Anne Stuart by Prince of Swords Read Free Book Online Page B

money informing on runaway apprentices than bothering with the more dangerous types.”
    “ Then I shouldn’t have to worry. Considering I’m one of the more dangerous types,” Alistair murmured.
    “ Word has it that he’s got a little extra help. Sort of an unfair advantage, if you know what I mean.”
    “ Explain yourself,” Alistair suggested.
    “ He’s got some woman to help him.”
    “ I doubt I’d be likely to bare all my secrets to some creature allied to a Bow Street runner.”
    “ You won’t have to. She’s part witch, they say. She uses dark powers to help Clegg, in return for money. Reads these funny-looking cards and then tells Clegg where to find things. Gives me the creeps, it does, just thinking about it.”
    Alistair was startled enough to move closer to Nicodemus, an act he immediately regretted. “Who is she?” he demanded. “What does she look like?”
    “ Ah, so now you’re interested in what old Nic has to say,” the man said smugly. “Don’t know as many people have seen her. She keeps low, she does. Someone thought she was French. One of them Huguenots.”
    Alistair had schooled himself to keep all expression from his face. The mesmerizing creature from the previous night had been no more French than he was. “And this French woman proposes a danger to me with her cards and magic tricks? Somehow I doubt it.”
    “ Jim Stebbins didn’t think he had nothing to worry about till Clegg came calling. Knew exactly where he’d buried his wife, and brother as well, and no one knew but Jim.”
    Alistair allowed himself a faint shudder. “I hardly think I’d be as interesting as a man who slaughters his family.”
    “ That’s where you’re wrong, guv’nor. The moiety on you is much higher.”
    “ Moiety?”
    “ Thief-taker’s share. You’re worth a lot, yer honor.”
    “ How gratifying. Then why don’t you turn me in?”
    Nicodemus’s grin would have daunted a less hardy soul. “I’ve been tempted, yer worship. Fact of the matter is, though, people who inform to Clegg have a bad habit of disappearing before they can claim their share of the reward. And I reasons that you’re worth more to me while you’re actively pursuing your interests, so to speak.”
    “ So to speak,” Alistair echoed, amused. “What about Clegg’s young woman? Why does he allow her to live?”
    “ I imagine she’ll outlive her usefulness as well. Pretty girl, from what I’ve heard. She has strange eyes.”
    Alistair jerked. “I thought you said no one had seen her?”
    “ You must have misheard me, guv. I said not many have seen her. I happen to be one of the few.”
    “ I could strangle you,” Alistair said musingly. “If I could bear to get that close to you...”
    “ Why are you so interested in her, yer worship?”
    “ Shouldn’t I be interested in someone who poses a threat to my well-being?” he countered.
    “ But you don’t give a damn about Clegg.”
    “ True enough,” Alistair admitted. “I was ever a fanciful creature, Nicodemus. I’m far more interested in beautiful young witches with strange eyes than Bow Street runners. Where do I find this mysterious woman?”
    “ Normally I charge for such information. However, in your case...”
    “ In my case you’ll tell me before I drag it out of you,” he said in a pleasant voice.
    “ Where else would you find Frenchwomen but Spitalfields? I followed her one night after she met with Clegg. Secretive little thing, she was. Crept in the back door like a servant, but the people who live in those houses can’t afford servants. ‘S’matter of fact, maybe that’s why I thought she was French. I never heard her speak, but that’s where all the emigres live, so I just assumed she was one of them.”
    “ Perhaps,” Alistair murmured. “And perhaps her dark talents have absolutely nothing to do with me and a great deal to do with the fact that your friend Mr. Clegg has to pay for his pleasures.”
    “ Mebbe,” Nicodemus