Lady X

Before she could respond, his father returned grumbling to his wife about her tardiness. She was quietly following behind him.

Exerilla made good her escape; explaining as she passed them that she was headed for her room to wash and change.

Upstairs, she had to collect herself. David Horwich could turn out to be a serious problem. She wondered how a woman without magic would handle him, and his unspoken threat. Magic was hers, but her mother had warned her she could only use it for life and death.

She knew what she wanted to do. She wanted to kick him in the balls the next time he tried to touch her. Although that made her smile, an inner voice cautioned that wouldn’t serve her situation.

She had to wonder if women who were accosted in this day and age, knew what to do. Mary would be no help, because she was a victim herself. She would first avoid ever being alone with him. While he did not live at Horwich House, she would get into the habit of locking her room at night.

~ Eleven ~

SIR JACOB WATCHED Jerry Swit move toward the docks. He was in the company of a seedy looking individual in seaman’s garb. Sir Jacob wondered what the man was up to.

He shouldn’t care, for now at least, until a few moments ago, he could walk off unnoticed.

It was nearing four o’clock. If he didn’t slip away immediately, it would be too late.

He waited until Jerry gave him his back and quickly hurried around the bend in the avenue to a narrow cobblestone alleyway. He felt a fool as he ran down the long, empty alley, thinking that it was a good thing no one was about.

He should have just bid Swit good-bye and taken off. After all he wasn’t a schoolboy about to be called to heel. He didn’t want to take the chance that Swit would either follow him out of curiosity, or simply tag along.

He slowed down and turned into another alleyway, which after twenty feet, put him at a back road dominated by a dirty-looking, unobtrusive tavern.

Worried, Jacob glanced furtively over his shoulder and then hurried into the dark and dingy galley of inn.

The first thing that met his gaze was three seamen at a round table. They had the look of fishermen, tired after a long day; he passed them without thought and moved to the far end of the open galley.

In its darkest corner sat a well-dressed gentleman, whose top hat occupied one of the three chairs which were set at the small square table. This gentleman sat with his back to the corner, his auburn hair loose about his face. His features were hidden by the shadows cast by the dim wall candlelight at his back. Jacob sighed with relief as he saw a small crooked smile spread over the man’s features.

With obvious purpose, Sir Jacob made his way to him and stopped short as the gentleman raised his tankard to him.

“Lucas…I am sorry. I would have been here sooner had I been able,” Jacob said taking off his hat and holding it tightly in his hands as he scanned Lucas’s face.

“Sit, puppy and don’t fret it.” His gray eyes twinkled with understanding as ever so slightly he raised a finger to a passing barmaid.

Jacob sat heavily on the wooden chair and eyed his friend unhappily, but the barmaid was now standing over Lucas. She had her hands on her hips and it was obvious to Jacob that the two had become acquainted while Lucas had been waiting his arrival. He grinned. Lucas of Bennington was a good looking man and had a way with women. He wished some of his style would rub off a bit on him.

The barmaid turned to him, and put a hand to Jake’s fair locks as she bent low giving him a view of the swells of her full breasts and Jake’s jaw dropped slightly.

Lucas chuckled and inclined his head.

“What can I do for ye, now, m’lovely?” she asked in a low meaningful tone.

Lucas reached for and found her nipple through the thin material and gave her the smallest pinch as he pulled her into his lap. She groaned pleasurably and he said on a low note, “My friend here will have an ale, for now.”

She looked back at Sir Jacob and said, “Aw now…he is a pretty moonling and if ye loike, we can all go upstairs.”

Sir Jacob felt the heat rush to his face and hoped to bloody hell he wasn’t blushing. Lucas saved the moment by giving her rump a pat and telling her, “Go on now, that’s a good girl. Get us that ale.”

She laughed and ambled off. Lucas turned back to Sir Jacob, took a long sip of his ale and said, “She thinks she is in your style, is she pup?”

“For pity’s sake Lucas, don’t pretend you aren’t angry with me. I know that you are, but it couldn’t be helped,” Jacob whined ignoring Lucas’s remark.

“Couldn’t be helped?” Lucas’s dark brow, in contrast with the lighter shade of his auburn hair, was raised. “What about yesterday? That couldn’t be helped either?”

“ If I could have been there, I would have been. I sent you round a note.” Jacob was in full defensive mode.

“Tell me, Jake my boy, why is Swit still with you? Just what the hell is he after?” Lucas played with the curved handle of his mug. His finger took a tour of its shape, as he seemed to concentrate on the occupants of the galley.