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“But sir…”
“Consider it payment for the food.”
The boy reluctantly handed over the knife.
Evan shook his head as he left the humble dwelling. The boy wanted to take the easy way out. It was so very clear.
Was Alexandra any different? She wanted to marry Nathan Landon for his money. Granted, it was difficult for a woman to make it on her own in this world, but she’d obviously found a way to make a little bit of money selling her stories.
Evan’s dander rose again. She’d probably made more from using his business to publish The Ruby.
He sighed. He had done all he could for the lad and his mother, and he had done all he could for Alexandra. He had given her his love, willingly, but she did not want it.
Right now his priority was Sophie. He would return here at midnight.
* * *
“Here you are, Lady Alexandra,” the grey woman said, bringing in another sparse meal.
Sophie shot her eyebrows up. This was the first time they had called her something other than my lady. She had been right. They had mistaken her for Ally. She did nothing to correct the error.
She simply nodded as the grey woman set the small meal on the table. The woman then took her chamber pot and left the room. A few minutes later, she returned it.
“Aren’t you going to eat, my lady?”
Sophie was not hungry. She had not been hungry since they took her. What she really wanted was a basin and pitcher to wash the grime off her face and hands. But she wouldn’t ask. She was at their mercy now, and if they wanted her clean, they would bring her a basin and pitcher. “Yes, of course.” Sophie picked up the sandwich and took a bite out of the dry bread. She took a gulp of the water that had been brought with it. Maybe she could get some answers from the woman. “I’m sorry, but who are you again?”
“It’s like Mr. Ryland told you. We are members of a group against the publication and distribution of obscene literature. We seek to punish those involved with it.”
“Why not let the legal system take care of that?” Sophie said.
“The legal system is a joke, my lady. Publication of such material is a common misdemeanor. The constables look the other way, just like they do with the whorehouses.”
“Why do you care so much about it?”
“Because it is obscene, my lady.”
Who gives you the right to decide what is obscene and what is not? The question sat on Sophie’s tongue, but she did not ask it. They had not hurt her so far, but they were clearly fanatics who thought they were above the law. She could not trust that they would not do her harm. After all, they had kidnapped her.
If only Ally had not gotten involved with this. Well, Ally was Ally. Sophie would protect her, with her life if necessary.
* * *
Darkness had fallen when Evan returned. Woods met him at the door, his expression unreadable.
“My lord, I’m not sure how to tell you this.”
“What is it, Woods?”
“I have heard from your father. He and the countess will be returning in a few days’ time. They will be stopping here in London first before going on to Wiltshire to the estate.”
Evan rubbed his jawline. Just what he needed—his father home, and he had managed to lose one of his stepsisters. “Lord,” he said.
“I’m afraid that’s not all,” Woods said.
What could be worse? Then he realized he already knew.
“She’s gone, isn’t she?”
