Part 28 (1/2)
Harry nodded. ”G.o.dspeed.”
Bennet waved and rode off.
Harry spent the rest of the daylight hours laying low. When dusk fell, he made his way to West Dikey and the c.o.c.k and Worm. He ducked his head as he entered and scanned the crowd from under his low hat brim. A table of farmers, smoking clay pipes in the corner, burst into boisterous laughter. A weathered-looking barmaid dodged with practiced ease a heavy hand aimed at her rump and made her way to the counter.
”d.i.c.k in tonight?” Harry bawled in her ear.
”Sorry, luv.” She pivoted and shouldered a tray of drinks. ”Maybe later.”
Harry frowned and ordered a pint from the counterman, a lad he remembered seeing once or twice before. Was d.i.c.k hiding in back or was he really not in the building? He leaned on the wood counter while he thought and watched a gentleman, obviously a traveler, judging from the mud on his boots, enter and stare bemusedly around. The man's face was handsome but long and bland, rather like a goat's. Harry shook his head. The traveler must've missed the sign for the White Mare. He wasn't the c.o.c.k and Worm's usual type of customer.
The boy slid Harry his mug of ale, and Harry rolled a few coins back. He moved over and took a sip as the traveler came to the counter.
”Pardon me, but do you know the way to Woldsly Manor?”
Harry froze for a second, his mug at his lips. The stranger hadn't paid him any attention; he was leaning over the counter to the boy.
”Say again?” the boy shouted.
”Woldsly Manor,” the stranger raised his voice. ”Lady Georgina Maitland's estate. I'm an intimate of her younger sister, Lady Violet. I can't seem to find the road-”
The boy's gaze darted to Harry.
Harry clapped his hand on the other's shoulder, making the stranger start. ”I can show you the way, friend, soon as I finish my ale.”
The man turned, his face brightening. ”Would you?”
”No problem at all.” Harry nodded at the boy. ”Another pint for my friend here. I'm sorry, didn't catch your name?”
”Wentworth. Leonard Wentworth.”
”Ah.” Harry suppressed a feral smile. ”Let's find a table, shall we?” As the other man turned, Harry leaned over the counter and murmured urgent instructions to the boy, then pa.s.sed him a coin.
An hour later, when the middle Maitland brother strolled into the c.o.c.k and Worm, Wentworth was on his fourth pint. Harry had been nursing his second for some time now and felt as if he needed a bath. Wentworth had been quite forthcoming about bedding a fifteen-year-old, his marriage hopes, and what he would do with Lady Violet's money once he got his hands on it.
So it was with some relief that Harry spotted the red Maitland hair. ”Over here,” he shouted at the newcomer.
He'd only spoken to Lady Georgina's middle brother once or twice, and the man hadn't been all that friendly. But all of Maitland's animosity was reserved for Harry's companion at the moment. He made his way to them with a look that would've sent Wentworth running, had be been sober.
”Harry.” The redheaded man nodded at him; only then did Harry remember his name: Oscar.
”Maitland.” Harry nodded. ”Like you to meet an acquaintance of mine, Leonard Wentworth. Says he seduced your younger sister this last summer.”
Wentworth paled. ”Now w-w-wait a-”
”Really?” Oscar drawled.
”Indeed,” Harry said. ”He's been telling me about his debts and how her dowry will help settle them, once he's blackmailed her into marriage.”
”Interesting.” Oscar grinned. ”Perhaps we should discuss this outside.” He took one of Wentworth's arms. ”May I a.s.sist you?” Harry asked. ”Please.” Harry took the other. ”Uhh!” was all Wentworth got out before they frog marched him through the doors. ”I've got a carriage over here.” Oscar was no longer smiling. Wentworth whimpered. Oscar casually cuffed him over the head and Wentworth subsided. ”I'll take him to London and my brothers.” ”Do you need my help on the road?” Harry asked. Oscar shook his head. ”You've got him pretty far gone with drink. He'll sleep most of the way.” They heaved Wentworth's now-inert body into the carriage. Oscar dusted his hands. ”Thanks, Harry. We owe you.” ”No, you don't.” Maitland hesitated. ”Well, thanks, anyway.” Harry raised his hand in a salute, and the carriage pulled away. Oscar poked his head through the retreating carriage window. ”Hey, Harry!” ”What?” ”You fit in.” Oscar waved and ducked back. Harry stared as the carriage barreled around the corner.
GEORGE DIDN'T SLEEP WELL ANYMORE. Maybe it was the life growing inside of her, making its presence known by disturbing her sleep. Maybe it was the thought of the decisions she must make soon. Or maybe it was wondering where Harry was spending the night. Was he sleeping under the stars, s.h.i.+vering in a bundled up cloak? Had he found sanctuary with friends somewhere? Was he keeping another woman warm tonight?
No, best not to think of that.She rolled over and stared out her black bedroom window. Maybe it was just the chill of the autumn air. A tree branch rattled in the wind. George drew the covers up to her chin. She'd found Harry's latest gift earlier when she'd prepared for bed. A small, rather funny eel. She'd thought it a snake at first, before remembering the fairy tale. Then she could see the tiny fin running along the creature's back. Did that complete her collection? He'd made all the animals the Leopard Prince had obtained for the princess. Perhaps it was his way of saying good-bye.
A shadow s.h.i.+fted outside her window, and the frame slid smoothly up. Harry Pye swung a leg over the sill and climbed into her room.
Thank goodness. ”Is that how you've been getting in and out?”
”Mostly I've been sneaking in the kitchen door.” Harry gently shut the window.
”That's not nearly as romantic as the window.” George sat up and hugged her knees to her chest.
”No, but it's a lot easier.”
”I had noticed that it's a three-story drop to the ground.”
”With p.r.i.c.kly rose bushes at the base, my lady. I hope you saw those, too.” He strolled to the bed.
”Mmm. I did see the roses. Of course, now that I know you were merely using the kitchen entrance . . .”
”Not tonight.”
”No, not tonight,” George agreed. Oh, how she loved him. His green, ever-watchful eyes. His words, so carefully chosen. ”But, even so, I'm afraid it has shattered some of my dreams.”
Harry's lips twitched. His mouth sometimes gave him away.
”I found the eel tonight.” She nodded at her dressing table.
He didn't follow her gaze. Instead, he continued to watch her. ”I have one more.” He held out his fist and opened his fingers.
A leopard lay on his palm. ”Why is it caged?”
George took it from him and looked closely. The workmans.h.i.+p was incredibly cunning. The cage was all of one piece but separate from the leopard within. He would've had to whittle the animal inside the cage. The leopard in turn wore a miniscule chain about its neck, each link carefully delineated. A tiny, tiny crown hung from the chain.
”It's marvelous,” she said, ”but why did you carve the leopard in a cage?”
He shrugged. ”It's enchanted, isn't it?”
”I suppose, but-”
”I thought you'd ask me why I'm here.” He paced to the dresser.
She'd have to tell him soon, just not yet. Not while he seemed on the verge of flight. George set the caged leopard on her knees. ”No. I'm just glad you're with me.” She poked a finger through the bars and gently moved the leopard's necklace. ”I'll always be happy when you come to me.”
”Will you?” Harry was looking down at the carved animals.
”Yes.”
”Hmm,” he murmured noncommittally. ”Sometimes I've asked that question of myself: Why I keep coming back when I've already said good-bye.”