But her innocence bothered him. While he had promised Ross not to hurt her, innocents were notoriously fragile. That was why he preferred to avoid them. Even though Lady Sara was twenty-seven and levelheaded, there was a strong likelihood that she would suffer some emotional bruising as a result of being caught between Peregrine and his enemy.
Peregrine's expression hardened. He would rather not betray Ross's trust, but even his own promise would not be permitted to come between him and his goal. While it would be regrettable if her ladyship's delicate sensibilities were injured, any damage he inflicted would be trifling compared to the disaster that would befall her if she were to become Weldon's wife.
He dismissed her from his thoughts as the hackney rumbled through an alley they had scouted earlier in the day. Kuram stopped the carriage just within the alley's mouth, so that horse and vehicle were hidden in the shadows. If there was any pursuit, they would be able to pull away quickly.
Peregrine lifted the coil of rope he had prepared earlier and slung it over his shoulder, then climbed out of the carriage and made his shadowed way to Mrs. Kent's unsavory establishment. At this hour, the shabby street was empty, though drunken shouts and laughter came from a tavern that he passed.
The upper half of the brothel was washed by moonlight, which made it easy to count windows. Two floors above street level, second window from the rear. Having no desire to forage in a stinking London alley, he had brought his own pebbles. He drew one from his pocket and threw it against the dirty glass. After a minute passed without response, he tossed another.
He was about to throw a third pebble when the window moved upward in a series of jerks. A small blond head appeared and looked down warily. Peregrine stepped into the moonlight so that Jenny could identify him. After she waved in recognition, he tossed the end of the rope up to her. She missed the first time, and the line made a scraping sound as it slithered down the brick wall, but no one looked out to see what was happening. In this neighborhood, any such sounds would be attributed to rats.
On the second attempt she caught the rope, then disappeared inside. Wanting to keep it simple. Peregrine had tied a loop on the end of the line so it need only be dropped over a bedpost.
After a minute Jenny reappeared with a small, shapeless bundle of belongings. When it had been lowered to her rescuer, she climbed up on the windowsill. Even from twenty-five feet below, Peregrine could see the fear on her face, but without hesitation she turned and began inching her way down the rope.
She was small and agile, and with the aid of the knots he had tied in the line every eighteen inches she came down without serious difficulty. There was a touchy moment when a muffled cry sounded from the room below the one that had been hers. Jenny's head was level with the room's windowsill, and she froze for a moment, probably thinking of all that had happened to her within the brothel's walls. Then she continued her painstaking descent.
When she was within his reach, Peregrine set down the bundle and reached up to catch the girl by the waist. Her small body was icy cold and shaking. After setting her on the ground, he asked softly, "Are you all right?"
Nodding, she picked up her bundle, but her trembling didn't stop. He pulled his coat off and wrapped it around her. "It's just a block to the carriage."
She nodded again and followed him out into the street. Unfortunately, it was no longer empty, for three drunken sailors had spilled out of the tavern and were making their way down the middle of the road, clinging to each other and singing discordantly. Peregrine and Jenny would have to go around them to reach the hackney. He took the girl's arm with his free hand. "Don't worry, it will be all right," he said under his breath. "Just stay close and keep walking."
" 'Ey, mates," the tallest of the men called out. "Look at that pretty little night bird." He leered at Jenny. "Come with us instead, sweetheart, you'll earn three times as much."
She glanced up fearfully, and the bright moonlight clearly revealed her exquisite features. With her long blond hair and gaudy harlot's gown, Jenny looked like a sailor's dream.
At the sight, another of the men, a hulking creature of ox-like proportions, gave a bleary whistle. "Aye, she's a beauty." As the three drunks began closing in on their prey, he said coaxingly, "Le'me see you better, sweetheart."
Steel in his voice, Peregrine said, "The lady is with me."
"Aw, she's no lady, any damn' fool can see that," the tall man scoffed. With bleary good humor he continued, "Don't be a dog in the manger, mate. What do you say we all four share her?"
As Jenny made a small, desperate sound, Peregrine moved between her and the drunks. "I say no. She is mine."