Page 34 of Rakes & Reticules
Was he serious?
Why the change of attitude?
“I’ve already taken the liberty of having your things moved here. Your possessions are in the corridor. Paddy’s and Kimber’s are in their chamber.” The humor faded from his face, and exasperation replaced his previous jollity. “Paddy told me that the landlady is an aunt?”
Siobhan nodded. “My stepmother’s sister.”
“Hmm.” The sound rumbled in his strong throat like a provocative purr.
Just what didhmmmean?
“In any event,” he said, “she insisted you owed back rents and demanded I pay her before I could take your belongings.”
“That’s a colossal lie.” The fib caused something inside Siobhan to snap, and she stomped her foot. “I didn’t owe rent again until next week.”
He rolled his shoulder as he applied himself to his food. “I suspected as much. I thought it important for the children to have their things.”
Meager as they were.
As if sensing Siobhan’s continued hesitation, Fletcher raised his focus from his plate. The intensity in his eyes took her breath away.
“What do you say, Siobhan?”
Whatcouldshe say?
He’d provided her a way to redeem herself in his estimation—something that shouldn’t be as important as it had become—as well as promised to furnish her with luxurious living accommodations beyond anything she could ever provide for her brother and sister. It was far more than she deserved, and she’d be aneejitto refuse this opportunity.
Which he likely counted on.
Her pulse quickened with exhilaration, yet wisdom demanded she tread warily. “All I have to do is help you catch the Huxleys in action? Nothing else?”
“Uh-hum.” Chewing, Fletcher nodded before taking a sip of wine. “However, we must gather enough evidence to convict them in a court of law.”
Did Siobhan dare add a stipulation to his magnanimous offer?
She angled her head.
“I don’t want Paddy or Kimber involved.” She rushed on before he could reply. “I’ll do whatever you request of me, but I shan’t allow them to be put at risk.”.
Still holding the roll, which she had quite shredded in her agitation, and her stomach quivering with anticipation and hunger, she held her breath.
Leaning back, his eyes slightly narrowed, Fletcher tapped his fingertips on the table. At last, when Siobhan conceded he would refuse her demand, he sat forward and cut himself another piece of chicken. “Agreed.”
Relief washed over her, and she barely checked a joyful whoop.
Mayhap, just mayhap, everything would be all right.
And Siobhan would do her part, whatever it might be, as long as it wasn’t illegal or immoral.
Surely, whatever Fletcher required of her couldn’t be that difficult or perilous. Lady Huxley didn’t seem dangerous, just coquettish, and from what Siobhan had seen of her dandified fop of a husband, Lord Huxley didn’t appear as if he could intimidate a mouse.
Siobhan pointed her fork at Fletcher. “And I’m highly suspicious about your complete change in attitude. How do I know this isn’t some perverse way of getting even with me?”
Something akin to displeasure darkened his face’s contours. “I am not punitive or vindictive. Let’s just say someone very practically pointed out that had our circumstances been reversed, I might’ve acted precisely as you have.”
“Who?”
“My brother, Darius.” Fletcher took a long swallow of the excellent wine. “He arrived in Towne late last night. He recently left His Majesty’s Navy and is at loose ends until he decides what his future holds.”
