Page 30 of Guardian Angel
âIâll explain it all later,â Caine interjected. âLet her finish with this now.â
âOn the way to London, the carriage was waylaid. I was hit on the side of my head. The blow made me sleep, and when I awakened, I found that the carriage had been torn apart. I was able to squeeze through the window after Iâd widened the frame with the heel of my boot.â
âAnd then?â Richards asked.
âI walked.â
âAll the way to London?â Lyon asked.
âNo,â Jade answered. âNot all the way. I was able to . . . borrow a horse from a way station. It was unattended. The owner was probably inside having his supper.â
Jade finished her accounting a few minutes later. She never mentioned the fact that she was Pagan, and Caine assumed he would have to be the one to tell Sir Richards and Lyon.
Just what was her game? Lord, by the time sheâd finished her recitation, she was dabbing at the corners of her eyes with Richardsâ handkerchief.
The director was obviously shaken by her explanation. He leaned back in his chair and shook his head.
âDo you know who the other members of the Tribunal are?â Jade asked him.
âNo.â
âBut you knew Hammond, didnât you?â she asked. âI understood that the two of you started out together.â
âYes, we started out together,â Richards agreed. âYet after a number of years, my dear, we were each given a different division within the War Department. Hammond had so many young men under his direction back then. He ran his own section. I met quite a few eager young saviors, but certainly not all of them.â
âWe have several telling clues,â Lyon interjected. âIt shouldnât take us long to find out the truth.â
âThe first letter was signed by a man named William. They hadnât been assigned their operative names yet. Hell, thatâs the most common name in England,â Caine added. âHow many Williams work for the War Office?â
Jade answered his question. âActually, there were only three in Hammondâs files.â
Everyone turned to look at her. âPagan read the files,â she whispered. She blushed, then added, âIt was necessary. Thereâs William Pryors, William Terrance, and William Clayhill. All three worked for your department, Sir Richards. Two are still alive, though retired from duty, but William Terrance died four years ago.â
âYouâre certain of these facts?â Lyon asked.
âHow did Pagan get to our files?â Richards was obviously disconcerted. âBy God, no one can get through our security.â
âPagan did,â Caine said. He took over the conversation then, explaining in more detail how the pirate had set out to protect him. He told them about Colinâs and Nathanâs near miss with the sharks, too. When he was finished, no one said a word for a long while.
Jade was gripping her hands together. It wasnât a pretense now, but the memory of the sharks that made her so agitated.
âThree eager young men, bent on saving the world,â Richards whispered. âBut the lust for power became more important.â
Jade nodded agreement. âDid you notice, sir, that the first letters were signed with the wording, âfor the good of England,â but as time went on, and they grew more and more bold, they changed the wording?â
âI noticed,â Sir Richards muttered. â âFor the good of the Tribunalâ was how they signed their notes,â he added. âAnd that does say it all, doesnât it. There can be no misinterpretation here.â
âHer father was killed by the two others when he refused to go along with their plans, and then Hammond was murdered,â Caine said.
Richards nodded. âWe must find the other two,â he muttered. âLord, thereâs so much to take in.â He let out a weary sigh, then said, âWell, thank God Pagan seems to be on our side. When I think of all the damage he could do with those files, my blood runs cold.â
âOh, Paganâs very honorable,â Jade rushed out. âMost thieves are, sir. You mustnât worry that the information will fall into the wrong hands.â
âDid that bastard read my file?â Lyon demanded.
Caine didnât answer him. He didnât think there was any reason to share the truth with his friend. It would only upset him.
âThe very fact that there were sharks in those waters,â Richards whispered, changing the topic. âDo you realize the courage it must have taken . . .â
âHave you finished your questions?â Jade interrupted.
The director immediately reached out and patted her hands again. âWeâve exhausted you, havenât we, my dear? I can tell how distressing this is for you.â
âThank you for your consideration,â she whispered. She stood up and didnât protest at all when Richards embraced her.
âWeâll find the culprits, I promise you,â he said.
Jade hid her hands in the folds of her gown, then walked over to Lyon. He immediately stood up. She leaned against him. âThank you, Lyon, for helping us. Please give my love to Christina. I cannot wait until I can visit with her again.â
She turned back to Richards and hugged him again. âI forgot to thank you as well,â she explained.
She pulled away from the director, bowed, and turned to leave the room.
âJade?â
âYes, Caine?â
âWhat was all that about?â
She turned around to smile at him. âYou said a manâs pride is very important, didnât you?â
âI did.â
âYou also said that when a man is manipulated or deceived, his pride suffers, too.â
âI did say that.â He leaned forward. âAnd?â
âWell, if others were also . . . fooled . . . friends who have earned their own legends and Englandâs respect, then wouldnât the blow be less painful?â
He finally understood. His wink was slow, his grin arrogant. âI shall go and ask Colin and Nathan to join you now,â Jade announced before she left the room. The door closed softly behind her.
âWhat was she talking about?â Richards asked.
âA personal matter,â Caine answered. He turned to Lyon then. âWell? What do you think of her now?â
His friend refilled his goblet with more brandy before he answered. âSheâs still damned beautiful,â he said. âBut Iâm once again thinking sheâs awfully timid. Must come from being around you.â
Caine laughed. âYouâre back to thinking sheâs timid?â
âWhat am I missing, Caine?â Lyon asked, genuinely perplexed. âWhatâs the jest you find so amusing?â
âPut aside this talk about women,â Richards ordered. âNow, son, you must promise me something.â
âSir?â Caine asked.
âHave you actually met this Pagan fellow?â
âI have.â
âWhen this is finished, you must find a way for me to meet him.â
Caine leaned back in his chair. Jade had been right. She had just given him his pride back.
âI must meet Pagan,â Sir Richards demanded again.
Caine nodded. âSir Richards, you just did.â
Chapter Fifteen
âJade, come back here.â Caine shouted that order while his two friends were trying to absorb the news heâd just given them.
When she didnât respond to his summons, Caine called for Sterns. The butler must have been standing right outside the door, for he immediately rushed inside the library. He bowed to his employer, a courtesy he never ever extended when they were alone, and then asked, âYou wished something, miâlord?â
âBring Jade back here,â Caine ordered.
âI believe she heard your bellow, miâlord,â Sterns announced in that highbrow voice of his, âShe has declined the invitation to rejoin you, however. Was there something more you wanted?â
Caine wanted to strangle Sterns, but he pushed the notion aside. âBring her to me. Drag her in here if you have to, but bring her to me. Thatâs what I want, Sterns.â
The butler nodded, then left on his errand. Caine turn
ed back to his friends. He lost some of his irritation when he saw Lyonâs grin. His friend seemed to be taking the news of Paganâs identity much better than Sir Richards was. The director still looked quite stunned.
âHell, Caine, I should have guessed,â Lyon said. âShe was so timid . . . yes, I should have known, all right. You arenât one to be attracted to ... and Christina did say that I should look below the . . .â
âSon,â Sir Richards interrupted Lyonâs rambling. âThis isnât the time for jests. Weâve a serious matter here.â
Jade opened the door in the middle of Richardsâ protests. âI was fetching Nathan and Colin for you, Caine. What is it you wanted?â
âGive them back, Jade.â
His voice had the bite of a pistol shot in it. Jade pretended innocence. âWhatever are you talking about?â she asked. She pressed her hand to her bosom in mock fear and fluttered her eyelashes at him.
He wasnât at all impressed. âYou know damned good and well what Iâm talking about,â he roared. âGive them back.â
âCaine, it isnât polite to raise your voice to me in front of visitors,â she instructed. Her voice had risen an octave. âItâs plain rude.â
âThey know who you are.â
âThey know?â
She marched over to the front of his desk and glared at him. Her hands were planted on her hips now. âExactly what do they know?â
âThat youâre Pagan.â
She let out a gasp. âWhy donât you just post it in the dailies?â she shouted. âThen you wouldnât have to spend so much time . . .â
âI had to tell them,â Caine interjected.
âYou could have waited until after Iâd left.â
âSince you arenât leaving, that wasnât possible, now was it?â
âMy God, itâs really true?â Richards interjected in a near shout of his own.
Jade glanced over her shoulder to frown at the director. âNo,â she snapped. âIt isnât true.â
âYes,â Caine countered. âIt is.â
âDamn it, Caine, donât you know how to keep a secret?â She didnât give him time to answer that question but turned to leave.
âI told you to give them back, Jade.â
âWhy?â
âThese men happen to be my friends,â he answered. âThatâs why.â
âCaine, if you canât rob from your friends, who can you rob?â she asked.
He didnât have a ready answer to that absurd question.
âYou did say it was all right for me to continue my work,â she reminded him. âHave you already gone back on your word?â
He couldnât believe she had the audacity to look so outraged. Caine didnât dare stand up, certain the urge to grab her and try to shake some sense into her would be too overwhelming to ignore.
Jade turned to look at Lyon. âWhen I give my word, I never break it,â she stated.
Caine took a deep breath, then leaned back in his chair. He stared at Jade long and hard.
She glared back.
With the crook of his finger, he motioned her closer. When sheâd reached his side, he said, âI meant what I said. You may continue with your work.â
She was totally perplexed. âThen why are you making such a fuss over . . .â
âYou may continue to rob,â he interrupted. âBut every time you take something, Iâm going to give it back.â
Her gasp nearly knocked her over. âYou wonât.â
âI will.â
âBut thatâs . . . ridiculous,â she stammered. âIsnât it?â
He didnât answer her. Jade looked over at Lyon for help. His grin told her she wouldnât be getting any assistance from him. Sir Richards was still looking too flabbergasted to intervene.
She was on her own, she decided, just as sheâd always been. âNo.â
âYes.â
She looked as though she wanted to weep. âNow give them their . . .â
âI switched them,â she announced. âMay I leave now?â
Caine nodded. He waited until Jade had reached the door, then called out, âJade, you may leave this room, but donât you dare try to leave this house. Iâll only come after you if you do. You wouldnât want to inconvenience me again, now would you?â
She didnât answer that question. Caine knew she was furious with him, though. The door almost flew off its hinges when she slammed it shut behind her.
âSheâs got a bit of a temper,â Caine announced. His grin suggested he didnât mind that flaw much at all. âHave you recovered yet, Richards?â he asked then.
âI have,â Richards agreed.
âBut you never once considered . . .â
âNo, no,â Richards returned.
Caine nodded with satisfaction. âItâs good to know my own superior was taken in. I do believe my pride has been fully restored.â
Nathan and Colin walked into the library then. Colin used his cane and Nathanâs arm for assistance.
âQuit treating me like an infant,â Colin muttered, as Nathan helped him ease into a chair.
âYou are an infant,â Nathan drawled out. He pushed a footstool in front of the chair, then propped Colinâs foot on it.
Nathan stood to take his measure of the two men watching him. Caine made the introductions. He shook their hands, then sat on the arm of Colinâs chair.
âJade wants me to ask you what time it is,â Nathan stated then.
The director looked puzzled by that request, then shrugged. âIâd say it was going on nine, wouldnât you, Lyon?â
Lyon was more astute than his superior. He lifted the timepiece from his waist pocket. He laughed then, a full booming sound that filled the room. âI believe this one is yours, Richards. You have mine. She did embrace both of us.â
Richards was duly impressed. âI certainly misjudged her,â he announced. âYou saw her make the switch, didnât you, Caine. Thatâs why you called her back.â
Caine shook his head. âNo, I didnât,â he admitted. âBut when she embraced each of you, I knew she was up to something. She doesnât usually show such affection to strangers.â
âNo, she doesnât,â Nathan agreed.
Caine looked at Lyon. âThe woman has led me in circles. Sheâs determined to make me a madman.â
âIâd say sheâs already accomplished that goal,â Nathan drawled out.
âThis sounds familiar to me,â Lyon said. He smiled, remembering the bizarre circumstances leading up to his marriage. âIâve been led in a few circles by Christina, too. Tell me this, Caine. What did you do while she was leading you?â
âSame thing you did,â Caine answered. âI fell in love with her.â
Lyon nodded. âGod help you now, friend. It isnât going to get any easier after youâve married her. When is the wedding, by the way?â
âYes, Caine, when is the wedding?â Nathan demanded.
âThere damned well will be a wedding.â Colin made that statement of fact. He was frowning intently at his brother.
âYes,â Caine answered. âThere will be a wedding.â
âSounds to me as if you donât have any choice, son,â Sir Richards interjected. âWill you say your vows with a pistol aimed at your back?â
âIf a pistol is needed, it will be aimed at Jadeâs back, not mine,â Caine countered. âI still have to convince her that I mean what I say. Hell, Iâll probably even have to get down on one knee in front of her men.â
Even Nathan smiled over that picture. Colin scoffed. âJade wonât make you kneel before her,â he said.
âNo, but Black Harry sure as hell will,â Caine replied.
âWho is Black Harry?â Richards asked.
âNathan, you start explaining,â Caine announced. âWhile I go after Jade.â
âSheâs gone?â Nathan asked.
Caine stood up and started for the door. âOf course sheâs gone. I never make the same mistake twice, Nathan. Iâll be back soon.â
Since Caine was a
lready wearing his riding britches and boots, he went directly to the corral housing the horses.
The speckled mare was missing. âHow many men do you have trailing her?â he asked the stablemaster.
âThree at the back door chased after her,â the servant answered.
Caine bridled his stallion but didnât bother with the saddle. He grabbed hold of the black mane and mounted the steed in one quick motion.
He trailed her to the cabin on the edge of his property. She was standing next to the creek, watering her horse.
Caine broke through the trees, then goaded his mount into a full gallop. Jade heard the sound of pounding hooves. She turned to run into the woods. Caineâs stallion never broke stride as he leaned down and lifted her into his arms. He slammed her bottom down in front of him, turned direction and headed back toward home.
He didnât say a word to her, nor she to him, and he didnât slow his pace until theyâd reached their destination.
Sterns was waiting at the front door. Caine dragged Jade up the steps. âLock her in her room!â he roared. âPost two guards below her windows and two more outside the door.â
He didnât let go of Jade until heâd dragged her inside the house and bolted the door behind him.
He kept his expression as ugly as he could manage until he was once again inside the library. When he was back in his chair behind his desk, he let himself smile.
âI assume you found her,â Nathan said.
âI did,â Caine answered. âImpressed the hell out of her, too. Now catch me up on what youâve told my friends,â he ordered.
The talk returned to the letters and the men didnât finish formulating their plans until well past eleven. Richards and Lyon were given chambers in the North wing. Both appeared to be reluctant to say goodnight.
Richards insisted on taking the copies of the letters to bed with him. âThereâs information still to be ferreted out,â he announced.
No one argued with the director. Caine went directly to Jadeâs room. He dismissed the guards, unlocked the door, and went inside.
Jade was reading in bed. She wouldnât look at him, but kept her gaze on the book she held in her hands.
âYou need more light if youâre going to read,â Caine announced. âThe fire needs to be stoked, too. Itâs damned cold in here.â