My Earl the Spy (13 page)

“So the quicker we can bring them down the better.”

“Only you’ll have to do it even more carefully. If they pardon you, you’ll be watched like a hawk,” Mack pointed out.

“There’s plenty others to take my place.”

“And me?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll put you in touch with those who’d appreciate your skills. There’s a gap in the organisation since that fiasco in Dorset,” Joshua said, referring to the night that Milly had thought her cousins had been killed. “To lose so many men that night and in the days after has been a blow. You’ll receive a faster promotion.”

“That’s good.”

Milly was surprised that Joshua had spoken so openly in front of her and could only come to one depressing conclusion as to the reason for it. She was seen as expendable, so it did not matter what she heard; she was not going to survive long enough to tell anyone. She wondered if Joshua did not believe he would receive a pardon; surely he would not go to so much trouble if he did not?

The thought was unwelcome for one so constrained in what she could do, but the overriding thought that Milly had was that she would never see Henry again, and they had parted on such poor terms. How she wanted to be able to right the ill-feeling between them, but it was too late.

They rode through the dock areas. Milly was able to look out of the window and, although the areas were busy with activity, there were signs of squalor that she had not known existed. Children were barefoot and shoddily clothed. Some actually looked as if they were living in the gutter. They were dirty beyond anything she had ever seen, and her heart twisted at the bleak expressions on their faces.

Men were at work everywhere; she glimpsed ships being unloaded and loaded, warehouses being filled with produce for onward journeys into the capital and beyond. The work looked dirty and hard; clothes were filthy and torn in some cases. The men swore and shouted, making the whole area explode with noise as the constant movement of boxes, barrels and crates was combined with the cacophony of voices.

It was part fascinating, part disturbing. The only women that Milly saw were one or two loitering in the area of the occasional ale house they passed. From the garish clothing they wore, Milly was under no doubt that they would start work later in the day when the main harbour-related work had ended.

Milly shrank back in her seat; she might be eight and twenty, but she knew this landscape would swallow her without a trace even if there was the opportunity to escape. This was not an area that would provide her with the freedom she longed for. It seemed as if she were moving further into the bowels of hell, and the possibility of returning to her old life seemed less and less likely.

The carriage came to a stop at the edge of a building where work was going on; it was no surprise that the ever busy docks were constantly expanding. The fact that they had stopped in an area that was not yet fully developed made the area less busy than a working dock and, when Milly alighted from the carriage, she was led into a building that was only partly built.

Behind one door a set of stone stairs was revealed, which Milly was roughly led down and then dragged into a room which contained a door that could be locked. This was a far different prospect than her previous prison, and Milly shuddered at the thought of being locked inside this dank cell.

The walls were made of stone, the doorway being hewed out of solid stone. The cellar was necessary to take the weight of the tall building that was emerging, stretching its tall, dark walls towards the sky. The only light was provided by a small opening at the top of the outside wall, but nothing could be seen of the outside. A table and two chairs set in the middle with a hard bunk along one side and a hole in the floor in one corner all indicated that any previous use was likely to have been as a holding cell of some sort. Whether it was the intention, after the building was finished, that some poor souls would be held before being transported, there was no way to know. However it was to be used it was clear there would be nothing of a pleasant nature connected to the room. 

Milly tried to talk herself into having courage to face a stay in this prison, but she knew she was visibly trembling. Joshua looked at her and smiled. “Not so confident now, eh? Let’s see what you’re like after a night spent with the rats.”

“Please, could I have a candle?” Milly asked her voice shaking at the thought of the darkness that would descend when daylight faded.

“Ha! Not a chance! Mack she’s all yours to sort out. I’ve got business to see to that I should have done at the beginning of all this.”

Joshua and Mack left the cell, locking the door behind them. Milly stood in the centre of the room, her arms wrapped tightly around her waist, trying to talk herself into being brave; something that seemed an unlikely occurrence in her present situation.

Mack found Milly in the same position when he entered the room half an hour later and sighed to himself. The poor girl was probably terrified, but she had not broken down. He could see the struggle she was having with herself, and he cursed to himself; there were too many times that innocent people were hurt in all of this, and he was sick of being witness to it.

“See here, there’s candles, matches, and blankets. I’ll bring food and drink later. Try not to worry.”

“I don’t wish to sound overly dramatic, but I’m struggling with trying not to be overcome at the thought of spending the night with goodness knows how many rats!”

Mack smiled slightly. “I’ll see what I can do to help.”

Milly forced herself to move and set up a bed of sorts. This room felt different than the previous one; it was far damper and had a permanent chill; she was certain the night was going to be long and hard.

The day dragged for Milly. She had not realised what comfort the first room had been in comparison to the one she now occupied. The cold seemed to seep into her bones as the day wore on. Only when the light became too dim did she light a candle, frightened of using too many in case there was a limited supply.

Mack returned, as promised, with another young man who Milly had never seen before. She sat quietly on the bunk as Mack issued instructions to the younger man who was carrying in a number of items. Mack placed a tray of food and drink on the table and then indicated that he should be left alone with Milly. The door closed firmly as the helper exited, and Milly turned her gaze onto Mack.

“Joshua will probably skin me alive if he finds out I’ve been so soft with you, but I couldn’t have you dying of a chill on my conscience,” Mack said in his quiet, lilting voice.

“I appreciate all your kindnesses,” Milly assured him.

“But I’ve not been overly kind and set you free have I? Don’t overestimate my good deed.”

“Candles are a huge help,” Milly reasoned.

“This board, I’ll put over the petty,” Mack said.

“Petty?” Milly asked, being unfamiliar with the term.

“It’s the place to do your business. We call it petty where I come from,” Mack explained. He moved a large, heavy piece of wood until it covered the hole in the corner. “Rats would come up that way.”

Milly shuddered. “What about the hole acting as a window?”

“I’ve brought this; that should put them off coming in that way,” Mack explained, dragging a wrought iron brazier near the wall. “I’ll bring some wood and a bit of coal so you can have a fire; it won’t be ideal, there isn’t a draught to pull the smoke up through the hole, but it might work and help keep the rats at bay as well as providing a bit of heat.”

“Thank you.”

Mack nodded and left the room before returning with the promised fuel for the fire. He made a small fire in the brazier and, although there was a lot of smoke to start with, he hoped that it would settle down. “I’ll check you in a short while; I don’t want the smoke causing you to choke to death.”

“No. I suppose at the moment I’m still useful to Joshua.” Milly had stopped using Joshua’s title and family name, she did not think he deserved the respect.

“Yes, you are, and I hope for all our sakes he gets a pardon soon.”

“What will happen if he doesn’t?”

“He’ll become more desperate than he is now, and that isn’t good for anyone.”

Mack left Milly to eat her chunk of bread and slices of ham. There was quite a bit of smoke, but it was not unbearable; Milly suspected the opening had been used as a chimney previously as there was a blackening of the wall where Mack had placed the brazier. So, even though the warehouse was not completed, the prison had been used; Milly shuddered at the thought.

The door opened, and Mack entered carrying more fuel. “Everything well?” he asked, collecting the tray.

“Yes, thank you.”

“Try and sleep; you could be here for some time.”

Milly lit another candle when she lost the light outside. The brazier provided a lot of light, but, just for the first night, she needed the extra comfort the candle would bring. If Mack’s prediction was correct, she would need to conserve the candles, firewood and small pieces of coal. She stayed awake until she could not keep her eyes open any longer. She had no idea of the time but knew it must be the early hours of the morning. Not wanting the fire to die down when it was more likely that rats were active ̶ out exploring the area to see what food they could forage before the world became busy with people once more ̶ had kept Milly awake far beyond what she would have normally been.

Finally unable to resist sleep any longer, she wrapped herself in the musty smelling blankets and fell into a deeper sleep than she had expected on her arrival in her new prison.

*

Noise and movement startled Milly into wakefulness with her expecting to be faced with rats with large boots on, but it did not take too long to realise that it was human noise that had disturbed her slumber so forcefully.

It took Milly a few seconds before she blinked into consciousness to take in the scene. Joshua and another man were dragging a tethered form into the room. They were kicking the object as they pulled it along.

As soon as the form had been dragged far enough into the room, Joshua stood up, breathing deeply. He turned to Milly. “Your rescuer has failed, Miss Holland. I’m going to have to decide what to do with you both now. It’s an interesting quandary I’m faced with; I doubt I’ll get a pardon now, but I need to work out which of you will get me off these shores and which of you I should feed to the fishes, because I certainly won’t need you both!”

Milly looked in horror at Joshua, which seemed to delight him. He aimed one last kick at the still form on the floor before leaving the cell. Milly let out a breath of relief; Joshua had been so concerned with inflicting pain and gloating he had not noticed the remains of the fire or the candles.

She quickly climbed off the bunk and crouched next to the form. Her heart stilled as she realised whose bloody body was lying still on the cold stone floor.

Milly moaned in despair. “No! No! No!” she keened as she touched Henry’s still form.

Chapter 14

Henry had never travelled as speedily to London as he did knowing Milly was in danger. He had thought once before that he would never feel as bad again, but he was to realise that thought was incorrect. If anything happened to Milly…. He had urged his horse on as a feeling of panic travelled through his body.

When he arrived home tired and dishevelled, he was relieved to receive replies to the messages he had sent express before he had left the inn. It meant the network was fully aware of Milly’s disappearance, and hopefully news would be received of her location soon.

He paid a visit to Bow Street. As a spy of the Home Office, he would not normally work with Bow Street, but he had not used every avenue once before to his sorrow, and he was not about to make that mistake again. After a successful meeting, he returned home confident that there were a large number of people looking for Milly.

Henry had always worked on the more salubrious side of society, leaving the seedier side to his friend Edmund and others. The first night home, though, he donned appropriate formal wear and explored every venue he could get round to in an effort to see if anything could be gleaned from those who were more eager to talk after enough drink had been consumed.

He arrived home when the sun was high in the sky without having gained enough knowledge to lead him in the right direction. He had heard Shambles was not happy about being hounded since he had discovered the existence of the picture. As this was old news to Henry it did not advance his search.

The third day of frustrated searching, speaking to anyone who might be able to help, and some whom he would have previously avoided at all costs, brought him home tired, sweaty and in a foul mood caused by the feeling of helplessness descending on him.

He ordered a bath and retired to his study where his butler followed him. “This letter arrived about an hour ago, M’Lord. A young boy insisted you should receive it the moment you returned home.”

Henry accepted the letter and once he was left alone he sat on his captain’s chair and broke the seal.

If you want to see Miss Holland again, I suggest you follow the instructions contained in this letter. Any evidence of not doing exactly as I demand, and she will not live to celebrate another birthday.

I want a full pardon, I want it published in the papers. You will be able to arrange it if you try hard enough. It needs to happen soon; because of the amount of those damned pictures floating around with a price on my head, I can’t trust anyone. The reward is too great. I want to come out of the shadows. When I’ve seen the advertisement in all the newspapers, I’ll send a message, and your little artist will be released. If my message ain’t received I promise she won’t be doing any more pretty pictures.

Don’t doubt my word. I’ve nothing to lose. I will carry out my threat.

Joshua Shambles.

Henry crumpled the letter, slamming his hand on the leather arm of the chair. Joshua was going to use Milly to gain a pardon and not face the consequences for anything he had done now or in the past. He could not get away with it. Even if Henry agreed to the terms, there was no guarantee that, once out of danger, Joshua would keep his word and release her. She was in such a precarious situation it made his stomach turn.

*

Over the following two days Henry increased his efforts in trying to find Milly’s location. He did everything in his power but was exhausted and frustrated at the end of the second day because he was gaining no ground.

It was late evening when his butler knocked on his study door and announced that a Mr King wished to have an audience with him.

Henry agreed to the visit even though he was travel weary and tired. As under-secretary at the Home Office, King could have news. The portly man was shown into Henry’s study and accepted a glass of brandy.

Henry looked at the man who carried out quite a bit of groundwork for the powers that be, even though he was under-secretary and could have remained office bound. He had been in government for many of his seven and forty years and had seen many upheavals as a result.

“An unexpected visit,” Henry started.

“Is it?” came the pleasant response. “You’ve been causing quite a ruckus over these last few days.”

“With no results to speak of.”

“You’ve managed to upset many people, including Mr Shambles.”

“And yet he still has Miss Holland captive,” Henry said bitterly.

“The powers that be need you to rethink your strategy.”

“Why?”

“You are risking the lives of some of our operatives who are working deep undercover. I don’t need to remind you how hazardous their position is.”

“Equally as perilous as Miss Holland’s situation I presume.”

“We have been trying to find out for a long time who are the leaks in the higher echelons of society. After the business at Dorset, young Shambles has been promoted up the ranks, purely because his superiors were either killed or transported because of you. It turned out to be a fortuitous turn of events. We are that much closer now, and this opportunity is too important to be lost because of one unknown spinster with few connections,” Mr King explained.

Henry was reminded of a conversation with Edmund that had occurred a few months previously when he had suggested that Edmund use the then Miss Baker to achieve his goal. Edmund had been angry then and accused Henry of being cold and unfeeling and not considering who he stepped on to achieve his goal. Edmund had probably had feelings for Miss Baker as early as that by the way he reacted. Henry could not condemn his friend; he was fully aware that currently he was having feelings deeper than he had ever experienced before, and it was driving him onward until he was completely exhausted. It had just taken time before Edmund had admitted to his feelings. He wondered if he would ever be able to acknowledge openly his own feelings.

“I cannot leave her to face her fate alone. She is in this situation because of me,” Henry confessed. Any hint of his affection would cause him to lose all credibility in the eyes of Mr King.

“It wasn’t your fault what happened with– “

“Was it not?” Henry said bitterly. “It was my job to protect her and, because I was off having a good time, she was left vulnerable to be easily preyed on.”

“He’s good at his job; she didn’t have a chance.”

“He’s not going to take another young life.”

“You risk your own in the process. I can’t give any guarantees of support if you should need it,” Mr King said, his tone severe in his effort to convince what he saw as headstrong behaviour.

“That’s a risk I shall have to take,” Henry responded stubbornly. He could not, he would not leave Milly to face her fate alone.

“Then there’s no more to discuss is there, really?” Mr King said, standing. “I wish you safety on your fool’s errand, but be assured we won’t let you risk our operatives.”

“I was once considered an operative. It’s interesting how soon a situation can change,” Henry said wryly.

“If you are putting good men’s lives at risk, they come first; they face danger every day.”

“I’m glad to have that cleared up before I catch up with Shambles; I shan’t have the same compunction that I would have had about killing him when I was considered one of you.”

“You can’t do that! He holds information we need!”

“He holds a woman who I need and, if to secure her safety, it means I kill Shambles, so be it.”

“This is why we should never consider using anyone with a title; you’re too bloody full of your own self-importance! You never listen to reason!” Mr King said angrily.

Henry smiled. “Of which until now, you’ve been grateful. My butler will see you out, King. I bid you goodnight; I doubt our paths will cross again.”

Henry waited until the door had closed behind Mr King before rubbing his hands over his face. He was on his own; he just hoped that was enough to save Milly.

*

Henry had written a long letter to Edmund before setting out on his quest. He had received a note an hour previously that had finally given his search some direction, and it was important that he trust someone with the details of what he was intending. If all went wrong, his body would likely be found somewhere downstream in the Thames. He was not overly concerned about his safety, but he wanted someone to continue the search for Milly.

The note had simply read;
Shambles is angry with the upheaval you are causing. Your package is contained in a partially built warehouse in the Surrey Docks.

The Surrey Docks was an area of expansion in the dock area. It was in the region of Rotherhithe; as trade routes continued to expand, so did the docks. Henry was to explore an area he was not familiar with, but he had run out of options.

He armed himself with knives, two pistols and a cane. There would be a fight, and he had to try to prepare for every eventuality; any small advantage could pay dividends.

He left his house, taking a hackney as far as he could before he set off on foot into the dark night. He hoped to goodness the building would be easy to identify; otherwise it would be a long night of searching partially built buildings.

Henry’s coachman’s greatcoat covered his more expensive coat, but even the quality of the greatcoat made a few people watch the stranger passing through the area late at night. Most wondered how far he would get in the dangerous location before someone challenged him, but one or two figures disappeared into the shadows sure they had seen the man who Shambles always seemed to be ranting about and who if seen they would receive a reward for information.

As Henry systematically examined each building, entering some but not all, he was unaware that he was soon to be reunited with Milly but not in the way he expected.

*

“So, the great Lord Grinstead comes to visit,” came the clear, sneering voice of Joshua Shambles as he stepped from the shadows.

Henry halted, his hand instinctively moving to the hilt of one of his knives. “Where is she?”

“Oh, far from your grasp,” Joshua mocked. A nod of his head caused a number of figures to emerge from the shadows, surrounding Henry. “You haven’t been introduced to my friends, have you?”

With the words Joshua nodded and stepped back in one fluid movement, and Henry was hit from behind. He managed to swing around and land a blow before he felt the next blow reach its target. He dragged his knife out and one small pistol, shooting one of the attackers. It seemed that the action did not gain any advantage as another figure filled the gap caused by the first attacker crumpling to the ground.

Henry fought as he had never fought before but eight to one were not fair odds, and it was not very long before he had been knocked to his knees and then sent sprawling on the floor. When his body was still, Joshua stepped forward once more.

“Enough, boys!” Joshua said, with a whistle to catch the attention of the thugs intent on finishing the job they had started. “His final breath is to be at my hands, not yours. Here, you’ve earned your wages tonight.” He took out a bag of money from his pocket and handed out a large number of coins. He considered the money well spent.

When only Joshua and Mack remained, Joshua turned to his loyal member of staff. “A pity he isn’t conscious enough to walk. I don’t fancy carrying him, but I should have thought of that earlier. I was enjoying the sight of his bloody face being beaten to a pulp too much to stop matters earlier. Come, give me a hand; he’s a heavy brute.”