Lavinia Lake 01. Slightly Shady by Amanda Quick

Author:Amanda Quick
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: General, Fiction
ISBN: 9780749908867
Publisher: Piatkus
Published: 2008-10-01T23:00:00+00:00

fourteen

Lavinia pulled the voluminous cap low over her eyes and arranged the woolen scarf so that it veiled her features. The apron she wore over the much-mended gown was the one Mrs. Chilton always used when she scrubbed the floors. Thick stockings and sturdy shoes completed the disguise.

She looked at the woman seated on a stool near the hearth, a woman she knew only as Peg.

“You’re certain Mr. Huggett is away for the afternoon?” Lavinia asked.

“Aye.” Peg munched a meat pie. “Huggett takes his treatments every Thursday. The only one who’ll be there is young Gordy. No need to fret about him. He’ll be out front sellin’ tickets, assumin’ he’s not entertainin’ his girl in one of the back rooms.”

“What treatments does Mr. Huggett take?”

Peg rolled her eyes. “Goes to one of them quacks what use animal magnetism to ease aching joints and such.”

“Mesmerism.”

“Aye. Huggett’s afflicted with rheumatism.”

“I see.” Lavinia hoisted the bucket of gray water. “Well, then, I’ll be off.” She paused, turning slowly on her heel. “Will I do, Peg?”

“Yer a sight, ye are.” Peg picked up another meat pie and squinted at Lavinia with rheumy eyes. “If I didn’t know ye was a fine lady, I’d be worrying that ye was after takin’ my place.”

“Never fear, I don’t want your post.” Lavinia gripped the handle of the dirty mop. “As I told you, my only intention is to win the wager I made with my friend.”

Peg gave her a knowing look. “A lot of the blunt at stake, eh?”

“Enough to make it worth my while to pay you to let me carry out this masquerade.” She started up the steps that led from Peg’s tiny room to the lane. “I’ll return your things within the hour.”

“Take yer time.” Peg settled back on her stool and stretched out her swollen ankles. “Ye ain’t the first to want to borrow me bucket and mop for an hour or two, although yer the first to say she only wanted me things in order to win a wager.”

Lavinia halted on the top step and turned quickly. “Someone else asked to take your place?”

“Aye.” Peg gave a phlegmy chuckle. “I’ve got a regular arrangement with a couple of ambitious girls. I’ll let you in on a little secret. Old Peg has made more renting out that bucket and mop and those keys than she’s ever received in wages from that closefisted Huggett and that’s a fact. How d’ye think I managed to obtain me own little room?”

“I don’t understand. Why would someone pay you to let her scrub floors in your place?”

Peg winked broadly. “Some of the gentlemen customers get downright frisky when they tour the exhibits in that special gallery at the top of the stairs. The displays generally put ’em in the mood for a bit o’ sport, and if there’s a willin’ lass about, well, they’re happy to give her a few coins to let them lubricate her, if ye know what I mean.”

“I think I understand.” Lavinia stifled a shudder.

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