Jacquie ’Alessandro - Who Will Take This Man?

He quickly assessed his possible courses of actions, then with a decisive nod, he hurried back to the office, where he dashed off three brief notes and sealed them. Racing to the door, he ran outside. As he’d hoped, he spied the boy who had delivered Edward’s note earlier. The lad leaned negligently against the wooden exterior of the adjacent building, talking with another boy roughly the same age. No doubt the lad had hung about hoping Philip might have a note of his own to send-or he’d hoped that he and his friend might pick Philip’s pocket when he departed from the warehouse.

“You there,” Philip called to the boys. “I’ve a job for you.”

The boys exchanged glances, then sauntered over, all cunning bravado. “Wot kind o‘ job?” asked the boy familiar to him.

“I’ve some letters I want delivered.”

“Do ye, now?” the other, taller boy drawled. “And just wot’s in it fer us?”

He withdrew two coins from his waistcoat pocket. “A bob for each of you now. When you return from your deliveries, I’ll give you an additional quid.”

“A quid fer each o‘ us?” the taller boy asked, his eyes narrowed with clear suspicion.

“Yes.”

“And that’s all ye want fer such a grand sum? Just to deliver some letters?”

“That’s all I want. What are your names?”

The boys exchanged a quick glance, then moved closer. “I’m Will,” said the taller boy. He jerked his head toward the smaller lad. “This here’s Robbie.”

“Well, Robbie and Will, this is what I need for you to do.” Philip gave Will two letters and Robbie one, then carefully recited the direction to which he wanted each delivered. “Any questions?”

“Where’s our blunt?” Robbie asked.

Philip handed each of them a bob. They exchanged another look, then turned to leave. Philip mentally counted to five, then called out, “Boys?”

They turned in unison. “I want to stress that we’ve made a deal and I expect you to live up to your end. You have my word I’ll live up to mine. I therefore wouldn’t suggest you entertain any thoughts of running off with your bobs and destroying my letters. Because I shall find out if you do. And I can assure you it will be the last time you attempt such a double-cross.” He casually withdrew his pocket watch from his waistcoat pocket and consulted the time, hiding his smile at the boys’ dumfounded, goggling expressions. “Do you understand?”

Both boys alternated their stunned gazes between Philip and the watch. “I… understand,” said Will.

“Me, too,” said Robbie, nodding so vigorously Philip feared the lad would rattle his brains.

“Then be off with you. There’s no time to waste.”

The boys ran off as if the hounds of hell pursued them, and Philip reentered the warehouse, satisfied that they would both deliver his letters with the utmost speed and return for their extra money. He gave his watch a fond glance before tucking it back in his waistcoat pocket. Second time today someone had tried to relieve him of his watch. His thoughts turned to Meredith. Someone he’d never have believed capable of such treachery was trying to steal something much more valuable from him than his watch.

Profound hurt pierced him at the breach of trust, but he firmly pushed it aside. If you wanted to hurt me, you should have come after me and left those I care about alone. But you won’t succeed in hurting anyone again. I know who you are, you lying bastard. A grim smile curved his lips, and he ran his hands slowly down his walking stick.

All I have to do now is wait for you to come to me.

Meredith sat on the settee in Philip’s drawing room, sipping a cup of tea she prayed would relieve the nauseating pounding in her temples. Prince’s head lay propped on her thigh, and she sifted her fingers over the puppy’s soft, golden fur while she watched Mr. Stanton pace in front of the fireplace. Ever since he’d read the note that had been delivered a quarter hour earlier, he’d worn a fierce scowl and had moved ceaselessly back and forth across the hearth, clearly pondering a disturbing problem.

Curiosity tugged at her, but as he hadn’t said whom the note was from, she hesitated to question him. Surely he would have told her if the missive was from Philip.

Clearing her throat, she said, “I hope Philip isn’t overly fond of that carpet.”

He paused, a perplexed frown bunching his brows. “Which carpet?”

“The one you’re pacing into a threadbare state.”

Looking down at the thick Axminster beneath his boots, he shot her a sheepish grimace. “Oh. That carpet.”

“You’re worried about Philip,” she said.

He looked as if he wanted to deny it, but then he jerked his head in a nod. “He’s been gone longer than I was expecting.”

“I’m guessing you want to go to the warehouse.”

“Yes.”

“But you haven’t because you promised Philip you’d look after me.”

A tired smile creased his face. “Philip did not mention you were clairvoyant, Miss Chilton-Grizedale. ”

“It requires no special intuition to see how concerned you are. I think you should go.”

“I promised him I wouldn’t leave you.”

“So bring me with you. I’m worried about him, too.”

He studied her for several seconds, an unfathomable expression in his dark eyes. Then a slow smile turned up the corners of his lips. “Yes. I’ll bring you with me. That might work out perfectly.”

At the Denby Arms, Edward opened his door in answer to a discreet knock. A footman held out a silver salver bearing a wax-sealed note.

“This just arrived for you, sir.” The footman sniffed. “Delivered by a most raggedly dressed lad, you should know.”

Frowning, Edward took the letter, closed the door, then broke the seal.

Approaching the foyer in her father’s townhouse, Catherine noted Bakari intently reading from a piece of foolscap.

“I heard the knocker,” she said as she stepped into the foyer.

She clearly startled Bakari, who hastily shoved his letter into a fold of his loose-fitting trousers. Raising her brows, she said, “I was hoping Philip had arrived.”

“He has not.”

“Who came to the door?”

“Delivery boy.”

When he did not elaborate, Catherine prompted, “And what did he deliver?”

“Letter. For me.”

Obviously the contents of the letter had upset Bakari, as he was clearly agitated. Before she could question him, however, he murmured, “Please excuse me,” then he hurried down the corridor leading to the kitchens.

Seated in the carriage, the words of Greybourne’s note seared through his brain, infuriating him anew. I’ve figured out how to break the curse without the missing piece of stone. Meet me at the warehouse.

Break the curse? I’ll not let you, Greybourne. Oh, no. You have not yet begun to suffer. But you will, you bastard. You will. I’m on my way.

When Will and Robbie returned to the warehouse, both reporting the successful delivery of his letters, Philip breathed a sigh of relief. He paid them their quids, along with an extra pound each for proving so trustworthy. Their eyes nearly popped from their sockets at such a windfall. Pity tugged at Philip’s heart for the two dirty-faced lads. He’d seen so many like them, both here in London and abroad. Children, who through no fault of their own were forced to live on the cruel streets, fighting each day for survival. Children who viewed the world with flat-eyed expressions that hid hunger, fear, hopelessness, and despair. It was exactly what Meredith had faced, and he marveled anew at the strength, character, and determination it had taken for her not only to successfully rise above such circumstances, but to help Albert and Charlotte do so as well.

Before sending the lads on their way, he said, “If you boys are interested in work-honest work-you come see me.” He rattled off his direction.

“That’s where I delivered one of yer letters,” said Will. His eyes widened. “Were that fancy place yer house?”

“Yes.” He fixed them both with a penetrating stare. “There’s work available, but know that I will not tolerate being lied to or stolen from. Not once. The decision is yours.” He made a shooing motion with his hands. “Now go buy yourselves something to eat.”

The boys studied him for several seconds, then dashed off. Philip watched them disappear from view, hoping that they would take him up on his offer. God knows he couldn’t hope to save all the children of London, but perhaps he could help Will and Robbie to help themselves. He’d given them the opportunity. The rest was up to them.

Alone again, Philip paced in front of the office, forcing himself to take deep, calming breaths. His gaze swept the area, noting the careful placement of his walking stick, hidden by the shadows of the crate it leaned upon. Everything was ready for him to confront his enemy.

His enemy. A humorless laugh pushed past his tight throat. And all this time I’d thought you were my friend…

His pacing halted when he heard the door open. A familiar voice called out, “Are you here, Philip?”

“Yes. By the office.”

Rapid footfalls sounded against the wood floor. When his guest rounded the corner and faced him, Philip stilled from the impact of staring into the dark eyes of this man he’d for so long believed to be his friend. Emotions pelted him from all sides, and he frowned. Damn it, he hadn’t anticipated that under his anger he’d experience this deep sense of loss. And sadness that it had come to this. Bludgeoning back his unwanted feelings, he said, “Glad you could come. There’s something we need to discuss.”

“So I gathered from your note. You’ve found a way to break the curse without the missing piece of stone? How extraordinary. You must tell me how.”