The Devil's Breath by Tessa Harris

Author:Tessa Harris
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp.
Published: 2013-11-08T05:00:00+00:00

The boy was much smaller than he anticipated. He looked no more than four, even though Sir Montagu knew him to be six years of age. He stumbled down the carriage steps and had to be helped up by the notary. But he was thin, too. So painfully thin. And how like his mother he was. No mistaking there: the tousled brown curls; the large doe-like eyes. The late earl would have been proud to see his grandson. But what was wrong with his arm? It dangled limply at his side. Surely the child was not a cripple? Sir Montagu’s hooded eyes narrowed even more as he stood on the steps of Draycott House, preparing to meet the boy. Surely not a cripple? It had not been easy tracking down this feral child, first in Hungerford, then in the quagmire of London, but securing the future of Boughton would be worth it, although by the looks of things, the boy would need careful handling.

Holding the notary’s hand, the child began to climb up to meet the black-garbed man who stood ahead of him on the steps. Sir Montagu eyed him intently, like a hawk would a mouse. The boy stopped, then shuffled awkwardly, still clutching the notary’s hand.

Finally Sir Montagu spoke. “So, this is Boughton’s heir?”

The notary wore a smug look. “Indeed, sir. This is Richard Farrell.”

The lawyer bent down, bowing his head so that it seemed to shrink into his shoulders. He extended a bony hand. The child pulled back, obviously afraid, but the notary grabbed his scrawny shoulders.

“This is Sir Montagu Malthus. You will be staying with him for a while,” he explained, pushing the boy forward.

Again Sir Montagu proffered his hand. This time the child stretched out spindly fingers. His nails were black with grime, and he seemed unsure as to what he should do next. He did not take his hand, much to the lawyer’s amusement. “Ha,” he snorted. “He has no manners, Fothergill. We shall have to teach him some.”

The notary chuckled. “Indeed, sir.”

“Come,” said Sir Montagu, turning his great black frame toward the front entrance. “You must be hungry, young man. We shall eat and then we shall talk. There is so much you need to know.”

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