Jack of Clubs Read Online Free PDF Page A

before he shut it in their faces.
    Guests
, it read.
    â€œWhat an odd way to welcome company,” Allie said, studying the sign as if it could answer the questions in her aching head.
    â€œI told you he didn’t want me,” Harriet whispered. “I won.”
    â€œNonsense. That coarse fellow cannot be Captain Endicott,” Allie reassured her, hoping she spoke the truth. The man was weathered, whiskered, and rude, not the respectable young officer she had been picturing in her hopeful mind. Only a well-tailored, well-mannered gentleman ought to live in such a quietly elegant residence, according to Allie’s sense of fitness. “Perhaps that was the butler.”
    Not even an eight-year-old would believe that. Butlers were the starchiest creatures in the kingdom. They did not have wads of tobacco in their mouth or mustachios, and they did not open the door with their sleeves rolled up to show thick, hairy forearms, with tattoos.
    â€œMaybe he’s a pirate come to kidnap the captain and hold him for ransom. We ought to call for the Watch.”
    Allie had to grab the back of Harriet’s cloak to keep her from heading back to the street. Instead she led her across the well-tended yard to the other, black-painted door. That one had a sign that read
Interviews
.
    â€œHow peculiar. I would have thought the servants’ entrance was around back.”
    â€œWe’re not servants, are we?”
    Well, Allie might be considered one. She was an employee, at any rate, or hoped to be. Lord Hildebrand’s grandchild, however, was not applying for a menial’s position, only a daughter’s. Allie supposed Harriet might have to prove her identity before Captain Endicott accepted her as his ward, but an interview? Allie might be in dire straits, but she still had her pride…for Harriet’s sake, of course. She raised her chin and tugged the girl back to the red door. Harriet scuffed her feet, leaving tracks in the manicured grass.
    This time when the rough chap answered the door, Allie was ready. Before he could shout at them, she announced, “I am Miss Allison Silver and this is Miss Harriet Hildebrand. We are calling on Captain Endicott on a personal matter.” She pointed at the sign above his head. “Guests.”
    He was staring at their bags and boxes, then at the ruined lawn, ready to loose a tirade, it seemed. Instead he loosed a stream of tobacco juice, missing Allie’s feet by inches. “You got some brass, lady.”
    Allie did not know whether to say thank you or be insulted. The doorkeeper had not stood aside for them to enter, so she chose icy hauteur. “The captain will not be happy you kept us waiting out in the dank air.”
    â€œCap’n ’ll be less happy iffen I let you in.” He leaned forward until Allie could smell onions on his breath. She took a step back, despite her vow not to be intimidated. “It’s the eyes,” he said. “And the hair.”
    She had tried to tidy her hair, but her eyes? Allie took another step away from the demented doorman. “Perhaps we shall try the other door after all.”
    â€œWon’t do you no good,” the man told her, spitting another stream of foul brown liquid near Allie’s shoes. “You ain’t got blue eyes, and you ain’t got blond hair. Nor red nor black hair, for that matter.” He switched his gaze to Harriet. “An’ the cap’n keeps a decent house. He wouldn’t hire any moppet, not even a redhead. Fact is, he’ll be deuced furious you thought to bring her along.”
    Bring her along? Where was Allie supposed to leave Harriet, with the solicitor?
    The doorkeep was shaking his head. “Revolting, that’s what it is. Now go on with you afore I get mad. Take your skinny chick and find some other nest to foul. We don’t want your dirt here.”
    Allie did not think he meant their shoes. “Come, Harriet, we