A Season to Be Sinful by Jo Goodman Read Free Book Online Page B

could set in the Parliament. He dangled the feather in front of the boy. I will have your name, young sir.
    Pinch, he said, lifting the quill smoothly from Sherrys grasp.
    Apropos, Sherry murmured.
    You dont ave the feather, guvnor.
    What?
    Pinch swiveled his head in the direction of each of his companions and rolled his eyes. E made the rules and as no respect for them. Thats a swell for ye.
    Sherry could not recall receiving a more righteous set-down, or perhaps one that was so well deserved. In observance of his own rules, he made to take the feather back. Pinch quickly put the feather out of reach behind him, and Sherry realized it must have exchanged hands in a nonce because the child on Pinchs left spoke up.
    Dash, ere.
    There was another smooth exchange, and the boy on the right announced himself. Im Midge.
    The feather was returned to Pinch. He revealed it to Sherry, twirling it in his fingertips, but made no move to offer it. We know who yer lordship is, he said with a touch of defianceacute;e. We come for the coin ye offeredtother day. If ye meant it sincere, then ye wont ave a second thought about givin itover.
    Givin itover . Sherry winced as he translated. Giving it over . He held his hand out for the feather.
    Pinch hesitated, but only briefly. He was not entirely proof against Sherrys implacable stare. Ere. But if ye keep it overlong, the bargains struck down.
    We did not strike a bargain, Sherry said once he was in possession of the feather. I suggested a means of conducting our business in a civil manner, Master Pinch, and you accepted. Matters of trade, diplomacy, and even parley between scurvy-riddled pirates require attention to certain niceties of deportment. I am the Viscount Sheridan, and you will address me as befits my title. As to this notion that I should give you funds, you will have to offer more in the way of explanation, otherwise Mrs. Ponsonby will be instructed to send for the watchmen, and I will give testimony against you at the assizes myself.
    Holding out his hand again, Sherry offered the feather for the plucking. It was a long moment before it was taken. He was not sure if he had shaken their confidence or befuddled their young minds.
    Beggin yer lordships pardon, Pinch said, striking a note of credible deference. We meant no disrespect. He shifted uncomfortably under Sheridans sardonic gaze. That is, we meant no sincere disrespect. There aint much in the way of time left. Wouldnt ave come if it ad been else, but Dash ere followed you ometother day as we knew it might come to this. So here we are, come for the coin you promised so we can get a surgeon. Nothin will be right again, I can tell ye, if we dont.
    Midge took the feather. Nothin, yer lordship.
    Dash reached around Pinch and lifted it from his friends fingers. Nothins been as it was since yer lordship plugged er with yer shiv.
    Sherry frowned as the feather was held out to him. For a moment he simply looked at it dumbly and knew his own senses to be well and truly befuddled. These young ruffians had a way of dishing out twice what was served to them once. He took the feather. Er? he asked, his voice not much above a whisper. You are speaking of a female?
    There was some eye rolling before Pinch reached for the feather.
    Sherry held it out of the way. I think we can dispense with this, he said, tossing it aside. It has served its purpose. He put the question to them again when they fell quiet. Female?
    Pinch snorted. Blimey! Shes a girl, right enough, if thats what yer lordship means. Thought yed know that when ye put the knife to her.
    How would I know?
    Dash frowned. Bubbies. In the event his host did not know the word, Dash cupped his dirty hands over his chest and pushed upward. Bubbies.
    Sherry actually felt himself pale. A young girl? he asked.
    It was Midge who answered. He lifted his hands to his thin chest in the same manner his friend had, but he made bigger cups of his palms.
    A woman, then, Sherry said. It made him feel