“Those people need to be brought to justice, Ivy.”
“Yes, they do. What is the best course of action to take?” Her voice was polite, as if they were conversing about the weather and they’d not just shared heated kisses.
“I think you and your family must leave London. I would not put it past that woman to seek retribution, and especially if we start creating trouble for her. She also mentioned your name.”
“In what capacity?”
“In that she is a threat to you.”
“We are not leaving London this year, sir, and I’m sure you are mistaken. What threat could she pose to me?”
So polite, Rory thought. “She held your brother captive and sent you a blackmail note. You don’t think that was a threat?”
“Of course, but we have Jackson back, and surely she is the one who is scared now because we will expose her? I’m sure that man was because of her, but he will bother me no more.”
“What man?”
“Forgive me, I misspoke.” She dragged her eyes from him and looked out the window.
Rory moved to the edge of his seat and grabbed her chin, turning it so their eyes met.
“What man?”
“A man.”
He didn’t speak, just continued to look at her.
“Oh, very well.” She pulled free and pushed her back into the seat to get away from him. “I have seen a man outside the house, and when I leave, he has followed me, I believe.”
“You believe?” Christ, the woman was driving him mad.
“I cannot be sure, really.”
“How often did you see him?”
“A handful of times, no more than five.”
“And yet you still doubt his intention was to follow you?”
She nodded.
“And you didn’t tell me this.”
“I’m not sure when I would have, and to be honest, I was unsure if he was a threat or not.”
“When would you have realized he was a threat? Perhaps when he grabbed you?”
She folded her arms and looked out the window once more. Apparently this discussion was over in her mind.
“You are leaving London.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“We do not have the luxury of owning a country house, and the one we usually go to is full this year.”
“Then you can come to Greystone.” Rory was rarely rash, and most especially when any decision he made involved his family. And yet the words had definitely left his mouth.
“No, thank you. Jackson will not be fit for travel anytime soon.”
“The country air will be good for him.”
“We will care for him in London.” Her chin rose.
“Will your stubborn pride keep your family safe, Ivy?”
Rory didn’t want to leave her in London unprotected. In fact, the thought made him feel nauseous.
“We will not leave the house unless it is necessary to do so, and in that case I will have two footmen accompany me.”
He would not win this battle now, but he would win it.
“I will have a doctor called,” Rory said, looking at Jackson. He would need to be examined and the sores around his wrists and ankles tended.
“I can call a doctor, thank you.”
And there was that pride again.
“I promise we will all show caution going forward, Rory, so please leave London with your family and know that the Redferns will be safe.”
“Ivy—”
“Excellent, we are here.”
Damn, the carriage was stopping.
“About that kiss, Ivy.”
“Think no more about the matter. I assure you, I won’t. Now, if you will just help me get Jackson inside the house, then you can leave.”
“I do not need to leave—”
“We are very aware of what you have done for us, Mr. Haddon. Without you, I doubt I would have seen my brother again alive. Please accept our undying gratitude for what you have undertaken on my family’s behalf.”
“I don’t want your gratitude.” He grabbed her hand, but she shook him off.
“Timothy, excellent. If you and Mr. Haddon could get Jackson inside and take him up the stairs, please. His room is the third door on the left. I must alert my aunt as to what has happened.”
“What is it you wish me to do with the boy, Mr. Haddon?”
“Boy?” Ivy asked her footman.
“He helped us rescue your brother, Miss Redfern, and Mr. Haddon had him accompany us when we left Le Plaisir, as he would be in grave danger had he stayed,” Timothy added.
“I will speak with him.” She stepped from the carriage before Rory could help her.
“Jackson, we are going to take you inside now.” Rory gently woke her brother as Timothy joined him.
“Hello, are you the brave lad who helped rescue my brother? What is your name?” He could hear Ivy talking to the boy.
“Boy, miss.”
“Really? Have you no other name?”
“No, miss.”
“Well, how about we change it to Roy, as boy will no longer suit when you are a man, which is not too far away now. Or do you prefer another name?”
“I like Roy.”
“Excellent. I’m sure you are hungry, so come inside and I will have our cook fix something for you.”
“But where will I go after that, miss?”
Rory climbed out of the carriage and took Jackson as Timothy eased him through the door.
“Well, we need someone to run errands for us. Do you think that would suit until you are ready to move on? A bed will come with it, and I think you’ll like our butler, Parslip. He can be a bit stern, but then I believe most of them are, don’t you?”
Ivy touched her brother’s cheek briefly, then placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder and hurried them up the path to the front door.
They got Jackson up the stairs and onto a bed. The effort had cost him. His breath was now choppy, and his pallor increased.
“He will need washing,” Rory said, pulling up the covers.
“It will be taken care of.” Ivy entered with her aunt. Clearly she’d told the woman what had happened.
“Hello, darling boy.” Jackson’s aunt kissed her nephew’s cheek. “Everything will be all right now.”
Jackson managed a weak smile. He was then fussed over, and the tears in his old friend’s eyes told Rory he was exactly where he’d dreamed of being as he lay there in that filthy bed chained up like an animal.
“I will leave you now, as I wish to visit the magistrate,” Rory said once he knew he was no longer needed. “But I must caution all of you not to leave the house under any circumstances.”
“Of course.” Ivy didn’t look at him, just muttered the words.
Rory accepted the embrace from Ivy’s aunt. She held him tight as she thanked him for bringing her nephew home.
“I will send word when I have any news, Ivy,” Rory said, as he wanted her to look at him.
“Thank you.” She focused on his necktie. “We are extremely grateful.”
He was reluctant to leave, but forced himself to do so. Hailing a hackney, he gave directions to his brother’s townhouse, then sat back to digest what had happened today.