Molly Boys (London Underside Book 1) by Vawn Cassidy

Author:Vawn Cassidy [Cassidy, Vawn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-03-23T16:00:00+00:00

13

Archie thumped on the door with Lord Stanley’s unmoving form draped over his shoulder. Shifting his weight slightly, he was about to raise his hand again when the door opened and a sleep-rumpled man holding a small oil lamp appeared. He opened his mouth to say something when his gaze fell on the limp body hanging over Archie’s shoulder.

“Lord Stanley?” The man gasped as he reached for him. “What have you done to him, you brute?”

“Me?” Archie huffed, shifting his weight again. “Nothing, but can you step aside? He’s heavier than he looks.”

The man moved to let Archie over the threshold.

“Who are you?” he demanded.

“Detective Inspector Franklin.” Archie turned to the man as the door closed, seeing his eyes widen in recognition of his name. “Lord Stanley was attacked.”

“Attacked?” The servant breathed in shock, reaching once more for the unconscious man. “Is he hurt?”

“I don’t know yet.” Archie shook his head. “Where’s his bedroom?”

“Follow me.” The man headed for the stairs, the small light from his lamp lighting the way.

“My name’s Henry,” he said as they climbed. “I’m his lordship’s valet.”

Once they reached the second floor, Henry led him to the end of the corridor and opened the door into a large room dominated by a huge canopied bed. The lamps in the room burned low and the fire crackled in the hearth, well tended and filling the room with warmth. It was clear Henry had prepared his employer’s room before seeking his own bed for the night.

Henry set his own lamp down on a nearby dresser as Archie carefully laid the lord on his bed.

“Help me get his coat and jacket off,” Henry instructed. “I won’t be able to do it on my own while he’s a dead weight.”

Archie reached under his arms and gently pulled Stanley into a sitting position so his head lolled forward and rested against Archie’s chest while Henry reached behind him and managed to get his coat and jacket over his shoulders before freeing his arms. Henry managed this quickly and efficiently, making Archie wonder just how often he took care of his employer in an inebriated state.

Now with the man only in his shirt and trousers, Archie lifted Lord Stanley and moved him further up the bed to rest his head on the pillows.

Henry made quick work of unlacing Stanley’s boots and removing them.

“What happened?” Henry frowned. “Can you see any injuries? I don’t see any blood, does he have a head wound?”

Archie shook his head, trusting Henry’s discretion when it came to his employer.

“He was already heavily under the influence of the pipe when he was set upon, and I believe he was further incapacitated by a dose of chloroform. I don’t think he’s injured, he probably just needs to sleep it off.”

“Still.” Henry frowned in worry. “I’ll go for the doctor. Will you stay with him?”

“Me?”

“There’s no one else, it’s just me and his lordship. He prefers a small staff, and the cook and the maid won’t be here ‘til morning.”

Archie

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