To Love a Thief (Steel Hawk) by Jane Beckenham Read Free Book Online Page A

word for ten years. “We had discussed an idea of mine, but I never had the chance to develop it.”
    “Why not?”
    Because his past had caught up with him. “I promise I’ll explain it later. But now, while the trail hopefully hasn’t gone cold, I need to scout out some information on the diamond.”
    “Do you really believe you can get it back?”
    “I do.” But in fact he wasn’t sure what the hell he believed anymore. He grabbed Ben’s right hand, patting has shoulder with his left. “Believe me, Ben. Trust me.”
    Ben’s frowned. “It seems I have no choice.”
    Without answering him, Nathan spun away and flagged down a passing carriage. “The Cock and Hen down by St. Catherine’s dock, if you please.”
    The man’s eyes widened as he took in Nathan’s expensive clothing and highly polished boots. “You sure, sir? Ain’t no place for a gentleman like you.”
    Nathan’s mouth twitched. “Just as well I’m not really a gentleman, then, isn’t it?”
    With a flick of the reins, the driver set his team in motion.
    Nathan eased back, though he didn’t take in his surroundings. Instead, his mind wandered back ten years ago—to a day when he’d had to run from the best thing that had ever happened in his life.
    “We’re ’ere.”
    The man’s Cockney accent dug into the mire in Nathan’s brain. He eyed his surroundings. It seemed nothing had changed in all these years.
    Oh, yes it has .
    Rosie had changed. The auburn-haired beauty with eyes the color of fresh spring pansies was all grown up.
    Aware of a sudden yearning for those days, and one day in particular, again, Nathan shoved the carriage door open and exited. “Would you mind waiting?”
    “Sure, but it’ll cost ya.”
    “I wouldn’t have expected anything less.” Pivoting, he headed toward the Cock and Hen public house. If anyone knew what was going on, Harry Biggins would. He kept a good clean pub, but he also kept an ear to the ground.
    The moment Nathan walked over the threshold, Harry’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. “Well, I’ll be damned.”
    Nathan strode toward his old friend, shaking his outstretched hand. “And here I was thinking you were already damned.”
    “Ah no, it’s me wife, Alice, that keeps me on the straight and narrow.”
    Nathan’s brow creased. That didn’t sound good. “Not too straight, I hope.”
    Harry reached for a bottle of whiskey and two glasses from behind the bar. He uncorked the whiskey and poured a small amount in each glass, then hesitated. “Damn it, it’s good to see you after all these years.” He filled the glasses to the brim.
    Nathan eyed the golden liquid. “If I drink that lot, my brain will be addled, which will be no help at all.” However, he lifted his glass and saluted Harry.
    “I gather then that you need your wits about you.”
    “I do.”
    “So where you been?”
    “San Francisco.”
    “Well, blow me down all the way to the Colonies. What on earth for?”
    He sipped the whiskey and enjoying the heat as it burned all the way down his throat and into his belly, then set his glass on the bar. “Another time, Harry. While it’s nice to enjoy your hospitality, what I really want is some information.”
    “Doesn’t everyone.”
    Nathan frowned. “Anyone in particular?”
    “Nah, just some lass.”
    Nathan’s gut churned. “What was she like?”
    “A real beauty, but then she was a bit strangely dressed in boy’s trousers and all.”
    “ Rose was here?”
    “ Don’t know if that’s her name. Why? Do you know her?”
    “I sure do, and I’ve got the bruise to prove it.” He absently rubbed his shin. “What did she want to know?”
    “If you know her, then I reckon it’s the same as what you want.”
    Nathan’s mouth curved into a half smile. “Very perceptive.”
    “Call it experience. When two people come to see me within hours of each other, usually it’s about the same thing.”
    “And?”
    Harry shook his head. “You’re an impatient