A Deceitful Heart by Karla Hocker

Author:Karla Hocker
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781626815773
Publisher: Diversion Books
Published: 2014-12-04T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Jeannette was still pondering that little scene at Vivian Herrington’s dance when she drove out with Archer and Annie the following afternoon. One moment Simon had sounded almost like a gallant, promising to take an interest in her. Not that she wanted him to turn into a gallant—quite the contrary! But it was baffling that the very next moment his face turned harsh.

True to his word, he had stayed close to her for the rest of the night. Every time she was approached by a gentleman, she had felt his eyes on her. Watchful. Intent. And when Barnaby Herrington tried once more to coax a third dance from her, Simon ruthlessly dispatched the young man as if she couldn’t have done it on her own—and in a politer and less offensive manner than he.

Wondering what Simon Renshaw was scheming, Jeannette gently pulled on the reins and guided the horses off Wading Street into Beggars Alley. During the past two weeks she had driven Annie so often, she could find the way in her sleep. But once they entered the narrow lane, always dark and cheerless with the high, close buildings blocking the light, she must pay attention to her surroundings lest she wanted to have the reins snatched from her by Archer.

The groom sat stiffly beside her. Until they passed St. Paul’s Cathedral, he had kept his arms crossed in front of his chest. But now, in Beggars Alley, he displayed powerful fists resting on his thighs, even though such a show of force was hardly necessary. No longer did the clatter of hooves and the rattle of wheels draw sharp-faced men and women to the doorways. Only the children of Beggars Alley remained unflaggingly curious, scattering before the carriage, then goggling and whispering and pointing.

Jeannette glanced at Annie, huddled between her and Archer. She could hardly see the little ghost, very still and quiet in contrast to earlier visits. If there was such a thing as an ailing ghost, then Annie was it. She said her powers were waning. Jeannette believed it was disappointment that turned Annie into a mere shadow of herself.

They had explored every lane and alley in the area east of St. Paul’s, but nowhere had Annie felt the stab of recognition that had pierced her at the sight of the print shop in Beggars Alley, which she still insisted was Basket Lane. And always, as soon as they rounded the bend past the print shop, all sense of recognition fled and Annie quietly asked to be taken back to George Street.

This time, Jeannette had decided to take matters into her own hands. Before Archer realized what she was about, she pulled up in front of the grimy, four-story building with the creaking sign board Printer on the ground floor and pressed the reins into the groom’s hands.

“I shan’t be long, Archer. No need to walk them.”

“My lady!”

Horrified but helpless to stop her, he watched as she stepped down onto the filthy cobbles.

“Lady Caroline!” cried Annie, roused from whatever dark thoughts had kept her silent.

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