What a Rogue Desires by Caroline Linden Read Free Book Online Page B

didn’t like it here , but here were the pawnshops.
    She never visited the same one twice. She always had a different story. People in St. Giles didn’t ask many questions, but Vivian wanted to be certain no one could connect her visits. She knew she was exposed again, and she knew what would happen to her if she were caught with stolen property. So she walked and walked until her feet felt blistered, and finally found just the sort of shop she was looking for.
    Vivian pushed open the door, making her eyes wide and nervous. The shop was small and plain, but fairly clean. It looked like a place a naïve young widow would think reputable. Clutching her reticule in front of her, she took tiny, hesitant steps to the counter where a rotund, balding man of indeterminate age watched her without a trace of expression, his chin propped on one hand.
    It took only a glance to size him up. Expecting something dodgy. The sort who had seen everything and then some. She decided to try being pitiful and stupid. “Your pardon, sir,” she said in her youngest voice. “Might you be Mr. Burddock?”
    “Aye.” Only his lower lip moved with the word. She swallowed and edged closer.
    “Please, sir, I—I have some things to sell. They tell me you give fair prices.”
    Still his face didn’t change. “Aye. A fair price for fair goods.”
    “I have that,” she hurried to assure him. “My husband—that is, my late husband…” She shook her head and went to work on the reticule strings, bending her head as if in shame or sorrow. “I have some things of his,” she whispered. “Very fine.”
    “Let’s have a look, then.” He spread his hands on the counter and cocked his head, waiting. Slowly Vivian brought out the pocket watch from the onion man yesterday. Mr. Burddock took it and examined it coolly. “Passable workmanship,” he said, sounding bored.
    Vivian’s blush was real, although not from shame but anger. It was a fine watch, and he knew it. Just let him try to cheat her. “And this.” She drew out the pearl pin.
    Burddock held it up to the light and yawned. “Is the pearl genuine?”
    “Of course!”
    He twisted his lips and put it down on the counter, but didn’t argue with her. Vivian was quite sure it was a fairly valuable piece. “That all?”
    She bit her lip as if in indecision. “Yes. No. I—I don’t know.” Taking care that her fingers trembled, she reached into the reticule again and took out the signet ring. Just its weight guaranteed a good price. It gleamed of riches even in the dusty light of the little shop. “His ring,” she said softly, keeping it in her hand instead of adding to the other items on the counter.
    The man looked at it for a moment, and then finally a flicker of interest showed on his face. He reached for the ring and she let him take it, blinking rapidly. Mr. Burddock turned the ring from side to side, studying it, weighing it in his palm. “Family crest?” he asked with a keen glance.
    “Yes,” she said. “He was the last of his family. And now—not even a son to follow him—” She broke off and bit her lip, looking down.
    Burddock continued to roll the ring between his fingers. “Well, it seems a well-made piece.” He put it down. “A fine piece, in fact. I’d say it’s worth a fair sum.” His attitude had thawed considerably in a matter of seconds. Vivian gave him a cautious smile.
    “Is it? Oh, I cannot tell you how that comforts me, that dear Charles may yet provide for me.”
    “Left you badly off, did he?” Burddock nodded, peering at her face.
    “It is a familiar tale to you, I’m certain,” she said with a sigh. “This is all I have left of him. Oh, sir, you wouldn’t cheat a poor widow, would you?” She assumed an expression she knew made her face look young and hopeful. “You have raised my hopes tremendously.”
    Something like a smile flitted across his face. “Never say Thaddeus Burddock is a cheat, madam. Fair prices for fair pieces, is my