“A young gentleman came around all the lodgings one day – a personable tidy chap who offered money at a decent rate.” She covered her face. “I was such a fool. And then Artemisia worsened, I thought she was to…” Casper drew her near and she clung to him. “I stayed by her that day, even though my payment was due. One day late. That was all. And I ran there the next, but Filgrave ripped up the contract, told me it was null, that there was a new rate for debtors.”
And she cried. Cried for the past three years of bare survival, the terror that her sister may never see the next dawn, the disease and poverty that so many still endured.
And Casper just held her, brushing his mouth against her hair, murmuring his love and not letting go.
Finally, she drew back, wiping her eyes on his shirt sleeve. “I’ve never been the blubbering type.” She sniffed. “I don’t like it very much.”
“Sometimes we do not realise the burden is so heavy until it is lifted.”
She touched his face. So precious. But… “And so, I decided to use the sketch that Father had drawn so many years ago. To paint it in oils and sell it to the Duke of Diamonds.” That day seemed a lifetime away. “Can you forgive me, Casper, for my deception and lies? Can I rebuild you trust?”
With a hand to the waist, heated and snug, he kissed her forehead.
“There is no need to ask, Evelyn. My trust for you lies deep, never to be broken – built upon your loyalty to your sister and your self-sacrifice. I know you would fight for me in the same way, defend me and console me. Those deeds are honest and true.” He caught her chin in a broad palm. “I knew you had secrets from the first, even played along to keep you near and discover the truth. But at some point in our game… I came to love your company, your boldness, our conversations about art, your compassion for others, your determination to survive. Everything about you. I came to know you, and I loved you. Whoever you were.”
Evelyn’s heart surged with such force. “I came here to cheat you, exploit your affection for my father’s painting.” She brushed his lips with her own. “But instead I fell in love with you.”
“My defiant beauty.” A deep peace settled within her as Casper kissed her eyelids. “I have found you at last.”
Chapter 32
Patience.
“Thank you, Artemisia, for coming with me.”
A slender but firm hand clasped her own.
“We face this together, sister, as we have so many things.”
Clutching reticules close, Evelyn and Artemisia straightened their shoulders upon the velvet squab of the grand carriage. With a violent jolt, the wheels ceased their rattle over the cobbles, and the two sisters leaned back into the darkness, a sole chink of dulled light stealing through the slither in the drawn curtains, dust dancing in its attention.
From the world outside came the muffled chatter of passers-by and a dulcet grumble of horses. The slam of front door and the thump of footstep.
A twist of brass handle and the door swung open, a man’s black-gloved hand grasping the leather strap as he hauled himself up the step.
“I ain’t got all day, coachman, so Bond Street and drive like the bleedin’ devil.” He thudded into the seat opposite as the carriage lurched into motion, the crack of whip accompanying a wild shout from aloft.
Their travelling companion removed his gloves and settled back into the comfort of the corner squabs. Then abruptly stilled as though a rodent sensing the watchful eye of the kitchen cat.
With a grunt, he thrust the small curtain aside.
Faint sunlight suffused the carriage and the seemingly stylish interior now revealed its true colours – puce cushions, worn wood and the squabs stained with goodness knows what.
The man’s gaze brandished surprise…then sharpened in interest.
“Well, well, if it ain’t Miss Pearce in me carriage. Fancied a littletête-à-tête, did yer? And with yer fetchin’ sister too.” The moneylender smacked his lips, gin eyes examining them like a jeweller searching for flaws. “Swell cove tossed yer out, has he, after dipping his wick?”
The wheels ploughed over an obstacle at such a clipped pace, they all lifted from their seats, their companion issuing a stream of curses as his arm clattered the door.
Placing a steadying hand to the roof strap, Evelyn stared frostily. “Good day, Filgrave.”
“That’sMrFilgrave to you,” he spat, leaning forward. “Debtors should mind their manners or they gets charged double interest. Yer sister might never see daylight again. Jus’ a bare ceiling.” He chortled, removing that toothpick from inside his striped waistcoat to scratch his ear with the ruby finial.
“We have the money.” And she held out a palm with one flawless polished diamond nestled within it.
His pouched eyes widened as much as they were able, teeth sucking. “Where’s the rest of ’em?” he sneered. But before he could grab the gem, she fisted her hand, felt the bite of diamond through her woollen glove.
Evelyn glared into his bloated face. Into the eyes of a man who treated womenfolk no better than rats in the cellar.
