A Disappearance in Drury Lane Read Online Free PDF Page A

they wished and disposing of her when they were finished.
    My voice was still weak, but my convictions were strong. “I won’t let that happen, Felicity. Never.”
    Instead of falling into a swoon and declaring me her savior, Felicity laughed in true mirth. “Fine words from a man tied to a pallet. You couldn’t run a step.”
    “Fetch me my swordstick, and we’ll see.”
    “Can’t. Left it in the street.”
    “In the street?” I half rose, anguished. The walking stick with the sword inside it had been a gift from my lady, bought to replace another stick I’d lost in dire circumstances. The new walking stick had a gold head, engraved. Captain G. Lacey. 1817.
    I treasured it. The stick would be long gone by now, stolen by the denizens of Covent Garden.
    “I left it there,” Felicity repeated, winking at me. “Where it might be found by a friend.”
    “Where it might be picked up and sold at the nearest pawnbrokers.”
    Felicity shrugged. “That’s a risk.”
    “Blast you.”
    “You’re sounding better. Want more gin?”
    “No.” I did not feel better—my head pounded, my ribs ached, and my leg hurt like fire. “If you help me, Felicity, I’ll make sure you’re all right.”
    She cocked her head and regarded me with intelligent eyes. “Gentlemen have made me such promises before. Men richer and stronger than you. They always lie. Or at least, they forget all about it when the time comes that I need their help.”
    “Because those gentlemen aren’t me.” I reached for her again and gripped her hand. “I will keep you safe. I would whether you helped me now or not. I give you my word.”
    Felicity paused, but I knew her hesitation did not mean she debated whether to trust me. Trust had been burned out of her long ago. She would decide, but not because of any pretty promises from me.
    I drifted away on pain and the dregs of gin for a moment, and when the moment passed, I found Felicity’s soft body on top of mine, she busily kissing my lips.
    I couldn’t struggle as she swept her tongue inside my mouth. I could not have tasted very good, and I didn’t respond, both from choice and because I could barely move. Felicity kissed me thoroughly, and she was quite good at it. If I were not anxious to wed another or lying in a wash of pain, I might take her offer. As it was, I rested my hand by my side and waited until she finished and sat up.
    I did not ask for help again; I lay quietly and let her decide. Felicity studied me as she traced my lips with her fingertips.
    “You’ll take me somewhere this Perry bloke won’t find me?”
    “Is that his name? Perry?”
    Felicity lifted her fingers away. “What’s your answer?”
    “Yes.”
    “You’re marrying a rich lady. You can give me plenty of money, can’t you?”
    I could not answer to what Lady Breckenridge might agree to pay for my safe return, so I had to shrug—a movement that hurt. “I will do what I can.”
    Felicity didn’t think much of my answer. “When you marry, her money goes to you. That’s English law. Then you can do with it what you want.”
    “Not if the money is in trust. The estate and its wealth go to her son. My wife has only a jointure and whatever her parents put into trust for her. Money under English law can be complicated.”
    “Then why are you marrying her?”
    I tried a smile. “I like her.”
    Felicity gave me a pitying look. “That’s no reason to marry a woman. You marry for money. If you like a woman, you take her as your lover.”
    I knew I was a bit unfashionable in my desire to marry Donata simply because I esteemed her. I’d married for passion the first time as well. This time, I hoped I was a little older and wiser in my choice, but I admit, it was still passion that drove me.
    “If you can’t give me money, what else can you offer?” Felicity asked. “A night with you?”
    “Not that either. I am about to troth myself to another.”
    “So, you can give me neither money nor your attentions.