The Constant Heart by Dilly Court Read Free Book Online Page A

a run to keep up with him. 'Precisely so. You need to keep your father's warehouse filled with hay or he will have nothing to trade.'
     
'It would take almost as long for the Ellie May to be unloaded and made ready to sail as it would for Barnum to refit his ship.'
     
'I'll fetch Artie Trigg and I know the stevedores will work twice as hard if I ask them nicely. We can do it given half a chance.'
     
'I'd have to square it with the old man first, Rosie.'
     
'Oh, Harry. Don't you ever take any responsibility for anything? Stand up to him for once.'
     
'It really isn't up to me. Captain Barnum has a legal contract . . .'
     
'A contract which he is unable to honour. That must cancel out any agreement he had with your father.'
     
'Well I'm blowed.' Harry stopped suddenly, pointing to the Ellie May , which was tied up alongside the Curlew . Artie was standing in the stern directing the men who were using the umbrella cranes to unload the spoiled cargo of hay onto a lighter. Rosina could see Walter standing outside the wharfinger's office, talking to the dock foreman. She picked up her skirts and ran towards him. 'Walter, what's happening?'
     
He gave her a lopsided smile, wincing as the cut on his lip cracked open. 'There's been a slight mishap to Barnum's boat.'
     
'I know. I've just come from his house. But how did you find anyone to take the spoiled cargo?'
     
'It's going to be taken with the city's rubbish and dumped.'
     
'It must be costly. Can we afford it?'
     
'Let's just say that Mr Gilks of Duke's Shore Wharf owes me a favour. Don't worry, Miss Rosina. It's all taken care of.'
     
'Now look here, my good fellow.' Harry strode up to Walter, sticking out his chin like a pugilist about to start a fight. 'You seem to be taking a lot on yourself for a mere clerk. I can't allow you to interfere in my business.'
     
'No, sir,' Walter said equably. 'But your father can, and he did. I went to the office first thing this morning. Mr Gostellow's main concern is filling the warehouse with enough hay to feed the work horses in the city. I suggest it ought to be yours, too.'
     
'Infernal cheek.' Harry's face flushed dark red and he clenched his fists.
     
Rosina laid her hand on his arm. 'That's wonderful, Harry. I'm so grateful to your father. And it really serves Captain Barnum right for cheating in the first place.' She turned to Walter. 'Well done. I can't thank you enough.'
     
'Don't thank me, miss. It was the river pirates who made it possible.'
     
'And I suppose a fellow like you approves of such villainy?' Harry said angrily.
     
Rosina could see that this argument might escalate into a full-blown row. 'Now, Harry . . .'
     
Walter held up his hand. 'I think sometimes a man has to take direct action even though it goes against the grain.'
     
'Bah! You're just a jumped-up little pen pusher. What would you know about anything?'
     
Behind his spectacles, Walter's eyes held a steely glint and Rosina saw, for the first time, a stubborn set to his jaw. Harry was spoiling for a fight, and she did not want to see Walter's other eye blackened and swollen. She moved to place herself squarely in between them. 'That's enough of that, gentlemen. Harry, I'd like you to walk me home if you will.'
     
'Of course.' He glanced over his shoulder at the ragged urchin who was patiently walking Nero. 'Bring my horse here, boy.'
     
The boy broke into a run, his bare feet skimming over the rough cobbles as he led Nero towards them. Rosina held her breath as the horse broke into a trot. There was an eager look of anticipation on the child's face that went straight to her heart. His stick-thin body looked so frail against the well-muscled, sleek body of the animal that was undoubtedly housed and fed better than the boy's whole family. Her hand flew to her mouth as he stumbled, but somehow he managed to regain his footing. One slip beneath those flailing hooves would cause terrible injuries or even death. She clutched Harry's arm. 'Take