ten
The hours Vivienne spent with Samuel were the best of her week. They gave her the strength to endure Mother’s worries. If Father hadn’t intervened and convinced Mother to let her go every time she wanted to go out, she would have spent all her days at home.
In a few months, Samuel had learnt the letters of the alphabet and composed his first sentences. Learning to use sign language, writing, and reading was a difficult task, but he never complained and worked hard.
What she complained about was the state of Captain Jackson’s flat. Bottles and glasses were everywhere, dirty plates filled the sink, and the stuffy air bothered her. Perhaps she was a spoiled brat, but Samuel deserved a decent place to live in, and because she had given the captain her bracelet, she felt she had a right to request he not live in squalor.
That afternoon, she entered the flat, welcomed by a smiling Samuel. She smiled back. The change in him was incredible. His gaunt cheeks had filled up, and his gorgeous hair had a shiny hue that glinted with gold in the sunlight. His skin was still a bit pale, and sadness lingered in his lion eyes, but her heart stuttered every time he showed his hunger to learn or when he smiled.He stared at her as if she’d lit the stars, and while his adoration made her warm and fuzzy, she didn’t deserve it.
She removed her gloves, walking over a bottle. “Where is the captain?”
Samuel pointed to the sofa where Captain Jackson slept soundly, an empty glass in his hand.
Dobkins opened the window, not bothering to be silent as she stomped across the room. “He passed out and left you on your own.”
Samuel took his time before signing, “No police.”
A flare of annoyance swelled in Vivienne’s chest. “It doesn’t matter if the police aren’t around anymore.”
The circus was still in London. Cade’s obsession was to find Lion Boy—he’d put up a reward. A thousand pounds for who found Lion Boy.
The smell of cheroot permeated everything, and the dirty shirts draped on the chairs drove her mad.
Dobkins shook the captain’s arm. “Wake up, for heaven’s sake.”
Mumbling, the captain blinked his eyes open. The glass slid out of his fingers, but Vivienne snatched it before it smashed against the floor.
“What?” he drawled.
“This needs to stop.” Dobkins balled her fists on her hips.
Samuel withdrew to a corner, his amber eyes widening. Perhaps Dobkins’s raised voice disturbed him.
“What do you want?” the captain repeated, sitting up. One of his braces hung low on his arm.
Dobkins waved towards the room. “You can’t drink yourself into a stupor and leave Samuel on his own. The flat is a pigsty, and it stinks.”
He raked a hand through his dishevelled hair, yawning. “I don’t see where the problem is.”
“The problem is that this young man,” Dobkins said, “deserves better from you, and we paid a nice sum to take care of him.”
Samuel lowered his gaze, working his jaw.
Worry hung heavy in Vivienne’s chest. She glanced at Dobkins and gave her a slight shake of her head. Mentioning the payment might bother Samuel.
“And you should buy fresh food for him more often,” Dobkins continued. “For you as well. Have some dignity.” Her voice shook.
The captain’s bloodshot eyes narrowed. It didn’t escape Vivienne’s notice that he was still sitting. Not that she cared, but he was letting himself go.
“Wait a moment,” he said. “You recruited me for a job, and I did it, and I did it damn well. Samuel is alive and healthy. My life and my flat are my own business.”
Samuel hunched his shoulders as if he wanted to disappear.
“What life?” Dobkins gestured at the empty bottles. “The one you’re wasting away on cheap whisky and tobacco? Whisky doesn’t solve anything.”
“Nor does milk.”
Dobkins glowered at him. “You were an army surgeon once. What happened to you?”
