Liang and Yat-sen spent a while conferring in Chinese. Warren had picked up quite a few words in his travels to Canton, but none helped him to grasp that rapid-fire exchange. Of course, the very nature of his question guaranteed they’d keep him waiting a while for the answer. Zhang liked making people squirm even more than his interpreter did, and he held a very big grudge against Warren just now.
“We would like both, Captain,” Li finally said.
Warren laughed. “I’m sure you would, but that isn’t the deal.”
“The vase for the girl, which leaves you nothing more to bargain with.”
“Nice try, but you knew I wouldn’t accept it. There’s only one deal to make here. The girl gets released, then I take you to the vase, at which point I walk away unharmed or I smash that blasted thing to bits.”
“You would enjoy seeing the girl returned to her family piece by piece?”
Warren didn’t take the bait, but James certainly did. He took an aggressive step forward. Warren’s arm shot out to stop him, but he was too late. Zhang’s guards reacted immediately to the threat of potential violence in their lord’s presence. In seconds, James lay unconscious on the floor, long enough to be bound hand and foot and rolled out of the way. No weapons had been needed, such was the skill of the ancient martial arts that Zhang’s guards possessed.
Warren knew better than to interfere, or he’d end up in a like circumstance, and he had to at least appear to be still holding the cards here. And besides, he hadn’t needed James’s assistance. Brute force just didn’t work against men trained to use their hands and feet to kill.
A glance at his brother-in-law showed he was coming around, so he wasn’t seriously hurt. Warren wished to hell he knew how the Orientals did that, to bring a man of James’s lethal potential down so easily. Of course, to give the man his due, he’d been taken by surprise. He might have inflicted considerable damage otherwise—before he was brought down.
“Very entertaining,” Warren said dryly, turning back to face Zhang and Li. “But can we get back to business now?”
“Certainly, Captain.” Li smiled. “We were discussing the release of the girl—in one piece—in return for the vase. No more, no less.”
“Unacceptable, and before we waste any more time, you might as well know that the girl means nothing to me, the vase even less, no more than a pretty antique. My older brother prizes it, but I could care less. So it comes down to who wants what more, doesn’t it? Kill me, you don’t get what you want. Harm the girl, you don’t get what you want. Let her go, and I’ll lead you to the vase. Take it or leave it.”
Li had to confer with Zhang over that one. Warren didn’t know it, but he’d just supported Amy’s confession that he didn’t really want her, which gave him the edge. Zhang, however, still wanted revenge and the vase. But since he had never been exactly honorable with foreigners, he could concede now and get everything he wanted later.
“You may live, Captain,” Li said at last. “But the girl will remain in our possession to ensure that you comply with your end of the bargain.”
“The vase happens to be in America. You can’t keep the girl locked up for the time it will take me to get there and back. Her family has the kind of power that will ferret you out in a matter of days.”
“You are under the misconception that we intend to let you leave here alone to get the vase?” Li asked, obviously amused by the idea. “No, Captain, we will all journey together on our ship, the girl included. You may return her to her family after you have kept your end of the bargain.”
“You’re out of your mind if you think I’m going to be stuck on a ship with that—that female.”
“Either that or she dies. And this concludes our discussion. As you say, take it or leave it.”
Warren gritted his teeth. He’d played his cards, but Zhang still held the winning hand as long as he held Amy.
Chapter 30
Georgina started to worry when the carriages began lining up outside the Albany not long after Warren and James had entered it. It wouldn’t have been a matter for concern, except the doorkeeper was hailing them at the direction of a man who looked Chinese. Soon more Orientals appeared to load the carriages with chests and baggage.
Their haste was a matter for further concern, or outright panic in Georgina’s case, as the most appalling scenarios began running through her head. Amy wasn’t there, had never been there. Warren had turned himself over to this vengeful warlord for nothing, simply on his sister’s wild conclusions. The Chinese lord didn’t really want the vase. All he wanted was revenge against Warren, so Warren had nothing to bargain with. And her dear husband wouldn’t have lifted a hand to save him. Her brother had been killed and his murderers were attempting to escape the country.
Devil take it, Georgina hated being left in the dark, she really did. Just because she’d recently had a baby was no reason to make her wait in the carriage. She should have been in there, learning firsthand whether she’d sent her brother to his death or to Amy’s rescue.
The activity slowed after the arrival of the fifth carriage, the Chinese all reentering the hotel. Georgina couldn’t stand it any longer. A good thirty minutes had passed, more than enough time to conclude any bargaining—or commit any murders.
She left the carriage, but before she could even turn to Albert, their driver, to tell him what she was going to do, the Chinese appeared again en masse. There had to be at least twenty of them, but it was easy enough to pick out the warlord in his colorful silk robes. He looked so harmless, not at all like a man capable of sending his minions out to do murder, as he’d done in Canton. But the kind of power he wielded in his country was almost absolute, and that kind of power could certainly breed cruelty and a complete disregard for society’s basic rules, like, Thou shalt not execute people just because you’re a poor sport at gambling.
Georgina was held motionless in suspense as they began piling into the five carriages, but that was nothing compared with her horror when it looked like no one else was going to leave the hotel. But then Warren appeared with two more of the Orientals at his back, and she nearly laughed at the silly imaginings she’d given in to. It seemed he’d be going with them, but at least he wasn’t dead.
He glanced her way before he got into the last carriage and inconspicuously shook his head, which told her absolutely nothing. Not to worry? Not to leave her carriage? Not to draw attention to herself? What? And then her relief that he was all right—for the moment—turned to dread again as she realized not everyone was present and accounted for. She stared at the hotel entrance, waiting, not breathing, but there was no sign of Amy, and no sign of her husband either, as the first carriage pulled away and the rest started following.
She made her decision, the only one she could, before the last carriage was gone from sight. “Albert,” she called up to her driver. “Follow those carriages, in particular the last one, which contains my brother, until you’re assured of their final destination. Then come back here immediately. I have to find out what’s happened to my husband.”
“But, milady—”
“Don’t argue, Albert, and don’t dally, or you’ll lose sight of them.”
She rushed off herself, straight up to the second floor of the hotel. The pounding on the walls led her right to Warren’s old room.
“Well, it’s about time,” she heard when she threw open the door. Then: “Bloody hell, what the devil are you doing here, George?”
Georgina paused as her second bout of relief sank in. It quickly switched to amusement, though, at finding her husband lying on the floor with his feet raised against the wall he’d been kicking.
“I could ask you the same thing, James—that is, what the devil are you doing down there?”
He made a sound of pure vexation. “Trying to get someone’s attention. I suppose you’re going to tell me you heard me out in the street?”
It was the tone that made her recall that his last words to her had been, “You??
?re not to leave this carriage for any reason,” the very thing Albert had tried to remind her of.
“Well, no,” she said as she dropped down to begin untying him. “But I did watch every single one of them leave, with the exception of yourself, and that sort of changed the situation, wouldn’t you say?”
“No, I would not. It’s a fine thing when a wife doesn’t do as she’s told.”
“Give over, James.” She snorted rudely. “When have I ever?”
“’Beside the point,” he grumbled.
“Would you have preferred I followed them? Staying in the carriage, of course.”
“Good God, no.”
“Then be glad I merely sent Albert to do so—or do you know where they’ve gone?”
“To the docks, but I’ve no idea which docks. They’re sailing for America.”
“All of them?”
“Including Amy.”
“What?”
“My sentiments exactly,” he said.
“But why didn’t you object?”
“Does it look like I didn’t?”
“Oh. But surely Warren—”
“He tried, George, I’ll give him that. Fact is, he was bloody well horrified at the thought of being stuck on the same ship with the girl. I have to admit I may have misjudged the bounder—in this one instance. He really doesn’t want anything to do with her.”
“Are you sure?”
“By God, don’t you dare sound disappointed!”
“I will if I want to,” she replied stubbornly. “But their romance or lack thereof is not at issue now. I assume they’re sailing off to Bridgeport, where the vase is. Are those people going to let them go once they get it?”
“That was the deal that was agreed to.”
Georgina frowned. “Was that a ‘but’ I just heard in your tone?”
“My, but your hearing has grown remarkable, George, indeed it has.”
The sarcasm referred to his earlier crack about her hearing his kicking from the street. Georgina’s frown grew darker. “You’re not going to avoid that question, James Malory.”
He sighed as he stood up, the last rope falling away. “The deal was agreed to.”
“That Warren and Amy will be released after the vase is turned over?”
“Yes.”
“But?”
“I doubt that Chinese lord means to honor the bargain. He tried too hard to get the vase in exchange for Amy alone. What he wants is the vase and retribution in blood.”
“Well, he can’t have both.”
James crooked a brow at her staunchly maintained insistence. “I’m sure he’ll be devastated that you won’t allow it, m’dear.”
“Your wry humor be damned. I mean it.”
He put an arm around her to lead her from the room. “I know you do. And your brother has probably concluded the same thing I have. He’ll have time to figure out a way to protect himself and Amy.”
“Why am I still hearing a ‘but’?”
“Because I bloody well don’t trust him to get it right. He can muck up all he likes on his own, but not when Amy is involved.”
“Warren happens to be a good deal more competent than you give him credit for.”
“No need to take offense, George. I’m not blaming you for coming from a family of—”
“Don’t say it,” she warned him sharply. “I’m in no mood for your usual disparagements against my family. Just tell me what you plan to do.”
“Stop them from leaving, of course.”
That was easier said than done, as they found out when Albert returned and they finally reached the docks. The berth he pointed out was quite empty. James did not take this new development very well.
After the swearing had died down, he lamented, “This is no time not to have a ship at my disposal. I should have kept the Maiden Anne for just such emergencies.”
Georgina hadn’t expected this. “You mean you would have gone after them?”
“I still mean to, but it’s going to cost a bloody fortune to come up with a captain willing to sail immediately, if one can be found. And that’s if he knows where to locate his crew, has enough supplies on hand—” He paused for another round of choice swearing. “It’ll be a miracle if I can find a ship prepared to sail by morning.”
Georgina hesitated only a moment before mentioning, “There’s Warren’s ship, the Nereus. The crew will sail for you if I tell them what’s happened, but it’s doubtful they’ll all be aboard.” And highly doubtful Warren would appreciate her turning his ship over to his worst nemesis.
But James certainly perked up at that reminder. “If he runs a tight ship, someone will be on hand who knows where to find the crew.”
“Actually, all Skylark ships keep a port log with just such information in it.”
“Then only the supplies will be a problem. By God, George, I think you’ve given me my miracle. I still may not clear port before morning, but once at sea, I can close that half-day gap readily enough.”
“You won’t attack their ship, will you?”
“With Amy aboard her?” he replied, and that was answer enough.
“Then you’ll have to follow them all the way to Bridgeport.”
“That’s the idea, George. Weather permitting, plus a little skillful maneuvering, and I can sail the Nereus in right behind them and prevent them from leaving port until they agree to my terms.”
“Your terms will include my brother, won’t they?” When she got no answer, she poked him in the ribs. “James?”
“Must they?”
He sounded so forlorn, she patted his cheek. “Don’t think of it as coming to his rescue—”
“God forbid.”
“—think of it as doing a sterling good deed worthy of a saint, and I’ll stop complaining about how rotten you treat him otherwise. Deal?”
He grinned at her. “Well, when you put it like that…”
“It’s no wonder I love you. You’re so easy to get along with.”
“Bite your tongue, George. Are you trying to ruin my reputation?”
She kissed him to show she wasn’t having any of that. “Now, is there anything in particular you’d like me to pack for you while you’re readying the Nereus?”
“No, but if Connie’s around, you can send him down with my bags. He’ll nag me to death with complaints later if I don’t invite him along on this chase.”
“You’re going to enjoy this, aren’t you?” she said accusingly.
“Never think so, when I’m going to spend all my time missing you.”
Her doubtful look said what she thought of that glib reply. “Then it’s lucky for you I’m coming along.”
He started to forbid it, figured that would be useless, so said instead, “And what about Jack?”
Georgina groaned. “I forgot for a moment. I guess my adventuring days are over—until she gets a little older. But you wilt be careful, James?”
“You may depend upon it.”
Chapter 31
Warren’s cabin was no bigger than Amy’s and, unfortunately, was right next to hers. He could hear her pacing. She was mad as hell at the moment, because he hadn’t said a word to her when he’d insisted upon seeing that she was all right. He’d merely asked Liang to open her door, seen that she was all right, and had him close it again. In no way did he want them to know that his first urge had been to go in and hold her, to assure her that he’d get her out of this—eventually. His second urge was to spank the hell out of her for getting them into this mess. He couldn’t indulge either one, not without making Amy appear more important to him than he wanted them to know.
She’d started yelling immediately after the door had closed again, demanding he come back, demanding to speak to him. When she’d assumed he couldn’t hear her anymore, she’d yelled for someone named Taishi instead. Now, every ten minutes or so, she would bang on her door and repeat her calls for Taishi.
Warren could be grateful, he supposed, that she wasn’t awar
e he’d been placed in the cabin next to her, or she’d be trying to talk to him through the bulkhead, and he didn’t know how much of that he could take. It was bad enough that he could hear her voice, at least when she was yelling. She did a lot of grumbling and talking to herself as well, but that wasn’t as clear, only a few words, like “wretched” and “bloody” and “just you wait,” coming through to him.
He sincerely hoped she was referring to him rather than to the unknown Taishi. Amy angry was much easier to imagine than Amy the seductress, especially when that brief sight he’d just had of her was with disheveled hair and a gown that was much too low-cut for his memory to deal with comfortably. He should be furious that she’d worn something like that to come and see him. He wouldn’t have stood a chance if she’d gotten close enough for him to look down that cleavage. But then, the little wanton had known that, which was why she’d worn it, he didn’t doubt.
Warren groaned. This wasn’t going to work. He’d known that. Being locked up for an entire month knowing Amy Malory was so close but inaccessible was going to drive him as crazy as if he were confined with her. He had to have a distraction, to involve himself in the running of this ship, something. Hell, he’d even swab the decks. Pride wasn’t at issue here. His sanity was.
The movement of the ship leaving its berth sent Warren to the door to do some pounding of his own. He hadn’t expected the ship to leave this soon—Zhang must have had it readied from the moment he acquired Amy. But this was the perfect time to escape, with all hands busy. And how hard could it be to overpower whoever opened his door, break Amy’s door down, and jump ship with her? He could stand her company long enough to get her home, couldn’t he? And too soon the opportunity would be gone, the ship out to sea.
The door swung open before he had reached it. A man no bigger than Amy jumped back when he saw Warren’s raised fist. Seeing the bowl of food he was carrying, Warren had a feeling he was meeting the unknown Taishi.
He lowered his fist, wanting to put the fellow at ease—at least until he got him into the room. “I was about to pound on the door, is all. Do come in.”