knew he needed to take her back to the ball. If the ton found out she had been kidnapped, her reputation would be beyond repair. He would find a way to deal with Helena later. Debtors’ prison would be enough of a punishment. If he involved Bow Street in this, the kidnapping would be all over the newspapers by morning.
‘Give me the pistol.’
She took two deep, uneven breaths and uncocked the gun.
He stepped closer and motioned again with his fingers. This time she handed him the pistol.
Relief flooded through Julian, and it was a wonder he had the strength to hold the gun in his hand.
He rushed to Katrina’s side and began untying her hands. She rubbed her wrists as he worked on the bloody knot near her ankles. He needed to get her outside before Helena did something else irrational. When the knot was finally free and he had unbound her legs, he stood, ready to take her in his arms. But she lunged for Helena instead.
Julian grabbed her by the waist before she was able to get close to Helena and pulled her back. ‘We need to leave. Now.’
She tore herself free from his grip, her eyes drilling holes into Helena. His former lover was sitting on the floor, staring sightlessly at the ground. It appeared the realisation of what had transpired had hit her.
He needed to get Katrina out of there quickly. Helena was too unstable. He would deal with her tomorrow. They needed to return to the ball.
Julian tugged Katrina’s arm and together they escaped out into the passageway and to freedom.
‘There is a carriage waiting for us above ground,’ he said, taking her hand. ‘I will return you to the masquerade. All will be well.’
* * *
In the darkness of the rocking carriage Katrina wrapped her arms around herself, attempting to alleviate the chills that had begun racking her body the moment they left the crypt. All she wanted was to crawl into bed and tuck herself into mountains of blankets. With any luck she could remain there for days, and avoid telling her father about any of this for as long as possible.
‘You’re shivering,’ Julian said from his seat across from her. His body jerked in hesitation before he crossed the carriage. ‘Forgive me—in this costume I have no coat to give you. I can only offer you my warmth.’ He shifted closer to her on the bench and drew her to his side.
Her body should have melted into his. Instead it stiffened into stone. Although she would be forever grateful to him for coming for her, he was still the man who didn’t want her. She was afraid that if she let herself find comfort in his embrace she wouldn’t be able to let go of him when they arrived at Finchley House.
‘She told me she had hired someone who would dispose of me later tonight. We were fortunate he did not return.’ She rubbed her forehead. ‘What do you think will happen to her?’ she asked into the darkness.
Julian shrugged. ‘She will not say anything about tonight. She would be sealing her fate at the gallows. I will make certain her debts are called in tomorrow. If she cannot pay them, as I suspect she can’t, she will be taken to debtors’ prison.’
She turned to him and met his gaze for the first time in the dim light of the carriage lantern. ‘Won’t her family help her?’
‘I do not believe so. I do not know the particulars, but I am aware that she does not speak to her brother.’ He cleared his throat. ‘Are you in need of a physician? Were you harmed?’
The sound of his true concern was evident. It was breaking her heart all over again.
Katrina shook her head. ‘There is no need. I have come to no harm.’
It occurred to her that the last time they had spoken it had been in a carriage such as this. As far as she knew, this might even be the same carriage they had travelled in.
She hugged herself tighter as the shards of her heart crashed around her chest. ‘How did you find me?’
‘I saw you taken from the terrace. I followed you out to the mews and was lucky to find Hart’s driver parked nearby. We tracked you to the crypt.’
Silence stretched between them. After some time Julian cleared his throat. ‘We will be arriving at the Finchleys’ soon. As much as it unnerves me to leave you alone, I will enter the ball and send Miss Forrester out to bring you back in through the garden. Although it’s a masquerade, and everyone is in disguise, it would be best to have her with you to ensure your reputation.’ He appeared to realise his commanding nature. ‘With your permission, of course.’
Katrina nodded. This night could not end soon enough for her liking.
They travelled the remainder of the way to the house in silence. It didn’t take long before the carriage slowed, made a number of sharp turns, and eventually came to a stop. They were back at Finchley House.
She felt the hesitation when Julian withdrew his arm from around her shoulder. ‘Thank you, Julian, for coming after me.’
He gave her a solemn nod. ‘I am truly sorry,’ he replied before he opened the door. Looking at her one last time, he turned and left her.
Katrina didn’t have the physical or emotional energy to try to determine what he was sorry for, and she rested her head back on the squab while she waited for Sarah. It wasn’t long before the door opened and Sarah jumped inside.
‘Oh, thank God you are back,’ Sarah said, throwing her arms around Katrina and hugging her.
Katrina knew she would have to walk through the ballroom as if nothing harrowing had happened. In order to do that, she could not allow herself to sob in Sarah’s arms. It was taking all her effort to remain composed.
‘I was so very worried,’ Sarah continued. ‘Hartwick told me you had been taken. I made an excuse to my mother about you being sick. I told her you must have eaten something disagreeable and that when your stomach was better it probably would be wise for us to leave.’ She hugged her again. ‘Dear God, you’re shaking.’
Sarah took off her highwayman’s black cape and draped it around Katrina’s shoulders.
‘How long have I been gone?’
‘A little over two hours.’ She ran her hands up and down Katrina’s arms. ‘Are you well? Did they harm you? Who was it that took you?’
Although Katrina was relieved to see her friend, Sarah’s chattering was making her head pound. She quietly relayed all the details of what had happened as she donned the mask Sarah had handed her and they re-entered the garden to find Sarah’s mother.
Hopefully, it would be easy to get her to agree to leave the ball. Katrina just wanted to be safe—in her home. She should have learned that standing alone on a terrace during a ball was never a good idea.
* * *
Katrina entered her home an hour later. The familiar smell of lemon oil in the entrance hall made her muscles soften. She was home. She was safe. If only she could sleep for days.
She was well on her way to bed when her foot landed on the fifth tread of the staircase and it creaked.
‘Katrina,
