These Young Wolves by Glenn Quigley

Author:Glenn Quigley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: LGBTQIA+, Cornish coast, clockpunk, spec fiction, bears, sailors, law enforcement, historical, non-explicit, enemies-to-lovers, crime, redemption, revenge, tattoos
Publisher: NineStar Press, LLC
Published: 2022-12-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

THE DESSERT COURSE made several guests gasp. A sugar work centrepiece depicting Blackrabbit Lighthouse on its craggy outcrop provided the backdrop for a plethora of individual bowls of fresh and sugared fruits, jellies, jams, and creams.

Some of the guests had started to wander about the room, eating their desserts and admiring the paintings. Others, including James, had taken themselves off to the water closets.

Rabbit moved to James’s chair and spoke quietly to Vince. She thanked him for coming, and for keeping his cool. “You and Captain Godgrave seem to be getting along well.”

Vince cleared his throat a little. “Just being polite. Have a lot to talk about.”

Rabbit sipped from her glass. “Mm, well, don’t get too cosy with him. Remember who he works for.”

Vince fiddled with his collar again. “Still not sure why you invited me here.”

Rabbit laughed. “I thought this might be a good opportunity for the council and the other important people of the town to see you in a less formal setting.”

Vince raised his eyebrows at her. “Think this is less formal?”

Rabbit lifted her glass. “We don’t take wine at the council meetings,” she said. “No matter how often Fox suggests it. You may have to get used to this sort of evening, depending on how long you remain with the Watch. How goes the search for Sergeant Spradbery’s killer?”

“Slowly.”

“I hear there may have been a witness?”

Vince stared at her.

“Word gets around,” she said softly. “I keep my ears open.”

“Ms Crimp. Haven’t found her yet. Worried about her. Good woman.”

“A bedworker, I believe?” Rabbit asked. “My Aldo speaks fondly of her. He used to be in the trade, you know.”

“Remember him,” Vince said. “Long time ago now. Used to work Pudding Quarter of an evening.”

“It’s where I met him.” Rabbit glanced over to where her husband held court with Fox and Mr Quaintance. A dashing bald man with deep-set eyes and an easy smile. “My friends all said I was a fool. They told me a bedworker’s skill lay in making their clients believe there was no one else in all the world they wanted to see. But with Aldo it was true.”

Their affair had turned heads, but more due to the difference in family than occupation. When she and Aldo had been handfasted, he had taken her family name. “I’ve always had a knack for seeing people as they are, Mr Knight.” Her eyes flickered to the far end of the table, where Swan sat conversing with her bored-looking husband.

James returned and insisted Rabbit remain in his chair. Rabbit thanked him but moved on to the next cluster of guests. Her role on the council meant never staying still for too long.

James pulled his chair a little closer to Vince. He kept his smile but lowered his voice. “What were you two conspiring about?”

Vince studied James’s face for a moment. Everyone else at the table was deep in conversation. His head felt light from the wine. A different glass with every course and more besides. “Rabbit believes Swan wants to be the head of the council.

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