His Wicked Embrace novel Chapter 5

Whatever he'd planned to say was cut short by the sounds of a commotion outside. He opened the door and saw several prostitutes fleeing down the hall. One of them was the blonde who had brought him here. He caught her arm as she ran past.

"What's the matter?"

"Bow Street Runners! They're raiding the house. You'd best get out right quick. They'll send your woman back on the boat if they find her here." The woman ripped free of his grasp and fled down the hall.

"About damned time!" Lawrence muttered. The Runners would find them, and he could return Zehra to her home-or at least, they would see her back onto a ship that would take her there.

"Please." Zehra's voice came from directly behind him. As he turned around, her hand caught his arm, her grip surprisingly strong. "Please, do not let them send me back. I will go home with you." Her imploring gaze was nearly impossible to deny.

"But you will be safe and-"

She shook her head. "No, I will not. I must stay here. With you."

There was more shouting from outside their door. Lawrence had only seconds to decide what he was going to do.

"You won't be safe going back?"

She shook her head, but did not explain herself.

"You truly wish to stay with me?"

"Yes. If you are a man of your word." She gave his palm another squeeze, and he returned it.

"Very well, be quick and quiet. We must get past the men. If we can reach the street, I may be able to get you out without being detected."

He held her hand, relishing her warm skin against his as they rushed down the corridor in the same direction the flock of lightskirts had gone earlier. Several rooms' doors were open, and men were rushing to clothe themselves. Some were climbing out windows.

Lawrence found a door that opened to the gardens in the back. "This way."

"Are you sure?" Zehra asked.

"Positive." At least he hoped so. He'd had to flee many a house via the gardens ever since he'd been old enough to seduce ladies. This wasn't the first time he'd scaled a hedge or battled through rosebushes and rhododendrons. He and Zehra crept through the darkened maze of bushes until they found their way into the mews between the White House and the edifice next to it.

Don't let him find me, please. She begged the heavens to grant her this one favor if nothing else.

Al-Zahrani and his man moved farther away, but she dared not move. She prayed Lawrence would come and find her soon.

Lawrence skidded to a halt as he reached the pavement. A number of Bow Street Runners were still on the steps of the White House.

"Bloody hell." He waited, watching the men for what felt like an eternity before they joined the others inside the brothel.

"About time." He walked briskly down the street, trying to look inconspicuous, which was difficult at midnight. He found a coach ready to take on passengers and waved for the man to come down the alley to him. Then he slipped back into the alley to find Zehra. She was waiting right where he'd left her. When he got close enough to reach for her hand, he noticed she was trembling.

"You must be freezing." He removed his coat and slid it over her shoulders before she could protest. "This way. I found a coach. We must move quickly if we are to get inside without being seen." He slipped her arm in his and led her to the coach. Before they climbed inside, he caught her chin and tilted it up to his. "Understand, you don't have to come with me. You are free to leave. Do you have friends here? Anyone who could take you in? I'd be happy to take you anywhere you wish to go."

Zehra reached for his hand, and the gesture made his blood pound. "My lord, I want to come with you. You must believe me-it is far safer this way."

He shouldn't be feeling so attached to her. Not like this. Yet her words moved him all the same. "Very well. Quickly, get inside." He helped her into the coach and gave the driver his address, and it began to rattle down the street. Lawrence breathed a sigh of relief as Zehra sat beside him. Without thinking, he curled an arm around her shoulders and tucked her against his side. She stiffened a moment but then relaxed, and he enjoyed the feel of her feminine form so close to him. Her lips parted and her hands clenched in her skirts as she leaned toward the window, peering through the curtains. Her eyes were fixed on the streets.