A Season to Be Sinful (14 page)

Oh, thats all right, mlord. I know ow to get more. Fogle-unting is wot us errifs learn first.

Lily was fortunate to still have the handkerchief. She crushed it in her fist and pressed it against her mouth. Even so, she looked as though she might choke trying to contain her amusement.

For his part, Sherry had to make do with a good effort at looking appalled. Fogle-hunting. Is that cant for drawing out a handkerchief?

Midge nodded.

I see. I believe you are a thorough scoundrel, Master Midge.

Yes, mlord. I am that.

It was no good. Sherry surrendered to the shout of laughter that was pressing at the back of his throat. Go on, he said when he was able to catch his breath. He jerked his head toward the door and watched them scramble off the bed. In their haste to leave, they jostled him as they swept past. It was like being in the center of a whirling dervish. There must be something for you to do in Renwicks kitchen, he called after them. Pots to scour. Vegetables to scrub. Tarts to steal.

That stopped all three of them in their tracks. Oo do you think told im about the tarts? Dash whispered to Pinch.

Sherry rolled his eyes at Lily but addressed the boys who were now behind him. No one told me. It was a carefully reasoned guess.

I told ye e was a clever one, Pinch said, nudging Dash. Cant be too careful ere.

Midge was impressed. Do ye think e knows about the custard?

I do now, Sherry said dryly.

Pinch, Dash, and Midge fairly tripped over each other to get out the door.

Are they gone? Sherry asked Lily.

She leaned slightly to one side to see around him. They waved to her from the hallway, then disappeared. Yes.

They didnt shut the door, did they?

She shook her head.

He sighed. I suppose it would have been too much to expect. Turning on his heel, he crossed the room to close it. When he returned to Lilys bedside, she was regarding him with an expression that was at once contemplative and amused. What is it?

You like them, she said.

Are you accusing me?

I think I might be.

Then mea culpa .

Lily smiled. They are perfect scoundrels. You were right about that.

Sherry leaned his shoulder against one of the posts at the end of the bed. What about you, Miss Rose?

There was a small catch in her voice. Me?

Yes, he said. Are you a scoundrel?

No. I dont think so.

A thief?

Pinching purses. Shiving the froe.

Shiving the froe?

Cutting a womans pockets off with a razor.

Sherry wondered at her calm admissions. You teach the boys what you know?

Yes.

That was when he pinned Lily back with a dark, implacable glance and asked with remarkable indifference, Are you a whore, Miss Rose?

Lily remained singularly self-possessed as she considered his question. A whore? There are some that would say so.

What is your opinion?

I do not consider myself such. A strand of dark coppery hair had fallen across her cheek. She tugged on it idly, straightening the curl before tucking it neatly behind her ear. You will allow this is a curious interview.

He gave no indication that he was willing to admit as much.

Then it is your practice to put these questions to all your guests. In that case, I should wonder that you have any.

Sherry went on as if there had been no interruption. Are you French?

Lily frowned. Why would you think so?

It seems to me that is the question you should have posed when I asked if you were a whore. It is more than a little peculiar that you would practice prevarication when the subject is your origins and speak quite frankly when you are asked about your morals.

I am responsible for my morals she said. I cannot help the other.

Then you are French.

I did not say so. Lily drew her knees up and laid her forearms across the top. I cannot imagine of what import it is. It was not to my particular liking that you put questions to me about thieving and whoring, but I could understand their relevance. Certainly the circumstances of our meeting would permit you to make some assumptions about my character, but I cannot fathom what has suggested to you that I might not be one of His Majestys subjects.

Sherry could not help himself. Incredulity caused him to grin quite openly at her. Why, you are offended, he said, shaking his head. Do you think you will stand accused of being some sort of spy? He watched her cheeks pinken and her eyes dart away. Bloody hell. You do. What sort of maggot have you got in your head that would make you think that?

The deep rose color in Lilys cheeks continued to blossom. She shrugged.

I doubt that Boney sends his female spies to Holborn. To the Court at St. James, mayhap, but not Holborn or even Covent Garden. It would be ill-advised of them, and they are damnably more clever than that. Do you think they give so much as a fig that Blue Rutland is in receipt of smuggled brandy? That is the sort of intelligence our own excise men would like to know, while the French are happy for his industry as it supports their efforts to overrun the whole of the Continent.

Sherry finished his discourse abruptly when he saw she was regarding him worriedly. He held up his hands, palms out, and adopted what he hoped was a more reasoned tone and tack. If I promise that I acquit you of being a spy, will you admit that you are French?

No.

He sighed. Perhaps appealing to her reason was not the better course. He tried approaching the thing directly. Then how is it that you are fluent in the language?

Lilys lashes flickered. Does someone say that I am?

I do.

I dont suppose there is a maggot in your head?

No. No maggot. He watched her chin come up and cautioned her. Think carefully before you answer, Miss Rose, especially if you mean to tell me you dont speak the language. When her eyes darted away, he knew he had been right to suppose she meant to lie. The long silence that followed made him wonder if she would speak to him at all.

Je suis anglaise , she said finally. Le meme que vous. Je parle français parce que jétais ene élève á lAbbaye de Sacré Coeur. Jy suis arrivée avant de la mort de mes parents, mais jy restais pendant dix année. Labbaye est dans la compagne en dehors de Paris. Es-ce que vous la connais-sez ?

Non . He had never heard of the abbey where she said shed spent ten years after the death of her parents. He imagined there must be many like it in and around Paris.

Cest une école sans importance avec seulement vingt-cinq étudiantes et quatre enseignante avec la Mere Reverends.

He wondered why shed left and put the question to her. Pourquoi est-ce que tu as partir?

Vous parlez bien le frangais, mais vous parlez mieux Ianglais . Lily switched effortlessly to English after this critical assessment of his French. I was sent away, she said. I could not live out my life there, not without taking my vows and joining the order. It was only because the abbey had been my home longer than it had not that I contemplated remaining. I believe the Reverend Mother was horrified that I might not be dissuaded. The shadow of a wistful smile momentarily changed the shape of her mouth. You can appreciate, I think, that she was of the opinion that I was ill-suited to that life.

Still leaning against the bedpost, Sherry folded his arms in front of him and studied her. It was true that on their short acquaintance he had glimpsed a hint of mischief in her eyes. There was also that impish, slightly reckless smile of hers that would give a more prudent man pause. Her hair, with its extraordinary deep copper coloring, would not be tamed by the close cropping shed given it or straightened by her frequent tugging on the curling tendrils. He tried to imagine it tucked under the severity of a wimple instead of as a halo about her heart-shaped face and found his imagination failed him.

Perhaps it had been the same for the Reverend Mother, though if that were true, the judgment struck him as having no real substance. Shouldnt it have mattered more what was in Lilys heart? I think I understand her counsel, Sherry said at last, but was she right to advise you to leave?

Never say you doubt it? I am far and away more astonished by what I have become than she would be.

But if you had not left He let his voice trail off, prompting her with his silence.

Lily shrugged. I think I would have been content.

Sherry considered this, wondering as much about what shed told him as what shed left unsaid. It does not seem that He stopped because she was shaking her head slowly and had lifted a cautionary finger. You are tired, he said. I have taxed your strength.

You have taxed my wits, she said. Her faintly amused smile faded, and now she regarded him with solemn purpose. You have been most gracious to me, my lord, but not even for you will I reveal more. If you cannot accept this, I truly understand. Naturally you have the right to know the character of those you invite into your home. I think you have already made a great allowance on my behalf because you brought me here in spite of all you suspected about mine. I honestly cannot say that if our positions were reversed that I would have done the same.

You are firm on this?

Yes. She was certain he didnt like it, and she did not expect him to. Her only regret that she must be adamant was because of the children. She knew he liked them well enough, but she was less confident that he would take them in if she was not cooperative. There is one thing I would tell you, though.

Sherry cocked an eyebrow at her. Oh?

It has very little to do with me and everything to do with you.

How so?

Lily pushed her back more firmly against the headboard, bracing her spine and shoulders, screwing her courage to the sticking place. I find it odd that you have asked me nothing about Covent Garden. I recognize you from that night, you know.

I know. You told me as much when we were yet at the Blue Ruination. Her look remained blank. You dont remember, do you? I had begun to think that must be the case, else you would not have hesitated to answer my questions regarding your fluent French.

Lily understood at last what she must have done. Jai parlé française á vous

You did indeed speak to me in that language. You asked, Que faites-vous ici ?

Feeling weak of a sudden, Lily translated quietly, What are you doing here?

Sherry nodded. I could have concluded from that that you recognized me, but you will understand that 1 wanted to be certain. I asked the question plainly, and you confirmed it. You pointed out that I go to the theatre. Do not strain your gray matter trying to recall our conversation. It was cogent but disappointingly brief.

I did not say anything untoward, did I?

You were discreet. It seems you are of a mind to reveal very little in any language.

Lily discharged a breath she hadnt realized she was holding. That is something at least.

Relieved?

Yes.

The bed shuddered as Sherry pushed away from the bed-post. He regarded his choice of chairs and selected the Queen Anne at the escritoire. He carried it back, placed it at Lilys bedside, then set himself comfortably upon it, folding his arms again and stretching his long legs before him. In every way he gave the impression of a man prepared to hear a story. Whether or not he would believe it was less clearly defined. The tilt of his head and the thrust of his chin spoke to some measure of skepticism, while his dark eyes were more warmly inviting.

We have established that you recognize me from Covent Garden, he said as if there had been no interruption. Perhaps you should proceed with how you came to be there. You were not at the theatre yourself, I collect. He was immediately sorry for provoking her with this last observation because the splendidly curved line of her mouth flattened. Very well. You must tell the tale in your own way.

I have been to the Royal Opera House, she said with quiet dignity. Perhaps you think it is the sole province of the ton or that it would be better if that were so.

I beg your pardon, he said. I meant no slight.

Lily cast him a sideways glance to gauge his sincerity but had to accept his words for what they were. Sheridan did not seem to know how to affect an expression of contriteness. She supposed it was because, like so many others of his class, he seldom believed there was a need for it.

However, Lily said, neither accepting or dismissing his apology, I was not there that evening. I followed the boys to Covent Garden because I do not trust them. They are as likely to end up on a transport ship to Van Diemens Land as any Ive known, perhaps more so because Midge is eager to prove his worth to the other two.

Pinch and Dash? Sherry asked. How skilled are they?

Expert enough to take your handkerchief without you knowing.

I doubt that.

Lily simply raised one eyebrow and leveled him with a significant look.

Surely not, he said, unfolding his arms to check for his handkerchief. It was gone. The devil they did. When did they

They gave you the rum-hustle on their way out the door. Pinch was the bulker, and Dash did a bit of fogle-hunting. He gave your handkerchief to Midge, though, which I thought was generous. Midge waved it at me from the hallway.

Sherry remembered his back had been to the door and that hed asked Lily to tell him if the boys had gone. You didnt say a thing.

She raised her hands helplessly and shrugged.

Sherry plowed his fingers through his hair, supporting his head in his palm for a moment as he considered his response. It is difficult to be annoyed when one is also damnably impressed.

Yes, she said. One frequently feels that way about them.

Nothing is safe here, is it?

Lily did not lie to him. I suppose that depends on whether Ned Craven finds out that theyre here. Left to their own devices, theyll be satisfied with tarts and custards.

And handkerchiefs, he said wryly.

Just to keep their hand in.

I forget you are a wit. He folded his arms again. Who is this Ned Craven?

Lily had wondered if Ned might be known to Sheridan. Discovering he was not made her tread carefully. I suppose it is best understood if you know that he enjoys some influence in Holborn. He trades in favors, large and small, and he expects a fair tribute for what he doesor what he doesnt do. The boys steal for him when he asks.

They wouldnt refuse him?

She shook her head. That is never wise. She gave him time to think over her full meaning, then she went on. Pinch told me this morning that Ned was in want of some funds that night, and thats why they went to the Garden. Since it was a quid Ned was demanding, there was probably a gaming debt he wanted to settle.

So the boys are there because of Craven, and you are there because of the boys.

Thats right.

And I am their mark.

Yes. I saw Dash first from one direction, then Pinch from another. They are so small and slippery that it was not easy to follow their movements. It was when I spied Midge that I was finally able to make you as their target.

I am curious about that, he said. Why did they choose me?

Lily suspected Ned had been more particular about the mark than the boys had led her to believe, but she did not explain this. Keeping it from him, however, did not give her any measure of peace. You will have to ask them. I would not have.

Why not?

Because you were watchful. I do not think the boys notice such things yet, but I saw how your eyes moved over the crowd. It was not merely in support of casual interest, and neither were you trying to catch anyones eye. I do not believe you offered a polite greeting to a single person in all the time I observed you.

Truly? Sherry asked, fascinated. You noticed all this?

Of course. One must.

So it would seem. Pray, continue.