The Beasts of the City by David Penny

Author:David Penny [Penny, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rivertree Print
Published: 2024-07-30T00:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-SIX

Thomas’s formal invitation from Blackwood had arrived the evening before while Thomas had been with Eleanor. Hardwin had been saved the effort of removing and re-applying the seal because it was nothing more than a hand-written card, which the man handed to him without comment.

The hand that had written it did not belong to a man. It was ornate, bold and precise. He and a companion were invited to Stepney Manor, the home of Sir Geoffrey Blackwood. All food, drink and entertainment would be provided. No finish time had been offered, but the invitation said to arrive before dusk.

When Thomas entered Eleanor’s workshop after dressing in his new clothes she was nowhere to be seen. Pages that had hung over rods to let the ink dry had been taken down. In their stead, on the table, sat a pile of pamphlets. Thomas picked one up to find another of her bawdy tales.

“Is that you, Tom?” Eleanor’s voice came from upstairs.

“Were you expecting someone else? Is Luke back yet?”

“Luke will not return for at least another week. Longer if he encounters difficulty obtaining the type.”

“Which you no longer need.”

“Whatever he pays, it will be worth ten times as much here in London.”

“Shall I come up?”

The laughter that drifted down the stairs was delightful. “Only if you want to see me half naked. Which you could have done already were you not so prim. Though you said you would examine me, so now might be a good opportunity. But best stay down there until I am ready and decent. Is Blackwood’s house still east of the city?”

“It is beyond Smith Field, so yes. Do you know of it?”

“It is some distance so you will need to take your horse.”

“Jack is saddling Sombra for me now. I am sure he can find a mount for you.”

“I do not ride well. I would rather perch in front of you, and then you can stop me from tumbling to the dirt and messing up my pretty dress. You can even examine me a little.” A laugh caught in her voice.

Thomas did not believe a word of what she said but had learned enough about Eleanor to know arguing would prove pointless. He was pleased she appeared to have recovered form her fit without any lasting effects.

“How do you know of Stepney Manor?” Thomas asked.

“Sir Richard Croft took me there when I lived beneath his roof. He enjoyed showing me off. I have been told I am worth showing off.”

“What was the entertainment like?”

“I have tried to drive the memory from my mind, so prefer not to say.” Her voice was serious now.

When Eleanor descended the staircase, the sight of her almost took Thomas’s breath away. Her dress was exquisite, with a tight corset and low décolletage, which revealed the pale upper curve of her rounded breasts. She wore fine leather shoes on her feet, and her hair had been piled atop her head, on which sat a silver tiara.

“Where did you get such things?” Thomas

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