Page 18 of A Dream of Redemption
“Glover has sent men after you. They are waiting for you near the orphanage for when you return. We have to go back another way.” She pulled her arm out of his grip. “I wanted to warn you so don’t blame Boon.”
“You want,” he angrily hissed. “This isn’t about what you want. I’m responsible for you, for the children, and for trying to save a young girl from a life of degradation. I can’t do that and worry about your safety. Stop being a selfish, spoiled brat.”
Boon cleared his throat. “Gov, the door’s opening.”
All three of them slid into the shadows, pressing themselves against the wall of the terrace house before peering round each other to see.
Boon whispered in Clary’s ear, “That’s Glover and the man who’s been to the orphanage a few times. Don’t know his name.”
The two men stood talking on the front steps but the trio was too far away to hear what they were saying. Clary tensed as he saw Glover move off to the right, away from the river, while the other man went left. “Damn.”
“I’ll follow Glover’s friend,” and before he could protest Boon was slinking away.
“Bugger.” Clary couldn’t follow. He would have to escort Lady Helen back to the orphanage, and now Glover would slink away, perhaps forever.
“We have to follow him.”
The warmth from her breath, combined with the lyrical notes of her voice, blew hot in his ear and he forgot for one moment where they were. He barely repressed a shiver of delight.
“It’s too dangerous.”
“We can’t lose him, come on,” and with that she slipped into the street and set off after Glover, albeit on the opposite side of the road.
He had no option but to follow. As he strode after her he noted how feminine her walk was, her hips swayed and he had trouble focusing on anything else. As he caught up he told her, “A pretty gown and being a lady won’t save you if Glover catches you.”
She flashed him a quick glare. “Then he best not catch me.”
He was so busy watching her walk that when she came to a halt, he went careening into her; his hands found those enticing hips as he tried to steady himself.
He heard her gasp as his chest crashed into her back.
He watched in horror as Glover peered their way. He quickly turned her in his arms, pushed her up against the nearest wall, and kissed her, hoping Glover couldn’t see the fine quality of her clothing and thought her only a common strumpet selling her wares on the street.
As expected Glover lost interest and walked on. Clary broke the kiss and made to follow. It took him a moment to realize Helen was standing stock-still staring at him.
“Are you all right, my lady?”
“Helen. My name is Helen,” she said, snapping out of her daze. She brushed past him and continued to track Glover, staying a little farther back.
They tracked Glover in silence. It was easier to do so as more and more people began appearing on the street, trying to reach home before dawn. Helen must be exhausted because he was.
Finally Glover turned into the yard of a large warehouse and hope surged in his blood. This must be where Glover kept his “merchandise.” Clary stopped Helen moving closer by pulling her into his embrace. She looked at him with a raised eyebrow but he shook his head. “No, we do not enter. All I needed was to find where he is basing his trade.”
“But how do we know the children are there? And what if he moves them?”
“Glover’s unlikely to move them in daylight. I think the children, if they are there, are safe until the morning when I can bring reinforcements.”
She looked doubtful. “Why don’t I wait here while you go and bring the men?”
“No. Let’s go. The sooner we leave the sooner I can get back here.” He gave her no choice. Pulling her roughly by the arm, he all but dragged her along behind him as he headed back to the orphanage.
“There is no need to manhandle me, I’m not going to run back and confront Glover.”
He hadn’t even realized he was still gripping her arm and released it immediately. “You should not have come at all. Her Grace would blame me if anything happened to you.”
“She would have done the same.”
“She would not. She has faith in me and knows how dangerous these streets can be.”
