Perfect Wedding by Duncan Alice

Author:Duncan, Alice
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: san francisco, historical romance, humorous historical romance, titanic, early 1900s, alice duncan, anne robins, pirates of penzance
Publisher: Alice Duncan

Chapter Ten

“All right, lady, where’s the Chinese gal?”

Marjorie’s first, insane, thought was that these two blackguards weren’t Chinese. Her second thought was that she’d be damned for all eternity before she told the brutes anything at all, much less what they wanted to know.

Anyhow, since the villain’s hand covered her mouth, she was unable to speak. Therefore, she stood in his grip, silent, defiant, and as thoroughly angry as she’d ever been in her life. If she’d been able to move her mouth even a fraction of an inch, she’d have chomped down on the fiend’s fleshy palm, even though to do so would probably give her ptomaine poisoning. It was clear to her that these particular criminals didn’t bother to bathe regularly.

“I don’t think she can talk, Bart,” the man’s companion said.

Whoever Bart was, he growled, “Don’t use names, damn it, Frank.”

“Well, I still don’t think she can talk with your hand over her mouth,” Frank said in an aggrieved tone.

Bart, who appeared to be a slow thinker, took some time to contemplate this sensible remark. Marjorie sucked in air, preparatory to screaming bloody murder should the hand fall from its place. Her plan suffered a check when Bart showed her what looked like the largest and sharpest knife in the universe.

“All right, lady, I’m going to move my hand, but if you try to yell or anything, you’ll get it across the throat. Do you understand me?”

She managed a nod with difficulty. Codswallop. Now what? She assuredly wouldn’t reveal Jia Lee’s presence in the house, but she also couldn’t scream. Damn Jason Abernathy to Perdition! He should have been here hours ago.

Cautiously, Bart slid his hand away from Marjorie’s mouth. As it was a particularly dirty hand, she spat as soon as she was able. This annoyed Bart enough that he said, “Hey!” and administered a blow to her cheek that made her ears ring and her eyes water. It might also have made her fall had Bart not maintained a bruising grip on her arm. She blinked furiously, unwilling to cry in front of these two beasts.

“The boss didn’t say nothin’ about hurtin’ her, Bart. Better not hit her too hard.” Frank sounded worried.

The man named Bart glared at Frank and growled, “She spat on my damned hand!”

Frank shrugged, unable to deny the fact.

“And I’ll do it again if you put your filthy hand over my mouth,” declared Marjorie, regaining her spirit in spite of her stinging cheek and watering eyes. Feeling the inside of said cheek with her tongue, she tasted blood and hoped Bart hadn’t loosened any of her teeth. She also wished Jason would get here before very much longer, confound the man. In fact, while she was at it, confound all men.

“Where’s the Chinese gal?” Bart repeated.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. What Chinese girl?”

Drawing his hand back to strike again, Bart checked the action when a sound came from the kitchen door. Unwilling to hope for fear she’d be disappointed, Marjorie still couldn’t help but pray it was Jason this time and not more crooks.

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