The Robber Bride Read Free Page B

she had introduced herself to Sarah and volunteered to help raise funds for medicines and supplies. Of course, Sarah and the others had been more than grateful to accept her assistance. Ever since then, Vickie had been robbing the rich and giving to the hospital, as well as others who found themselves down on their luck.
    She supposed there was probably a better way of going about raising funds for the poor, but people were much more willing to part with their money when there was a gun pointed at their heads. Never mind that the gun wasn’t loaded.
    Somewhere along the way, though, the hospital had become more than simply a place she donated money to. She’d learned from Sarah how to care for certain ailments, and she’d started to form relationships with the patients. Aside from the fact that they were all sick and in need of comfort, they were also profoundly human in a way that was unfamiliar to Victoria. They spoke plainly and laughed openly. Their goals in life did not amount to the acquisitions of more money or higher social statuses — they amounted to being happy, providing for their families or simply being able to pay for their next meal. Though Victoria could never be one of them, she could learn from them.  
    Sarah returned a short time later from the apothecary, and Victoria helped to administer medicine to the patients. By the time they were done, the undertaker had arrived to retrieve Mr. Cole’s body. They quickly discussed fees and then the man was on his way again, Mr. Cole in tow.
    “Well, Sarah, I must be on my way before Mother becomes suspicious. I’ll be back on Wednesday.”
    “Yes, miss. Thank you, miss.” Sarah smiled wide, her gratitude clear on her face. “Wednesday it is.”
    There was a rather high-profile gathering on Tuesday evening, and Victoria knew exactly which pompous ass she would rob that night.
    ***
    “You have paint all over your fingers.”
    Fin stared back at Victoria, wondering how that answered his question. “I don’t see why that should have any bearing on whether or not you take a walk with me.”
    “It doesn’t,” she replied. “I was simply observing. And now I will answer your question. Yes.”
    She pulled her pelisse and parasol from the hook in the hallway. She really was a queer girl. Pretty as hell, but queer. Lord help the man who took her on as wife. If she ever married, of course. It really wasn’t looking all that likely for her. She was twenty-four and incredibly headstrong—not the most appealing characteristics for a gentleman of the ton . Victoria was good and shelved, and something told Fin she liked it that way. Queer indeed.
    Once they were out on the street, Fin ventured conversation. “Tell me, Vickie, did you suffer temporary amnesia last night?”
    She turned to look at him, but then immediately faced forward again. “Oh, goodness, you’re not going to be cross about that, are you? I had to tell Gil that you were taking me home, but then I figured, why make you go out of your way—”
    “I live next door, Vickie.”
    “Even so,” she said.
    Fin rolled his eyes. “I’m not an idiot, Vickie, I know what you’re doing.”
    There was a beat of silence, and then, “I don’t know what on earth you’re talking about.”
    “Victoria, your parents love you, you know that—”
    “Actually, I don’t. But go on. I’m curious to see where this is leading.”
    Fin sighed and started over. “All right, your parents probably love you—really deep down—and all they want is for you to be happy—”
    “Funny, I just don’t see it that way.”
    “Vick—”
    “No!” She held up her hand in protest. “If this is what you want to talk about, then I’m going home. You may be able to charm my parents and bring out the best in them, but you don’t know them. Not the real them, anyhow. And why are you bringing this up? What does this have to do with last night?”
    “It has to do with you needing to exercise your independence,