The Rebellious Rake (The Notorious Nightingales #4)

Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

“ R am! Explain everything at once,” Gray barked at him as Mungo and Bram attempted to quiet the dogs.

“I’m not sure how one could speak of abduction in a gentler way,” Ellen added, “but I do want to know the dog’s name.”

“Yes, because, after all, that’s of vital importance, considering my cousin was just nearly abducted,” her husband snapped.

“If I may be permitted to tell the rest, I shall?” Ram said with a little more force than was necessary after a hard look at Flora. Only with her did he lose his ability to be a gentleman.

She gave him a regal nod, like she was wearing a bloody tiara and not seated there with her hair a tangled mess, huddled under a blanket.

“I was nearing a tea shop?—”

“But of course your stomach is involved,” Mungo interrupted Ram .

“If someone is going to interrupt me every few seconds, the story will take till morning to be told,” Ram snarled.

“Pray continue,” Bram said in a soothing tone.

“He’s snarling,” Alex said. “We don’t see that very often.”

Ram actually growled.

“Continue,” Mungo said, waving a hand. “But perhaps speed things along. You are not reciting poetry in front of an audience.”

“When I saw Flora leaving,” Ram continued in a hard voice. Just to annoy the Scotsman, he then took a large bite of the buttery biscuits, chewed several times, and swallowed. He was getting the hang of being part of this family, he thought. Yes, he’d been an only child, but he was a quick learner.

“I followed her, as I had no wish to see any harm come to her, seeing as she had foolishly left the house without an escort?—”

“Which, as it turned out, was not warranted, as it was you who were set upon, not I,” Flora added, looking smug.

“We had just crossed the road and entered another, this one less frequented, when I heard a scrape that sounded like something heavy being dragged over the cobblestones. I continued to follow Flora and was set upon by?—”

“Three men,” she interrupted him again, “and they dragged you into the hole. As I actually watched it unfold, I am the best to recite it from here.”

“What?” Gray roared.

“You”—he pointed at her—“are excessively irritating. I am telling the story.”

“Who were these men?”

Ram pinched the bridge of his nose, then exhaled loudly through it. “They dragged me into the tunnels, and then after we’d been walking a while, the men stopped, hearing voices. ”

“So it wasn’t just Flora and the three men down there?” Gray asked.

“Actually, yes, it was. She pretended to be more men,” Ram said, trying not to let the admiration show in his voice for what she’d done. She had saved his life but, in doing so, risked hers. That would not be allowed to happen again and could have had a vastly different outcome.

“Did you use your Squire Simon voice?” Leo asked.

“I did,” Flora said.

“I loved that voice when you told us stories. Also Miss Pickles.”

“Oh, me too,” Ellen said.

“My cousin was abducted, and you’re talking about voices!” Gray roared.

“He is here with us, Gray,” Bram said. “Easy now.”

“Sit, Gray. You are upsetting the baby,” Ellen said, taking her husband’s hand. “Let Ram and Flora finish their story.”

“The men were disarmed by the thought of the watch being there and released me, and I was able to fight,” Ram added.

“As was I,” Flora said.

“You should have run away!”

“You were fighting, Flora? Well done,” Ellen said, ignoring Ram.

“It is not well done if she ends up injured,” Ram said, attempting to stay calm. Conversing with this family was like playing a piano concerto: it was difficult and required practice. The dog was now lying at his feet with Chester, both attempting to warm their bellies. The shaggy dog had his chin on Ram’s foot, almost as if he had no wish for him to leave.

“Can we stay focused, please?” Gray said, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Of course,” Flora said, mumbling an apology .

Ram gave her a look that suggested he didn’t believe she was feeling even the slightest bit apologetic.

“We managed to escape and ran deeper into the smell and disease down there. Then Flora let out a shriek.”

“That dog is large and just crept up on me,” she protested. “However, it was friendly, and we secured it with Ramsey’s necktie.”

“You must have been desperate. Ram is very protective of his neckties,” Gray said.

“After that, we walked in the opposite direction. We heard the men returning but hid, and they passed us,” Ram continued, remembering how Flora trembled in his arms and how he’d felt a fierce need to keep her safe. “Then the dog led us to some steps. She told me I had to bring it?—”

“And rightly so,” Alex added. “It is a hero.”

“Once we reached the street, we hurried to find a hackney, and here we are,” Ram added.

“Mavis appeared and offered her help. It was she who found a hackney for us,” Flora added.

“Did she really?” Alex asked. “That woman is wonderful.”

“She was out walking,” Flora said.

“And fit,” Alex added.

“Right, start the story again,” Gray said, pulling out his notepad. “I’ll ask questions this time.”

“Why are you carrying that now when you are not working?” Flora asked.

“You never know when the creation of a list is required,” Alex said.

Ram yawned. He was suddenly ridiculously tired. His legs felt like they’d been filled with lead, and he wanted to sleep for a week.

“Here, this will help.” Bram handed him a glass of whisky.

Ram took it and threw back the contents. Flora, who had also been given one, sipped hers in neat little movements. Neat was an excellent word for her usually; however, not tonight. She’d come unraveled, and while the events leading up to it were not what he would have wished for, he enjoyed seeing it just the same.

“Descriptions of the men?” Gray snapped, all business.

“It was dark, and I was fighting for my life.”

“Nobby!” Flora said suddenly. “I’m sure one of them mentioned that name.”

Ram clicked his fingers and then pointed at her. “Yes, and Nigel,” he added. “I heard that name also.”

A loud banging on the front door had Mungo sighing. He then left the room. Ram immediately grabbed another biscuit.

“They were dressed in knitted caps and scarves pulled up to their noses. But I am quite sure they said something along the lines of ‘We need to get him to the meeting place,’” Ram said.

“I think there was more to it, too, than just dragging Ramsey down into that hell, beating him senseless, and leaving him for dead,” Flora said, as if she were reciting a list and not the prospect of his demise.

“Three men, two called Nobby and Nigel, and you believe their purpose was to take you to a meeting place,” Gray said, scratching the words down.

“Yes,” Ram said, running through what he remembered.

“Do you think they followed you from wherever you’d come?” Ellen asked.

“No.”

“But how can you be sure?” Flora demanded.

“I am.” Ram wasn’t about to give her any more ammunition to dislike him. He gave his cousin a look as their eyes connected, and Gray gave a short nod, clearly getting the message that he had no wish to disclose where he’d been before the attack .

“In my vision, you were in tunnels, I think,” Ellen said slowly. “I saw a man. He was standing in the distance, separate from you, Ram, but I feel as if he was waiting for you.”

Ram knew the Nightingales were clairvoyants, as he now knew Flora was, which told him it was through the female line that the abilities came.

“She’s like you.” He nodded to Ellen and Leo, who were now discussing what they’d seen earlier.

“Do you mean wonderfully gifted and intelligent?” Flora asked.

Leo barked out a laugh. “Yes, our cousin is gifted but as yet has not embraced all she can do. Her brother, Charles, also. It runs in the blood, you see, on our mother’s side.”

Ram’s eyes went back to Flora. She was cradling her teacup now, warming her hands.

“And you can feel what others do?” Ram asked her.

Flora nodded. “Strong emotions.”

They heard voices, and then a stranger was following Mungo into the room.

“Mr. Charles Thomas.”

“Charlie!” Flora was out of her chair in seconds and running across the room in her damp skirts. She then hurled herself at her brother.

Ram was not happy about the surge of need he felt to have Flora throw herself at him again.

“Are there any more Thomases?” he asked Ellen.

“The eldest sister, Madeline. She is married with four children and lives in Sussex. These two are the closest. Flora was engaged to be married, as you know,” she then whispered, “but she no longer is, and so far we have been unable to find out why.”

He knew the answer to that, but it was not his story to tell. He’d felt close to Flora down in the sewer. Close enough to share a small part of himself, as she had. He would not break that confidence.

“I think Alex told me her father was a vicar?” Ram said.

“Yes, Uncle Malcolm. He died unexpectedly six months ago. Why the interest all of a sudden, Ram?” Ellen gave him a speculative look, which he ignored.

“She just saved my life, Ellen. I’m curious as to why she’s returned to London. Surely you can allow me that much?”

“We, too, are curious.” Ellen sighed. “But she’s remaining tight-lipped. And now her brother is here, and the mystery deepens.”

“Why does her brother being here add to the mystery?”

“Because she did not know he was coming and neither did we. Before Leo and Cyn’s wedding, we had not seen our cousins in many years, and now suddenly they are both here in London. Something is afoot,” Ellen whispered.

Ram’s eyes returned to the reunion.

“But why are you here, Charlie?” Flora said, easing out of her brother’s arms.

“I missed you,” he said.

While Ram thought that could be the truth, he was fairly sure the look that passed between the siblings suggested there was a little more to it, and he wanted very much to know what.

“Back to you,” Gray said, coming to stand before Ram.

“I think you need to take your wife and daughter home, Gray. They are weary. I will call on you tomorrow, and we will run through it all again.”

“Very well, but we are dropping you at your lodgings. You are not to walk anywhere alone until this matter is settled, Ram. I don’t like this at all—especially as you both think this is not just a simple matter of a robbery.”

“Yes, so have a care, Ram. We have come to think of you as one of us,” Bram said. “I have no wish for anything to happen to you.”

“Neither do I, and I thank you for your words, Bram.”

“I’ll drive you all,” Mungo said. “Benjamin is bringing the carriage.”

Ram wasn’t about to argue with the Scotsman. He needed his bed. Getting to his feet, he moved to meet Charles Thomas before leaving.

“Ramsey Hellion, my brother, Charles,” Flora said.

The man gave him a friendly smile. His eyes were the same color as his sister’s, but unlike hers, their expression was a great deal friendlier.

“Nice to meet you, Charles.” Ram turned to face Flora. “And thank you again for saving my life tonight, Flora. I shall forever be in your debt.”

She looked a bit panicky at his words, and she shot her brother a look.

“Pardon?” Charles asked. “How is it you saved this man’s life?”

“It is a long story, Brother, and I will tell you soon,” she said. “Good evening, Mr. Hellion. Please have a care, as I cannot always be on hand to rescue you.”

He wanted to grab her and kiss her until that cool look disappeared, as it had earlier this evening. Instead, he said, “If I may suggest you also have a care. Walking about London after dark is a dangerous hobby for anyone, but most especially a woman.”

Smiling at the annoyance that flashed across her face, it deepened as he heard her brother say, “Tell me you are not foolish enough to do such a thing, Flora.”

Excellent, he thought. Her brother would ensure she didn’t do anything so foolish again.

Ramsey left the room with Gray, Ellen, and Alice .

“I’m not sure what we should do with him,” he said, looking at the dog at his side.

“I think he’s already decided that,” Ellen said.

“I can’t have a dog,” Ram protested.

“Would you break the poor animal’s heart by leaving him here?” Gray asked.

Looking down into the soft brown eyes, Ram sighed. “Tomorrow, we will find you a home, but for now, come along.”

“You have to give him a name. We can’t keep calling him dog,” Ellen said.

“Curaidh,” Mungo barked.

“Pardon?” Ram looked at the Scotsman, who of course was scowling.

“Curaidh.”

“What does it mean?” Ram asked.

“It means warrior, champion, hero—all things the wee beastie was this night,” Mungo said. “I’ve fed him a hearty meal. I suggest you walk him about on some grass before you retire if you don’t wish to be woken in the small hours.” The Scotsman then left the room after his lecture.

“I can’t work out if Mungo is leaning toward accepting me or if his hatred of me is growing,” Ram asked.

“Oh, the first, I assure you. He treats everyone inside these walls as he does you now, Ram,” Ellen said. “Come along.”

He left the Nightingale house with Curaidh and climbed into the carriage when it arrived. Sitting back, the dog rested its muzzle on his knee. He stroked the soft matted fur.

“He likes you,” Ellen said. “But may I suggest you wash him.”

“Yes, he does smell.” Do I want a dog?

“Right now I have more questions,” Gray said.

Ram listened as his cousin talked at him. He answered or grunted as his mind wandered back to Flora and the fact that had she not saved him tonight, he could, even now, be lying dead somewhere.

The thought brought many emotions and thoughts to the forefront in Ram’s mind. One was: had he died, what legacy would he have left behind? It was odd because he’d never given that much thought before now.

No children. No wife. A dog it seemed he now had, but little else. He did not own property but had the money to purchase one. Ram had just never really thought owning a house and the complications that came with that was for him. Perhaps tonight had changed that. At least then he would leave some kind of proof that he’d lived if those that wished to dispose of him this evening—or whatever nefarious intentions they were focused on—achieved their goals.

“I’m going to purchase a house,” he said to Gray as the carriage rolled to a stop outside his rooms and his cousin finally finished quizzing him on every minute detail of his attack.

“What?” Gray asked. “Why? You are on the lower floor of a large house, so there is plenty of room for the dog.”

“I, however, have recently decided I want to own one. I shall start looking tomorrow. Good evening. Come along, Curaidh.”