Fortune Trilogy 1 - Fortune's Mistress Read Online Free PDF Page A

motioned Lacy down as one set of footfalls went out the back. A coarse voice drifted up from the yard. “Nothing back here. If they went over that wall with those chains on, I’ll buy tonight’s ale.”
    “Keep looking. Try the next house,” an authoritative voice ordered from the room below.
    “They can’t be far. The old woman said . . .” The rest was lost as the soldier rejoined his companion.
    James sighed with relief. “I think we’re safe enough for now,” he whispered. “When it gets dark, we’ll try to find those brothers of yours. Heaven help you if you’re lying.”
    “They’ll be there,” she whispered back. “I’ve no need to lie. I’m too smart to get myself in a fix like this without planning a way out.”
    The afternoon faded into twilight. James and Lacy heard horses in the alley and occasionally the tramp of what they thought must be soldiers, but no one else came into the house. Then, after a long stretch of quiet, they heard snatches of a tune.

    “ . . . O captain, what will you give to me
If I sink the ship they call the Turkish Revelry,
If I sink them in the lowlands, lowlands low,
If I sink them in the lowlands low? ...”

    The voice was male, loud, and very off-key. Immediately, Lacy cupped her hands over her mouth and gave an imitation of a cat meowing.
    “What the hell—” James demanded.
    “Shhh, I think it’s Ben.” She meowed again.
    “... Sink them in the lowlands, lowlands ...” There was a thud, as though a heavy weight had fallen against the front wall of the house. “Just a pint, sir ... all’s I had was a pint or two.”
    A different male voice rose in disgust. James couldn’t make out what the newcomer in the street was saying, but he was obviously arguing with the songster.
    “Drunken sot.” The last word was faint, as though the speaker was walking away.
    The door to the house opened and James heard hiccupping, then loud gagging. The choking stopped and footsteps echoed through the main room below. James tensed.
    Lacy bent close to the floor. “Ben?”
    “Aye, ‘tis me. Listen up. The streets are thick wi’ soldiers. A hue and cry is raised for two condemned prisoners. As soon as ’tis dark, come down and go out the back.”
    “There’s a wall,” she said.
    “Get over or under. I care not. Turn right, go to the first alley, and turn right again. Alfred and I will be waiting there with an undertaker’s wagon. We can’t get any closer. The futterin’ streets are too narrow.”
    “I’ll be there.”
    “Is the pirate still with ye?”
    “I’m here,” James answered.
    “How in hell did ye think I’d get loose of him?” Lacy asked.
    “No matter. You’ll have to squeeze in together.”
    “What?” Lacy asked.
    “Be there.” He crossed the room and went out into the alley, once again playing the sot. “... Sink ’m in the lowlands, low ... Sink ’m in the lowlands ... looo.”
    James rose up and peered suspiciously at Lacy through the gathering gloom. “Can we trust him?”
    “He’s my half-brother.”
    “That’s not what I asked you.”
    “Ben’s a Bennett. Whatever he is, he’s loyal to his kin. If Ben says they’ll be there with a wagon, they’ll be there.”
     
    Lacy swore under her breath and curled up, trying to minimize physical contact with James. Since they were both on their backs sharing a coffin and she was on top of him, there wasn’t far she could go.
    He squirmed so that her bottom slid into the hollow of his groin. Lacy felt her face grow hot. “You’re enjoying this,” she hissed.
    “I’ve made some escapes before,” he murmured, “but never any quite this interesting.”
    Vexed, she drove her elbow into his chest. “Lie still,” she snapped. “Keep your hands to yourself.” His deep chuckle made her insides seethe.
    When Ben had promised to meet them with a undertaker’s rig, she’d not expected that she’d have to hide in a coffin. Her first instinct was to refuse, but Alfred had given