He hardly needed to think about it. His life would be unimaginable without her. A mere few days on the road,facing dangers they’d never expected and finding in each other the welcome rest and steadfast connection they both needed, had taught him to trust her more than he had anyone else. To cherish her. To love her.
“I may not have spent much time journeying, but I’ve no objection to wandering the lochs and hills and valleys, especially if I can do so with her.”
Sorcha reached her hands out. He took them both and pulled her into his embrace.
To Granny Winter, he said, “I believe you have your answer.”
“But heed my warning,” Granny said. “You have caught the attention of the fairies and monsters. You will not be free of them now. They will search you out.”
“Then we will face that difficulty head-on,” Sorcha said. “And we will help people along the way.”
“Perhaps you would consider making us a gift of your magical bag,” Duncan said. “Just as you promised, all we needed was found inside.”
Granny Winter smiled, deep wrinkles crinkling in an expression of amusement. “All that you needed was insideof you. Courage, determination, cleverness. Together, you have all you need.”
Duncan turned his gaze back to Sorcha. “Together, we have all we need.”
And they did, indeed. As they walked the paths of life, they found in each other everything they had ever dreamed of.
Chapter 26
Fletcher and Stone returned the next morning with food and news. Barnabus had hoped they would.
Everyone got the bread and veg and smoked meat put away, then gathered in the little sitting room. Gemma sat beside Barnabus, tucking herself into his arms. She’d kept close to him ever since he’d arrived the night before. If he had his way, he would never let go of her again.
“Martin survived the night,” Fletcher said. “But he had to be moved from Dr. Lowry’s surgery.”
“Why?” Moving a person as badly injured as Martin would not be done for any small reason; Lowry wouldn’t have allowed it.
“Because Dr. Lowry was killed.” Fletcher rubbed at his face. “The Mastiff’s men, we’re certain. They stormed the surgery, coming for Martin most likely, wanting to finish the deed. There were enough Dreadfuls there, along with Parkington, to get Martin out, though not without injuries.”
“Lowry’s dead?” Barnabus had agreed to send Martin with him. He’d put Lowry in that danger.
“And his housekeeper nearly was,” Fletcher said. “The Mastiff’s crimes are growing bolder. This one would’ve been far deadlier if not for Parkington. And while Martin is safe, we’re more worried about you than we were even yesterday.”
“Was the Kincaid mark on the house?” Gemma asked quietly.
“Two of ’em,” Stone said. “No underlining.”
“Bung your eye,” she whispered.
“They came for Martin,” Fletcher said, “but I’d wager my last ha’penny they were looking foryou.”
She leaned forward, elbows on her knees, head resting in her upturned hands. “They are killing people trying to find me, Baz. What am I going to do?”
“If they find you, they’ll kill you too.”
She shook her head. “But I ain’t willing to let them hurt people just to stay safe m’self.”
“One thing’s for certain,” Fletcher said. “Neither of you can be safe anywhere in London.”
“If you are suggesting we run away,” Gemma said, “best think again. Just because the Kincaids cain’t find me don’t mean they’ll stop trying. People’ll be in danger and on account of me.”
“Asking the Dreadfuls to keep the two of you safe and look after anyone the Kincaids might cut down in their search while still trying to bring down the Mastiff will stretch us too thin,” Fletcher said.
“How do we get the Kincaids to stop looking for Gemma?” Stone asked.
“Even the dead ain’t safe from them.” Gemma rose and paced away.