Page 15 of The Duke and the Darkness

She was alone. If someone was with her, they’d have come forward by now. He knew that well from all the other children he’d come across on the nighttime streets.

“My name is Devlin. What’s yours?” When she didn’t answer, he added, “I have two sisters. Older than you, though. Margaret who loves to dance, and Teddy who has the same color hair as you.”

Actually, he had no idea what color hair she had because of the shadows. Nor did it matter if he lied as long as he was able to draw her out. The ends always justified the means. Hadn’t he learned that lesson the hard way?

“I would never hurt them,” he assured her. “Just as I would never hurt you.”

The brutal truth of those words was as sharp as the blade pressing against his palm. But the girl didn’t believe him and so didn’t move an inch.

“I want to help you,” he said softly.

“Don’t need no help,” she whispered fiercely, like a hissing kitten cornered by dogs.

“No, you probably don’t. A young miss like you can take care of herself, I bet.”

“An’ I can, too.” When her chin raised into the air, the fear in her eyes turned to fire.

“But can you helpme?”

She hesitated. He didn’t blame her. Any other man who approached her tonight would have only done so to hurt her or force himself on her. Both of which Devlin wanted to prevent.

She tilted her head curiously, studying him. “What do you need m’ help for?”

He fought back the urge to smile with satisfaction at finally drawing her into conversation. “My sister Theodora’s birthday is tomorrow, and I don’t know what to get her for a present. What do you think she’d like? Ribbons, a doll…”

“Shoes,” she whispered. “She’d like shoes. A pair with ’em fancy buckles on the toes.”

“In blue?”

“Black. ’Cause then the filth won’t show on ’em.”

He forced a smile. “Sounds like the perfect gift to me.” He repeated, “I’m Devlin. What’s your name?”

“Mary.”

Mary… How many Marys and Janes and Sarahs had he rescued over the years? He’d lost count. Tonight, he planned to add another to that list. “That’s a pretty name.”

“Yours isodd.”

He chuckled. “Yes, I suppose it is. Theodora says so, too, all the time. She’ll probably tell me that as soon as I arrive home tonight.” No, she wouldn’t. His youngest sister was tucked safely into bed, dreaming sweetly through the night. She’d been theonly one to escape their father’s wrath. “And you, Mary? Where’s your family and home?”

“Don’t got none,” she whispered. “Just some chums.”

Chums. A gang. “It’s cold tonight. Would you like someplace warm to sleep? Maybe some stew and biscuits?”

Her face softened with longing, yet only for a fleeting heartbeat before hardening again. “You said you weren’t goin’ harm me.”

“I’m not,” he said solemnly. “You’ve heard of Brechenhurst?”

She nodded. Of course, she had. Nearly every child in this part of London had heard of the peculiar place that took in children off the streets and gave them shelter and food for the night. It had no walls and gates to lock them in. No forced Bible lessons or memorizing moral platitudes. No questions asked.

“Have you ever been there?”

A shake of her head.

“Well, I happen to know the woman who runs it, and I know for a fact that she has room for you tonight.”

“But it’s all the way o’er t’ Seven Dials.”