Never Run From Love (Kellington Book Four) Read Free

Hal’s stocking woman.  “I am
quite sure you are not helping the situation.”
    “I’m certainly doing more than you,” replied the
woman.  “And I shall not stand for this any longer.”  With that, she slapped
one of Patton’s enforcers, then the other.  The first exercised admirable
restraint.  But the second took a menacing step forward.
    “Patton,” said Hal, with a slight slur to his
voice.  “I thought no finer entertainment could be found than inside your good
establishment.  You did not tell me you were producing theatricals in the
street.”  That elicited a few laughs from the male onlookers both on the street
and at the upstairs windows.  More importantly, it seemed to calm the large
servant who’d been on the verge of violence.  
    Patton produced one of the smiles he employed on the
peers he so enjoyed fleecing.  “Good evening Lord Henry, Mr. Francis.  I’m
sorry for the commotion, but do step inside.”
    “I appreciate the offer, Patton, and I shall do just
that very thing,” said Hal.  “But I cannot leave these lovely ladies
unattended.”  He smiled at Mrs. Seton, who looked like she wanted to slap him
for the trouble.  But as he turned his charm on the other women, he sensed a
gradual thawing of the crowd.  Right up until he smiled at the one woman he was
most interested in impressing. 
    The stocking woman simply stared at him with one
brow raised.  “My lord, do you think to charm us unto silence? “
    “Why?  Is it working?”  When no response was
forthcoming, he continued.  “Pray forgive me if I offended you, Miss…..”  He
waited for her to supply her name.
    He waited in vain.
    “My lord, it would be most improper of me to give
you my name without benefit of introduction,” said the stocking woman with an
accent Hal couldn’t quite place.  But there was no mistaking her hint of amusement
at his obvious ploy.  “My colleagues and I are trying to impress upon gentlemen
such as yourself that a house of gaming is not the type of establishment they
should frequent.”
    So the little minx wouldn’t back down.  Perhaps it
was time to show her the streets were no place for a lady late at night.  “Then
what type of ‘house,’ do you think would be suitable for men such as Mr.
Francis and me?  We have recently come from quite an interesting one.”
    The implication was not lost on any of the women nor
on Patton, who was watching the exchange with some amusement.
    “I’ll thank you not to speak of such debauchery, you
scoundrel,” said Mrs. Seton.  “If you were a man of any decency, you would
immediately apologize.”
    “My apologies, ma’am,” said Hal with a nod in her
direction, “but I was speaking to your charming associate.”
    “I believe,” said the stocking woman, “that the
‘house’ you should most concern yourself with is your home.  Unless you are too
inebriated to find it.”
    There was a choked sound behind her as Patton
stifled a laugh.  Francis felt no such reticence and enjoyed himself loudly.
    Hal found it hard not to laugh himself.  He might be
the worse the wear for drink, but not so cupshot as to miss both the humor and
irony.  He was making no progress charming the woman, which was a bit unusual. 
He wasn’t an arrogant man, but he was an observant one.  Women – both improper
and upstanding – tended to, if not melt, then at least soften around him.  It
was actually refreshing to find one who seemed to have little use for him. 
Before he could explore the intriguing possibilities she presented, the Watch
arrived.
    “Wot’s goin’ on ‘ere?” asked the larger of the two
uniformed officers.
    “Thank heaven you’ve come,” said Mrs. Seton.  “You
should arrest this man for harassing my friend.  Then you can tell this
whoremonger….”  She pointed her rather bony finger at Patton.  “…to let us into
his business so we can shame the men inside.”
    “Mrs. Seton,” said the stocking woman,