An Unexpected Gift Read Online Free PDF Page B

opened the door and gave her a gentle push. “Someone will bring you to him tomorrow.”
    “Tomorrow!” She dug her heels in. What if an infection had set in and had already done too much damage? It would be too late. “No. I need to see him tonight. Now.”
    Fingers opened his mouth to respond, but she cut him off before he could utter a word. “If you won’t take me, I will find him myself.”
    “Ye won’t find him.”
    “Perhaps not, but I must try.”
    “It ain’t safe fer a woman like yerself.” He gestured to the men who watched her with hungry eyes.
    She shivered and turned away from the lascivious gazes. “I realize that, but it is a chance I’m willing to take. The question is—are you willing to explain what may happen to me to Lazarus?”
    Fingers took her arm and bundled her through the door. “He’ll have my head for this, ya know.”
    “I’ll tell him I didn’t give you a choice.”
    “That ya didn’t.” He gave her a quick once over. “Stubborn woman,” he muttered, then looked back over his shoulder. “Come on, then,” he said and led the way into a nearby alley.
    The smells of urine, vomit, and heaven knew what else assailed her as soon as she stepped into the alley. Taking shallow breaths, Olivia hurried after him, praying she could keep the contents of her stomach where they belonged.
    The fetid air grew stronger, thicker. Unable to control the urge any longer, she gagged. Clamping a hand over her mouth, she rushed past Fingers to the end of the narrow street. She turned the corner and leaned against an abandoned storefront, breathing in the cleaner air.
    He rounded the building a few minutes later, a small smile playing about his mouth.
    “You did that on purpose,” she accused.
    “Did what?” He feigned innocence, but the laughter in his eyes gave him away.
    “Chose to take me down that wretched alley instead of any of the others.”
    He put his hands in his pockets. “You asked me to take ye to Lazarus. Not how to get there. Funny sight you were.” He laughed. “Would a wagered me last pound that ye wouldna made it out a there without gettin’ sick.”
    “You almost won.”
    He looked up at the darkening sky. “We shouldna dawdle. There’ll be rain afore too long.”
    She followed his gaze. Thick clouds gathered overhead, yet the wind was calm. She started to ask him how he knew when he took hold of her arm and pulled her across the street.
    “Feel it in me bones,” he said in answer to her unspoken question.
    He led her through a maze of narrow streets, twisting alleys, and overgrown gardens. In a matter of minutes, she was completely lost. She would never be able to find her way back on her own. Sometime later, they stopped in front of a large warehouse.
    She looked around but didn’t recognize the area as part of the business district on the docks she was familiar with. “Where are we?”
    “It’s of nae importance to ye.”
    She scanned the dark windows, the peeling slate blue paint, and heavily locked door. “Are you certain he is here?”
    “Aye.” Fingers released three locks, one after the other, dropped the set of keys back into his pocket, then opened the door. He walked in and was swallowed by looming black shadows.
    Pushing her uncertainty aside, Olivia followed him. She needed to make sure Lazarus was all right, and she meant to do so. They walked down a long hall, stopping in front of a closed door. Light spilled from beneath it. Fingers gave a series of knocks and waited.
    “Come,” a voice called.
    He turned the brass knob and opened the door blocking Olivia’s view of the interior. “You be alone?”
    “Yes. Why are you here? Did Wilkins fail to appear?”
    Fingers stepped aside, leaving Olivia in the opening. “She insisted on seeing ye.”
    Her gaze focused on the man in front of her. The heavy oak desk he sat behind, the branch of candles sitting on the corner, it all faded away until there was only him.
    He wore no waistcoat or