“You’ve never had them,” Dobkins said.
He gave her a mocking bow. “You don’t want anyone to see you here.”
“I don’t make the rules.” Vivienne held his stare.
“Saucy wench.” He held the door open and waited for them to brush past him before shutting the door with a kick.
Flakes of paint dropped off the door it rattled so hard.
The room would have been cosy if not for the heaps of crumpled clothes scattered everywhere, the dirty glasses, and the ashtray filled to the rim with cheroots’ butts. There had to beno oxygen in the room, because the smell of tobacco saturated the air to the point of enveloping everything in a yellow mist.
“Welcome.” He spread his arms.
Dobkins tiptoed inside. “We’re going to catch cholera here. Mark my words.”
A deep crease appeared between his eyebrows. “Apologies, but my personal suite in Buckingham Palace is being renovated.” He pointed at the door. “You’re free to leave whenever you want.”
“No, please.” Vivienne held up a hand. “I really need your help.”
“Why me?” His voice didn’t sound sharp.
“Because…” How could she say, ‘Rumour has ityou’re a thief,’ nicely? “You have experience with this sort of thing.”
“What sort of thing?” He propped an elbow on the mantelpiece overloaded with empty bottles, bringing attention to the fact he wasn’t wearing a jacket and his shirtsleeves were rolled up.
“Lion Boy.”
“For hell’s sake.” He threw a hand up.
“I have no idea how to help him. He’s either locked up in his cage or shackled to a chain.”
“They chain him?” A hint of shock crept into his voice.
“We saw him. He has a shackle around his ankle and a long chain. They treat him like a prisoner. He doesn’t want to be there. Dobkins, I’m right, am I not?”
Dobkins nodded. “The young man is desperate and afraid.”
“Right.” Captain Jackson scratched his chin. “And how does a former army surgeon fit into this situation?”
“You know how to pick a lock, don’t you?” Vivienne asked.
He narrowed his eyes. “Why would I know how to pick a lock?”
“There are rumours about you having broken into Garrard’s.” Vivienne didn’t move when Dobkins tried to pull her towards the door.
“Are there now?” He chuckled bitterly. “Ridiculous.”
“I know my mother wasn’t fair to you, and even my father wouldn’t be happy to know I’m here. But I’m only interested in helping that young man. He doesn’t deserve to be treated like an animal. No one does. And he’s so desperate and hopeless…I must help him.”
He rubbed his eyes, making them redder. “Let’s say I get him out, hypothetically speaking, what then? Where do you plan to hide him? You’re aware the police will search for him, aren’t you? Cade won’t let him go easily. The boy raised by lions is the main attraction of the circus. Cade will hunt him down. Lion Boy needs a place to stay hidden, and I’m not even considering the challenge of taking care of someone who’s been locked up for the best part of his life. If he gets caught again, he’ll be broken. Dead.”
Vivienne wrung her hands. She hadn’t thought about all the details, but the captain was right. Taking Lion Boy to her house was out of the question. She couldn’t think of anyone she trusted to keep him hidden. She had to find a way to keep him safe. Why hadn’t she thought about that?
“He could stay here with you,” she said in a low tone.
Captain Jackson put his hands on his hips. “Are you barking mad?”
“Do not speak to her that way!” Dobkins said. “You will show respect when you talk with Lady Vivienne. I don’t care how long you’ve known her?—”
