Page 58 of Nature of the Crime
She lifted her face to look at him, and in the dim yellow glow of the oil lanterns, her rounded eyes and chattering jaw pierced his heart. “Gone. He went into the water, I p-pushed him in. I…I…”
Hugh brought her close again, hushing her with his lips against her cold brow. “It is all right now. You’re safe. That is all that matters.”
“My sister,” Ethan said as he approached with a woolen blanket. He handed it to Hugh, who layered it over the greatcoat. “Have you seen her? Did Sin have her?”
“This is Ethan Leeds, Becky’s brother. Her father is at the helm,” Thornton explained, removing his gloves. “Use the blanket to cover her head and put these on her.”
“The cave,” Audrey rasped. The shivers wracking her body caused her voice to spasm. “A smuggler’s cave. Not far from the b-beach.”
Edmunds swore under his breath. It was now fully dark, and whatever moonlight to be had was obscured by thick cloud cover. “We won’t be able to find it in this light. Mr. Leeds, take us back to the harbor. We will set out at first light?—”
“No!” She jerked away from Hugh as he was trying to slip on one of Thornton’s gloves. “We c-can’t wait.”
“You’re going to become ill if we do not get you warm,” Hugh started to say, but she shook her head, her hair loose and tangled.
“That doesn’t matter. The smugglers are coming tonight. We cannot leave. She’ll be taken. They smugglewomen, Hugh.”
He gripped her shoulders, knowing she would not be swayed. Hell, Hugh could not in good conscience leave a woman out here to be abducted.
“We are not leaving her,” he said. “Mr. Leeds, can you use your lanterns to signal help from the harbor?”
“Aye,” the man said, “though it might take some time.” Ethan had already grabbed a lantern and was on his way to the stern of the hooker.
“The more vessels we have out here, the less likely any smuggler ship will make it through,” Hugh said, hoping to convince the lieutenant. “Even if we cannot find the cave until first light, we won’t allow any smugglers the opportunity.”
Though, the problem of getting Audrey warm and dry remained. The expression currently pinching Thornton’s face mirrored that same worry. He knew the danger Audrey was in better than anyone else.
Edmunds intervened. “Very well. Once help begins to arrive, we will escort Her Grace back to the harbor?—”
The peal of a bell cut him off. Hugh cocked his head, listening as a bell continued to ring. The sound of it was distant, but when the gusting winds ceased for a brief lull, it grew louder. Closer.
“What is that?” Edmunds asked. “Another ship, signaling us?”
“I don’t think so,” Hugh said. The chiming seemed to be coming from the direction of the cliffs.
Audrey pulled from his arms and lunged toward the railing of the boat. “The handbells!”
For a moment, Hugh worried she’d become delirious from a chill.
“In the cave, there were crates. One smashed open, and I think they were handbells!” she explained with a triumphant grin. “She is signaling us to her!”
Relief coursed through him. Handbells cast of silver or gold could easily be melted down, making them valuable items to smugglers looking to profit.
“Becky, love, we’re coming!” Mr. Leeds shouted, whether his daughter could hear him or not. “I can’t get close,” he then said, “not without running aground.”
Audrey pulled away from Hugh and leaned over the railing. “The skiff can.”
“Lord Thornton, with me,” Lieutenant Edmunds said, as he hoisted himself over the railing and dropped into the skiff.
Thornton took a lantern and followed the lieutenant. Hugh brought Audrey close again, her shivering still intense. They all shouted as the bells kept chiming, telling Becky to keep it up, that they were coming for her.
A cold press of lips against Hugh’s jaw startled him. He looked down to see Audrey staring at him with a trembling grin. Cold lips or warm, it didn’t matter. He pressed his mouth to hers, tasting salt.
“I am getting rather tired of nearly losing you,” he said.
“At least I haven’t been shot again.”
Hugh groaned and took her lips in another kiss.
