The coach rocked, and hooves pounded the street as Sophia sat next to James on the squabs, Anteros and Sawyer across from them. Never had she witnessed such a battle, but even as it had unfolded around her in all its viciousness, she’d rather have been there than anywhere else. James held her loyalty, as each of these men in this coach now surely did.

“How are you feeling?” James lifted her hand between both of his and gently kissed her chilled fingertips.

“Grateful for everyone here and worried about Giovani since we’ve left him behind. I’m also exceedingly angry that Mr. Taylor has gotten away with murder until this day.” As they neared James’s warehouse, the skies lightened, the dawn sun breaching the horizon and the ever-present morning fog thankfully lifting.

“Taylor’s retribution is mere minutes away, and I can assure you he’ll pay dearly for what he’s done.” He lifted her off the squab, settled her in his lap and wrapped his arms around her.

“James, what are you doing?” She squeaked and wriggled to free herself. “Your actions are most improper,” she whispered.

“You’re calling my actions improper?” He grumbled under his breath as he glanced at the men across from them, both of whom continued to watch for their arrival at the docks, paying them no attention at all. “You’re dressed in lad’s clothing, have just witnessed a battle with blood being shed, and are shivering. I will hold you so I can warm you up, and nothing you can say will halt me.”

Well, he had a point with all those arguments, and indeed, his heat penetrated deep into her, warming her in the most delicious way and settling her chills, not that she intended to admit that. Instead, she let out a low growl and touched the grim line of his lips. “You must confront your man of affairs soon. Are you ready to do so?”

“My father employed Taylor seven years ago, and I find it intolerable that he’s been stealing from my family all these years.” He removed her cap, set it beside him and smiled as her golden locks fell in soft waves around her face. He twined a lock around his finger, his strength fully enclosing her, his voice a husky murmur in her ear, “My lady, you have the most beautiful hair. It’s so glorious in color, as stunning as the rising sun on a crisp spring morning.”

“That sounded rather poetic.” A side of James she quite liked.

“I want to see your glorious locks spread across my pillow every night.” He touched his lips to her ear and discreetly ran his tongue along the whorls.

“Ah, t-that could be arranged.” She gasped as something very large poked her in the bottom.

“You’re willing to fill the position I’ve offered, of gracing my bed?” A spark in his hazel eyes, the color shifting from brown to a stunning green and oh my, how she’d missed seeing his eyes come so alive with such glorious color.

“The position sounds very tempting, although there must be a catch.”

“You’d have to promise me your obedience,” he added huskily.

“Obedience is a tad boring.” She wriggled against him some more. “Stubbornness though…I can give you plenty of that.”

A grimace as he reclined his head back against the coach seat.

“Do I have your agreement?” She wriggled some more.

“Sophia.” A definite growl as leaned forward and nipped her ear. “My lady, I am presently suffering. In both heaven and hell.”

“We’ve arrived,” Bourbon stated.

The coach slowed and she craned her head to check out the window. Indeed, they’d arrived.

They drew up alongside another coach, the crest emblazoned upon it stating it belonged to the Duke of Ashten. She slid off Donnelly’s lap, which thankfully he allowed, while outside Ashten’s coach her brother-in-law stepped clear. With his cane in hand and navy tailcoats flapping, Ashten strode toward them with firm purpose.

The duke opened the door and stepped inside. Sitting next to Donnelly, he removed his hat and cast one slow and assessing look at her. “Olivia arrived on my doorstep a few hours ago in a fit of worry. She and Ellie have been fearing for you ever since. Are you well, Sophia?”

“Yes, and I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry anyone with my sudden leaving, but I had no choice.” She’d apologize profusely to Olivia and Ellie when she next saw them. “Are Winterly and Mama aware of my leaving?”

“No, thankfully not, although you’ll have a devil of a time explaining all of this to your sisters, who I might add, insisted on traveling with me and are right now ensconced in my coach.” He lobbed his gaze to Donnelly. “I thought it best to check here at your warehouse before continuing on to the eastern docks. What exactly has happened?”

Donnelly informed Ashten of Captain Lewiston’s theft of the chest, of the captain’s intention to set sail across the Atlantic and increase his wealth by means of pirating, and of their battle on board the captain’s recently acquired ship. He spoke of Geoffrey Lewiston’s involvement, then confirmed the demise of both brothers, and that they’d left Bourbon’s man, Giovani, behind to take care of matters. Lastly, he updated him on Mr. Taylor, that Lewiston had confirmed his man of affairs had been pilfering cargo and squandering his family’s money for years. Hands braced on his knees, James snarled, anger thrumming from him. “Ashten, I’m after a confession from Taylor, then I will ensure he pays for his crimes once I have the evidence I need for a conviction.”

“He deserves death.”

“Agreed, or to rot in Newgate, with no hope of ever seeing the light of day again. Either option suits me.” James grasped her hand and gently rubbed it between his fingers. “I apologize that this conversation is improper for you to hear.”

“I need to hear it.” Through good times and bad, she would stand by him.

“Taylor will be dealt with right now.” A firm promise as he kissed her hand.

“We have visitors,” Bourbon interrupted as he opened the door. “Wills approaches. Another lad too.”

Indeed, two lads approached, both in breeches and dusty jerseys. They bounded in, grave looks in both their eyes.

“Speak, Wills,” Bourbon ordered the boy with a mop of brown hair and soot smeared across one cheek.

“This is Paddy,” Wills said with a wave of his grimy hand at the other boy.

“You’re the cabin boy from the Fortune Maria?” Donnelly asked, and the lad named Paddy nodded. “Inform us of all you know.”

“Milord, the first mate of the Fortune Maria asked me to find Captain Lewiston and I did, at the Boar Head Tavern. I snuck in through the back door near the kitchens and overheard the captain speaking to his brother. Geoffrey, his name was.”

“What did you hear?”

“The owner said he had a buyer for his tavern, someone named Blackburne. The captain told his brother they’d be sailin’ on the high tide, and to gather as many men as he could. I could tell Captain Lewiston was up to no good, but I wasn’t sure who I could trust, so instead of going back to the first mate, I left and came straight here to find ye. Snuck a ride on a cart, I did, then asked Mr. Taylor if I could wait for ye in yer office. He asked me what I needed to see ye about, and I told him what I’d uncovered. He got mighty angry and backhanded me. When I woke up, I found myself in the basement of the warehouse.” He gestured a shaking hand at Wills. “He got me out.”

Wills cleared his throat. “Taylor is upstairs in the office where ye all spoke the other day. He’s making a terrible racket, and he’s got a pistol. I spied him with it.”

“You two have both done very well.” Donnelly glanced between the two boys. “These are your new orders. You’re both to stay right here while we confront Taylor. You’re to remain out of harm’s way. Am I understood?”

“Yes, sir.” Firm agreement and nods from the two lads.

“Good.” Donnelly stepped down from the coach and held out his hand to her. “You’re to wait with your sisters in Ashten’s coach.”

She didn’t argue, but accepted his hand and once he steered her across to Ashten’s conveyance and aided her inside, she got smothered by both her sisters and a dozen demanding questions.

Oh dear, she had a lot of explaining to do.