Where Shadows Dance by Harris C. S

Author:Harris, C. S. [Harris, C. S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery, Historical, Romance, Crime
ISBN: 9781101475942
Goodreads: 10217036
Publisher: New American Library
Published: 2011-03-01T08:00:00+00:00

Before he left for Wapping, Sebastian called the various members of his household together in the servants’ hall. The official notice of his forthcoming nuptials was due to appear in the next morning’s papers, and it had occurred to him that it might be a good idea to warn his staff first.

He waited while they filed into the room, whispering amongst themselves and throwing him curious, furtive looks as they took their seats. He raised his voice. “I won’t keep you long.”

The room instantly quieted as all eyes trained upon him.

He said, “I’ve called you together because I have an announcement to make. This household will soon have a mistress: Miss Hero Jarvis has consented to become my wife. We will be wed this Thursday.”

A moment’s stunned incredulity greeted his words. Then Tom blurted out, “Gov’nor! No!”

Morey clamped a warning hand on the boy’s shoulder, silencing him, as Calhoun leapt to his feet with a hearty hurrah. “Congratulations, my lord!”

The others quickly chimed in, although in some instances Sebastian suspected he detected a forced note to their good wishes. A few, no doubt, anticipated more work as Sebastian’s carefree bachelor ways came to an end; others perhaps feared their new mistress might be unduly critical or even demand a change in staff. But only Tom sat with his arms crossed and a black scowl on his face.

Tom was not fond of Miss Hero Jarvis.

When the majordomo leaned down to whisper something in the boy’s ear, Tom squirmed from his grasp and fled the room.

“He’ll come around soon enough,” said Calhoun later, as Giles was putting in the chestnuts.

Sebastian tossed his driving coat over his shoulders and reached for his gloves. He hesitated a moment. Then he went in search of his tiger.

He found the boy in the hayloft, a forlorn, prostrate figure with his face buried in the crook of one elbow and bits of straw plastered to his livery. “Go away,” he wailed in a gross breach of etiquette when Sebastian crouched down beside him. But then, their relationship had always been more than a simple one of lord and servant. Once, the boy had saved Sebastian from the gallows, while Sebastian in turn had given Tom a new life away from the brutal dangers of the streets.

Sebastian said, “You are aware, of course, that I could by rights have you thrashed for that?”

A ragged sob shook the boy’s thin frame, and he mumbled something incoherent.

Sebastian said, “I beg your pardon, but I didn’t quite catch that.”

Tom twisted sideways, showing him a tear-streaked face. “I said, why are you doing this?”

Sebastian rubbed the side of his nose with the back of his knuckles. “It’s quite a common thing, you know—for a man to marry.”

“But why her? She tricked me. And she’s—” Tom broke off. But Sebastian knew what he’d been about to say. She’s Jarvis’s daughter. And, She’s not Kat.

Sebastian said, “She is quite an accomplished horsewoman, you know. And no mean whip.”

Tom sniffed, unimpressed. “Everything’s gonna change.”

“Some things will undoubtedly change, yes.

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