Page 84 of The Knight's Pledge
Something brushed her arm and Effie looked over to see that it was Kit Katey who had touched her.
“It will be all right, Effie,” she said with a gentle smile. “He is bad now. But he is still good. And very soon, you shall see George.”
Effie faced forward with a frown, not understanding what her friend meant. But one thing she said was true: on the morrow, she would have her son back, no matter who orwhat it cost.
* * * *
They were not stopped at the gates of the city, but Lucan hadn’t expected they would be, which is why he’d insisted on taking Thomas ahead. It pleased him that no one paid him and Thomas Annesley much heed as they traversed the crowded, narrow streets toward Lady Margaret’s home, other than to call out their wares andattempt a sale.
Thomas didn’t say much, and Lucan suspected it was from worry. His breeding certainly showed through—not many men could be expected to carry on for a second time toward a meeting that almost certainly meant his death. He allowed Thomas his silent reverie out of respect, and also because, in truth, Lucan felt he himself had never been so troubled of spirit.
He was relieved when the tall façade of the Strand House at last came into sight. The stable boys took hold of the mounts at once, and Lucan was a bit surprised when Stephendidn’t appear.
“A moment, lord,” he said to Thomas. “WhileI announce us.”
The English noble-turned-Scots-fisherman only nodded and struck up a cordial conversation with the lads while Lucan mounted the steps to the ornate door. Two raps with the knocker had yet to entreat a response, and so Lucan looked back down to where Thomas and the stable boys still congregated.
“Anyone about the house?” he called out to the lads.
“Aye, lord,” the older one said with an enthusiastic nod. “Fair ta burstin’ about thehouse of late.”
Lucan frowned and raised his hand to grasp the iron knocker again when the door at last opened and the solemn face of Stephen appearedin the opening.
“Ah,” he said coolly. “Sir Lucan, what a surprise to see you again.Good evening.”
“Good evening, Stephen,” he said, preparing to step forward in the moment the steward moved from the opening.
But Stephen did not move. “How can I beof assistance?”
Lucan hesitated. “Am I no longer welcomeat the Strand?”
“Of course you are welcome, Sir Lucan,” Stephen replied. “On Lady Margaret’s express orders.”
“Good. I’ve a smaller party with me this day that will be arriving momentarily, if you would alert the staff.”
“I’m very sorry, Sir,” Stephen said. “But that won’t be possible. We’ve not room with Lady Margaret’sother guests.”
“Other guests? Has Lady Margaret returned from Greece?”
“Indeedshe has, Sir.”
“I’d speak to her, please, Stephen.”
“I’m afraid she is rather occupied at the moment, Sir Lucan,” Stephen said calmly. “Perhaps you could call on her on the morrow.” He glanced toward Thomas. “May I tell her with whom you’ve arrived?”
Lucan opened his mouth, but paused as a figure walked briskly across the entry hall behind Stephen, glancing toward the door as he went. Perhaps it was only his imagination, but the man had the same coloring, the same hawkish features as thespy at the inn.
Perhaps the same man that had followed them to the Swan.
Perhaps the same man who had stolen the satchel.
“Who was that?” Lucan demanded.
“I beg your pardon, Sir?”
“Behind you, just now,” Lucan clarified, leaning to attempt to see around the steward. “That man.”
Stephen pulled the door slightly tighter about him. “I’m sure I don’t know, sir. Lady Margaret has many guests at the moment. And who have you arrived with, again?” he pressed.
