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She’d started to bristle when Tilly came to her defense. “Here now, miss was just tryin’ to help me.”
“I know, but I worry about her, Tilly. Miss has a knack for finding trouble.”
Sabrina shot him an obscure, sideways glance. “Only lately.”
He had to repress a smile. “Can we now come to the point of all this drama? I’m assuming Tilly had a run-in with Old Bill.”
“Run-in with the ol’ bastard’s fist,” Tilly said.
Old Bill would pay for that, too, Graeme silently vowed. “I wish the both of you had thought to ask me for help.”
“This weren’t my idea, I can tell you,” Hannah finally piped up.
“I never would have guessed,” Graeme dryly replied.
Sabrina touched his hand. “I wanted to ask for your help, truly.”
“Why didn’t you?”
She threw a brief glance at Tilly, who ducked her head again.
Ah.Tilly had forbidden it. Still not a good excuse, but he understood. Sabrina had promised the girl she’d help, and Sabrina was a woman who kept her word, even if it meant marching headfirst into danger.
Graeme gently cupped Tilly’s pointy little chin, lifting her face so he could get a better look. “I reckon he took your money, along with giving you that shiner.”
“Ol’ Bill is quick with his fists, but I don’t care about that.” Her face suddenly contorted with anguish. “I can’t get Charlie out of that bloody orphanage. Bill will get him, and we’ll be stuck forever.”
“No, we’ll fix it,” Graeme said.
“I’m sorry I lost your money,” Tilly said in a small voice.
He wanted to tell her that the money didn’t matter. But to a child like Tilly, money mattered.
“So, what’s the plan?” he asked.
The girl perked up. “Yer not mad that I lost yer money?”
“It was stolen from you, lass. And I promise I’ll deal with Old Bill at the appropriate time. For now, we have to spring Charlie from the orphanage, I’m guessing.”
“Aye, afore Bill gets to him.”
“All right. Tilly, you and I will fetch Charlie.”
“What about me?” Sabrina asked.
Graeme stood. “I’ve a curricle and groom waiting outside. You and Hannah go back with him.”
Sabrina shook her head. “I’m going with you and Tilly. I promised her I would.”
“It’s no proper place for a lady,” he said. “I’ll not have it.”
“But miss has to pay what’s still owing,” Tilly objected.
Graeme reached for his billfold, but let out an exasperated sigh.
“You forgot to bring money, didn’t you?” Sabrina said.
“I was in rather a hurry,” he sarcastically replied. “You can give me the money, and I’ll take Tilly.”
