Eloping with the Princess (Brotherhood of the Sword #3)(13)

“There are tunnels beneath the city, namely ones that connect Buckingham to Westminster and Parliament. They are used to keep Queen Victoria safe at times. You shall be safe there, too,” Jason said.

She frowned. “I don’t understand. You have access to such areas?”

Jason and Somersby exchanged a look, and Somersby nodded. “We work for the Crown,” he said.

“I see.”

The carriage stopped, and they descended the stairs. “We’ll leave the rig in the carriage house for when we return,” Jason said. He held out his hand to Isabel, but she didn’t immediately accept it. “Your aunt trusted me enough to leave you in my care,” Jason reminded her.

“Lord Lynford, he, too, works for the Crown?” she asked.

“He does.”

She paused for several moments, then asked, “Am I in trouble?”

“Isabel, we are members of the queen’s private police, of sorts. We are here only to protect you,” Jason said.

She nodded, seemingly reluctant to meet his eyes, but she did give him her hand.

“For security purposes, we’re going to need you to close your eyes. I won’t resort to blindfolding you,” Jason said. “I trust you’ll adhere to our wishes.”

“Of course,” she said and complied. Jason took her hand and led her forward out of the carriage house. They made their way to the alley and into the small offices that had one of the entrances to the tunnels. He instructed her to descend a flight of stairs and step through a doorway. The air around them was chilly. The rough stone walls were barely lit by candles hung from wall sconces. Jason heard his voice echo as he directed her steps.

“You can open your eyes now,” Jason said.

Two other gentlemen trusted by the Brotherhood guarded a doorway that led off the long tunnel.

“You stay here with these men, and I shall return shortly.”

“And if I refuse?” she asked.

“Where shall you go?” he asked.

She opened her mouth then shut it with a frown. “I don’t appreciate being dragged all around London.” She exhaled slowly. “I feel much safer next to you.”

“Duly noted.” He gave her a tight nod. “Consider that I am trying to figure out precisely why you’re in danger. Hopefully, we’ll know something soon.”

She exhaled. “Very well. I shall wait for you here.” She eyed the large men guarding the entrance of the tunnel, then grabbed onto Jason’s sleeve. “Are they safe?”

“I would trust them with my mother’s life,” he said.

She frowned. “You do like your mother, yes?”

He very nearly touched her before walking away. Just a brush of her cheek or a squeeze of her hand, something to reassure her, but he didn’t do that sort of thing. So he refused to turn back and glance at her as he left the tunnel.



He met Somersby at the hidden door that led directly from the tunnels into a secret room in Parliament. They made their way to Sir Potterfield’s office, but were told to wait inside and he’d join them in a moment as he had stepped out briefly. Two other members of the Brotherhood, St. Giles and Reacher, also waited within.

They exchanged niceties but didn’t have to wait long before Potterfield entered through the door at the back of his office. “Follow me, if you would,” he said, holding the door open for them.

Jason stepped into a meeting room with the other men on his heels. Not ten minutes later, they were told that Lynford had arrived and was waiting in the outer office.

“I was not aware a reunion had been assembled,” Jason said.

“Lynford,” Potterfield said, his tone a mixture of relief and irritation. “What have you done to yourself?” Lynford’s arm was wrapped in a makeshift sling.

“Shot, sir. By Lord Thornton.”

Potterfield’s brows rose. “So he is not dead. As you had said.”

“It would seem not,” Lynford said. He turned to Jason. “Where is Isabel?”

“She is downstairs, in the tunnels, safe,” Jason said.

Lynford shook his head and swore. “The tunnels are not safe.”

Jason’s gut tightened and he swore. “What do you mean? Have the tunnels been compromised?”

“It would seem so,” Lynford said. “I discovered notes in Thornton’s belongings, including drawings of the tunnels.”

“How the devil did he get those?” Somersby asked.

“I have no idea,” Lynford said.

“It is unlikely he’s the only one who has them,” Somersby said.

Potterfield held up one hand. “Who is this Isabel? And precisely why are we suddenly protecting her?”

Lynford cleared his throat. “Until yesterday I was not certain who she was, but her aunt and I turned up evidence that indicates she is the lost princess of Saldania.”

Isabel? A lost princess? That certainly would explain why people would be after her, if they knew of her true identity.

Potterfield swore. It was unusual for him to speak without decorum. “Somersby, go and make certain Her Majesty is secured. Ellis and Lynford, you stay here. The rest of you find the princess. Do not allow that girl out of your sight.”

“If it’s all the same to you, sir, I’d prefer to continue watching her myself,” Jason said.