Page 29 of Redemption

“My mother had been dead more than a year when my father sold us to Ruckley. She would never have allowed my father to do what he did if she’d been alive.” Rhea glared at him as a cold, brittle anger slashed its way through her. At her chilly reply, he offered her an abrupt nod of apology.

“It was wrong of me to suggest such a thing.”

The quiet words echoed with sincere remorse. Rhea realized how difficult it must be for him to comprehend what her life had been like for the seven years she’d been under Ruckley’s control. Rhea looked away from Percy to stare out at the neat row of houses that lined the street they were on. They were such a stark contrast to the horrible nature of the life she endured for seven years.

“I understand why you asked the question. If my father could do something so vile, perhaps my mother could have done so as well.” Rhea drew in a breath of air and released it as an image of her mother’s gentle features filled her head.

“And your aunt? Was she unable to do something?” This time there was no judgement in his voice.

“Father never liked Aunt Beatrice. He refused to let her in the house. I once overheard mama arguing with him about it. But he refused to listen. It’s why Aunt Beatrice had no idea what had happened to us until the lawyer for father’s estate finally located her. By then we’d been doing Ruckley’s bidding for more than six years. It took almost another year for Aunt Beatrice to find us.”

Her voice cracked slightly at the memory of when Ashford had first taken them to Fremont house. Aunt Beatrice had looked so much like her mother that Arianna had immediately burst into tears. She’d allowed her sister to cry for the both of them.

“Only someone with great strength and courage could survive what you and your sister have, Rhea.” The gentleness in his voice caused an unfamiliar emotion to rise up and form a knot in her throat. She jerked her gaze from the passing scenery to look at him. There was no condemnation in his brown eyes, only a gleam of admiration. Rhea shook her head in a dismissal of his words.

“I did what I had to do to survive. We both did.” The memory of everything the statement included made her flinch and her stomach roil.

“Is that why you’ve decided to take it upon yourself to free these children? Vincent said you’ve managed to rescue three children already, including him. Exactly how have you managed that?”

“A private detective is assisting me.” At her reply, Percy drew in a sharp hiss of air.

“His name.” The harsh demand made her stiffen.

“Luke Ashford,” she snapped. “He’s been quite competent in helping me.”

“Did you secure any character references for the man?”

“I didn’t need—”

“Good God, Rhea, how do you know this man can be trusted?” The repressed anger in his voice made her glare at him.

“Mr. Ashford is trustworthy.”

“And you know this how? What’s to stop him from taking advantage of your purse?”

“He won’t,” she said fiercely. “He’s the one who found Arianna and me for my aunt. It’s because of him that we escaped Ruckley.”

“All right,” he said with a bob of his head. “You’ve secured the assistance of someone reputable. But how many children do you have to save before you stop this risky undertaking of yours? How many will it take for you to realize you can’t save all of them?”

“Do you think I don’t know that?” she cried out passionately. As she admitted the thought out loud, her heart ached as if someone had ripped it out of her chest. “But leaving the children I cared for while I was under Ruckley’s thumb is something I refuse to do. I’ll not leave them at the mercy of that monster.”

Anger flooded Rhea’s veins at the possibility Percy might think she shouldn’t save the few children she could. He had no idea what it was like for the children she’d left behind. Heaven knew what perverse tortures Ruckley had already done without her being present to intervene. The thought of what had happed to Timothy sickened Rhea. The terrible memory of that night made her tremble as she focused her gaze on the man seated across from her. The look of empathy and compassion on his face aroused unexpected emotions that confused and frightened her. Was it possible for someone who’d never known the harsh life she’d endured to understand her reasons for saving children she’d come to think of as her own? Percy cleared his throat.

“Let me help you.” Percy’s voice urged her to agree to his request. With a slight shake of her head she wrestled with the idea of accepting his help.

“Trust me, Rhea. Trust me to keep you and the children safe from harm.”

“And what about your desire to bring Ruckley to justice?” she asked with renewed distrust. The question made Percy grimace.

“I’ll wait until all the children you intend to rescue are safe before I do anything. But I’d wager that Ruckley has already realized you’re the one behind the children disappearing from his band of thieves.”

It was a thought she’d already considered, but she’d pushed it aside in the hope she could rescue all the children without Ruckley discovering her involvement. That Percy had spoken her thoughts out loud sent a bolt of fear crashing through her. The carriage rolled to a stop, and Percy leaned forward to block her exit with his arm. Startled, she met his determined gaze as the driver opened the vehicle’s door.

“Give me your answer, Rhea.” The quiet demand reverberated with understanding and an emphatic determination that she found impossible to ignore. She stared at him for a long moment and nodded.

“Very well,” she whispered. To her surprise she saw relief sweep across Percy’s face. He captured her hand once more, but this time he raised it to his lips. The touch sent heat pulsing its way through her as if she were being consumed by a wildfire.

“Thank you,” he said softly. “I’ll make sure you don’t regret doing so.” Percy slowly released her hand. “I’ll return for you at five.”