Mad Bride of the Ripper by Lucas Thorn

Author:Lucas Thorn [Thorn, Lucas]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: epic fantasy, horror, steampunk, dark fantasy, vampire, gothic
Publisher: Lateral Books
Published: 2019-01-15T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

“Polly!” The man she knew as George rose from his chair. Waved to her as she stepped into the pub. Her head seemed to be washed by a wave of heat and she shook her head to clear it. “Over here, love. Over here. Come on, take a seat. Scoot in here beside Larkin.”

“Larkin?” Her eyes flicked nervously to the man as she took the offered chair. “Is he a friend of yours, George?”

“Yes. A very good friend. We’ve known each other since we were little.”

“Evening, Miss,” Larkin said.

A neat young man, she thought. Little tight around the eyes, though, and he couldn’t seem to meet her gaze. It made her feel stronger. Emboldened by his shyness, she let herself smile.

She wanted to prod him in the chest to watch him flinch.

For a moment, it sounded like someone else spoke through her mouth when she spoke; “Pleased to meet you, Mister Larkin.”

“Just call him Larkin,” George said. “We’re all friends, aren’t we?”

“Have you been waiting long? I’m sorry I was late. Miss Westenra asked me to help her with her dress. I couldn’t say no, could I?”

“Well, you might have,” George said with a grin. “We’ve been waiting for ages. Haven’t we, Larkin? I’d begun to think you’d forgotten all about me.”

“Couldn’t shut him up, Polly,” Larkin said. “All he’d talk about was you. Hours he’s been on about you. How pretty you looked. I can see he wasn’t making it up.”

She felt the blush creep across her cheeks. “Oh, I’m not falling for those words tonight.”

“Do you want a drink?” George lifted his empty glass and waved at the barmaid. “I’m having another. Larkin?”

“Thanks, George.”

“Polly?”

“Yes. Maybe a small sherry.”

Drinks delivered, they sat mostly in silence. Not too awkward, but Polly began to wonder if there was something she was missing. The two men seemed to catch each other’s gaze quite often, so she wasn’t sure if she should leave.

Had they planned to get drunk together?

Was she suddenly an inconvenience?

Her spine began to tingle. Like someone was running their fingers up the bone.

Discomfort made her shift on her chair.

She looked down at her hands. They didn’t quite seem right.

She’d always thought they were smaller.

“Polly,” George said suddenly, sweeping her hands into his. As he did, the discomfort vanished in a flash and she smiled. “I want to ask you something. And I don’t want to frighten you, but it’s very important. Would you mind?”

“Mind?” She looked to Larkin and found his expression to be a little too serious for her liking. The familiar flutter in her belly returned. “I suppose not. What is it?”

“Well.” He looked to Larkin, then back to her. “You see, it’s about your employer. Miss Lucy.”

“Oh.” She leaned back, pushing the small glass away. “I see. I presumed too much, didn’t I? I thought your attentions were for me. But you’re like all men who see her. You want to meet her. So you’re using me to get close to her. What is it you

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