hovered heavily around them. James knew society thought of him as the scum of the earth, the worst of all sinners. Yet Lady Lavender kept them so isolated he’d rarely dealt with such men.
“I’m sorry to report that we were actually invited. In fact, Lady Rutherford practically begs us to join her gathering every year.”
“Blasphemous,” the shorter man hissed. “Your kind are only welcome in hell!”
His surprise gave way to anger. “Certainly you can respect a man who is merely trying to make a living,” James said, spreading his arms wide in mock innocence. He could feel the cold press of the dagger he had strapped to the inside of his jacket sleeve, and he itched to take it out and show them just who he was. One didn’t grow up where he had without leaving home prepared. But he knew very well that he’d hang if he cut a gent.
“You’re sinning, and you’re destroying our women by seducing them. You think society won’t see you in the gaols? It’s coming, whore.”
James’s worry flared. It wasn’t the first time he’d heard rumors about the government closing Lavender Hills. Is that why Ophelia had been acting so odd lately? Was she worried about her business? “Oh no, they come quite willingly, I promise. Perhaps if you spent less time harassing innocent men and more time learning to please your women, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”
The taller man growled, his hands curling into fists. James felt a grim sense of satisfaction. They thought to toy with him? He was itching to hit someone, and these men would do quite well. To hell with them all.
“Demon spawn,” the shorter man hissed.
“Let he who cast the first stone and all that,” James said, shrugging off his jacket and tossing it atop a box hedge. He wouldn’t use the knife. No, he would hang, and as discontent as he felt with life at the moment, he didn’t want to bloody hang. But he sure as hellwasn’t going to give in without showing them exactly who they taunted. Perhaps next time they’d think twice.
“We aren’t sinners. There’s a difference between gambling and drinking and becoming a whore,” the taller man said, tossing his own jacket aside. They were getting down to business, and frankly, James looked forward to thinking about something other than Ophelia and Lady Beckett.
“Ah, but doesn’t the Bible say that all sins are the same in the eyes of the Lord?” James rolled his sleeves to his elbows, unveiling the dagger strapped to his forearm. A little warning they took to heart, if their nervous gazes were any indication.
“It also says to smite your enemies,” the man hissed. “You are destroying good people and good families because of your sinful ways.”
“A bit dramatic, aren’t you?” James released a wry laugh. “And which good people do you speak of…
you
?” His mocking laughter sent them over the edge.
“Better than you, rat.”
James expected the first punch and ducked easily, jumping to the side and avoiding the shorter man’s reach. What he couldn’t avoid was the third man who snuck up behind him. He heard the thump of feet only too late. Suddenly James’s arms were pinned behind him.
“Bastard!” James cried out, trying to twist away. “Cowards!”
The shorter man swung his arm forward, his fist connecting with James’s stomach. The air burst from his lungs and stars flared to life. He would have sunk to the ground if the third man hadn’t been holding him. Another fist connected with his chin, jerking his head back. Pain shot across his jaw, down his spine. He would not cry out. No, he welcomed the pain because it meant he would feel again, feel something,
anything
.
“Teach him,” the man holding him said, “that no one touches our women.”
Another fist hit him in the gut. His stomach cramped, and he had to swallow the bile that surged up into his throat. He didn’t have time to recuperate before someone punched him in the cheek, snapping his head to
“I’m sorry to report that we were actually invited. In fact, Lady Rutherford practically begs us to join her gathering every year.”
“Blasphemous,” the shorter man hissed. “Your kind are only welcome in hell!”
His surprise gave way to anger. “Certainly you can respect a man who is merely trying to make a living,” James said, spreading his arms wide in mock innocence. He could feel the cold press of the dagger he had strapped to the inside of his jacket sleeve, and he itched to take it out and show them just who he was. One didn’t grow up where he had without leaving home prepared. But he knew very well that he’d hang if he cut a gent.
“You’re sinning, and you’re destroying our women by seducing them. You think society won’t see you in the gaols? It’s coming, whore.”
James’s worry flared. It wasn’t the first time he’d heard rumors about the government closing Lavender Hills. Is that why Ophelia had been acting so odd lately? Was she worried about her business? “Oh no, they come quite willingly, I promise. Perhaps if you spent less time harassing innocent men and more time learning to please your women, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”
The taller man growled, his hands curling into fists. James felt a grim sense of satisfaction. They thought to toy with him? He was itching to hit someone, and these men would do quite well. To hell with them all.
“Demon spawn,” the shorter man hissed.
“Let he who cast the first stone and all that,” James said, shrugging off his jacket and tossing it atop a box hedge. He wouldn’t use the knife. No, he would hang, and as discontent as he felt with life at the moment, he didn’t want to bloody hang. But he sure as hellwasn’t going to give in without showing them exactly who they taunted. Perhaps next time they’d think twice.
“We aren’t sinners. There’s a difference between gambling and drinking and becoming a whore,” the taller man said, tossing his own jacket aside. They were getting down to business, and frankly, James looked forward to thinking about something other than Ophelia and Lady Beckett.
“Ah, but doesn’t the Bible say that all sins are the same in the eyes of the Lord?” James rolled his sleeves to his elbows, unveiling the dagger strapped to his forearm. A little warning they took to heart, if their nervous gazes were any indication.
“It also says to smite your enemies,” the man hissed. “You are destroying good people and good families because of your sinful ways.”
“A bit dramatic, aren’t you?” James released a wry laugh. “And which good people do you speak of…
you
?” His mocking laughter sent them over the edge.
“Better than you, rat.”
James expected the first punch and ducked easily, jumping to the side and avoiding the shorter man’s reach. What he couldn’t avoid was the third man who snuck up behind him. He heard the thump of feet only too late. Suddenly James’s arms were pinned behind him.
“Bastard!” James cried out, trying to twist away. “Cowards!”
The shorter man swung his arm forward, his fist connecting with James’s stomach. The air burst from his lungs and stars flared to life. He would have sunk to the ground if the third man hadn’t been holding him. Another fist connected with his chin, jerking his head back. Pain shot across his jaw, down his spine. He would not cry out. No, he welcomed the pain because it meant he would feel again, feel something,
anything
.
“Teach him,” the man holding him said, “that no one touches our women.”
Another fist hit him in the gut. His stomach cramped, and he had to swallow the bile that surged up into his throat. He didn’t have time to recuperate before someone punched him in the cheek, snapping his head to
Similar Books
