No Place for a Lady by Jade Lee Read Free Book Online Page A

but it shook as a mighty fist banged against it.
    "Ballast!" came a muffled voice from the other side. "Wot's up?"
    "Kill us now," said Fantine in a low whisper, "and yer boy will never see the inside of Harrow, never collect gambling cits from an earl's son, never treat a future duke to 'is first diddle in yer fine establishment."
    Marcus swallowed, both appalled and amazed by the things her mind could think up.
    "Ballast!" called the voice with more urgency.
    "Betray us," whispered Fantine, "and I will slit yer throat right 'ere." Then she let up on Ballast's windpipe just enough for him to take a deep breath.
    "Let be, Corey," Ballast called. Then he lowered his voice, his face squeezed into a frown of concentration. "Let me think a minute."
    Fantine did not give him a minute. She pushed against him hard with her shoulder, making him gasp for breath. "No more time, Ballast. I want that name."
    Apparently coming to a decision, he lifted his head and glared at Fantine. "I ain't got no name. Just Teggie."
    Marcus frowned. "Teggie? As in teeth?"
    "Yeah," Ballast continued, his face cracking into a soundless laugh. "Seems some swell wi' three gold teg paid Hurdy t' pop Wilberforce."
    Marcus needed a moment to unravel the man's cant, but he eventually figured it out. Some nobleman with three gold teeth paid Hurdy, Ballast's chief rival, to kill Wilberforce.
    "Hurdy cain't decide," continued the man. "Do he pop th' swell for 'is teg?"
    Does he kill the gentlemen for his gold teeth?
    "Or do he take th' game?"
    "He decided to take the job," said Fantine dully.
    More's the pity, thought Marcus. If he had chosen to kill the culprit, then Marcus would right now be sitting by a warm fire with a brandy rather than having to choose between his own demise and sponsoring a thief into Harrow.
    Sweet heaven, he still didn't know what he would decide. Did it have to be Harrow?
    "More details, Ballast," Fantine said, cutting into Marcus's thoughts. "Was the swell tall? Fat? Ugly? Anything?"
    "All I knows is that 'e gots three gold teggie."
    "Are you sure it was three?" asked Marcus. "Not two or four?"
    Ballast grimaced as if Marcus were an idiot, but he answered anyway. "It were three. Less, an' it ain't worth the pain o' killing a nob. Four, an' there ain't no question. Three, an' ye think an' think an' think."
    "Wot about the gentlemen's clothes, hair, eyes?" demanded Fantine.
    "I don't know nothing more!"
    Marcus frowned, trying to gauge Ballast's expression. The man wasn't lying. He knew nothing more. Apparently, Fantine came to the same conclusion as she switched the topic.
    "All right. 'Ave we got a deal? The daft and I leave safe, and Sprat gets an education?"
    Ballast shook his head, the movement slight since Fantine still held the dagger at his throat. "The daft goes. You stay." His hands slid around her bottom for good measure. "Ye still owes me fer Jenny."
    Fantine hesitated, and Marcus clenched his teeth in frustration. Nothing about this evening had gone as it should. First the grubbing through every Cheapside gutter and sewer hole, then having to choose between his life and sponsoring the boy into Harrow, and now this! Having Fantine sacrifice herself to this brute for him? The entire affair was humiliating, and he absolutely refused to allow it to continue even a moment longer!
    He stepped forward, resolution knotting his shoulders and fists. His movements were awkward considering he had to keep one hand on the boy, but he managed nevertheless. With a single well-aimed blow, he smashed Ballast into unconsciousness.
    Fantine jumped back from the villain's body, gasping with dismay as the portly man slumped to the floor.
    "Nice hit," she said, and he was surprised to hear a note of admiration in her voice. "Next time, ye think ye could warn me?"
    "He ain't dead, is he?" asked the boy in a small voice.
    "Naw," said Fantine. "But I do not wish t' be 'ere when 'e wakes."
    Both Fantine and Marcus turned toward the only door, but the