The Forbidden Lady Read Free Page B

be buying the whole ship. I can scarcely afford this one here.”
    She bit her lip, considering. “You could buy one more if Aunt Mary pays for George. She can afford it much more than we.”
    “Nay.” Jamie shook his head. “I willna have my sister paying. This is the least I can do to help Mary before we leave. Besides, I seriously doubt I could outbid the dandy even once. Look at the rich way he’s dressed, though I havena a clue why a man would spend good coin to look like that.”
    The ship rocked suddenly, and Virginia held fast to her father’s arm. A breeze wafted past her, carrying the scent of unwashed bodies. She wrinkled her nose. She should have displayed the foresight to bring a scented handkerchief, though not as overpowering as the one sported by the lavender popinjay.
    Having completed his leisurely perusal of the women, Mr. Stanton was now conversing quietly with a young boy.
    “Look, Father, that boy is so young to be all alone. He cannot be more than ten.”
    “Aye,” Jamie replied. “We can only hope a good family will be taking him in.”
    “How much for the boy?” Mr. Stanton demanded in a loud voice.
    The captain answered, “You’ll be thinking twice before taking that one. He’s an expensive little wretch.”
    Mr. Stanton lowered his voice. “Why is that?”
    “I’ll be needing payment for his passage and his mother’s. The silly tart died on the voyage, so the boy owes you fourteen years of labor.”
    The boy swung around and shook a fist at the captain. “Me mum was not a tart, ye bloody old bugger!”
    The captain yelled back, “And he has a foul mouth, as you can see. You’ll be taking the strap to him before the day is out.”
    Virginia squeezed her father’s arm. “The boy is responsible for his mother’s debt?”
    “Aye.” Jamie nodded. “ ’Tis how it works.”
    Mr. Stanton adjusted the lace on his sleeves. “I have a fancy to be extravagant today. Name your price.”
    “At least the poor boy will have a roof over his head and food to eat.” Virginia grimaced. “I only hope the dandy will not dress him in lavender silk.”
    Jamie Munro frowned. “Oh, dear.”
    “What is it, Father?”
    “Ye say the man was interested in you, Ginny?”
    “Aye, he seemed to like me in his own horrid way.”
    “Hmm. Perhaps the lad will be all right. At any rate, ’tis too late now. Let me pay for George, and we’ll be on our way.”
    L eaning back in the seat of the closed carriage, Quincy Stanton yanked the lavender-tinted wig off his head. “The damned thing itches.” He scratched his head and eyed the wig beside him. “Can wigs have lice?”
    “I believe so,” Mr. Johnson answered, his face expressionless as usual.
    Quin scowled at the man seated across from him in the carriage. “Does anything ever disturb you?”
    “Yes. Injustice.”
    “I see. Well, did you get the information you needed?”
    Johnson patted his chest, indicating that the report from his London operative was in his coat. Someone on board The North Star had secretly passed it to him.
    Quin waited, but the man said nothing. “Will you tell me what is happening?”
    “Only what is strictly necessary for you to accomplish your mission.”
    Stretching his legs in front of him, Quin glowered at the high-heeled shoes that cramped his feet. “Do you think I cannot be trusted?”
    “ ’Tis merely a precaution. You could be captured. By the way, you did an excellent job covering for me just then. No one ever notices me when you’re around.”
    “Well, who would have known I could act like such a blooming ass? I suppose it runs in my family.” Quin scratched his head again. “Damn, I was so rude to that young lady.”
    “You liked her.”
    It was not a question. Quin looked into the shrewd eyes of Mr. Johnson and didn’t bother to deny it. When he had agreed to work for Johnson a month earlier, he had been surprised at the man’s insight. Johnson saw right through everyone, staring at them