Chapter 36: 36. Career Moves

The metal door at the back of the portrait swung open, revealing a slim compartment. The compartment was filled to the brim with tightly-typed documents, sealed envelopes and strange objects I wasn't even able to identify.

'Well, well...' I whistled. 'Look what we've found here.'

Karim eyes narrowed. 'What exactly have we found here?'

'No idea.' Reaching up, I grabbed handful after handful of the safe's contents and started stuffing them into my pockets. 'But if Dalgliesh thinks it's worth hiding, I know it's worth taking!'

'A philosophy I can most heartily agree with, Sahiba.'

Reaching out, he, too, started helping himself to the interior of the safe. Soon, both our pockets were stuffed full to the brim, and the safe was as empty as the bank account of one of Mr Ambrose's debtors. I had just pulled the last envelope full of documents out of the safe when, from somewhere in the distance, I heard a dull gong.

Whirling around, I stared at the door. 'Darn! What time is it?'

'What time?' Karim stared at me as if I'd lost my mind—or at least leased it out temporarily. 'Sahiba?'

'What time! Tell me!'

Slipping his hand into his pocket, Karim pulled out a simple pewter pocket watch. 'It's just about noon, why?'

'Bloody hell!' I smacked my forehead. 'That means it's time for lunch!'

Karim's bushy eyebrows drew together. 'So what? All the servants will be gathered in the servant's dining hall, cut off from the rest of the house. It'll make it all the easier for us to slip outside.'

'Perhaps I didn't make myself clear enough,' I said, taking a deep breath and pointing a finger at the prone form of the cook on the floor, still wrapped in the curtain. 'It's time for lunch.'

Karim's eyes widened. 'Oh.'

'Oh is right! I have a suspicion his absence in the kitchen will be noticed rather promptly.' Dashing over to the door, I pushed it open just a crack and peeked out into the corridor—only to slam it shut again instantly. 'Damn! The whole place is already swarming with servants! What are we going to do?'

'Sometimes, Sahiba, the most direct route is the best.'

Before I could even ask what the heck he meant, Karim leapt over to the window, grabbed a pillow from an armchair to wrap his hand in, and punched. With a crack, the glass splintered outward. A few well-placed shoves, and the remnants of the pane fell onto the ground outside.

'Are you crazy?' I hissed. 'If they heard—'

'Then we'd better move quickly, hadn't we?'

Grumbling, I marched towards the window and swung my leg over the sill. It was just about a yard to the ground, and no one was visible outside, but it was a long way to the woods—open country, where anyone glancing out of the windows could catch sight of us. The stables on the other hand...

My eyes drifted to the stable doors, judging the distance.

'Come!' Gesturing to Karim, I slid along the house wall, ducking out of sight under the windows whenever there was a break in the wall. Karim was close on my heels.

'Where are you going?' Karim demanded.

'To the stables,' I informed him. 'Now listen. Here's what we're going to do...'

I explained, quickly and succinctly. Two minutes later when we entered the stables, I was limping, supporting myself with one arm around Karim's shoulders. One of the stable lads, just in the process of rubbing down a magnificent black stallion, turned towards us at the noise, and his eyes went wide.

'M-my Lady? Sir? How...who...?'

'Oh, thank goodness!' I gave the stable hand my most magnificently misleading smile. 'I'm so glad we found a kind gentleman such as you!'

'G-gentleman?'

'Of course! You know how to treat a lady, don't you?' I batted my eyelashes up at him.

'C-certainly, My Lady!'

'That's so good to hear! My servant and I were coming up the road and I had a little accident. Unfortunately, I ended up twisting my ankle. Do you think your master would possibly allow me to rest for a little while up at the house, while someone is sent for a doctor?'

The young man blushed to the roots of his hair. 'I...I'm afraid my master ain't at home, My Lady.'

'Oh.' I made sure that my face fell at least three miles down a steep cliff. 'Then...what am I to do? The pain...I...I don't think I could stand for much longer.'

'Err...um...' The poor young man looked around, nibbling on his lower lip like a terrified little bunny. Suddenly, his face lit up. 'I know! I could lend you one of the master's horses. I'm sure he wouldn't mind.'

You don't know your master very well, buddy.

'Oh really?' I clasped my hands together. 'Would you really be so chivalrous?'

'Sure, no problem! Wait, just let me find you a nice, steady little mare...'

'No need. I'll take this one,' I said and, leaping forward, swung myself up onto the black stallion's back. The animal reared, nearly cracking the ceiling with its hoofs. The stable lad jumped back, eyes wide.

'A-are you sure, My Lady? He is rather...temperamental.'

I grinned. 'Just like me. Thank you so much for your help.' Leaning down from the horse, I gently touched his cheek. 'You're my hero.'

The poor boy nearly keeled over backwards.

'Thank you, My Lady! Thank you so much!'

'You're welcome,' I told him with a big smile, and prodded the stallion forward, guiding it towards the door. 'Come, Karim, will you?'

'Certainly, Sahiba.'

In a blink, we were through the stable door and outside, riding down the path as if we nothing but honoured guests. A moment later, the stable boy appeared jogging beside us.

'Um...I only just realized...how will my master be getting his horses back?'

'Oh.' I raised an eyebrow. 'That's a good question.'

'Err...yes. It is.'

'Karim? How do you think His Lordship could get his horses back?'

'He could come and get them,' Karim suggested, cracking his knuckles, bloodlust glinting in his eyes.

The stable lad went pale as a sheet. I took pity on the poor fellow.

'Or you could just accompany us until we meet up with my fiancé. Then you could take the horses straight back.'

The young man beamed. 'That would be wonderful, My Lady! Where are you expecting to meet your fiancé?'

'Over there. It isn't far.'

The young man sped up as I spurred the horse to a trot, and soon we reached the edge of the woods. I breathed a silent sigh of relief when the house disappeared out of sight behind us. And another, not quite so silent one when I noticed a tall, dark figure standing in the shadow of the trees.

'Miss Linton.'

'Yaah!' Startled, the stable lad jumped about two feet into the air. His eyes flicked around wildly until they settled on the dark figure. Uncertainly, he glanced up at me.

'It's all right.' Grinning like a loon, I swung myself down out of the saddle. 'No need to worry. We're safe with him.'

'A-are you sure, My Lady?'

I considered, and finally gave an honest answer. 'Mostly.'

'I heard that.' The dark figure stepped forward and, as light fell in slivers through the trees, they lit the face of Mr Rikkard Ambrose.

'Nice to see you, too, Sir.' Still smiling, I raised a hand to wave. Unfortunately, it was the one that was just turning a nice shade of blue and yellow from punching too hard against the wall.

'You...!'

With two long steps, he was at my side. Suddenly, I felt iron shackles encircle me—his arms! Hard, firm, and wonderfully familiar.

'You were hurt.' The words whispered in my ear were half threat, half promise of vengeance.

'I was punching a portrait.' I winked up at him. 'Guess of whom.'

Holding me away for just a moment, he gazed down at me, sea-coloured eyes swirling with unreadable emotions. Then he roughly pulled me against him, pressing his face into my hair.

'Next time you volunteer for infiltration,' he growled, 'I shall lock you in a room and throw the key away!'

'Hm. Could be interesting. Will you be in the room with me?'

The stable boy cleared his throat. 'This is your fiancé, I assume?'

Mr Ambrose's answer was a cool glare that sent the poor boy into a rapid retreat.

'Who,' he enquired, his voice as icy as the arctic tundra, 'is this?'

'This kind young man,' I informed my dear fiancé, 'is in the service of Lord Daniel Eugene Dalgliesh.'

'You don't say?' One of Mr Ambrose's arms, hidden behind me, slipped down from around me and reached for the sword hidden in his walking stick.

'When I informed him about my twisted ankle,' I hurriedly continued, 'he was kind enough to lend me one of his master's horses and escort me here to you.'

'How very kind of him.' Mr Ambrose examined the poor stable lad from top to bottom. 'I'm sure Lord Dalgliesh will have a very...special reward for him.'

The young man's eyes lit up. 'You really think so?'

'Oh yes.' Mr Ambrose nodded. 'Lord Dalgliesh has a special room in which he gives out "rewards" to people like you. Usually they're so captivated that they won't leave for a very, very long time.'

'Amazing!' A big smile spread over the young man's face. 'I never knew His Lordship is so generous!'

'You can't even imagine.'

I kicked Mr Ambrose's shin, glaring up at him. 'But I'm sure Mr Ambrose would give you an even bigger reward, correct?'

'Give a reward?' My dear fiancé looked as if he had just been forced to swallow an electric eel steeped in vomit sauce. 'I?'

'Yes.' I kicked him again, harder. 'In fact, I do believe you still need an assistant stable master back at your manor. Wouldn't this young man be perfect for the job?'

'A-assistant stable master?' The lad's eyes went wide. 'That's too generous!'

'Yes,' Mr Ambrose instantly agreed. 'It is.'

That, in my opinion, deserved another kick. He didn't seemed to agree, as the foot smashing down on my toes a moment later clearly expressed. Wasn't it just sweet how the two of us could communicate without even saying a word? We truly were meant for each other.

Reaching up, I gently touched Mr Ambrose's cheek. 'Please?'

'Miss Linton, I can't just...'

'Please?'

'I...' He cleared his throat. 'On the other hand...I really do need a new assistant stablemaster.'

'Really, Sir?' The young man came a few cautious steps closer.

'Yes.' Mr Ambrose's left little finger twitched, and he directed an imperious gaze at the youth. 'Of course, because of your youth, you'll only be getting half the pay. You will still be making slightly more than in your current position.'

'Yes, Sir! Thank you, Sir!'

'Come!'

'Yes, Sir!'

'You, too, Miss Linton!'

'My ankle is twisted, don't you remember?' I batted my eyelashes up at him. 'I'm a helpless little damsel. Perhaps someone should carry me.'

'Hm.' Mr Ambrose stroked his chin. 'Yes, perhaps you are correct.'

Beaming, I leaned back against him. Sometimes, taking a holiday from feminism could be worth it.

'Karim! Come over here! I need you to carry some baggage for me.'

Scratch that!

'What' I hissed, 'did you say?'

'What?' Karim croaked. 'Sahib...you can't...I couldn't...'

'Oh yes, you can. Here.' Reaching out, Mr Ambrose handed the bodyguard his staff and a bag. 'I'll need my hands free for this.' And, bending down, he swept out my legs from under me, pulling me up into his arms. My mouth, which had just been about to open to spout insults at him, fell open even farther for entirely different reasons.

'You...you devious son of a bachelor!'

'Indeed.' Bending down, he pressed a light kiss to my forehead. 'Let's go, shall we? Or else you might twist something else, my helpless little damsel.'

'I'll twist you into knots, you arrogant, chauvinistic—'

'—man you agreed to marry?'

Well, he had me there, blast him!

Turning, he tucked me more tightly into his chest and strode off into the forest, followed by an excited young stable boy and a bodyguard murmuring something about shocks and near heart failure in Punjabi.

'To the carriage, everyone!'

'...kō'ī vicāra nahīṁ, asathira kama karana dī'āṁ sathitī'āṁ—yes, Sahib! Right away, Sahib!'

We moved through the forest, Mr Ambrose marching at the head, holding me tight. Deep under the shadows of the trees, he leaned down towards me until his lips caressed my ear.

'So, what did you find?'

I raised an eyebrow. 'What did I find? You didn't even ask if I found something.'

Reaching out, he captured my chin in one hand. One thumb gently stroked across my cheek. 'Because I know you. Results. Now.'

'You're so sweet to your injured love, you know?'

'Results, Miss Linton. I'm waiting.'

I told him all about the documents I had stashed away beneath my clothes. Eyes sparkling, Mr Ambrose's cold gaze wandered over me.

'Miss Linton?'

'Yes, Sir?'

'Never have I felt such an intense desire to tear your clothes off this very instant.'

My mouth quirked up in a smile. 'I'm not sure whether I should consider that a compliment or an insult.'

'Both, I would say.'

'Incidentally, Karim has some documents stashed under his clothes as well.'

It was rather comical watching Mr Rikkard Ambrose struggle to maintain an absolute lack of expression on his face. He didn't entirely succeed.

'Miss Linton?'

'Yes?'

'You will need to pay for the bleach I shall require to wipe away the images you just put into my mind.'

I raised an eyebrow. 'I'm supposed to clean for you?'

'Rest assured. Only mentally.'

'For that,' I told him, reaching up to plant a kiss on his cheek, 'I shall always be available.'

After that, he held me just the tiniest bit tighter.

Soon, we reached the carriage and settled into our seats. The stable lad climbed up with Karim onto the box, where he surely would spend a riveting ride having a scintillating conversation with his travelling partner about sabres, knives, and ways to strangle people with your bare hands. Inside the coach, conversation wasn't really the first thing on my hind. Yawning, I sank into the seat, suddenly hardly able to keep my eyes open.

'Are you tired?' Mr Ambrose's cool voice inquired out of the darkness.

'Exhausted,' I managed to get out. 'All the excitement of the last few days...I think it's finally catching up to me. I know we've got to plan our next step, but...can it wait? Just for a little bit?'

'Well...yes. Don't worry. We have...' I practically heard the effort as he did his best not swallow his tongue and the words along with it. 'We have...plenty of time.'

One corner of my mouth curved up.

'Indeed, Sir?'

'Indeed, Miss Linton. Sleep. I'll keep watch. No one will touch you.'

I was already drifting off to sleep, when I felt his fingers lightly brush over my hair and heard his last, whispered words:

'No one but me. Now and forever.'

***

'This one?'

'No.'

'How about this one?'

'No.'

'And this?'

'No.'

'And this one?'

'No.'

'Can you say anything except "no"?'

'No.'

'Why, thank you, Sir. You are being so helpful.'

We were sitting in the coach, trying to examine the documents I had filched from Lord Dalgliesh's safe by the light of the sinking sun. We weren't having much luck in our hunt for blackmail material, however. Oh, it wasn't that we hadn't found plenty of interesting stuff. It was rather...

Well, how should I best put it...

'How about this?' Brightening, I straightened and triumphantly waved a sheet of paper in the air. 'This is a list of wages Dalgliesh pays to his workers in one of his factories. Have you seen how low those are? One could barely survive on twice that much! It's outrageous!'

Mr Ambrose gave me a look. 'Miss Linton?'

'Yes?'

'You're supposed to find material with which we can pressure Dalgliesh. Not material that will end up making me like him.'

I gave him a hearty kick, which he promptly reciprocated. I was so proud of him. He'd grasped the basic importance of equality in a relationship.

'Don't say things like that! You would never treat your employees like that!'

His eyes narrowed infinitesimally. 'Indeed?'

'Indeed.' I tapped on the paper. 'Do you see this? He gave them holidays.'

Mr Ambrose suppressed a shudder. 'Forget what I said about liking.' He held out a hand, and when I passed him a stack of documents, he nodded and accepted them. 'Let's just get through those documents. As soon as we find what we're looking for, we'll have Dalgliesh in the palm of our hands. And then, finally, nothing and no one will stand between us.'

The moment he had ceased speaking, a knock sounded from the roof of the carriage.

'Yes, Karim?' Turning to the window, Mr Ambrose stiffened. 'What is it?'

'A carriage approaching from the rear, Sahib!'

I felt a chill go down my spine. 'Dalgliesh?'

'It couldn't be.' He meaningfully tapped on his legs. 'I doubt he'll be moving anytime soon, remember?'

'But Dalgliesh's men are still on their feet and quite lively.' Leaning towards the window, I cautiously peeked outside. And indeed, there was a carriage there, dashing down the street at an impressive speed.

'True.' There was a frown in Mr Ambrose's voice, if not on his face. He sent a cold stare towards the other carriage. 'But it still can't be them. They're faster than we are. The coach is catching up.'

Huh? Isn't that what you'd be expecting if you were being pursued?

'What does their speed have to do with anything?'

'Think about it, Miss Linton. The coach has as many horses as ours has, and they don't look to be anything special. If Dalgliesh's men were in there, there would be enough to subdue us—let's say, five or six of them. They wouldn't dare send just one man after us. But if there were so many people inside the carriage, it would have to be much slower than ours. And yet...'

His words trailed off, and once again he sent a suspicious stare towards the pursuing carriage, slowly catching up.

'So, what do you think is going on?' I asked.

'I have no idea.' Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his revolver. There was a low metallic whirr as he sent the cylinder spinning to check for bullets. 'But we had better be prepared.'

'Sahib?' Karim's voice came from above again. 'They're speeding up. They're trying to catch us by any means possible.'

A low curse escaped from Mr Ambrose's throat.

Pulling out my revolver, I, too, checked my ammunition. 'So we fight?'

'If that is what is required.' He cast a glance my way, holding my gaze for a long moment. 'Don't worry.' Half-rising to his feet, Mr Ambrose cocked his revolver. 'I'm not going to let them hurt you. Nothing and no one will catch me off guard.'

Just then, the coach drew up beside us. A moment later, a man with long brown hair and a cheeky chin beard, dressed in a British Army uniform, leaned out of the window of the carriage and sent a friendly smile towards our coach.

'Pardon me for stopping you like this, but I'm in urgent need of directions. A friend of mine is getting married in the vicinity. Do you perchance know the way to—wait! Miss Linton, is that you?'

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My dear Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Well? Who do you think is hiding in that carriage? Who have many of you wished to se again...? ;)

Yours Truly

Sir Rob

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GLOSSARY:

kō'īvicāra nahīṁ, asathira kama karana dī'āṁ sathitī'āṁ - No consideration, insufferable working conditions...