Not for herself, but for Loula—this girl who’d become an experienced, worldly woman well before her time.
“But they will pay,” Kitty said, her hands clenching in her skirts.
Loula looked her over again, and this time not as a worried friend but as a professional.“Oh yes, they will most definitely pay.”Her tone turned brisk and businesslike.“I had Tracker spread the word, and my girls at the brothel did their part as well.”
Kitty nodded.She’d met Tracker a few times—he was one of few allowed in and out of King’s quarters without a guard or an appointment.From the whispers she’d heard, she knew Tracker to be a former Bow Street Runner before King recruited him to be his own personal spy.The General and Beast were the other two in King’s close circle, the former a retired military man who was respected by all, Pearl had told her.He was one of the lucky few who had a life outside the slums east of them.Some said he wined and dined with thetonon occasion, though his home was here in Vestry Lane.
And the Beast…well, everyone knew about him, even down by the docks where she’d lived as a child.Kitty had heard about the fearsome enforcer even before she’d found work in Vestry Lane.His name struck fear in the hearts of King’s rivals, or those who’d dare cheat him, and Kitty had done her best to steer clear of him whenever he came to King’s residence.
When those gentlemen arrived, those were the few times she’d seen anything close to a smile from King.It wasn’t a smile, but it was a softening of his expression, his dark eyes seemed slightly…less dark.
The thought made her belly do a flip and she couldn’t help the sharp inhale that followed.
Loula frowned.“If it’s money you need, I’m sure we could find another way.”
“By next week?”Kitty let out a humorless huff of air.For once she felt nearly as jaded as Loula seemed to be.But they both lived in the real world.Kitty might have been earning her keep by working with her hands rather than on her back, but they both knew that money didn’t fall from the heavens, not for girls like them.
But the mention of money, at least, had her mind back on the task at hand and away from the terrifying King.
That was one upside, at least.Once she made enough to pay off her family’s debts, she’d be able to find work elsewhere.Maybe she’d even have enough left over to start fresh in another neighborhood.Another town, even…
Loula sighed.“If you’d just tell me who you owe money to—”
“No,” Kitty said shortly.They’d been over this.“I won’t drag you into my problems…any more than I already have.”
“Alright then,” Loula said.
Kitty nodded.“Alright then.”
Loula sighed once more, but this time the sound was full of resignation.She crossed her arms and pursed her lips.“If you’re going to do this, you might as well make a success of it.”
Kitty felt her tension ease slightly at Loula’s practical tone.She followed the other woman’s gaze down to her simple, worn gown.“A success?”
Loula gripped her shoulders.“The more they want you, the higher they’ll bid.If we play this right, you’ll earn a small fortune.”
Kitty’s mouth was dry but she nodded eagerly.“A small fortune?”She didn’t even dare to hope.And she certainly wouldn’t think about what she’d have to suffer through to get it.
“Mmm.”Loula was back to eyeing her like she was on display in the market.“Tracker made sure to tell the uppity lords who frequent the gaming hells.”
“That was nice of him,” Kitty said.
Loula scoffed.“I’ll owe him for that favor.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” she started.
But Loula waved the words aside.“He thinks King won’t like it.”
The mention of King made her muscles bunch and her belly flip all at once.“He won’t…he won’t be there though, will he?”
“No, of course not.”Loula’s tone was distant and distracted.“Everyone knows King doesn’t touch whores.He never comes ‘round here unless it’s to conduct business.”
“Oh.”Kitty had more questions than she knew what to do with.But now was not the time.
And besides, King and his business was none of her concern.Once she had her coin, she’d be gone...and the fearsome ruler could find someone else to terrify.
She frowned just as soon as she thought it.Because while he was fearsome, and his glares and grunts had made her certain he despised her…
She couldn’t shake the memory of how he’d given her that book.