AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A bruiser of a man blocked their entrance until his eyes fell upon Miss Everley, and they softened.
“Good evening, miss. Didnae know ye meant to call tonight. Mr. William didnae say nothin’ to me of it.”
Miss Everley laid her hand on the man’s beefy arm and batted her eyes at him.
“Such is my fault, Mr. Hahn. I did not send Mr. William a note of my desire to speak to him on a matter of importance. Would it be an imposition to claim a few minutes of his time?”
From his place behind her, Grand watched as man after man inside the establishment placed his cards or his drink down before him and turned his attention to Miss Everley and him. Despite the rough clothing they both wore, they certainly did not fit in among these people. Moreover, they were sadly outnumbered, at least twenty to one. Even so, Grand edged closer to the lady, prepared to drag her from the place, if necessary.
Mr. Hahn glanced to Grand.
“And yer friend, miss?”
“Will not harm anyone unless someone is foolish enough to attempt to pick his pocket or come too close to me,” she declared in bored tones.
Mr. Hahn barked a laugh.
“Ye always be the brave one, beggin’ yer pardon, miss, fer my sayin’ so.”
Again, Miss Everley smiled on the man.
“No offense taken. In fact, if you give me a moment, there is a cloth sack in my basket, especially for you. I made you something sweet.”
“Biscuits?” the man questioned through a toothy grin.
“You know I would not beg for your assistance,” she countered, “without a bit of a bribe.”
“Better than a monkey,” the man declared. “Come along. Mr. William be in his office.”
Miss Everley handed the man a cloth sack, tied off with string, and Grand wondered what else she had in the basket she carried.
As they crossed the room, Grand remained close behind her.
All eyes in the place followed their movements, and he glanced over his shoulder several times to make certain that no one approached. Meanwhile, Miss Everley walked past the rabble with her head held high and not a glance, one way or the other, at the danger within the room. In Grand’s opinion, she was both quite foolish and quite magnificent at the same time.
Mr. Hahn stopped before a dark door and gave it a cursory knock before opening it.
“Miss Everley, sir, come to speak to you.”
A man Grand recognised as the youngest son of Lord Harris-Green and another of Liverpool’s agents stood to greet them. Grand knew a scowl of disapproval marked his brow, but he held his tongue, at least for the moment. ‘Mr. William’, as the man was obviously known in this section of London, came around the desk to take the hand the lady extended to him and to bring it to his lips for an air kiss.
“My dear Miss Everley. What brings you to our door, and at this hour? If I had known you were desirous to speak to me, I would have arranged a more suitable situation. You know I cannot guarantee your safety unless I am aware of your presence in this area of London.”
“Do not chide me, Lionel,” the lady said sweetly, causing Grand’s scowl to deepen. She did not speak to him in that particular tone, which was likely for the best, for it could be his undoing. “As you may readily observe, I did not travel alone. Moreover, Jones and Ardent wait outside, ‘anticipating’, shall we say, my return.”
‘Mr. William’ raised an eyebrow to glance to Grand, but the man kept possession of Miss Everley’s hand. It was all Grandison could do not to pry the dastard’s fingers from the lady’s. A serious need to protect the woman had arrived, and he was not certain he was very happy about the feeling.
“Mister…?” the man began.
“Franklyn,” Grand supplied. “I am certain you recognised me as easily as I recognised you.”
The man turned a well-placed smile on Miss Everley.
“My, my, it appears I have innocently insulted Lord Harlow. I must recall my place and something of the truth of his lordship’s reputation.”
Miss Everley easily extricated her hand from ‘Mr. William’s’ grasp.
“His Lordship and I shall not keep you. I simply wished to know if you might check your customary sources regarding a missing sapphire necklace, one of great ‘sentimental’ value.”
