The Viscount’s Desire: London Harriers Book One by Marguerite Lewis

Author:Marguerite Lewis [Lewis, Marguerite]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-08-28T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Dark Shadows

Because of the commotion outside the inn, their guests woke rather early. Anna had been shuffled inside and was pulled away by Mrs. Taylor as Mr. Taylor came out to meet them. Maggie had hurried her into her room before she could look back toward Peter.

She rushed to change out of Lady Montgomery’s fine dress and into one of her own. It was not easy finding her way out of something so elaborate without aid. No wonder wealthy ladies had a plethora of staff to help them dress.

More commotion came from the front street. The law had been called, but no one would care about a murdered prostitute. Anna blinked back tears, knowing all they would do was clear away the body.

After several minutes, she was finally out of the silk gown. She carefully folded it into a clean sheet and stowed it in her trunk.

In the stress of the morning, she fumbled with her everyday dress. It seemed to take twice as long as usual. Finally, she stumbled out of her room.

Before she could make it down the stairs and to the street, she had run into Lily packing her meager belongings into an old potato sack. Jane was with her. As the two women rushed to gather their things, a confused Ricky fussed on the bed.

The boy was still in his sleep shirt and sucked on a knuckle in worry. A few tears slipped free. Anna longed to scoop him up but could not fit into the small room. She looked about for Clara, the boy’s closest friend.

“I never should have come here. They’ll kill every one of us in these beds,” Jane said.

“What on earth, you can’t leave,” Anna stood over them in the doorway. “Please, the inn is much safer.”

“Like hell it is,” Lily moaned. She tried to put in her earrings, but her hands trembled from fear. Her bandaged arm, still causing her pain, slowed her even more.

The little room held just two narrow beds. Both women moved through it like hens circling a coop.

“We’re all alarmed over Kitty, but whoever did this did not seek out Kitty here. They found her out there on the streets.”

“And this is where they dumped her!” Jane’s eyes were full of tears.

At the sight of his panicked mother, Ricky fussed loudly.

“Because they saw her with you,” Lily was full of anger instead of sorrow. “And I led you to her.”

Anna struggled with what to tell them. Fleeing the inn would mean fleeing safety. She glanced at their thin bodies and wondered if even the thought of breakfast would delay them. But fear could easily push away hunger.

Thankfully, Maggie Taylor appeared at the door.

“Mr. Taylor is boarding up some of the windows now. Both of our doors have locks. I doubt we’ll have any guests for a while either, so we can assure you no one will be getting in.”

“They may not even know you’re here,” Anna added. “I was the one who was with Kitty asking questions.

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