Lady Rogue by Kathryn Kramer Page A

the risk of angering him.  There were other merchants who might decide to go elsewhere if word was spread that they had carele ssly kept one of them waiting.
    "All right!  You win."  Pushing his papers aside he threw up his  arms in frustration.  "Bring me your drawings.  Tell me what you want said to him.  And wish your mother a very happy birthday for me.  I hope that I have not let myself in for troub le by giving in to your whim."
    Bounding to his side like a frolicsome puppy, Oliver pounded Garrick on the back in gratitude.  "Thank you, Gar.  Thank you.  I knew you wouldn' t let me down.  I owe you one."
    "And I intend to see that you pay up!"  Carefully rolling up his own drawings, Garrick pushed them aside with a sigh.  He'd just have to see to his own sketches later, as soon as he returned.  Hopefully this business of Oliver's could be settled quickly and he would find himself back behind his desk before another hour was out.
     

Chapter Four
                 
    A cacophony of voices and sounds rose from the waterfront, a blend of peddlers’ chants, the drunken singing of sailors celebrating their stay in port, and the chattering of dock workers and passersby.  The exotic mix of tongues and dialects, including those supposedly English, reminded Garrick that the unfortunates of the city spoke a language all their own.
    "Would you like me to wait, Sir?"  Garrick's young carriage driver cocked his brows hopefully as he opened the door. The new cravat he was wearing and the cologne gave proof that he had made plans for the evening and was anxious to be finished with his duty.
    "No, I don't know exactly how long this meeting will last.  I wouldn't want to spoil your plans, Vinnie."  Garrick patted the youth on th e shoulder with a smile.  "Is it Rowena who is waiting?"
    Blushing to the roots of his dark brown hair the young man nodded.  "Yes, Sir."
    "Then I must say you've got an eye for beauty."  The young woman was one of th e prettiest ladies' maids in all of London and conveniently in the employ of Garrick's neighbor.  "Enjoy your night off with my blessing.  I'll hire a coach when I'm finished here."
    "Thank you, Sir!"  With a sudden bounce to his step the youth hurriedly bought a bouquet of violets from a flowergirl standing near by , then jumped back upon the seat.  He was off like a shot leaving a chuckling Garrick behind.  Garrick made it a practice to treat his servants kindly.  Besides, the young man had served him well these last months.
    Ah, young love , he thought.  Love .  That was something he'd not had time for. Love .  It was a weakness. An insanity. He was sensible. He would never allow himself to be entrapped again . A bevy of lovely women paraded through his life and shared his bed. But Garrick had always made certain that his women understood the rules. He had no immediate plans for marriage nor any intention of aiding any aspiring female in her upward social climb. When an affair ended, that was that. In turn he played fair, lavishing his current paramour with gifts and attention while their passion flamed high.
    And yet long ago he had been naïve and vulnerable, and his heart had been bruised. He only hoped that young Vinnie would have better luck than he’d had. Garrick was disillusioned enough to shy away from serious entanglements, yet he was not so jaded that he did not realize that there were women worth giving one’s heart to, however. Precious jewels among women. Warm, loving, loyal females whose hearts were steadfast and unwavering. That was what he wanted for his young carriage driver. Something he’d never had the good fortune to experience himself.
    Garrick had been just about Vinnie's age when he'd fallen under the spell of wide hazel eyes and curly dark hair that framed a pertly pretty face. Like a man consumed by a fever he had fallen for Anne, a barrister's daughter, who had sworn undying love.  Garrick had made plans to marry her,