Chapter Fourteen
Violet knew whatKing wanted. It was what every man wanted, only the look in his eyes when he gazed at her wasn’t like any she’d seen before. There was a tenderness there. She wouldn’t have thought it possible when she met him just a few days ago, but there was more to him than she’d thought.
She wiped the counter as Joshua barred the tavern door and Georgie put chairs on top of tables. King swept the floor—listlessly and ineffectively, but he certainly looked good doing it.
Was she a fool for trusting him about Ferryman? Probably. But he was also right that Ferryman would take more and more until he got what he really wanted. And the arch rogue wouldn’t settle until he had full control of the Silver Unicorn, as well as all three of them under his thumb.
Because Violet saw the same look in Ferryman’s eyes that she’d seen in King’s—only Ferryman’s was full of possession and violence, whereas King promised pleasure and passion. That choice was easy, and really King wasn’t telling her anything she didn’t already know about Ferryman’s intentions. She just wished she had more time before having to confront him.
By the time Violet finished counting the money and putting it aside for safekeeping, the boys were half-asleep and King was groaning when he bent over. “Off to bed with all three of you,” she said, herding them into the back room. “King, sleep in my bed. You probably shouldn’t even be up.”
“Where will you sleep, Vi?” Georgie asked.
“I’ll sleep down here.” Not that she would sleep. She’d lie awake worrying what Ferryman had planned and listening for any untoward sounds that might herald his attack.
“I can’t let you do that,” King said. “A gentleman doesn’t allow a lady to sleep on the floor.”
“You’re not a gentleman anymore,” she retorted. “And I’ll be fine.”
“I must insist that you—”
“We’ll sleep on the floor here,” Georgie said. “Joshua and me, we’re gentlemen.”
“No, boys. That’s not necessary.”
“He’s right, Vi,” Joshua said. “You take our bed. We’ll be fine down here.” Joshua looked at King. “Right, King?”
“That’s right. Very noble of you.”
“Joshua—” Violet began to protest.
“Vi, we’renoble!” Georgie whined, and she closed her mouth and nodded. Who was she to deprive them of their chance to be noble, even if it meant an uncomfortable night on the floor?
“Very well. Let me check the door one more time.”
“It’s bolted and the bar is in place,” King said, taking her arm and steering her toward the stairs. “I did it myself.”
“The lamps.”
“I blew them out,” Joshua said. He pushed the door to the tavern open to show her it was completely dark.
“What about the door to the back?” she asked.
Georgie ran over and bolted it then put the wood beam in place to prevent anyone opening it.
“Fine.” She allowed King to lead her to the stairs then paused again. “You’ll be cold.”
“King has coal,” Joshua said, and proceeded to pull the coal bin out and put two pieces in the stove.
“Use it all, if you want,” King said. “We’ll see you in the morning.”
“I’ll leave the door to the flat unlocked. If you need me, I’ll be right inside.”
King dragged her the rest of the way up the stairs, through the door to the flat, and then closed it behind her. “I know you like to do everything yourself, but you have to allow others to help you sometimes.”
“I wanted to stay downstairs to listen for Ferryman. Only I couldn’t say that in front of them,” she hissed.
King shook his head and loosened his neckcloth. “He won’t come tonight. He’ll come when you’re not expecting him. But don’t worry. We’ll be ready.”
