A dishevelled Lady Ann paced the floor of her bedchamber like a caged beast. Her feline eyes sparkled with fear and rage. "I was very exacting with my instructions," she raged over the hunched figure of Henry.

Henry sat once more on her chaise. But this time, he displayed none of his usual arrogance. Instead, he sat with his elbows propped on his knees as he cupped his head in a look of utter worry and defeat.

"They were to stop her carriage past the park once it's turned down that alley so none could interfere. Then you were to rescue her!"

"The louts got carried away," Henry mumbled to the floor. "By the time I got there, Davenport had tossed them about like meat sacks. Why was he there? I thought you said he was abroad."

"Doesn't matter now. Is that fellow completely dead then?"

"Death usually is complete," was Henry's dry response.

"And his accomplice?"

"Fled. But I fear he might return to tell his tale."

Ann's gaze flickered a bit. "He wouldn't dare. I wouldn't concern myself with him. They did murder a coachman. We will not see him again unless he wants to share the same fate as his accomplice."

"I thought I might send the dead man's family a pound or two--"

Ann whirled around on him with a look of disgust. "Your sudden discovery of conscience is not inconvenient, Henry. No! We stay far away to ensure this will never be traced back to us. We can't be blamed because we never intended for anyone to be hurt. Do you understand?"

Henry jerked his head in a curt nod. "We couldn't have known Davenport would appear like an avenging angel. He sent the poor sod flying into the road like that--"

Ann's face turned pale as her eyes widened with fear. "He didn't see you, did he?"

"I was at a safe distance, hidden amongst spectators. When I saw him remove Evelyn from that carriage, I slipped away. They were all so consumed by what was happening for them to take notice of me."

Ann breathed a sigh of relief as her cat-like eyes stared off into the distance. "Where is Lady Evelyn now? With him?"

"I suppose."

She looked down at her trembling hands as if she suddenly didn't recognise them. "This is not our doing. We meant to ingratiate you to Lady Evelyn when you rescued her. Cause a bit of a rift between her and her betrothed. That was all. That was all! We couldn't have known what was to happen."

"Should Davenport find out our part in this, I doubt he'd stop and ask our intentions. Not when he's busy killing me. He will kill me, you know. They say he massacred seven enemy soldiers with his bare hands."

"It was three at the last telling," Lady Ann muttered.

The dubious pair fell silent for a time, each lost in their own thoughts. Ann watched the candle flame dance, casting long dark shadows against the walls, which she imagined may soon turn into demons to drag her down to hell. She shuddered at the thought, then uttered a silent prayer for God's forgiveness for her petty attempt to exact revenge.

"I shall visit with Evelyn," she said.

Henry dragged his hands over his stubbled face. "What are you planning now?"

"Plan?" she shrieked. "Don't be stupid! What plans can we make when our survival can't be guaranteed?"

In an instant, Henry shot to his feet and grabbed her face in a painful grip. "I've been thinking of that. Did you know Davenport would be there, my lady? Had you intended for him to discover me with her?"

"Henry--" but he stopped her with a deep kiss. She yelped when he bit her lower lip so hard he drew blood.

"You wouldn't have contrived to get rid of me, would you? Not you. You enjoy my company too much. And I am a part of your schemes. Still, I think I'll have my payment now. After everything I've risked for your little scheme."

"Henry--" she tried to say. But he grabbed a handful of her hair and threw her down so hard she was sure he ripped her hair out by its roots. Ann couldn't utter a sound. Instead, she turned away when he fished out his cock, then bit back a cry when he rammed into her, dry.