If He's Daring Read Free Page B

family? Who still took in the occasional new one? It was very good of the woman to care for the children so many just tossed aside, but how good was such a scandal-filled life for a young, growing boy? Better than living in an alley, she told herself firmly, and shook aside her concern over his future. She could look into that later, when she had Alwyn safely back at home.
    “You were very lucky to find them.”
    “I was. And you will find your boy soon and take him home.”
    “If Morris has not hurt him.”
    “Why do you keep thinking the man will hurt your son? There is no gain in it for him. You have to see that.”
    “I do. But Alwyn is just a little boy, and Morris has no skill with children. He would not understand Alwyn’s ways, his little quirks and the way he plays.” Catryn had seen how people had reacted to her son carrying on full conversations with people who were not visible, even telling others what had been said to him, and knew Morris would have no patience, might even be afraid, which could prove very dangerous for her son.
    “What do you mean by his quirks and how he plays? Was this Morris ne’er a lad himself?”
    “Of course he was.”
    “Then what does the boy do that you think will make Morris hurt him?”
    “Alwyn talks to people who are not there,” she replied, surprised at her own candor. “It is but a child’s game. He has few other children to play with and then only rarely, so he has made up a few of his own. That is all it is. But people find it alarming and I have taught him to be quiet about it. He is only five though.”
    “So he has some boys he has thought up to play with.”
    “Not all boys,” she reluctantly admitted. “He claims he is talking to his father, who has been dead for nearly two years.” She shook her head. “It is just a game.”
    “I suspect it is. The lad is lonely, is all.”
    There was something in the way the boy said the words that made Catryn think he did not really mean them, but she did not press him. “It would upset Morris, but you are right, there is still no gain in his hurting Alwyn.”
    She realized that caring for the horses and talking to the boy had eased her fear for Alwyn. It was still there but was not as sharp. The boy was right. There was no gain in Morris doing any serious harm to Alwyn. That did not mean the man would not hurt him or frighten him.
    “It will be well, m’lady,” said Giles, and he patted her on the arm.
    “It has to be. But for now, we shall let the horses rest and have ourselves something to eat. I fear I brought very little with me as I had thought Morris was taking Alwyn to his town house, not out of the city.”
    “Not to worry.”
    Giles went to the carriage, climbed in, and quickly returned with a basket. The way he carried it told her it was well stocked. It made sense that such a thing would be in there as the man had been taking his son on a trip to the country. She sat on the grass beside him and opened the basket to find a bounty of bread, cheese, cold meat, cider, and apple tarts.
    “At least I shall eat well before I am tossed into Newgate,” she murmured.
    Giles chuckled. “You will not be tossed into a prison, m’lady. You had good reason to steal my father’s carriage. He will understand.”
    Catryn was not sure of that but just nodded. She hated that time was passing and all she could do was sit, eat, and hope the horses were ready to pull the carriage again before the sun went down completely. The sooner she got her son back from Morris the better.
    “It will be the man who took your son who will rot in prison,” said Giles.
    “I truly hope so.” She also prayed that Giles judged his father well and that the man did prove to be as understanding as the boy thought he would be.

Chapter Two
    Sir Orion Wherlocke took a last look at his image in the mirror, adjusted his neckcloth a little, and then started out of the room. It was foolish to be so precise about his appearance when he was