Page 57 of The Captain Claims His Temptress

Merciful heavens. She and Stephen had aided Pierre’s plan by stealing the key and going to the dungeon. “Go on.”

“Then the bloody shite told us to return to Hockley Castle and get his damn book of secrets. Like we can get near that blasted place with the she-devil and Beelzebub guarding it.”

Perhaps if she thought like a rascal? Maddie pressed her finger to her chin “So, Pierre’s secrets are in a book at Hockley Castle and the Duke and Duchess of Astleyshire won’t let you near it?”

The giant grinned. “Ye’s a smart lass.”

“And you need the captain to help you get this book, but he is locked in the cell you once inhabited?”

“A fine pickle we find ourselves in, eh?” Diggins asked. “That rat-turd-of-a-dandy Dupont thinks we can swagger onto the castle grounds like a couple of rich toppings. He ain’t got no idea how hard ’tis. We got on the grounds once. But then they fixed the old gate and added security. Now it’s bloomin’ impenetrable. It’s like that crazy red-headed duchess ain’t got nothin’ better to do than walk circles around her big ol’ house lookin’ for innocents like us to chop into pieces.”

“Innocents?” Maddie snorted.

Diggins scowled. “Are ye’ gonna help us, or not?”

Maddie pulled her shoulders back. “I have a proposal that will benefit all three of us.”

Diggins rubbed his hands together. “I like the sound of that.”

“If you double-cross me, I will turn you over to the she-devil and Beelzebub,” she declared.

Myrle shivered. “We ain’t gonna double cross a beautiful lady like yerself.”

She trusted them as far as she could throw them, and an army would struggle to heft the enormous one. Unfortunately, she had no other choice. “Let us go see my aunt. She will help us.”

Myrle patted his stomach. “Can we get somethin’ to eat on the way?”

Diggins grunted. “Ye and your dashed belly is what got us into this mess in the first place.”

“I can’t help it. I’m a big fellow and I require fuel.”

“Me lady, Myrle’s cantankerous as all hell when he’s hungry. And he’s always hungry, meanin’ he’s always cantankerous.”

“And you’re Mister Fuckin’ Affability.” Myrle walloped Diggins on the shoulder, knocking him to his knees with an “Oomph!”

“Where you learnin’ those big words?” asked a scowling Diggins as he climbed onto his feet.

“Hangin’ around all these bloody aristocrats.” Myrle grinned at Maddie. “I kind of like me the fancy speakin’ ladies.”

Maddie sighed. “Come on, the both of you. We have work to do.”

Thereupon, her new lackeys shuffled behind her, prattling on about fancy ladies, pork pies, and apple tarts.

Maddie shared as much of Stephen’s dilemma as she dared with Aunt Henrietta. She would take his deepest secrets about leaving his post to her grave. And even though the dirty-faced men in rumpled livery juxtaposed against the finery of Lady Saxton’s chamber proved to be an absurd distraction, her aunt remained an attentive listener, promising aid.

“Ye’s a fine hostess,” Myrle told Aunt Henrietta as he dug his grime-covered paw into her candy dish. He popped a sweetmeat into his mouth and moaned with pleasure.

Aunt Henrietta winced.

Shoveling in two more treats, he spoke with his mouth full. “Deli-cious-s.” He swallowed, licked his lips, then scanned the room. “Ye got any more food in this here chamber?”

“Nay. You have eaten everything,” Aunt Henrietta said.

“Ah, bloody hell. All I had was six biscuits and some sweets.”

Diggins punched him in the shoulder. “Concentrate, you fool.”

Frowning, Myrle rubbed his arm.