“Certainly. Is there something in particular you are hoping to find?”
With a quick tilt of her head, Lady Julienne motioned her over. Olivia went gladly, leaving the men to their discussion. Julienne Remington was one of the rare, truly genuine people she’d met since returning to London. They shared a small affinity, both having once been ostracized by Society. Julienne, an earl’s daughter, had married the notorious Lucien Remington, the bastard son of a duke. It had caused a scandal of drastic proportions, or so Olivia had been told. But from the looks of it, Julienne had made a wise decision. Remington was obviously completely besotted with his beautiful wife.
“I can see why you’ve kept him hidden,” Julienne said with a mischievous smile as they strolled away. “Merrick quite overwhelms a girl, doesn’t he?”
Olivia laughed. “Yes, he certainly does.”
Julienne stopped before a milliner’s and peered inside. “Look at that! Isn’t it lovely?”
Looking at the feathered hat, Olivia nodded. “It is quite fetching.”
“I must have it.” Julienne moved toward the entrance of the shop just as a pastry cart passed. Enticed by the delectable scent of peach tarts, Olivia was suddenly starving. Her stomach growled. Loudly.
Julienne laughed. “Poor dear. Pregnancy will do that to you.”
Olivia’s eyes widened. “How did you know?”
“I’ve birthed two sons, Lady Merrick. I recognize the signs.” She waved her hand toward the vendor. “Go fetch your pastry, and I’ll purchase my hat. We’ll meet here when we’re done.”
“A wonderful idea,” Olivia said with a grin. She went to the pastry cart and paid for her tart, her mouth watering in anticipation.
“Lovely day, isn’t it, Lady Merrick?”
Recognizing the voice, she sighed inwardly before turning. “Good afternoon, Monsieur Robidoux.”
As the vendor moved away, the Frenchman bowed to her and gestured toward a nearby bench. She looked past him to find Sebastian still deep in conversation with Lucien Remington. Reluctantly, she moved toward the seat.
And then she felt the barrel of a pistol pressed to her spine. She stilled, her heart hammering against her ribs. “What in blazes are you doing?”
“Go quietly, petite, and you will not be harmed. Scream, and I will shoot you down.” The tone of his voice drove the point home. He was serious.
What was happening? She’d done nothing to rile this man, had in fact gone out of her way to be polite. No cause was given for him to accost her, and certainly not with a weapon. She looked wild-eyed toward Sebastian, but he’d altered direction and now faced away.
Her gloves grew damp with the sweat of her palms. The baby fluttered, frightening her further. In any other circumstance, she would scream and fight for her life. But she had her child to consider now, and she would do nothing to endanger the precious life.
“Go!” he ordered, bruising her back with a sharp shove of the gun.
She stumbled forward. “There are many people around, monsieur. Someone will see.”
“I care not. After today I can leave this dreary country and never return.”
“If something happens to me,” she warned, “Lord Merrick will hunt you down.”
He snorted dismissively. “Phoenix will be dead.”
“Lord Merrick!”
Sebastian turned toward the panicked voice, startled to see Lady Julienne running toward him, skirts held in one hand and a hatbox in the other.
“Yes? What is it?” He looked past her. “Where is Lady Merrick?”
“I saw her walking away with that odd Frenchman.” She turned to her husband, snapping her gloved fingers. “Oh, what is that man’s name? The blond Frenchie with the greasy voice?”
Sebastian tensed, his chest tightening. “Robidoux?”
“Yes, that’s it!” she cried. “Dominique Robidoux.”
He stilled. “You mean Pierre. Pierre Robidoux.”
“No, my lord,” Remington corrected with a frown. “Julienne is correct. The man’s name is Dominique.”
Sebastian’s gaze swept across the crowded thoroughfare. If what the Remingtons said was true, he’d eliminated the lesser threat and allowed the greater one to get close to his heart. “Which way did they go?”
Julienne pointed down the street. “That way, and just a moment ago.”
Sebastian ran, heedless of the gawking pedestrians and the sight he made. He cared nothing for anyone. He never had. The only person who mattered was Olivia.
Blood roaring in his ears, he almost missed her cry. He stopped abruptly and veered down an alley, melting with relief to find Olivia and Robidoux waiting at the end. The minute he saw the Frenchman’s face, he knew he’d made a fatal mistake. He’d killed Pierre, not Dominique. His hand lowered to his thigh, vainly reaching for the blade that wasn’t there.
“Release her,” he ordered, stepping closer. “I’m the one you want.”
Robidoux laughed mirthlessly. “Imagine my surprise to discover the lady Pierre wanted was your wife.”
Sebastian’s hands clenched into fists, his heart racing in near-mindless panic. Olivia stood stoically, but her dark eyes betrayed her fear. “I’ll pay whatever you desire if you allow her to go unharmed.”
“I want my brother back. Can you give me that?”
Sebastian gritted his teeth and took another step closer. “You know I cannot.”
“Very well then.” Robidoux shoved Olivia toward him and raised the gun. “Your wife will die in your arms, as Pierre died in mine.”
“No!”
Sebastian’s agonized cry echoed through the narrow space as he reached for Olivia’s stumbling form. He caught her close, spinning desperately to shield her with his back. The report of the shot was deafening, and he jerked as searing pain tore into his shoulder, barely missing his wife.
Suddenly Remington was there with pistol in hand, thrusting them out of the way. The second shot left a horrendous buzzing in Sebastian’s ears, drowning out Olivia’s sobbing. A quick glance backward assured him Robidoux was dead. Dropping his gaze to the rapidly spreading bloodstain on his coat, he prodded the wound with his working hand.
“It’s nothing,” he assured her.
She grabbed his lapels and attempted to shake him, her mouth forming words he couldn’t hear but understood nevertheless. “Are you bloody mad?”
“Don’t swear,” he admonished with a roll of his eyes. Then he kissed her senseless.
Epilogue
Olivia rose from the chair next to the bed and felt momentarily dizzy, something that happened often as her pregnancy progressed. Sebastian was at her side instantly.
“What is it? You look pale.” He pressed her back into the seat with his free hand.