“She’s over there,” he replied, pointing down the street.
Aaron followed the boy’s finger, and his jaw tightened. Miss Dunston stood with Miss Lockhart outside the tailor’s shop.
“Said she’s collectin’ donations.”
The ache in his jaw deepened. “Oh, did she now?” Aaron said through gritted teeth. How dare she break their agreement! She had been the one to propose the thirty-day truce! Once again, he had fallen for her charms. She was far more devious than he had first believed.
“Give me another copper, and I’ll tell ya a secret.”
Aaron eyed the boy. “Does it have anything to do with that young lady?”
The lad nodded.
Aaron took out two more copper coins and offered them to the boy. Whatever he had to say would be well worth the money. “Tell me what you know.”
The boy’s eyes lit up at seeing more than he requested. “She said a knight be ‘ere that’s selfish. And somethin’ ‘bout Mr. Barker bein’ an honorable man. ‘More honorable’ is what she said.”
If Aaron was ruffled before, now he was irate. How dare Miss Dunston talk about him behind his back. And accusehimof selfishness! Fuming, he marched across the street toward the tailor’s shop. Not only would he confront Miss Dunston about her derogatory description of him, but he would also give her a few choice words to put her in her place!
When he peered into the window, however, his eyes widened in shock. She was at it again! Her hand rested on the clerk’s arm, and she was flashing him her seductive smile. Oh, this woman was terrible! Who would conduct themselves in such a brazen manner? Miss Lockhart was nowhere to be found.
Not wishing to cause a scene, Aaron hurried over to a vegetable cart across the street where he could wait for her to emerge without being observed.
“Sir Aaron, is that you?”
Aaron turned toward the female voice to find Miss Miriam Connelly, the daughter of an extremely wealthy shipping merchant, smiling at him. She wore a pale-green dress printed with tiny yellow flowers. Her black hair was pinned up in the latest fashion and topped with a white hat. He would not say she was plain, but she most certainly was not handsome.
Beside her stood who could only be her lady’s maid with her black and white livery and white lace mob cap.
He gave her a deep bow. “Miss Connelly, an honor to be sure. Have you had a chance to speak to your father about what we discussed when we last met?” He had approached the young woman three days earlier, using his charms to convince her that the gentlemen’s club would be well worth her father’s investment.
“He returns tomorrow from York,” she replied. “I’ll ask him once he’s had a chance to rest.”
He gave her an innocent smile. “A knight’s strength comes not from himself but rather the ladies who aid him.” Taking her hand in his, he kissed her knuckles. “A plain man such as myself is in awe of a woman of your striking beauty.”
Miss Connelly tittered, a nasally sound that reminded him of his grandmother who always seemed to suffer from a stuffy nose. “Oh, Sir Aaron, you’re far from plain.” Her pink cheeks did nothing to improve her looks. Such a pity, too. She was an agreeable young lady. “Perhaps you would like to call over for tea.”
“I would like nothing more,” he said. Catching Miss Dunston leaving the tailor’s shop, he bowed once more. “But I’m afraid I cannot today. I have a business engagement that requires my attention. Perhaps another time? Good day to you, Miss Connelly.”
He turned back toward the tailor’s shop just in time to see Miss Dunston enter the narrow walkway that led to the alley. That girl was a fool! And as stubborn as a mule. What sort of business would she have in such an out-of-the-way place? Did she not know that only lovers and brigands frequented alleyways?
Keeping ten paces behind her, he followed her into the walkway, keeping as quiet as he could. When she turned to the right down the alley, he stopped at the corner and peeked around. It was much darker than he would have thought, and the bright light at the end where a large field lay made it more difficult to see well.
A large stack of crates lay beside the wall, and he scurried to them, watching as she came to a stop in front of a young man Aaron recognized as the tailor’s nephew. It took him several moments to remember the lad’s name.
Jeffery? Jeffery Venter. Yes, that was his name. And Aaron did not like him.
He strained to hear what they were saying and clenched his hands into fists. He was offering her a donation for the theater? So, the young boy outside the theater had been telling the truth. Miss Dunston had gone back on her word! Well, she would pay—
“What do you think you’re doing? Let go of me!”
Rage such as Aaron had never endured filled him. How dare this young villain accost any young lady, let alone Miss Dunston!
With swift steps, Aaron marched over to the pair, and without thought, struck the man in the chin. Jeffery tumbled over and fell onto his back.
“What is wrong with you?” he demanded of the young man. “Don’t you understand that she has no interest in you?” What he wanted to do was pull this man from the ground so he could pummel him. Yet he restrained himself.
“S-sir Aaron!” Mr. Venter said as he pulled himself to his feet. “I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t mean any harm.” He turned to Miss Dunston, his eyes nearly covering his face. “I’m sorry, miss. I didn’t mean to upset you. I just thought… I’m sorry. It won’t happen again. I swear.”