Page 128 of Not a Fine Gentleman

Her eyes had widened. “Does she know where Finch is?”

He nodded. “She’s one of my best pair of eyes on the streets.”

Grant materialized next to him. “Let’s go get him.”

Meg marched up to them. “I’m coming with you.”

“Please don’t.” Connor touched her arm. “They are very dangerous people.”

“As I well know. I’m coming, and that’s final.” Her mouth set into a determined line.

He looked to Grant, but he only shrugged. “She’s powerfully hard to dissuade when she gets something in her mind.”

Connor let out his breath. He didn’t have it in him to try to talk her out of it. Moreover, this would prevent her from leaving before he had a chance to beg her to stay. He’d just have to be extra vigilant to protect her from harm. Grant would be armed to the teeth, of course.

“I’m coming, too.” Jared kissed his wife, who smiled bravely but couldn’t quite hide the fear in her eyes.

Vibrating with the pre-battle tension that Connor knew all too well, Jared stepped up, strapping a gun on one hip and a sword on the other. With a deadly gleam in his eye, he grinned. Did the man always travel thusly armed even though he’d given up his pirate ways?

Or had he?

Margaret pulled her mother’s gun out of her reticule and gripped it in her right hand.

Accompanied by a small army, Connor smiled at his little waif and strode to her, trying to keep moving smoothly despite the motion of the deck. His little waif actually tugged on his hand, the first time she had dared to touch him.

He found it within himself to chuckle a little at her enthusiasm. “Show us, dove.”

She led them through the maze of dockworkers, barrels, and crates and pointed to a large cargo ship. “In that ’un.”

“Thanks, dove.” Connor handed his little waif a handful of coins that left her gasping. “Get back and stay safe.”

She gave him a rare smile and hurried away. He needed to do more for his little waif, but first, he had a murderer to catch.

Connor glanced back at Margaret. She gripped her gun, looking as determined as he’d ever seen her.

Despite all the pain he’d caused her, she gave him a slight smile. “I knew you’d catch him.”

“We don’t have him yet,” Connor said. “But, we will.” That was a promise.

“Together,” Grant said.

Jared nodded and gave a wicked grin, his eyes alight. Apparently, all the Amesburys were mad for danger. Grant had served in the war as both a soldier and assassin, Jared had been a privateer—and a pirate, which wasn’t common knowledge—and Connor had served king and country as a captain in the army. Now, they all raced, side by side, almost feverish with anticipation for battle, to arrest a murderer.

Perhaps the Amesburys weren’t as different from him as he’d supposed.