Page 75 of The King and Vi

The boy stamped his foot and folded his arms over his chest, but he didn’t argue.

“What about Lizzie?” Violet asked, ruffling Georgie’s hair.

“I’ll take her and see her safely in a house in Mayfair,” King replied. “I’ll need a few coins to pass to the housekeeper in lieu of references and prior experience.”

Violet waved toward the tavern below. “You know where I keep the lockbox.”

King raised his brows, surprised she was trusting him with the blunt. She didn’t seem to trust anyone but herself and Joshua with the money they took in, and she kept a tight control over that. He’d never met anyone so tight-fisted.

“Pack what Georgie needs and whatever you don’t want to lose—just in case,” he added. “And meet me at the back door in a quarter hour.”

*

Violet returned tothe tavern first, unlocked the back door, lifted the latch, and peered into the darkness, listening. She heard nothing, but she didn’t relax until she stepped inside and stood quietly in the dark for a moment. She was alone. She would have felt it if anyone else had been here. It was almost six in the evening, and it felt strange to have the tavern dark and closed. King had been nothing but bad for business. Still, if all went well, maybe she wouldn’t ever have to close the tavern again.

Either that or she’d lose everything.

Peggy had been delivered safely to her mother, who had put her to bed and begun to mix herbs and a draught for pain. She’d seen a burn on Joshua’s arm—one he’d obviously been hiding from Violet—and insisted he stay and be treated. She’d send him home as soon as she was able to make him a poultice.

Violet had taken Georgie to Archie, and though Georgie’s mouth had stayed fixed in a tight, angry line, he hadn’t argued or whined or wheedled as he usually did when he did not like something. She had to give King credit for his way with her brothers. They obviously respected him. And why shouldn’t they? Look what he had accomplished in just a few hours. She had woefully underestimated him. He was no weak, effete nob. He was smart and brave and resourceful.

She had just lit a lantern when she heard someone at the back door. Violet grabbed the first thing at hand, a porcelain mug, and held it aloft.

A moment later, King stepped inside the back room. He put both hands up as soon as he saw her. “Not a bad weapon. Iconsidered using them on Ferryman but thought you’d kill me if I broke all your mugs.”

Violet lowered the vessel. “I would have. Is Lizzie safe?”

“Yes. She’s at a house in Mayfair, and I’m certain the staff is scrubbing and dressing her in clean clothing now. The housekeeper looked happy to have a young girl to take under her wing.” He turned to lock the door then looked about. “What about Joshua?”

“Mrs. Greene is treating a burn on his arm. He’ll be here shortly. Go ahead and lock it. He has a key. Just leave the bar off.”

She took the mug and another to a jug of beer and poured two cups. She handed one to King and kept the other for herself. He murmured his thanks and drank deeply. She refilled both mugs and drank herself. She was still hungry, but her stomach was fluttering with nerves. She didn’t think she would keep anything she ate down. “Do you want me to see if we have anything to eat?” she asked.

King gave her a sheepish look that was so unlike him, Violet stared.

“What’s that look?”

“The housekeeper fed me when I brought Lizzie in. I’m not hungry.”

“Well, don’t feel guilty about it. You’ll need your strength for tonight. Tell me the plan.”

“Let’s go upstairs. I want to keep an eye out the window. I don’t think Ferryman is in any condition to come back tonight, but I’d like to keep watch anyway.”

Violet let the way up the stairs, and the two of them settled in at the table, King facing the window overlooking the dark, empty street.

“The streets are never this quiet,” Violet said.

“I imagine all of Seven Dials is giving the Silver Unicorn a wide berth tonight. They’re waiting to see what will happen.”

“So am I. King—”

At her tone, he turned from the window and looked at her.

“I wanted to ap—” She swallowed. “I wanted to say—” Violet tried again. “I mean to apol—”

“Why, Miss Baker.” King grinned. “Are you trying to apologize to me?”

“Shut up.”

---