An Enchanted Christmas Collection by Wendy Vella

Author:Wendy Vella
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: Romance, Love Story
Published: 2020-10-12T14:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Maddie held a handkerchief to her nose as the man with the foul-smelling breath remained adamant in his refusal to release Lewis.

“He’s not being released, and that’s my final word. It’s not my decision to make.”

“Then tell me who I must speak with?” She’d asked him this question several times already; as yet he had not given her an answer.

She’d risen before the sun and arrived at Newgate early, only to confront this man who did not understand the concept of bathing.

Dear God, what was that running across her feet... a rat, perhaps? Fighting back the scream that had threatened to make an appearance at least twice since she entered the dark, dreary walls of Newgate prison, Maddie tried again to persuade the jailer, one Mr. Stint, to release Lewis into her care.

“But surely if I pay you handsomely you can look the other way, Mr. Stint. I will whisk Lewis from your care without another soul aware of my intentions. I can assure you no one will hear of these events.”

Maddie’s heart sank further as the large man before her crossed his big, beefy arms and shook his shaggy head.

Looking around the damp walls, she wondered how the little boy fared in such a dismal place. Was he scared? Crying for his mother? How many boys his age were in here? The thought was a sobering one.

“Are you telling me you won’t be bribed, Mr. Stint? That you are above such things? Come, we all know everyone is in need of more money.” Maddie went for the friendly approach. “I have plenty here in my purse should you just agree to let Lewis Brown, the boy put in here four days ago, out. He stole that watch so he could sell it to feed his family. Can you be so heartless you do not understand that, Mr. Stint?”

Perhaps she should not have left James outside? Would he be able to reason with this man?

“You need to leave here now,” Mr. Stint said. “Bloody do-gooders, always thinking they can help those less fortunate than themselves. The boy’s a thief, and he’ll be punished for his crimes.”

“Do you have children of your own, Mr. Stint?” Dismayed, Maddie watched him shake his shaggy head.

Dear Lord, was that something crawling down his shoulder? Focus, Maddie. This was not the time to notice the man’s hygiene or lack thereof.

“Well, perhaps a niece or nephew?” Again, he shook his head but remained silent. Maddie furiously tried to search for something to bribe Mr. Stint with.

“You are being unreasonable, sir. That boy cannot leave London. How would his family see him again? It would be a gross miscarriage of justice were he deported for such a petty crime.”

“He’s not being released. Now take your do-gooding ways and get out of here. Bloody nobles.”

“How do you know I’m a noble?”

“They’ve got a certain look, and you have it.”

Maddie wasn’t sure if she was offended by that statement or not.

“Is there anything I can do or say to persuade you to release Lewis, Mr.

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