A Mother's Trust (38 page)

‘Put me down,’ Caspar roared. ‘It’ll be the worse for you if you don’t.’

‘Do as he asks, boys,’ Rogue said calmly.

Phoebe held her breath as they stood back, taking their hands off the rungs. For a moment, the ladder teetered in mid-air, and then it crashed to the ground, flinging Caspar onto the cobblestones with a sickening thud.

Phoebe clapped her hands. ‘Serves you right,’ she murmured. She waved to Rogue, blowing him a kiss despite the fact that his brother was looking on and grinning. Caspar lay on the ground, but he was clearly not dead, judging by the noise he was making. Merrydew was standing by the stable door watching the proceedings with his mouth hanging open.

Maggie had come hurrying into the yard, slopping milk from her bucket as she came to a sudden halt. ‘What’s going on, Merrydew.’

His response was lost in the general hubbub. Phoebe turned to Ivy with a dazed smile. ‘They came just in time. I’d almost given up hope.’

Ivy set Teddy down on the floor. ‘Sit there, like a good boy.’ Buttoning her blouse, she joined Phoebe at
the
window. ‘Lorenzo,’ she shouted. ‘You came to save me.’

He looked up, smiling as he swept her a courtly bow. ‘Of course I did. We caught the first train this morning from Victoria, and hired these nags at the local livery stable. Gino and Rose are following on.’

At the mention of Gino’s name, Phoebe’s world began to crumble about her ears. The sheer joy she had felt on seeing Rogue and the realisation that he had come to her rescue was dashed to smithereens. Nothing had changed. All the problems that had beset her in the past were even more relevant now that Ned had arrived on the scene. He was smiling now, but perhaps that was because he had come to claim his son. She hoped that he had thought better of his plan to force her into marriage. Perhaps Rogue had managed to talk sense into his younger brother’s thick head. She looked down at the two of them, so alike in looks but so unalike in character. She was about to move away from the window when there was a further disturbance below. Merrydew was shouting a warning to his accomplices but they had already driven their cart into the yard. Lorenzo seized the horse’s reins while Rogue and Ned leapt forward to drag Haggerty and Bollom from the driver’s seat. At that moment, as if on cue, the revenue men put in an appearance. There seemed to be a small army of them, but Phoebe did not stop to count. ‘I’m going downstairs, Ivy. I have to make sure that the revenue men don’t arrest Rogue.’

‘I’m coming too.’ Ivy swooped on Teddy and lifted
him
from the floor. ‘I can’t wait to see Lorenzo. Did you see the way he smiled at me?’

Phoebe murmured something by way of assent as she struggled with the chair which was firmly wedged beneath the door handle. It came free after a brief tussle and she ran from the room oblivious to anything other than the desperate need to save Rogue. She was both flustered and breathless by the time she reached the stable yard. The scene that met her eyes was one of chaos and confusion. Haggerty and Bollom were trussed up like chickens ready to be put on a spit, but Merrydew and Rogue were being interrogated by one of the officers, while the others stood guard over the captives. Maggie was shouting and storming hysterically, making little sense other than demanding for her husband to be set free.

Phoebe hesitated in the doorway, not knowing quite what to do. Caspar lay on the ground screaming that he had broken his leg and demanding the services of a doctor, until one of the revenue men threatened him with dire consequences if he did not stop his noise. This had the effect of subduing Caspar a little, but he continued to groan and mutter beneath his breath, pointing an accusing finger at Rogue.

Ned was standing apart from the main group and on seeing Phoebe he came towards her. His expression was inscrutable and her heart sank. Hardly daring to breathe, she waited for him to speak.

‘WHY DID YOU
run away from me?’ he demanded in a low voice. ‘I offered you marriage and a home for you and my boy. What more could I do?’

‘I don’t have any feelings for you,’ Phoebe said urgently. ‘I’m engaged to Gino. I told you that, but you wouldn’t listen.’

‘And do you love him?’

She could not lie. ‘I’m very fond of Gino. He’s a good man.’

‘Ha! I knew it. You’re too much like your mother to fall in love with a good man.’

Somehow he made the words sound more like an insult than a compliment. Phoebe shook her head. ‘It doesn’t matter what you say, Ned. My family would never forgive me if I married you, and it wouldn’t stop at that. They value their honour more than life itself, and you deserve a wife who really cares for you.’

His expression changed subtly as Ivy emerged from the scullery carrying Teddy in her arms. ‘There’s my son. He’s my flesh and blood, Phoebe. Nothing you can say will alter that fact. His place is with me, and if you want to be close to him while he’s growing up, you know the answer. You’re either for me, or against me. It’s your choice.’

‘I’m not against you, Ned.’ She grasped him by the sleeve. ‘And I must tell you something really important.’

He angled his head. ‘I’m listening.’

She took a deep breath. ‘Rose came to London to tell you that I’d overheard Merrydew plotting to tell the revenue men that you and Rogue are in charge of the smuggling ring. He’s working for someone he calls the Boss, and this man intends to ruin you and take everything you own.’

Ned stiffened. ‘Did he now? Well, we’ll see about that.’ He strode off to stand beside his brother.

‘What’s going on?’ Ivy demanded. ‘Why haven’t they arrested Merrydew?’

Phoebe took Teddy from her. ‘Never mind that now. Go to Nenzo. Tell him you love him, and let some good come out of this terrible mess.’

Ivy needed no second bidding. She ran to Lorenzo, who was standing quietly minding the horses. He swept her into an ardent embrace, and Phoebe could not help feeling slightly envious. She did not begrudge Ivy her happiness, but Gino would be arriving at any moment, and the fact that Rogue had brought him here was all the confirmation she needed that their brief moment of passion had faded from his memory. If he loved her he would not stand aside and allow her to marry someone else. She needed to look no further for the answer to her dilemma. She would do her duty by her family and she would honour her pledge to Gino. But her resolve faltered a little as a fully laden cart was driven into the already crowded stable yard. Rose
and
Gino were squashed together in the back of the vehicle, which was loaded with what looked like the contents of someone’s home.

Gino leapt down and lifted Rose to the ground. Phoebe braced herself to face him, hoping that her innermost feelings did not show on her face, but to her relief he was waylaid by the carter who appeared to be demanding money. It was Rose who ran across the cobblestones to hug her. ‘Are you all right? I’ve been so worried about you.’ Teddy seized Rose’s bonnet strings, tugging at them and chortling with delight. She kissed him on the cheek. ‘Bad baby,’ she murmured, smiling and patting his head, but her expression changed as she glanced anxiously at Phoebe. ‘Did Caspar hurt you? We came as quickly as we could.’

‘No, I’m all right.’ Phoebe managed a watery smile. ‘I’m so glad to see you, Rose. I was beginning to give up hope earlier on, but then help arrived just as Caspar was about to climb in through my window.’

Rose eyed him dispassionately as he lay on the ground, still complaining vociferously. ‘I’m not at all sorry for the brute. He frightened me half to death in London.’

Phoebe drew her to a quieter spot away from the turmoil in the yard. ‘What happened, Rose?’

‘When I got off the train I took a cab to Wilderness Row, as you instructed, but a housemaid told me that both the brothers were out on business. I was at a bit of a loss then. It was past midday and I didn’t know what to do, so I hailed another cab and went to the address you’d given me in Saffron Hill. Lorenzo had
just
arrived home and he gave me coffee and cake and listened to what I had to say, even though it must have sounded like the ravings of a madwoman. I was tired and upset and I must admit I was scared to be all alone in London. It’s a terrifying place.’

‘You were very brave to go there. It didn’t occur to me that Caspar might be spying on my grandparents’ house.’

Rose shuddered. ‘Your grandparents were out, but Lorenzo said that he would go and look for the Paxmans. He said he knew where he was likely to find them, and he told me to stay indoors and wait for him to return. Then someone started hammering on the front door. It sounded urgent so I opened it and Caspar forced his way in. He held me at knife point until I told him where you were. I’m so sorry.’

Phoebe shook her head. ‘Don’t be. It wasn’t your fault. He’s a maniac.’

‘I know, and I was so scared, Phoebe. I think I must have fainted from sheer fright because when I came to your grandmother was splashing water on my face. I wanted to come straight back here but I had to wait for Lorenzo and it took him ages to find Ned and even longer to find Rogue. By that time we had missed the last train, so there was nothing for it but to wait until morning.’

‘Did you tell my grandparents about Teddy?’

‘No, of course not. They think you were running away from Caspar and that’s why Rogue brought you here, which is the truth after all. They were concerned for you, of course, and they sent for Gino, saying that
he
should be the one to bring you home. I couldn’t stop them.’

Phoebe laid her hand on Rose’s shoulder. ‘Of course not. You did your best and I’m truly grateful.’

‘You are pleased to see him, aren’t you? Oh, heavens! He’s coming over to speak to you. Let me take Teddy.’

Rose held out her arms, and somewhat reluctantly Phoebe relinquished him to her. This was the moment that she had been dreading, but could not be put off any longer. She submitted to Gino’s fond embrace. His kiss tasted of garlic and coffee. His clothes were travel-stained and smelt of railway stations and dust. She could not help comparing his boyish enthusiasm with the measured passion of Rogue’s kisses, which had melted her into a quivering mass of desire. She drew away from him. ‘Not now, Gino. Everyone’s looking.’ She regretted her words the instant they left her lips. His hurt expression made him look like a whipped puppy. She kissed him briefly on the cheek. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap, it’s just that my nerves are in a state.’

His smile returned and he tightened his arms around her. ‘My darling, of course you must have been scared out of your wits. Rose told me everything.’ He glanced at Caspar. ‘He’s a cold-blooded killer. I was so afraid for you.’

She could see Ned striding towards them, and she closed her eyes, offering her lips to be kissed again. Gino was quick to oblige, but he released her when Ned tapped him on the shoulder. Phoebe met Ned’s stern gaze with a mute plea but he ignored her. ‘I suppose you know that the boy is mine, Argento?’

Gino slipped his arm around Phoebe’s waist. He was a good head shorter than Ned but he raised his chin and met his gaze squarely. ‘Yes, I know everything.’

‘I want my son.’ Ned tucked his thumbs in his wide leather belt, standing feet apart as if squaring up for a fight. ‘I’m not allowing you to turn him into an Eyetie.’

‘I’d say that it’s Phoebe’s decision. She’ll do what her mother would want, and what’s best for the boy.’

‘But I’m his father and that gives me every right to claim him. I’m not wasting my breath arguing with you. I don’t care if you threaten me with vendetta and your damned secret societies; you aren’t in Italy now, mate. In our part of London it’s what we say that goes. So you can take Phoebe if you must, although I’ve made her a better offer which she’d be mad to refuse, but whatever her decision, Teddy stays with me. D’you understand?’

‘We’ll talk about this later,’ Gino said with dignity. He nodded in Rogue’s direction. ‘It doesn’t look as though your brother is winning this particular battle. I suggest you sort out the business with the revenue men before you start laying down the law to me.’

‘Gino’s right, Ned.’ Phoebe said firmly. ‘You’ve got more important things to think about at the moment.’

He hesitated, frowning, but Rogue was deep in conversation with the more senior revenue officer, and the Merrydews were protesting loudly and casting blame for everything on the Paxmans. The carter had also become involved in the fracas and he was arguing violently with one of the officers, who was insisting
that
he had to take Caspar to the police station. ‘Look here, guv,’ the carter said angrily. ‘I got to deliver all this furniture to Fox Cottage by noon. I can’t go traipsing back to the village with a violent maniac.’

The revenue officer jerked his head in Caspar’s direction. ‘The man’s got a broken leg. He’s not likely to give you any trouble.’

Caspar uttered a loud groan. ‘I need a doctor. For pity’s sake, take me to a bonesetter or I’ll be crippled for life.’

‘You’ll be facing the drop, mate, if what these men say about you is true.’ The officer prodded Caspar with the toe of his boot. ‘I suggest you keep quiet and let this good man go about his business.’ He put his hand in his pocket and thrust some coins into the carter’s palm. ‘This will recompense you for any delay you suffer on his account. Come on, men; let’s get the murderer onto the wagon. We’ll let the local constable deal with him.’

On a count of three they lifted Caspar and flung him none too gently onto the cart. He was silent, and Phoebe could only suppose that he had fainted from the pain. She felt almost sorry for him, but then she remembered his unfortunate assistant and her agonising death. She jumped as Gino laid his hand on her shoulder. ‘I know this has all been a terrible experience for you, but we must go now and take the child before Paxman gets his hands on him. That is what you want, isn’t it, my love?’

His dark eyes were like brown velvet caressing her with such tenderness that she knew what course she must take, even if it broke her heart.

‘It’s your choice, Phoebe,’ Gino said, holding her hand to his cheek. ‘I will love and protect you for the rest of my life and raise the boy as my own son. Come with me now. No one will notice if we slip away.’