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“It is no matter,” William said quickly. He seemed as adamant as his brother to keep his father far from their exploits. “His name is Joseph Moody, and he has a shop where he sells all sorts of things. Moody’s Emporium, he calls it. On the Commercial Road, in Shadwell.”
Terrance glared at William but realized it was too late to stop him. “A place no lady ought to go,” Terrance said with derision. “Have a care for your reputation, love.”
Bobby took a step forward. “Have a care for your tongue, lad, or you’ll get a punch in the nose.”
Terrance looked Bobby up and down. Bobby had no great height, but she was sturdy, and had rather enjoyed her boxing lessons.
“I’m only giving her a friendly warning.” Terrance faded next to William, becoming sullen. “Shadwell is a dangerous place.”
Judith jotted the name and direction into a small notebook she’d removed from her pocket. “Thank you,” she said to William. “Why are you with such a gentleman, in any case? From what Mr. Perry says, he is not the most honorable of men.”
“None of your affair,” Terrance said, trying to imitate Judith’s cool tones, and failing miserably.
“My brother likes to gamble,” William said. “I am trying to dissuade him of the habit.”
“I see.” Judith skewered Terrance with a shrewd gaze. “You owe Mr. Moody some winnings.”
“Quite a bit of them,” William answered while Terrance spluttered. “Mr. Moody bought up all Terrance’s gambling debts from the clubs and now wants to be paid. He follows us about—Terrance swears he’ll win the money he owes, but of course he never does.”
“And if he cannot pay?” Judith asked.
“Our father is very wealthy.” William reddened again. “Mr. Moody threatens to take the money from him if need be. We truly do not want this coming to his attention.”
Bobby broke in, “You could always confess all to your dear papa. Let your brother face the music, and be right out of it.”
“Obviously, you do not know my father,” William said, with the first hint of humor Bobby had seen in him. “We both will bear the brunt. Best we solve this on our own.”
“Why are you spilling to them?” Terrance demanded. He focused a bleary gaze on Judith. “Who are you? William only dragged me here because he feared what you’d tell our pa about what we got up to. Friend of our mum’s, are you?”
“A friend of Mr. Thanos,” Judith said calmly. “He says you have much potential,” she added to William.
William started and then looked pleased behind his worry. “Yes, he’s a clever gentleman,” he said with admiration, while Terrance wrinkled his nose. “I hope to return to his lectures as soon as I can. If there is anything else we can do to assist you, you have but to say the word.”
“That will not be necessary.” Judith snapped the notebook closed and returned it to her pocket. “Again, thank you.”
“My brother is an ass, but he is right about one thing,” William said quickly. “You should not go to Shadwell, not on your own. Perhaps I could …”
He left the offer to escort her there hanging. Terrance let out a taunting snort, then put a hand to his head as though even that effort had pained it.
“Thank you for your concern, Mr. Makepeace,” Judith replied. “I never said I would go there myself. Good day, gentlemen.”
William tipped his hat, opened his mouth, probably to ask if he could guide her somewhere—anywhere—but then snapped it shut and gave her another polite bow. “Good day,” he managed.
Terrance swayed and grabbed William’s arm to steady himself. “Tart,” he snarled.
Bobby raised one balled fist. Terrance’s alarm grew as Bobby came at him, and he hurriedly ducked behind his brother.
William held up wavering hands to halt Bobby’s onslaught. “I apologize, Mr. Perry. My brother is an idiot and had a late night. He has no idea what he is saying.”
Bobby stopped close enough that the brothers understood the threat was real, though she had no real intention of battling these pups. Scaring them would suffice.
Judith paid the encounter no attention at all. She was already walking along the road toward her waiting carriage, her elegance like a song.
Bobby held out her hand, her gaze on Terrance. “Hand them over, please.”
Terrance peered at her from behind William’s shoulder. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“I saw you pinch those photographs from the table last night,” Bobby said with conviction. “Thought you’d ogle them at your leisure at home, did you? Let’s have them.”
