RnG09 - The Last Man in London by Leech Emma V

Author:Leech, Emma V [Leech, Emma V]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, historical, amazon
ISBN: 1722120894
Amazon: B07CR6HTRV
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

“Wherein good intentions force our heroine onto a darker path.”

Dinah leant back upon the door and sucked in a deep breath, fighting back tears and the desire to tear it open again, to beg him not to leave her. Not yet, at least. She wasn’t ready yet. She swallowed hard and stood straighter as Joe appeared in the hallway.

“Did I jus’ ‘ear you turn ‘is money down?” he demanded, looking astonished.

Dinah swallowed and nodded, hurrying past Joe and into the kitchen so he could not see the tears in her eyes. “Of course,” she said, sounding impatient. “I’m about to inherit a vast sum of money, Joe. Lord Lancaster has done quite enough for me already. I have some pride, you know.”

“Aye,” Joe retorted, his voice a little bitter. “Pride is all well an’ good, but you can’t eat it, little D. Jus’ ‘ow long do you think that Grubber fellow is going to drag ‘is feet after ‘is lor’ship gave ‘im what-for?” he demanded as she poured herself a mug of tea. “’Ere, that’s cold now.”

Joe went to take the mug from her and make a fresh pot, but Dinah kept a hold of it.

“It’s fine,” she snapped, feeling wretched at the surprised look of hurt in his eyes. “So what are you saying?” she asked, needing to focus on something else. “How much do we have left?”

Joe sighed, rubbing one massive hand over his face and looking weary. He focused his gaze on her and she knew whatever he would say was not good.

“Dot’s gone,” he said, his face growing dark with anger. “The blasted woman took everything we ‘ad left, an’ all. I expect she’s sleepin’ it off by now in some gutter.”

“Oh, Joe!” Dinah exclaimed, horrified that even Dot would stoop so low. “Everything?”

Joe’s shrugged and he shook his head. “I got a few bob tucked away for emergencies, but … not enough. Not by a long chalk.”

Dinah sucked in a breath as she realised what he meant. “But we have to make the payment for the alterations to that gown and those gloves I bought and …”

“And I know!” Joe retorted, running a hand through his hair and looking worried now. “Which is why Miss High and Mighty could have thought a little before dismissing his lordship’s kind offer. It weren’t as though you couldn’t ‘ave paid him back.” He sighed as Dinah stared at him in horror. Damn, but she was a fool, she hadn’t even thought, she’d just been so hurt by Ben’s dismissal, and … There was no point in thinking about that. At least she had something to keep her mind occupied now.

“Don’t you worry, treacle,” Joe said, his voice soothing. “You jus’ leave it to me, I’ll sort something.”

“No!” Dinah exclaimed, shaking her head. “You’ll do no such thing, Joe. We’ve talked about this before. I won’t risk you getting hurt or transported if you get caught. Not now, when we’re so close to being safe. No, we’ll do this together, it’s less risky that way.

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