Page 58 of A Dream of Redemption
“Glover has not moved from your warehouse, that gives us the advantage. Glover is clever. He suspected it would be the last place we would look, and he was right but we have been watching and learning for the past two days.”
His lordship issued strong curses as he leaned his palms on his desk and took deep breaths. He glanced over his shoulder. “My warehouse manager must be involved. There is no way that Glover could be in there without him knowing.”
“That was my thinking too.”
Coldhurst straightened. “Glover’s made a mistake. He’s underestimated you, as perhaps have I. This gives us the advantage. My family has owned that warehouse since I was a boy. I used to play in it. I know exactly how we are going to get in without Glover knowing.”
“Thank God for that.”
“Don’t thank God just yet, if anything has happened to Helen I will hold you responsible.”
“I hold myself responsible. I should’ve known that she would try to see me.” Clary began to pace the carpet. “Would you mind if I bring Richard, Boon, and Simon inside? Boon’s the one that found where Glover was hiding. If we’re going to plan an attack he will be very useful.”
Lord Coldhurst merely nodded, and Clary made to leave the study. As he reached the door, his lordship said, “I admire you for coming to tell me in person. You could’ve left her to her fate, or you could have tried to rescue her on your own and failed.”
“I love her. I will do everything and anything to rescue her.”
The two men stood looking at each other; their love for Helen was the one thing they had in common. Other than that they lived in worlds that were miles apart. When his lordship said nothing more, Clary went to fetch Richard, Boon, and his brother.
The Libertine Scholars, Lord Coldhurst’s closest friends, arrived within the hour. They had also brought as many of their men with them as possible. They crowded into the study because their wives were holding court in the drawing room, rallying around Marisa and Beatrice, helping support them in their time of grief and fear.
“The only way in is through the sewer. I doubt Glover has thought to put a guard down there.”
That was the first piece of good news Clary had heard in hours. “Does the sewer go all the way underneath the warehouse?”
Sebastian nodded. “I had men clear it about a year ago when I had a cargo of live sheep kept in the warehouse until I could get them on a ship. We simply hosed the warehouse down, emptying the mess into the sewer after the sheep set sail.”
“That’s my way in.”
“No. That is my way in. She is my sister.”
Bugger. “I beg to disagree, your lordship. You don’t know Glover. Do you even know what he looks like?”
Lyttleton cleared his throat. “Clary is right, Sebastian. He’s younger and faster and knows these men. We do not.”
Clary sat back and let these powerful men argue amongst themselves. He did not care what their decision was, all he knew was he was going into that warehouse to save the woman he loved, the woman who would never truly be his. She belonged in their world, not his. Her kidnapping proved it. Those that learned of his past would use the people he loved as leverage to bend him to their will. He would not risk her being exposed to the seedy underbelly of London by entering his life.
Finally, he could take the arguing no more. He stood up. “If you have quite finished, time is of the essence. Lord Blackwood’s plan is sound.”
Lyttleton stood beside him and clapped him on the back. “I think it is appropriate given the circumstances for first names to be used. And I concur, Grayson’s plan is the best.”
“So, it’s agreed. I will go in alone through the sewer. The rest of you will wait until I bring Helen out. Only then do the rest of you attack.” Clary was surprised that Sebastian didn’t argue with him. Helen’s brother stood with hands on hips, his fists clenched as if he wanted to pound Clary to dust.
“Just make sure you get her out alive. It’s because of you that Glover has her. If he’s touched one hair on her head…”
“If he has, he is a dead man, and you can get in line to kill him,” Clary uttered, and meant every word.
As Clary made to leave Sebastian grabbed his arm and swung him to face him. “Once Helen is safe this is not over. You and I will have a day of reckoning.”
Maitland cleared his throat. “This is not the time. We all need to be focused on saving Helen.”
Simon came to stand next to his brother. He looked Sebastian straight in his eyes. “Therewillbe a day of reckoning. Questions will be asked as to how you didn’t know that your warehouse was being used to sell children. Just remember it’s your reputation, and your family’s, at risk and not from my brother’s association. If you do anything to hurt Clary, I’ll make damn sure everybody knows how Glover used you.”
Warmth infused every part of Clary’s body. He was so proud of Simon.
He could not believe that his little brother risked everything to stand up for him. Perhaps his brother had forgiven him, and his heart surged with love for his sibling. A love he’d been too scared to show in case Simon rebuffed him. In that moment he turned and pulled Simon into a rough embrace and whispered, “I love you. Thank you.”
“Just rescue the lady and come back safe, that’s all I ask,” and Simon squeezed him hard before stepping back out of his embrace.
