Page 2 of Enslaved to the Seduction of a Lady
“Told you. They like girls better.” He did not mean the words harshly and he grinned as he spoke. Although it would not buy them a lot, it meant they would not go hungry for another day. “You can try again tomorrow.”
Luke took hold of Jenny’s hand and he went to skip away, but he stopped when he saw someone watching them. A man, not too old but no longer young. The clothes he wore were smart enough, although they were clearly not new, and he had the manner of a servant, although a higher up one.
Luke’s heart hammered in his chest and he stopped stock still, his grasp on Jenny’s hand getting tighter.
Is he going to hurt us?
He looked quickly around him, desperate for somewhere to run to, but then he heard the crisp, clear footsteps of the man crossing the road.
“Quick, Jenny, we’ve got to run.”
“I don’t want to,” Jenny whined, pulling back, “I’m hungry.”
“I know, but—”
“Hey, Lad, stop there.”
Luke dropped Jenny’s hand and stepped in front of her, ready to defend her, although what he could do against a grown man he had no idea.
“What do you want, Mister?” he said, using his strongest, most fearsome voice—although he felt neither.
“Come now, Lad,” the man said, softer now, and he crouched down until his eyes were level with Luke’s. “I don’t want to hurt you. My name’s Jack Jones. What’s your name?”
“What’s it to you?” Luke felt the anxiety shimmer through him, and he held his breath. Jack tilted his head and looked at him.
“You’ve been hurt in the past, Lad?”
“I…” The man’s eyes were so piercing, so kind, that Luke could feel the barriers within him break down, “yes,” he said, gulping. He could feel Jenny hovering at his back and he put his hand behind him to reassure her.
“Well I don’t want to harm you,” the man said. His accent was thick with the London air, his beard neatly trimmed. Heseemedgenuine enough, but Luke could not for the life of him think why this stranger would want to do anything but harm them.
“Then… then what do you want?” Luke stammered.
“I want to help you,” Jack said. “Where’s your mother?”
“She’s… working,” Luke said.
“Ah,” Jack said, a knowing grimace on his face. “I think I understand what it is you mean. Is she expecting you back soon?”
“No,” Luke said, shaking his head. “She sent us out and told us not to go back until we had something to eat.”
Jack nodded his head as he thought, not making eye contact with either child.
“Are you hungry?” he asked finally.
“Yes,” Jenny said, peeking from behind Luke, her voice high and pleading. He turned and shushed her harshly. He was equally hungry, but he also needed to protect her.
“It’s all right, Lass. Come on out. I have a place at the big Salsbury Estate. The Duke’s place. Do you know it?”
“You’re no Duke,” Luke said with a sneer he didn’t really feel, and Jack burst into delighted laughter. Luke’s heart raced a little faster, although he liked the sound of the laughter.
“No, I’m no Duke, Lad. I’m the Stable Master. Head Groom. I have a little hut that’s all mine—me and my wife lived in it for a long while. And do you know what I’ve got in there?” He looked directly at Jenny, and Luke could feel her shake her head. He closed his eyes, fear still washing through him, but even he had to admit he liked this man.
“What?” she asked.
“I’ve got bread and even a little cheese. Would you like some?”
“Why are you helping us?” Luke blurted out, although even he was softening. The chance of food was all too tempting, and the man did not seem a bad sort. Jack sighed and looked to the floor for a moment.
