“By all means. I’ll sit here quietly and allow you to speak.”
Violet gritted her teeth. “I didn’t think you could do it—take on Ferryman, that is.”
“To be fair, I wasn’t sure I could do it either. We haven’t won yet.”
“Maybe I should wait for my apology.”
King reached over and took her hand. “Maybe you could show me how sorry you are.”
“Nice try.” She pulled her hand away then straightened. “And I won’t apologize for worrying about the boys. I still don’t think you should have involved them. They’re children, not soldiers. You had them thinking you were some sort of general.”
“Who’s to say I’m not?”
Violet cocked her head. “If you were in the army, I’ll do a jig standing on my head.”
“As much as I’d like to see that”—he winked with his good eye—“I’m afraid you are correct. I didn’t serve in the army. But I did study a lot of military strategy in school. Had to read books and books about it—everything from the Romans to George Washington. So I know something about it. I hope you know I would never put either of the young masters in danger. You’re not the only one who cares about them.”
There was little King could have said that would have touched her more than those words. Violet felt her heart seizeand then speed up. She was in trouble, and she knew it. She was beginning to care for King. Worse, he felt the same—at least about her brothers. She had not wanted to become attached to him, to need him or care for him. She had told herself from the beginning that he was not staying.
But what if he was?
No. She couldn’t allow herself to consider that possibility. She couldn’t allow herself to even imagine a time when she would not be alone and bearing the weight of responsibility for the tavern and her brothers on her own.
She might not even have a tavern to run after all was said and done with Ferryman. The situation was so volatile, she couldn’t even risk opening tonight.
“What is your plan?” she asked. “Do we sit here and wait for Ferryman to attack again? He might have been overconfident tonight, but he won’t make the same mistake again.”
“I don’t plan to wait for him to come to us. I think we go to him.”
Violet stared at him, waiting for him to smile, to joke, but he was obviously serious. “Need I remind you there is no army, and you are not really a general? Attacking Ferryman is a quick way to end your life. You barely made it out with Lizzie.”
King sat back and crossed his arms. “I wouldn’t characterize the rescue that way.”
“Joshua said—”
“Let’s talk about the future, not the past.” He leaned forward. “If we don’t want Ferryman to come here, we need to give him something else to focus on. We need to give him a problem bigger than you or the Silver Unicorn.”
“What’s that?”
“The Black Bear. It’s not only a source of income for him, it’s his headquarters. I say we burn it down.”
Violet laughed. “You cannot be serious. King, tell me you are not serious. Innocent people could be hurt.”
“I’ve thought about that. First, we get everyone out with a raid by the Bow Street Runners. Then we sneak inside and start the fire. By the time Ferryman realizes what’s happening, it will be too late.”
“And exactly how will we convince the Bow Street Runners to come to Seven Dials and take on one of the most powerful crime lords in the city? Ferryman pays off local magistrates, and those he doesn’t pay are afraid of him.”
“Leave that to me. I still have a few friends in Town, though they’re dwindling fast. We have to act quickly, not only to stop Ferryman but to take advantage of my name before it loses any and all clout.”
Violet opened her mouth to ask how he could fall further, then remembered that his father was in the Tower, accused of treason. He would surely be executed, and then King’s name would be sullied even more.
She rose and went to him, moving behind him and wrapping her arms about him so she too could see the street below. “King, Ferryman is my problem, not yours. You shouldn’t wait to see your father. You may not have much time to say goodbye.”
He stood. “I told you not to pay Ferryman, and I promised to protect you. There’s nothing more important to me than you. I care more about you and the boys than I ever have for my father.” He took a step back. “You’ll think me some kind of callous monster for saying that.”
“No.” She moved closer to him, her heart in her throat. “I don’t think that of you at all.” She swallowed and forced the next words out. “Despite my better judgment, I care about you too.”
King smiled. “Miss Sunshine, did you just admit you care for me?”
