A Proper Scandal by Charis Michaels Read Free Book Online Page B

to you ?” Four steps down the stairwell, Elisabeth’s errand boy and lead raider, Stoker, chewed on a green bean from the kitchen.
    The letter! “ Stop there , Stoker,” she managed, staring at the parchment still clutched in her hand. “A word, if you please. You may not go until we’ve spoken.”
    He took another bite. “You look like you’ve swallowed a beetle.”
    She scanned the letter, seeing nothing. She scanned it again to the same result. In her head, she saw only the viscount’s gaze, locked on her face, or Aunt Lillian’s innocent expression this morning, casually inviting her to live out one of her most mortifying dreams while society friends slurped soup around the table.
    â€œI won’t go to Yorkshire,” Stoker said, jerking her back to the letter.
    â€œYou will go,” she shot back. “You’ve barely considered it.” She could have had this conversation in her sleep, thank God.
    â€œYou can’t force me, Lady E, and I won’t do it. Even if I have to stop raiding for you.”
    â€œI don’t intend to force you , Stoker. I intend to convince you. And that begins with reading the letter. What luck that you turned up.” She extended the letter to him. “The formal acceptance arrived only today. I was counting the minutes until I could show you. Here, take it. Read it yourself. See what they’ve said about you.”
    He didn’t move.
    Elisabeth sighed and continued. “It’s a lovely school, Stoker. It will change your life. You won’t be restricted to rescuing girls from brothels for me and living in Rotten Row. You’ll never have to set foot in a brothel ever again. You may take a job in a bank. Or as a teacher. You may work in an office or a laboratory. Who can say what you might achieve? The tutors have given you a fine basis of knowledge, but you are cleverer still, and there is so much more to know. Literature. Art. Mathematics. Languages. For this, you’ll need a proper school, and this one wants you . They want you, Stoker.” She waved the letter again.
    Stoker leaned against the wall of the stairwell. “And what would I do, working in a bank? Sounds like a bloody bore. I’d rather work for you, Lady E.” He pulled a half-smoked cheroot from his pocket.
    â€œDo not smoke in here, Stoker. You know I cannot bear it.” She scanned the letter again. “Don’t you see? This means that you will have choices. Your notion of a fulfilling occupation may change after you’ve been to school. Why, after graduation you may work in the foundation offices , not in the streets.”
    â€œThe office? While who runs the raids?”
    â€œYou . . . you may train Lewis to do the raiding.” This would never happen, but she said it again. “Before you go, Lewis can learn.” Stoker had been working as a stable boy for Elisabeth when she’d welcomed her first-ever prostitute to the foundation. It had been Stoker who volunteered to breach the brothel’s high security and steal the girl out. He and a ragtag team of street boys had been raiding brothels for girls on Elisabeth’s behalf ever since.
    â€œLewis?” Stoker scoffed, naming his hapless second in command. “Lewis gave us the slip tonight. Again. It’s why I’ve come. We’re down to five lads. But don’t worry. It’s sorted. Less is better, actually, in the rain.”
    â€œIf Lewis cannot replace you, I’ll find someone else. I refuse to keep you from a hopeful future so you can muck around in the gutter for me. This has always been my fight, Stoker. I am grateful for your help, but this is why I am sending you away. I owe it to you.”
    â€œI muck around in the gutter to keep you out of it, m’lady.”
    Elisabeth sighed. “You are loyal to a fault, Stoker. I would not have bothered with your education if you had not been so loyal or so