Read Online Come the Night (The Dangerous Delameres - Book 1) by Christina Skye - Free Book Online Page B

Silver said calmly. “I’ve made a list.”
    “A list? What kind of bloody list?”
    “Of all the unsavory spots in Kingsdon Cross. I mean to visit them one by one until I find him. First I shall try the heath.”
    “Over my dead body you will!”
    Silver paid no attention. Moving behind a screen, she tugged off her cambric shirt and hitched the dark gown over her head. It was a little tight, but it would do. She had to force down a wave of sorrow as she remembered the last time she’d worn the dress.
    It was at her father’s funeral.
    Well, she wouldn’t cry, not now. And she wasn’t about to back down either. Lavender Close was all they had left and nobody was going to cheat her out of it! She ran her hand over the bruise throbbing at her eye. At least the veil would conceal that.
    When she emerged a moment later, the black veil was draped over her face. “How do I look?”
    Tinker scowled. “Like a governess down on her bleeding luck.”
    “As bad as that? Wonderful. It will do the trick completely.”
    “Aye, when pigs can bleeding fly!”
    “You really must try to avoid that kind of language, Tinker. It’s a sure sign that you’re angry.”
    “Well, and so I am angry, blast it! You’re talking nonsense, girl, and I won’t let you get away with it. We’ll find another way. Just you leave it to me. They gave us three days, after all.”
    Silver frowned, thinking about the brick that had come hurtling through the conservatory window. She hadn’t told Tinker about that, afraid that he’d insist on taking matters into his own hands. He was tough and smart, but Silver doubted he’d be up to fisticuffs with men twice his size and half his age.
    No, this was the only way. Her mind was made up. She would merely have to be a little clever about it.
    “You’re not going, girl, and that’s that.”
    With a sigh Silver sank into a threadbare chair that used to sit in their drawing room.
    When they’d had a drawing room. When they’d had a grand house with money and security. “Oh, very well, you infuriating man. But we’ll have to think of something soon. We haven’t much time.”
    “We will,” Tinker said soothingly. He scratched at his jaw. “I’ve been thinking of a few plans. We can discuss them in the morning.”
    “But you’re sure you won’t consider—”
    “Nay, and neither will you, miss! I’ll hear none of that kind of talk. You and Bram are my charge now that your parents are gone and your uncle is dead, and care for you I will.” Tinker gave her a fierce glare. “Whether the two of you like it or not!”
    Silver patted the old man’s sinewy arm and laughed. “Such a fierce tiger you are, Tinker.” Her eyes darkened to the haunting green of a mountain lake. “How very lucky Bram and I are to have you.”
    “Go on with you.” The old man sighed. “We’ll find our way out of this bit of bother. But don’t you go setting off anywhere without me at night, do y’ hear?”
    Silver made him a crisp bow. “Understood, most exalted one.” Which, of course, did not mean that she agreed.
    “Be off with you, minx.”
    Abruptly Silver sat forward. “Did you hear that?”
    “Hear what?”
    “It sounded like Cromwell barking. And a voice, down by the storeroom, I think.”
    Without another word Tinker spun around and hammered down the stairs, already dreaming how he’d wrap his hands around their attacker’s throat.
    It had been almost too easy, Silver thought. She felt a pang of guilt, but tonight she had a job to do.

     
The wind blows in from the sea this night, carrying the tang of woodsmoke and the hint of a coming storm. But I must not ramble on. There is much yet to say and in my heart I know I have little time left. They will find me soon. Too soon.
My dearest Susannah, think well on all I have written here. There are secrets in these pages, secrets that I dare not relate even now, lest this book fall into my enemy’s hands.
Read these pages carefully and think back on