Chapter 15: Jack Bishop

The door closed behind them, but I hardly noticed. I was too busy arguing with myself. Or with the part of myself that sounded like Sassafras.

I knew better than to try to help him again. Hadn't he told me to bugger off and leave him be? Not to mention abandoning me in an odd part of London after saving his sorry hide. And now here I was, poised again to rescue him?

I thought not.

Why then did I find myself peeking around the corner as the door opened yet again and the two bullies emerged? I rapidly found an unlocked room and slipped inside, waiting for the brutes to pass me on their way out. Neither of them had a clue I was there. Not very good at the subtle thing, I was thinking. Still, I gave them a moment before slipping back into the hall and padding my way to Jack's door.

The argument in my head continued the entire time.

Turn around right now. Go back to the party and forget you saw anything.

But I have to see if he's all right!

You're asking for trouble, Auburdeen. That one sounded suspiciously like Sass though he was miles away. You're supposed to be staying out of trouble, remember?

Just one peek, I promise. He's clearly in trouble.

By the time I reached the door handle, I no longer listened to either side of the discussion. Not when I reached for the lock with my magic only to discover the fools left it undone. Shaking my head at their sloppy work, I cracked open the door and peeked inside.

Jack sat lashed to a heavy wooden chair, head bobbing. When I opened the portal further, feeling around to be sure he was alone, he seemed to come awake, face snapping up, eyes locking on mine.

His groan was audible, but I chose to think it was one of pain and not displeasure at seeing me again as I hurried inside to untie him.

Jack quickly corrected my belief. "Will you never listen?" He shoved my hands away, starting to rise, so unsteady he fell back into the seat again. "What, do you follow me everywhere, is that it?"

He was lucky I didn't slap him. Or leave him there. I was tempted to do both.

"Fine," I snapped, "I shall abandon you here, tied to a chair and semi-conscious to face whatever fate awaits your stubborn self, and not care one whit of the outcome." The thing was I could say it. But making myself act on it was another thing altogether. I simply couldn't abandon him.

He laughed. At me. If my temper had a limit, this was well past it. But he reached for me, his smile real and it helped to ease the bite of his amusement.

"Thank you for rescuing me."

"Again," I said.

He chuckled. "Again." His blue eyes made my heart speed up, the smile in them bringing a flush to my cheeks. Damn him and his handsome face.

To disguise my growing attraction, I reached for him. "All right then." I helped him to his feet, the warmth of his hand in mine only making things worse. "What are you doing here?"

Jack shook his head. "I won't get you further involved," he said, amusement fading. He was so earnest, so concerned. His hand lifted, fingertips just brushing my cheek where he'd once pressed his lips not so long ago. The feeling made me shiver. "The very fact you're here at all makes me worry you already know too much than is good for you." He took a step, swayed. I caught him and held him steady, telling myself it was to support him only and not for the opportunity to touch him again.

Cursed blushing.

"You're not going far in this condition." That was much better and more authoritative. I tapped my power, fingers brushing over his forehead to offer some healing magic when the spark of energy I'd felt before flared and almost drove me to my knees.

He was in no condition to support me, face twisted in pain, but somehow he managed it.

"Please," he whispered when I'd recovered enough to gape, "don't do that anymore."

I nodded slowly, whole body shaking from the aftermath. "What is wrong with you?"

"There's no time for that." He let me go, seeming to have his own feet under him. "Be safe, Burdie." He paused one last moment, eyes locked on mine. When his lips again found my cheek, I welcomed it and the heat behind it. I breathed in his cinnamon scent and sighed into the way the soft stubble on his lip stirred a rush of blood to my skin.

I was startled when he spun and left me there, so much so I was locked in shock for a moment. I went after him then, of course I did. And almost ran right into the back of him when he stumbled to a halt just inside the door.

I peered over his shoulder and received another shock. Samuel stood in our way. His two bullies flanked him and neither looked happy. Samuel on the other hand appeared positively disappointed.

"I'm most put out by you, Jack Bishop," he said, voice gentle and almost kind. "I suppose it was you who led Miss Hayle here into danger last evening, then?"

I'd been caught in my lie, but it hardly seemed to matter. "Why are you holding this young man?"

"My dear," Samuel held his hand out to me, "please. Step away." I hesitated. "For your own protection."

I glanced at Jack. Protection from what? But I found myself doing as I was told. I refused to take Samuel's hand, instead dividing the distance between the two in half.

"This fine young man was my apprentice." Samuel tsked his regrets. "I trusted him, brought him into my house, my life. Offered him something wonderful. And what did he do to repay me?"

I wasn't sure I wanted to know.

"He stole from me." Samuel entered the room at last as Jack slowly backed up, landing in the chair with a thud when it met the back of his knees. "A common thief he's turned out to be."

Could it be? I found it hard to believe, and certainly didn't want to accept. And yet, Jack didn't deny it. But what did that have to do with Jack's illness?

Before I could ask, Samuel ushered me out of the room. "Constables are on their way as we speak. He will be taken to the Yard. It's quite all right, my dear." We were outside the room by now. I was still trying to keep an eye on Jack who just sat there and refused to meet my gaze. "Thank you for your concern, but please bear in mind, this boy is not who he tells you he is."

Jack flinched at that. So it was true. For some reason, that made my heart break.

I was still trying to accept it when Samuel said, "Ah, Hugh, my lad. Excellent."

I glanced up in time to see the young lord Brindle approaching in that long-legged, awkward gait of his. He looked flushed and eager to please his uncle though very curious about what I was doing there.

"Please escort Miss Hayle back to the party, nephew." Samuel smiled down at me. "She appears to have gotten herself lost."

"Of course, uncle." Hugh held out his hand. And still I hesitated. Samuel's hand on my back and a gentle nudge had me moving again.

Hugh set my hand on his wrist and started walking. I was almost in a daze, trying to decide if I cared if Jack was a common criminal. I glanced back over my shoulder at Samuel who offered one last smile before closing the door behind him.

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