Evermore (31 page)

“You can wave us goodbye from the sky pier.
My men always appreciate a pretty face.”

“But Tilda--”

Tilda shot her aunt a warning glare. “Come
along, Aunt. We must get home. It's tea time.” She hooked her arm
through Winifred’s and the two women turned their back on the
pirate, leaving him and the dismal lane behind.

***

Sir Magnus Grimshaw's servant watched the
fair beauty and the woman with a face like a comfortable old boot
until they were out of sight. He was sure he hadn't been seen,
hidden as he was in the shadowy eaves of a disused warehouse. He’d
been following them for two weeks and finally they were doing
something interesting. Very, very interesting.

When he turned back to look for Knight, the
lane was empty. He had gone. Willy raised his eyes to the ships
above in silent thanks to God beyond, although he wasn’t an overly
pious man. He was grateful he’d carried out his errand without
attracting the attention of Knight. He did not want to become an
enemy of Black Jack's.

But then, he already was—by association. His
master was the black-hearted pirate's enemy and that meant Willy,
as his servant, was too.

Sir Magnus would be intrigued by this new
development in his plans. His history with the Barons of Ironside
was long and troubled, and the lady's association with the pirate
was cause for concern.

The servant skirted the dirty industrial
heart of London on his way back to the palace, but still the sooty
air cloyed at his throat. These days the entire city seemed to be
teeming with activity. There was no escaping the noise of the big
digging machines used for clearing out the foundations of the old
buildings and of the pounding of hammers and the hiss of temporary
forges where new ones were being built. The constant tremor beneath
his feet told of the burrowing as tunnels were dug out for the new
underground railway. He felt a surge of pride knowing his master
had had a hand in the creation of the excavation machines.

Everywhere people moved, on foot, on
two-wheeled bimotors and in the carriages and carts pulled by mech
horses. They were a new invention and not nearly as graceful as
real horses, but at least they didn't shit all over the roads.

The endless noise of the city made him
nervous. It would be easy for Knight to hide amidst the throng and
the hubbub if he wanted to stalk Willy. The servant started every
time someone drew too close or a horse backfired. When he reached
his destination he wiped his sweating brow and sighed heavily.
Safe. The guards gave a blink of recognition and pulled a lever
tucked into the side of the brick wall. In a breath of steam, the
magnificent iron gates swung open.

The servant waited in the mews until
nightfall. Under cover of darkness, Sir Magnus arrived and heard
his full report. Afterwards, Sir Magnus was silent a long time.

“You've done well,” he finally said,
thrusting out his pointed beard. “Now I have one more task for
you.”

***Redemption is now available for immediate
download***