A Lady in Hiding by Amy Corwin

Author:Amy Corwin [Corwin, Amy]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Fireside Romance
Published: 2015-09-02T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

The next morning, William didn’t awaken until Lindley flung open the drapes and slid back the bed-curtains. Blinding light burned William’s face.

“I’m sorry, sir,” Lindley announced. He picked up a tray laden with coffee and buns from the table near the door. Then he held the tray and stood at the side of the bed while William struggled and punched the pillows behind him to allow him to sit upright.

“What time is it?”

“After ten, sir.”

“Ten? You let me sleep until ten?” William filled his cup with the steaming coffee and took a brief, searing sip before adding a touch of milk and sugar. “I’ve got to get to Newgate—”

“I’m sorry, sir. But they are more amenable later in the day. And unfortunately, you have a visitor.”

“A visitor? A client?”

“Perhaps. He didn’t say, sir.”

“Send him away.” William applied a thick layer of butter to the bun and bit into it. “I’ve got to rescue Mr. Sanderson.”

“We already attempted to inform your client that you were regrettably busy. However, he seemed most insistent.”

“Then he can just wait until I’ve finished breakfast and dressed.”

“Very good, sir.” Lindley opened the wardrobe and fingered the sleeves of William’s jackets. “What shall I prepare?”

If he had to visit the workhouse, he wanted to look as rich and influential as possible. “The blue wool with the silver waistcoat. And add one or two of those damned fobs to my watch chain. Particularly the diamond one.”

“Very good, sir,” Lindley replied, his voice deepening with pleasure. “Black trousers, I presume?”

“Yes.” William polished off the bun and remaining coffee before swinging his legs out of bed. He washed quickly with the cold water from the jug and basin near his bed. Icy drops dribbled onto his bare feet. “Use the bay tonic,” he ordered when Lindley opened the shaving kit and began sharpening the razor.

Despite his attempts to hurry Lindley, it was nearly eleven before William entered his office. A slender man sat in the chair in front of William’s desk, twirling an ebony cane.

“Mr. Archer,” William said as he strolled around the desk. He shook hands briefly before sitting down and gesturing for Archer to resume his seat. “What are you doing here?”

“I could not let the matter of Mr. Sanderson rest,” he declared. “It should be obvious, even to you, that the lad must be restored to the bosom of his family.”

“And I believe I mentioned to you during our previous interview that I will certainly let him know. If I should chance to meet him.”

Archer’s brown eyes grew hard. He slapped his cane on the edge of the desk before leaning forward. “He’s in trouble, as you very well know. I visited that Pochard creature’s house this morning. She has not seen Mr. Sanderson. She claims a police officer was there this morning. He asked questions about a man they have in custody who gave them her address as his abode. Said the miscreant’s name was Samuel Pochard. He claimed to be her son.”

William shrugged, trying to hide his anxiety.

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