An Unexpected Gift Read Online Free PDF

that she could have prevented would be one more than she could bear. “It has to do with my brother, Sir Phillip.” She linked her hands under the desk in an attempt to look frightened. “He’s missing, you see.”
    “I’ll look into your brother’s disappearance,” Durant said, digging out his pencil.
    “No.” Olivia almost shouted the word. “I need to meet with Lazarus. It was the one name Sir Phillip mentioned before he left.” The lie rolled off her tongue with surprising ease.
    “Ye won’t be going alone if I tell you a place?”
    She shook her head. “Oh, no. Lord Riverton will escort me. Have you heard of him? He is quite well known in the House of Lords. I imagine a number of footmen will be accompanying us as well.”
    “If you’re certain?”
    Pressing her advantage, she put a hand to her chest and did her best to look earnest. “Oh, very certain.”
    The Runner stared at her for a long moment, then bent his head and scribbled something in his notebook. He tore the page out and handed it to her. “Lazarus won’t be there, but some of his men will be. You can make arrangements to see him through one of them.”
    Olivia read the address, folded the sheet in half, and set it on her desk. A sense of relief flooded over her.
    Durant stood. “If you’ll pardon me for saying it, I have a piece of advice. Don’t do anything to draw his attention.”
    Olivia rose. “I’m afraid it’s too late for that.”

Chapter Three
    Olivia stood outside the Lamb and the Lion. She checked the name of the alehouse against the note in her hand, then stared back the way she’d come. Maybe she shouldn’t have insisted the footman remain with the carriage to help safeguard it against thieves. Who would safeguard her? Perhaps this hadn’t been the best idea. She bit her lip and looked back at the building.
    Raucous voices filtered out of the grime-encrusted windows and into the early evening dusk. The creaking sound of the wooden sign as it swung back and forth in the wind drew her gaze. She found the name of the tavern rather ironic. There probably wasn’t a less peaceable place to be found in all of London.
    Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open and stepped inside. A wave of silence gathered and grew until it washed over her in its very stillness. Afraid to maintain eye contact with the men who stared at her with lust growing in their eyes, she focused on the man behind the counter, his meaty fist drying a tankard with a dirty rag. Surely, he would be willing to help.
    “Miss St. Germaine.”
    Olivia turned toward the voice. Relief poured through her at the sight of the man called Fingers making his way through the crowd. As though sensing she was no longer vulnerable, the men turned back to their ale. Voices rose and fell as conversations resumed.
    “What are you doin’ here?” he asked in a low voice. He took her arm and angled her around so he faced the crowd.
    “I need to see Lazarus.”
    “You shouldna come. This is nae place for someone like you. You coulda been robbed, or worse.”
    He seemed genuinely upset at her presence. She couldn’t believe it. Not after the way they’d parted company four nights ago. Her fingers crept up to touch the lump she still carried.
    “I’m sorry, but I need to see Lazarus. I was told this is the place where arrangements are made to see him.” She glanced around as raised voices came from a group of men in the corner. “It’s important.”
    Fingers dodged a flying tankard. “You shoulda sent a footman.”
    Olivia flinched as it crashed in a shower of ale against the wall. Shouts and laughter continued unabated. The liquid streamed down the wall to puddle on the floor. “Yes, I see that now.”
    She sighed and rubbed her temple. The yeasty smell of stale ale, unwashed bodies, and smoke, not to mention the noise, were combining to give her a headache. “Will you take me to him?”
    “I canna do that, but I’ll tell him you want to see him.” He