Page 130 of Four Promises to Love

“No. You must stay away from Carver and his brutes.” Finn wagged her finger. “The weapons are for self-protection only. If there is a fight, what are you supposed to do?”

“Run and hide.” Pouting, Tansy rose, the blades disappearing in a blink. “I’m a Hawk, too. I can handle myself.”

“You can—in most situations. But Carver is devious. He’s holding most of our gang hostage, and I will not let him take you too. Understand?”

Tansy nodded. “Yes, Finn.”

“Good.” She hesitated, then placed a gentle hand on the girl’s head. “If anything happens to me, you’ll be taken care of. Owen will see to it. You have friends here in Chuddums, and you will never be alone again.”

“But nothing is going to happen to you, right?” Tansy insisted. “You have a plan, and you make the best plans.”

“I do,” Finn said.

With the help of Owen and his family, she’d laid the trap with meticulous care. She’d sent a note to Carver explaining that she and Tansy had found the treasure and enclosed one of the earbobs as proof. She’d proposed trading the jewels for the Hawks; as predicted, Carver had replied immediately and agreed to using Pearce manor as the meeting place.

He would be arriving in a few hours, and she was ready for him.

She returned with Tansy to the entrance hall, where Owen was making last-minute arrangements with the gathered group. Xenia, Gigi, and Evie had stayed at home; despite their desire to be present, the ladies could not risk the safety of their babes.

“We’ll be with you in spirit,” Xenia had said.

“And other spirits will be with you as well.” Gigi had given Finn’s hand a squeeze. “I know Rose and Thomas will be watching over you.”

Evie had kissed her cheek. “Come back to us safely, my dear.”

The ladies’ husbands were in the hall, along with the Blackwoods. To Finn’s surprise, Lady Blackwood had insisted on being present tonight. And Lord Blackwood, who struck Finn as a protective fellow, hadn’t argued. Instead, he’d chucked his wife under the chin and muttered something about how she could never resist an adventure.

There were additional reinforcements too. Owen had convinced her that it would be wise to inform the local authorities. Manderly had connections with the magistrates, and Lord Ethan was on friendly terms with a constable named Rawlins, who’d helped him in the past. Rawlins was here now, along with several of his men, and for the first time in her life, Finn found herself cooperating with officers of the law.

“Is everything ready?” she asked. “Does everyone know the plan?”

“We have reviewed it thoroughly, Miss Kidd,” Constable Rawlins said.

He was a sleepy-eyed, rumpled man who did not inspire confidence at first glance. Yet seeing the keenness of his gaze, Finn suspected his appearance was by design. Being underestimated helped him do his job—just like it was going to help her tonight.

“I must say you’ve chosen an ideal place to set a trap,” he said.

Finn agreed. The entrance hall had only one clear entryway through the double doors, making the area easy to block off. At the back of the hall, a sweeping staircase led to the second floor, where an open gallery provided a bird’s-eye view of the proceedings below. In addition, there were multiple rooms off the hall, providing places for concealment.

“My men are in place.” Rawlins waved at the closed doors. “Half of my team has concealed themselves in the rooms, and the other half is hiding outside. When you give the signal, they will surround the villains.”

“Thank you, sir,” Finn said.

“The family will keep watch from the upper gallery,” Lady Blackwood said.

Finn bit her lip as she regarded the chic matron, who made a plain dark dress look like the height of fashion. “This will be a dangerous situation, my lady. Are you certain⁠—”

“Must I remind you to call me Mama, dear? You needn’t worry about me. Like any good hostess, I am prepared—for all eventualities.”

The marchioness withdrew an elegant pearl-handled pistol. She cocked it in a smooth, clearly practiced movement.

Finn aimed a wide-eyed glance at Owen, who shrugged as if to say, Mama knows what she is doing.

“I don’t know how to thank you.” Finn’s throat swelled as she looked at Owen’s kin, who were beginning to feel like her own. “I shall never be able to repay you⁠—”

“In this family, there is no talk of debts,” the marquess said. “As the Hawks are your family, we consider them ours as well. We will do everything in our power to bring them home safely.”

She nodded, misty-eyed.