Touch of a Thief Read Online Free PDF Page B

breathe the fresher air outside.
    “And to you, milady,” he called after her.
    Willie swiped the pearl off the counter into his beefy hand. It was mighty fine. There was more where that jewel came from or he was a Dutchman. “Duncan!”
    His spotty-faced shop boy appeared from the back room. “Wot?”
    “Something’s not quite coupled up with milady’s story. She just left the shop. Nip after her. See where she goes. Find out what you can about where she’s off to, who she’s with, and what she might be doing once she gets there.”
    The boy untied the leather apron around his waist.
    “Hurry up, boy!”
    Duncan jumped, dropped his apron and ran out the door.
    “If you lose her, you worthless little bastard, don’t bother coming back,” Willie shouted after him. “Save me the trouble of takin’ it out of your miserable hide.”
     
     

 

     
     

CHAPTER 3
     
     
    Th e Minstrel’s Lady was tied up at the pier as Lieutenant Quinn had told her it would be. The man himself paced with obvious irritation at the foot of the gangplank.
    Viola’s lips curved into a satisfied smile. Tall, battle-hardened Quinn was an impressive figure of a man. His trousers and jacket were cut in the first stare of fashion and the lean lines suited his masculine frame. He’d obviously updated his whole civilian wardrobe since returning from India. Traveling with such a presentable fellow would be no hardship.
    And if she’d made him fret about whether or not she’d show, so much the better.
    It always does a man good to wait. Makes him more appreciative of the honor bestowed upon him once a woman does arrive.
    She allowed the cabby to hand her down and fetch her two valises and hatbox from the boot. “Thank you, good sir. Now if you’d be so kind as to wait a moment, the surly-looking gentleman coming this way will pay my fare.”
    “There you are! Finally. I was within an ace of coming to get you.”
    “Be thankful I arrived at all. May I remind you I had very little notice for this trip?” Having removed her veil before arriving at the wharf, she tucked a wayward lock of russet hair that always escaped her bonnet back into the lacy confection. Her hats were the one extravagance she’d not been able to wean herself from entirely, even when her family’s need was dire. “There were certain matters that required my attention before I left London.”
    “Well, you’re here now, so hurry or we’ll miss the tide.” Quinn turned from her sharply and began to stalk away.
    “Half a mo’, guv,” the cabby piped up. “You’ll be owin’ me for the lady’s fare.”
    Quinn grumbled, but paid the cabby and tipped him handsomely. He started back toward the ship again.
    “Lieutenant, aren’t you forgetting something?”
    “What now?”
    “My baggage, of course.”
    “Of course.” He smiled thinly at her. “I thought I told you to pack light.”
    “I did.”
    Quinn picked up her hat box, leaving the two heavy bags on the ground. “ This is packing light.”
    “But what about my other things?”
    He was no longer smiling, merely baring his teeth at her. “Carry them yourself or leave them. It makes no difference to me. Whatever you think you need, I’ll buy for you once we reach Paris, but get your sweet little bum on that ship right now. Or I’ll rethink my plan and turn you over to the magistrate quicker than you can pick a lock, milady.”
    He wheeled around for the last time, leaving Viola staring after him.
    “Brute,” she muttered as she stooped to hoist the luggage herself and scuttle after him.
    Sailors pulled up the gangplank behind her and the mooring lines were loosed. The Minstrel’s Lady wallowed into the main channel of the Thames as her sails filled. She was not a large craft, only about eighteen feet across and little more than twice that in length. Certainly not equipped for luxury travel. Viola saw no other women on deck.
    “I need something on my stomach if I’m to be a pleasant sailing