Page 69 of A Whisper of Desire
He looked at her then and his eyes flared with hope. “Clarence said you might come back for us tonight. He said you were a real lady.”
Speaking in her normal voice, she said to him, “I’m the Duchess of Lyttleton and I’ll never let anyone hurt you again.” She’d moved closer to the bed as she talked, and she offered the child her hand.
Simon’s eyes filled with tears. “Are you real?”
“Take my hand and see.” She smiled at him.
A sob choked out of his mouth. “I’m too scared in case you’re not real.”
Tears filled her eyes and she didn’t care if it frightened Simon, she merely reacted, engulfing him in her embrace and hugging him tightly. “I’m real and I’ve got you, I’ll keep you safe, but we have to hurry.”
He nodded and took her hand, leading her down the back stairs. If they came across anyone, Marisa would pretend she was a client. Luckily, they saw no one and soon they were out into the chilly evening air. She hurried the boy to the carriage.
To her dismay, the men were still not back.
She pulled a blanket from under the seat and wrapped Simon in it. “Stay here. His Grace will be back shortly. He is a kind man and he’ll help both you and your brother. I’m going back for Clarence.”
“Clarence won’t come.” The little boy snuggled down on the squab, pulling his blanket round him. “He blames himself for this life we lead, but it’s not his fault.” He closed his eyes. “I’m so tired. I’m always too scared to sleep because I have terrible dreams and when I wake up I’m still in the club.”
“You can sleep here. You’re safe. No one can get to you here. I won’t let them.”
He closed his eyes and was asleep before she had finished talking.
She looked out of the carriage window and realized she couldn’t walk back in the front door. The guard hadn’t seen her come out. She made her way back through the side alley and into the club.
She’d made it through to the first-floor landing when a hand appeared out of the dark and grabbed her arm, dragging her into a room. “Your husband has just departed. Why are you sneaking round my back stairs?”
Angelo!
She pulled her arm free and turned to face him as he closed the door behind him. Unfortunately, that put him between her and her only means of escape.
“I wondered what was keeping my husband so long.”
“I hope you are not here liberating my property.”
Glaring back wordlessly seemed the sensible tack to take.
He moved toward her almost at a glide. His handsome features were a mask of friendliness, but she understood the ruthless man beneath his angelic beauty.
He whored out children.
“His Grace will get you back when he returns my property.”
“How did you know?”
“I saw Clarence slip you a note. What other reason would he have for doing so? I’ve just checked Simon’s room. He would normally be there, as he’s in great demand.”
“You monster. He’s a child.”
“Some of us are born lucky in this life, while the majority of us live in the gutter. Simon was near dead when I took the boys in. I fed him, clothed him, and put a warm roof over his head. Nothing in this life comes for free. How else is he to pay me?”
“Not everything is about money.”
“Says someone who has never had to beg for food in her life.”
Her face heated at the truth of his words.
“I’ve had a disagreeable night. My luck just changed. Finding you on my stairs has perhaps redeemed my losses. I wonder what His Grace is prepared to give up to get you back.”
