Tricia held her sister’s hand. Mr. Winters, the driver, the two armed men, and two more stood in a semi-circle facing them. Dear Lord, how were they ever going to get out of this?

“I’m sorry I wanted a pasty,” Tabbie murmured, her voice oddly rough with emotion.

Tricia looked at her sister. “This is not your fault.”

Tabbie nodded, but Tricia could see a tear slipping down her sister’s cheek.

Her sister was pregnant and emotional. With a breath, Tricia realized it was her turn to be strong. She turned to Mr. Winters, “May I ask a question?”

He looked slightly surprised and it gave Tricia a moment’s satisfaction to have caught him off guard. “I suppose.”

“Did you know that we’d be at that shop?”

“Happy coincidence,” he shrugged. “And to be fair, I don’t really care about you at all. It’s her that I needed. But you might have a few tidbits of information.”

Tricia started in surprise. He didn’t seem to understand that she was a much larger part of this than Tabbie. What else didn’t he know?

“Now, let’s continue talking about Wimbley. Who is he really?”

Tricia sat in silence and Tabbie followed suit.

“Tut tut now, ladies, silence will not do.” He gestured toward another man who promptly pulled a long knife from his belt.

“We’ve already told you,” Tricia held up her free hand. “He is the Earl of Wimbley. Lord Sussex knows him from his gentlemen’s club.”

Mr. Winters stepped closer, the man with the knife following. He was the rough type with hard eyes and hands like anvils. But then her attention was drawn back to Winters again. “And you expect me to believe that he encouraged a man you’d never met to escort your sister to a formal event?”

“Oh but we did meet him,” Tricia cried. “In the very same shop we met you this morning. It’s the toast of London.”

That last comment may have been a bit too much, Tricia thought, but didn’t say more.

“They don’t know anything,” another man griped. “Stupid women.”

Actually they were smart enough to know when not to correct a man. “You sent word to the marquess?” Winters returned.

“Aye. But ye better hope he thinks this is a good plan and not a foolish one. It’s a dangerous path you’ve started down.”

“He will,” Winters huffed even as the sound of several horses outside penetrated the quiet within. “See,” Winters gestured toward the door. “There he is now. We’ll use them as a carrot to make sure Sussex—”

“That’s strange,” another called who had gone to the nearest window. “I don’t see him or anyone else.”

“No matter. He’ll come soon.” Winters waved the other man’s comment away but a second joined the first at the window.

“Where’d they go?” he asked peering out the window.

“We’re at the docks. People come and go all the time,” Winters huffed.

“Not now. The river is low.” A third began moving toward another window.

Winters was about to reply when the door was flung open. In the span of a second, all hell broke loose.

Six men at least came crashing through the door and began firing weapons. Tricia covered her mouth so as not to scream when a hand gripped her shoulder. “Let’s go.”

Ryker’s voice made her wrench her head around and there he stood. She would have cried with relief and happiness but he was already hauling her to her feet and then she pulled Tabbie up too.

“Don’t look back,” he yelled over the noise as he ushered them through a large space in the back of the warehouse, through a back door, and into an alley. She clutched his hand with all her energy, wanting to be close to him now.

But Ryker didn’t stop. He continued to a street and down another alley and out to another street.

“Luke,” Tabbie cried as it became clear they would not stop and wait.

“He knows where to meet us.” Ryker began pulling them again.

Tabbie stopped a second time. “What if he’s hurt? What if—”

Ryker gently started them moving again. “He is a strong man. Right now, we have to think about you and your baby.”

Tricia felt her heart swell with tears and, quite honestly, joy. She was worried for Luke, of course, but her sister was safe as well as the baby, and Ryker was being painfully gentle with her sister. She was going to marry a good man. “Don’t worry, Tabbie,” she soothed. “Luke is…very manly. Just think of all the scrapes he’s likely gotten himself out of.”

“A family trait?” Ryker gave them a small grin as he kept pulling them until they’d reached the alley where Tricia had first met Ryker.

She huffed even as she snuggled her face into his shoulder. “Tease,” she admonished as he wrapped an arm around her. He still held Tabbie’s hand too and Tricia didn’t know if he was still comforting her or making sure that she didn’t go racing back to the warehouse.

“Troublemaker,” he gave a soft laugh into her hair. “I am so glad you’re all right.”

“Me too,” she looked up at him then. “But I would like you to know, this had nothing to do with me. Winters didn’t know my connection to you or that you were involved.”

“Luke,” Ryker drew in a sharp breath.

“Yes,” Tabbie nodded her head as tears spilled over her cheeks. “Somehow, they knew Luke and another man were at the ball.”

“They were questioning us on who Wimbley is,” Tricia added.

Ryker pursed his lips. “We should have known that even in costume, Sussex would be recognized. He’s too well known.”

But they stopped as the sound of tapping shoes came down the street. Tucking Tricia and Tabbie behind him with their backs to a wall, Ryker pulled out both his pistols. But it was Luke who entered the alley and Tabbie pushed past Ryker to race to her husband.

He caught her up in his arms as the two embraced. Ryker took the opportunity to spin around and catch her up in his arms.

Happiness and relief washed through her as he held her close, their bodies pressed together, his lips finding hers.

“I knew you’d come,” she finally murmured between kisses.

He smiled against her lips. “I’m glad you have such faith in me.”

“That and I saw Mr. Hart.” She pulled back a little to give him a teasing grin.

“That certainly did help.” He kissed her again long and slow.

She nearly forgot what she wanted to say but when he finally lifted his head she blinked her thoughts back into focus. “But you would have come anyhow, I know you would have. You’re always there when I need you. It’s one of the reasons I love you.” She couldn’t hold back the words, her feelings overwhelming her in this moment.

“I love you, too,” he whispered. “More than I ever thought possible.” Than he kissed a trail across her jaw to nibble on her ear. “Let’s get you to your father’s side. Then I will deal with Mr. Winters.”

Hope and love filled her even when she thought of her father. Ryker was filling her with an optimism she hadn’t felt in months. He was the right man for her. She gave a nod and together they walked back to Luke and Tabbie.

It took longer than Tricia would have liked to return home. They had to find a hack for hire. The driver was smart enough not to ask why Ryker and Luke insisted upon riding on either side of the carriage. But Tricia could hear them talking to one another, at least enough to know that Coventry had taken the kidnappers who had survived and brought them to the Bow Street Runners for questioning.

Ryker would return to assist in the interrogation himself, while Luke was to remain with the women.

She also caught something about a late supper but couldn’t make out the details. Tabbie was leaning against her shoulder and blocking one ear with her coif of hair.

“Are you all right?” she asked her sister.

“Fine, but I feel a bit worn out,” Tabbie replied, closing her eyes.

Tricia wrapped her arm around her sister’s shoulders. It was still early in Tabbie’s pregnancy and Tricia felt a niggle of fear. “I know you are worried about Father, but you are to rest this afternoon. The baby has to come first.”

“I agree,” Tabbie’s voice sounded strained. “You’ve done a marvelous job of holding up under all this, Tricia. You’ve grown so much. I’m proud of you.”

Tears pricked at Tricia’s eyes. Tabbie was one of the strongest people she knew. It was high praise. “Thank you,” she murmured, wrapping her arms about her sister.

As they pulled through the gate of her London home, Tricia saw the front door open as first the butler and then her mother and brother stepped out to greet them.

Ryker dismounted to help her out of the carriage and she saw her mother’s eyes flit over him. As Tricia stepped down, her mother gave her a glowing smile. “You’ve finally made it. I have wonderful news.”

Tricia would have to explain to her mother why they were late though it wasn’t a task she looked forward to. She was rather taken aback at her mother’s informal tone and words in front of a stranger. While Ryker was familiar to her, her mother had yet to meet him. Whatever she was about to say, it must be quite important. “What news?”

“Your father is up and about,” she announced as Luke helped Tabbie down.

“How fantastic!” Tabbie exclaimed as she leaned into Luke.

“Let’s move inside to discuss it further,” she declared as she glanced at her sister again. “Do you have time to join us, Your Grace?”

Her mother’s backbone straightened at the address.

“Just a moment, if your mother would permit it.” He gave her mother a gentle smile before he winked at Tricia

“Of course, Your Grace.” Her mother said as she gave a slight courtesy, her duchess façade was now firmly in place.

“Mother, may I introduce the Duke of Landon.” Tricia’s insides fluttered. Though Luke had already consented to the match on her father’s behalf, her mother’s opinion surely mattered.

“Charmed,” she bowed her head and then gestured for everyone to follow them inside.

They made themselves comfortable in the front sitting room, as Tricia leaned over to Luke. “Tabbie needs to lie down as soon as possible.”

With a terse nod, he helped his wife into a chair.

As Tricia sat upon a settee, Ryker joined her. Her mother’s eyes were fixed upon them. “It is a pity you can’t stay, Your Grace.” Her mother gave him a warm smile. “Tonight we will have a bit of a celebratory dinner.”

Ryker gave her a nod. “I’ve pressing business this afternoon, but with your permission, I would be honored to return.”

Her mother’s eyes lit with approval. “We would be delighted to have you.”

Ryker rose then. “It is settled then. I will see you all this evening.” And then he leaned over to kiss her hand before exiting the salon.

The moment he was gone her mother stood. “Why have I not heard about His Grace?”

Tricia swallowed. “We only met a few days ago, Mother, while getting pasties for Tabbie.” She cleared her throat as discreetly as she could. “And of course, he attended the ball last evening.”

“Has he made his intention to court you known?” Her mother’s brows raised.

It was Luke who answered. “Actually, he’s asked my permission for Tricia’s hand. He does not participate often in society and does not—”

“Did you accept?” her mother interrupted, her hands clasped in front of her.

“I did, Your Grace,” Luke answered, his own posture tensing.

“Excellent news,” her mother replied and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. “I always knew you’d marry well, my sweet Tricia.”

“What about me,” Tabbie grumped from her chair. “You didn’t think I’d marry well?”

“Darling, don’t be silly. I mean, I worried a little. Your insistence on hiding behind potted plants was concerning and then, of course, the sharpness of your tongue.” Her mother took a breath to continue but Tricia cut her off.

“Mother, the ball last night overtaxed Tabbie. She needs to rest.” Tricia stood. “Luke, why don’t you escort her upstairs to lie down? I’ll see that a tray of food gets brought up.”

Tabbie looked at her gratefully and Tricia realized, that somewhere along the way, she had stopped looking to Tabbie for answers and had begun to protect her sister as Tabbie had always done for her. And now she was to marry, start a family of her own, and do the work she’d always wanted to do. Her father was better, Fenton safely returned and tucked into a hospital. Ryker had brought more joy to her life then she had ever imagined possible.