he was right. For that, Gavin would be forever grateful.

He'd heard of the vile things women prisoners suffered and knew they had to mount a quick rescue. Gavin and Charles collected Crawford on the way to Newgate.

The distance to the prison was not great, though it seemed like an eternity as they raced through the streets. All he could think about was Noelle suffering, and the terror of not knowing how he'd find her. His heart felt torn asunder.

It was in the moment he saw the guard tearing at her clothing that he knew, somehow over this last week, he'd fallen deeply and completely in love with her. He'd kill a thousand men, if it meant keeping her safe and at his side forever.

No matter how this caper ended, or how Noelle felt about the matter, he'd find a way to break past her fear of marriage and wed her as quickly as a special license could be arranged. Then he'd spend the rest of his life making sure she never regretted her decision to accept him as her husband.

A few minutes later, the coach rolled to a stop outside Charles's town house. Once the women were carried inside, Gavin sent a note to Eva, via a footman, to assure her both women were safe. He knew Her Grace would be angered he hadn't brought Noelle to Collingwood House, but she'd just have to live with her disappointment. Never again would Noelle spend a night anywhere but under his roof.

Well, for the moment, Charles's roof. It was far past time to find his own house.

Perhaps he'd leave the matter of picking out the perfect house to Noelle, since she'd be mistress of the household. The idea of having her in his life and bed, and children, too, filled him with happiness and contentment.

An odd sentiment for a man with his own fears about the institution of marriage.

“You are smiling,” she said, and slid her hand down the side of his neck. “Would you like to tell me why?”

“Later,” he said. There was time for courtship once she was bathed and had recovered from her horrid ordeal. For now, he was content to hold her.

“You can put me down,” Noelle said as he headed for the stairs with her clutched high in his arms. “I can walk.”

He snuggled her tighter. “I think I shall keep you like this always. I like having you in my arms.”

Noelle smiled into his eyes, and his heart lurched. She had such beautiful eyes. “I smell of Newgate. Surely you can gather me back into your embrace once I've bathed and you've changed.” Her fingers plucked at his dirt-smudged coat. “Then I shall thank you properly for coming to my rescue.”

Gavin carried her up the staircase to one of the bedrooms along the hallway. Once they were over the threshold, he kicked the door closed behind them and lowered her feet to the floor.

“I think you should thank me now.” He pulled her to him and kissed her. Noelle melted against him. He pushed aside thoughts of Newgate, brutal guards, rats, and anything else Noelle might have suffered, hoping his kiss would help erase the horrors of this nightmare. He wanted to tell her he loved her, but the moment wasn't right. She needed time to collect herself. So he kissed her instead.

When she pulled back, she was smiling. “You are an expert kisser, Mister Blackwell. Now please send for some hot water. I am offending myself.”

He lifted her dirty knuckles to his mouth. “I think it is time you finally stop calling me Mister Blackwell, don't you? I much prefer that you call me Gavin.”

She said nothing as she reached for the door handle. She opened the door and, pushing gently against his chest, eased him backward into the hallway. “Perhaps,” she said, and closed the door in his face.

Gavin chuckled and went to do her bidding.

Once the women were settled in rooms upstairs and baths had been arranged with the staff, the men gathered in the study. Gavin and Crawford seated themselves in overstuffed chairs before the fireplace while Charles spoke to the housekeeper.