“No, she is not,” Evie said. “But she is a fast learner.”
The smile disappeared from Mrs. Taylor’s lips. “You might want to put that money away before we both get robbed.”
Georgie quickly slipped the money into her reticule.
Evie stepped closer to the table and lowered her voice. “Do you have anything new?”
“I do, but it is in the cart,” Mrs. Taylor replied. “Would you care for me to show you?”
Evie nodded. “I would.”
Mrs. Taylor glanced at her before asking, “Will your friend be joining us?”
“Not this time, but I was hoping Brutus would keep her company,” Evie replied. “She doesn’t usually frequent the market.”
As if on cue, a burly man came to Mrs. Taylor’s side. “I will wait with your friend,” he said, his voice deeper than Georgie had been anticipating.
Evie turned to face her. “I will be right back. Don’t go anywhere.”
“I have nowhere to go.”
With a quick nod, Evie followed Mrs. Taylor to a cart that sat a short distance away behind the table.
Georgie turned her attention back towards the fabric on the table and began to peruse it. She kept her head down, but she could feel Brutus’ watchful eyes on her. She had so many questions for Evie, but she didn’t think her friend would be forthcoming with her answers.
A stocky man brushed up against her, and she stumbled back.
He caught her by the arm and steadied her. “My apologies,” he said. “I’m afraid I wasn’t watching where I was going.”
“No harm done.” Georgie tried to step back, but the man hadn’t released his hold on her arm.
“I’m glad to hear that, Miss Holbrooke.”
Georgie’s eyes widened. “How do you know my name?”
The man smirked. “Your brother is very worried about you and is eager for you to return home.”
Georgie attempted to yank her arm back, but the man tightened his hold. “Let me go!” she exclaimed.
Brutus appeared by her side. “I think the lady has asked nicely for you to let her go.”
The man took his other hand and removed a pistol from the waistband of his trousers, and Brutus took a step back with his hands up.
“Miss Holbrooke is coming with me,” the man stated firmly.
The sound of a pistol cocking came from behind the man. “I think not,” Evie said. “If you don’t release Miss Holbrooke, I will kill you.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” the man growled.
Evie’s voice was low and calm. “You don’t know what great lengths I would take to keep my friends safe.”
Uncertainty crossed the man’s face before he released his hold on Georgie and slowly tucked his pistol back into the waistband of his trousers.
“You are doing more harm than good,” he said. “I am a Bow Street Runner, and Lord Wakefield hired me to find his sister because he is concerned about her. Miss Holbrooke should be home where she belongs.”
Georgie huffed. “I truly doubt that.”
“Tell Lord Wakefield that Miss Holbrooke has no intention of returning home,” Evie said.
