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There, in the distance, it was among a throng of people. I began to push past some of the pedestrians; the air was hot in the sun, especially jammed in these bodies. The noise from the carriages and voices of patrons was overwhelming and I began to sweat, my mouth drying in anxiety.Do not vomit, Rosemary.
William and Horris crossed the street, headed toward an intersection. I quickly followed behind, dashing in front of a horse who reared in shock. The driver cursed me, but I needed to keep going. They were not far from me now, taking a left when they reached the corner, I could not risk William hearing my voice with whatever paranormal talent he possessed. I took a sharp turn around the same corner, slowly when the population had thinned significantly.
The two of them entered a small pub halfway down the walk. I gnawed on my lip, how could I enter to watch them?
The brick road was lined on both sides with tall Georgian buildings, quieter than the main street, but still occupied by pedestrians running their errands and enjoying the sunshine. The air smelled of salt and horses. I began trekking down the narrow streetway toward the building, should I be so brave as to walk by? Would he recognize me? I wished suddenly I’d have brought a book or perhaps grabbed a bouquet of flowers to hide my face.
As I neared the wide windows of the pub I could see William’s bright skin, he was seated at a table against the wall with another man of the same pallor, a head of bright yellow hair. And then there was Horris. William’s eyebrows seemed stitched together in frustration while the man talked, leaning in close to them.
I walked past, undetected. A sigh of relief washed over me, but there had to be a better way. What about the matters at the dock? Who was this man? I needed answers.
I turned around, slowly creeping toward the edge of the window to the pub. I peered through the glass, trying to stay as unseen as possible, watching dismal expressions dance on William’s face. He was grave, eyes hard. The man next to him was nodding sympathetically, his expression just as serious. Horris’s back was to me, but his hand lay on the table in a tight fist, shoulders bunched.
Suddenly, the blond man’s bright blue eyes flickered up and met mine. I stilled, breath catching as ice fell over my skin despite the heat of the day. William looked up in an instant, his eyes locked with mine and I could see the anger flash behind them. I turned quickly, gathering my skirts in my hands to sprint in the opposite direction I’d come. It was my only instinct. I had been caught and I shivered to think of the repercussions for disobeying him.
Barely breathing, I rounded the corner into an alleyway, whipping my head around to make sure William wasn’t behind me. Relief washed over me until I came crashing, full speed, into a wall.
Not a wall. A person.
“Rosemary,” a voice said in a thick accent I’d never heard. I shrieked, falling backward into another body.
Hands gripped my elbows to steady me, and he quietly whispered, “That’s enough, my darling.”
William.
His voice had been cold, as hard as steel. I wanted to relax, but every hair on my body was on edge, my heart pounding out of my chest. The man before me smiled, he was taller than William, his features strong but his skin of the same pale white.
“She’s a feisty one,” the man chuckled.
“She’s become more so as of late,” William said between clenched teeth. I craned my neck to look at him behind me, the same look of distress colored his features as had in the pub.
“Won’t you introduce us, brother?” asked the man.
“Rosemary, this is my brother, Filip.”
“Your brother?” I asked in astonishment. Filip.
“Of sorts,” Filip laughed again. “Come, let us return to Horris’s since Mrs. Blackwell has insisted on joining us.” William grabbed Filip’s arm aggressively before he could pass us.
“I don’t want her to know anything about this yet,” William ordered.
“Excuse me?” I demanded, pulling away from him. William shook his head, his lips pressed into a thin line. Filip cleared his throat, casting William a sidelong glance.
“Will, it involves her–” Horris offered quietly from the mouth of the alley.
“Horris!” William shouted, his eyes snapping to mine.
“It involvesme? I thought you said this was a shipment for work, William.” My voice quivered in distress. So many lies! Had I not suspected as much? Horris and Filip exchanged a knowing look, William rubbed his temples in frustration.
“Darling, given your current disposition, I did not think it wise to worry you. Please, let us go back to Horris’s and we will discuss this further.” He gripped my arm tightly, nearly dragging me as we walked back toward the pub. The flame of anger and rebellion burned hot in my stomach. How dare he.
“All you have done is keep secrets,” I gritted my teeth. “Secrets and lies. And you expect me to believe you love me?” He sighed heavily, pulling my arm through his and locking it in his tight grasp. No one uttered a word as we continued to walk through the crowded streets until we reached Horris’s home. Clementine was flustered when we entered the foyer, exclaiming when we saw the four of us.
“There she is! Oh, William, I am so sorry, I did not realize she left! I looked everywhere for her, Horris, I’m terribly sorry,” Clementine lamented, wringing her hands in stress. Horris took her into his arms, kissing her softly. It was such an intimate gesture, I blushed, turning away.
“Please, lovely, do not fret–” he began.
“Yes, Rose is quite crafty. I should have suspected she’d sneak away.” William grumbled.
