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Evan jerked. A dull knife poked into his back.
“I’m afraid you won’t get much if you’re depending on that blade,” Evan said, rolling his eyes. He’d gotten out of way worse jams. “It won’t even go through the fabric of my coat.”
His attacker poked harder. “I said, your purse. I assure you I’ve done much damage with this knife.”
Quick as a flash, Evan turned, knocked the knife to the ground, and grabbed the young man in a headlock. “You were saying?”
The young man, not much older than a boy, struggled within Evan’s grasp. “Please, sir, let me go.”
“The constable will decide what to do with you.”
“Please, I only needed some food for my ill mother. I’m all she has. Neither of us has eaten in days.”
Evan softened a bit. The lad could very well be lying, but something within him wanted to give the boy the benefit of the doubt.
“Take me to your mother, lad. If things are as you say they are, I will make sure you are both fed.”
The boy nodded and led Evan down the alley to a ramshackle flat. Evan followed him in. A sickly old woman lay on a cot in the only room. A small table and a chair occupied the rest of the dwelling.
“Mum,” the boy said, “this nice lord is going to bring us some food.”
“Madam,” Evan said, “how long have you been ill?”
The woman opened her mouth to speak but no words came out.
“She’s too weak,” the boy said. “She had the consumption, and she never fully recovered. We couldn’t afford to have the doctor come.”
“How have you been taking care of her?”
“Stealing mostly. I don’t like to do it, but I’ve had no other choice. There’s no work to be had, and the landlord comes around every week or so wanting his rent.”
“I will find my servant and coachman and see that the two of you are taken care of for the next few months. Are you able to work, lad? I can give you a job at my townhome.”
“I cannot leave Mum.”
Evan nodded. He couldn’t very well take responsibility for the sickly woman. “Is she able to travel? My family has an estate in Wiltshire, and we have tenant homes available. If you are willing to work, we could probably find a solution.”
The boy shook his head. “I’m sorry, sir. I cannot see how that will work.”
Evan nodded. If the boy was willing to work, Evan would find a way to move his mother and him and get them the help they needed. “I can arrange for transport for you both.”
“We cannot take advantage.”
“I am giving you the advantage,” Evan said. “Don’t be a fool.”
“No, sir. If you could just give us the food you promised…”
“Lad, I’m offering you more than a few meals—”
Evan stopped as his eye caught a glint of glass on the floor. A whiskey bottle. And another. At least a dozen were scattered in the corner of the room.
These people didn’t really want his help. They wanted his charity. They were not going to change.
“Very well, then.” Evan took out his purse and retrieved several coins. “Buy some food. This will last you a couple of weeks. Make sure your mother gets fed decently.” He met the boy’s gaze. “And do not spend the money on the drink.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And give me your blade.”
