A Proper Scandal (Ravensdale Family Book 2) Read Free Page B

streets. How much have you got?”
    “I don’t even know your name.” She stopped untying the hat ribbon. “I’m not going to volunteer how much money I have.”
    “I didn’t steal your bag,” he pointed out, reaching into his pockets. He fished out a few pence. Not a promising amount.
    He made a fair point, but Minnie was far from convinced that the stranger had noble intentions. He didn’t appear like the reputable sort, not with his soot-stained hands and tatty clothes. And especially not with a split lip and a fresh bruise across his cheek. “I’m sure you’ll expect something because of your efforts.”
    He leaned one arm against the stack of crates, crossing his long legs at the ankles. “You could give me a kiss for my troubles.”
    “I knew it!” Minnie cried, picking up her valise and swinging it into his stomach.
    He fell forward, coughing at first before it turned to a deep guffaw. “I was only having a laugh,” he said, red-faced as he straightened.
    “Oh, to be sure.” Minnie drew up her hand to drum at her lips. She frowned when she noticed the red stains. Her best pair of gloves were perfectly ruined now. “What’s your name?” she asked, dropping her hands to her side.
    “Alex.” He rubbed his midsection with a scowl. “How much do you have?”
    “You’re a pushy fellow. I don’t appreciate it one bit.”
    “I don’t like being chased across London because of some silly runaway,” he countered, leaning forward with an arched brow. “We’re even.”
    “Fair enough.” She wasn’t so naive to admit that this man, however pushy and annoying, could help solve her temporary setback—a protector of sorts until she saw herself settled. Minnie opened her purse and counted quietly, then cut the tiny sum in half as a precaution. “Eight shillings.”
    “Eight…” he said, trailing off as his thick brows furrowed. He studied her for a moment, grabbing her arm once again with his rough hands. Minnie tried to shake him off, but his grasp was firm, even as he picked up her valise and peered around the crates. “Come on.”
    “Where are we going now?” He ignored her question, his hand tightening on her wrist. “Do you know where you’re going?”
    He didn’t slow his pace as he flashed her another smile over his shoulder. “No. New to town myself.”
    They stopped in front of a blue clapboard building, the clapboard bulging with age and leaning toward the cobbled streets. A window opened across the way and a woman tossed out a bucket of foul smelling liquid, only just missing a cart rambling by on the street.
    Minnie scrunched her nose and surveyed the others passing by as Alex knocked on the door. “We don’t have enough for two rooms,” she protested, reading the sign above the door.
    He knocked again then straightened his coat’s lapels and removed his cap. “We aren’t getting two rooms.” He straightened as Minnie stood there, gaping like a fish out of water. “ Mrs. Marwick ,” he said, winking cheekily. “Close your mouth, darling.”
    Before Minnie could reply, the door opened revealing a gray-haired woman with a crooked tooth piercing her bottom lip. “What do you want?”
    “Me and my wife would like to rent a room.”
    The woman smacked her lips around as she worked her tongue into the rotting crevice between her two front teeth. She scratched her head for a moment, barking a laugh. “Sure you are.”
    Alex looked over at Minnie, his eyes squinting, his fingers drumming along the side of his leg. “We’ve eloped and our parents won’t be none too happy to discover the fact. A week is all we need.”
    “Newlyweds?” the woman balked again. She looked like a dying vulture. Perhaps sounded like one too, though Minnie had never encountered that before.
    “That’s right. Oh, I’m afraid I didn’t catch your name,” Minnie said with a charming smile.
    Alex draped her hand over his arm, covering her blood soaked glove with his hand. The picture of