A Kiss In The Dark Read Free

then?”
    Peter chuckled at her hopeful look. “We’re set right and tight, so the pockets of London should be safe from us for a few days. ’Course, I can’t say the same for Barnaby Flynt’s boys.”
    Deirdre froze. “Barnaby Flynt?” she whispered, her heart lodging in her throat and her hands tightening on the arms of her chair. “Barnaby Flynt is back in Tothill Fields? You’re certain?”
    “As certain as I can be wiv’out seeing the man ’imself.” Peter studied her curiously. “A coupla’ ’is toffs grabbed Davey in the alley last week and tried to weasel in on ’is day’s earnings. Some of us ’appened along and sent ’em on their way with our bootprints in their backsides.”
    Barnaby Flynt! The very name started Deirdre’s pulse pounding in her ears, reminding her of a day she’d tried very hard to forget. A day of blood and death. A day that had haunted her dreams for the past eight years.
    Pushing away the terrifying memories, she reached out to touch Peter’s sleeve. “Please, you and the boys be careful of Barnaby Flynt. He can be a dangerous man.”
    “You don’t ’ave to warn me about ’im, m’lady. I know all about Mr. Flynt and ’is gang, and I ain’t about to stand back and watch ’em move in ’ere and take over.”
    That was exactly what she was afraid of. Peter might be much more capable than other children his age, but he was still just a boy, and Barnaby Flynt was a man. A man who would stop at nothing to gain what he wanted. Not cheating, not stealing.
    Not even murder.
    Deirdre’s whole body went cold at the thought of Peter in a confrontation with the malevolent gang leader. “No, Peter, listen to me. You must stay out of his way. And you tell the boys if they see any of his men to hand over whatever it is they want and then clear out, right quick. Do you hear me?”
    Peter’s jaw set with determination, and she gave an inward groan. She knew that look, and it told her that he had no intention of heeding her advice. She should have realized it wouldn’t be that easy. The boy was exceedingly stubborn and chafed at the slightest hint of authority, but she couldn’t fault him for that. It was what had kept him and the others alive for so long in the world they lived in.
    Well, she couldn’t just walk away and forget about Barnaby Flynt’s presence in Tothill Fields. She would simply have to make it a point to check in with the Rag-Tag Bunch a bit more often. At the slightest sign of trouble she would do whatever it took to ensure the boys’ safety.
    And pray that Flynt never discovered who she really was.
    With a sigh, she rose from her chair. “I suppose I’d better be on my way. It’s getting late, and if I don’t return home soon, Mrs. Godfrey will be sending Bow Street out after me.”
    The obstinate look on Peter’s face instantly vanished, to be replaced by one of concern. “Should I escort you, m’lady? This ain’t a part of town you want to be wandering about in alone. ’Specially if you ain’t familiar with it.”
    Deirdre had to stifle a laugh. She was a bit more familiar with this part of town than he might guess. “No, but thank you for offering, Peter. I have Cullen with me, so I should be fine. He’s waiting outside with the carriage.”
    Gathering up her cloak, she crossed the room to check on Benji one last time. The little boy had already fallen asleep, his new book clutched against his chest. Emotion choked her as she ran a hand over his head, smoothing down the wayward tufts of hair. All she wanted to do was scoop him up and take him home with her.
    She glanced at Peter. “Take care of him.”
    The young man’s chin went up, and a fervent light flared in the depths of his blue eyes. “I will, m’lady. I always do.”
    Deirdre had no doubt of that. Peter was fiercely protective of all the boys, but he was especially so of Benji.
    Turning, she started for the door, but his sudden, tentative question halted her in her