Free One Taste of Scandal by Heather Hiestand Page B

employed. Betsy must see some promise in you.”
    “It was a series of misfortunes. I was trying to impress her.”
    “Perhaps you should keep your head down in the future and simply do your work.” His tone was severe.
    She glanced at Lewis. The lady was intelligent. She knew he was displeased to catch her flirting. “I believe Mr. Noble has explained my error. Perhaps Betsy will have some new task for me.”
    “I am certain that is so.” Judah put his hands behind his back and inclined his head in her direction.
    Lewis reached out and took her right hand in his filthy mitts. “A pleasure to meet you, Miss Cross.”
    “Very pleased to meet you, sir.”
    Judah suppressed a growl in the back of his throat as the chit simpered. He tossed shillings on the wooden table and stalked off. If Noble wanted to speak to him he could just come to the office.
    He went down the hall and back up the steps. When he faced the steps up to the offices, he decided to go out to the loading dock instead to get some fresh air. He needed to decide if he was heading back to Heathfield to continue his search through his mother’s things. This position was engrossing him during every waking hour, but he had his very identity at stake. He had to know if he was a gentleman’s son or not.
    When he reached the outdoors, he lost the sense of claws digging into his throat. Desperate for fresh air, he jumped off the loading dock and took a running step into the alley.
    “Pardon me, guvnor!”
    He felt a smaller body crash into his. Instinctively, he grabbed the windmilling arm and pulled the lad upright. His cap fell off and he recognized Eddy Jackson.
    “Eddy! What are you doing skulking behind the bakeshop?”
    The newsboy blinked. “Captain Shield?”
    “Yes, I manage this establishment.”
    “You work?”
    “Yes, I do.”
    Eddy tilted his head. “Toffs like you usually don’t.”
    “I like to keep busy,” Judah said, stiffening.
    “ ’spect you need the soft,” he suggested.
    “I expect I do.”
    He scratched his cheek. “I’m not skulking. It’s just that sometimes they put out old bread from the bakery and it’s fine stuff. Well, you knows that.”
    “A boy like you is earning his own way.” Judah frowned. “Why do you need charity bread? Not developing bad habits, I hope?”
    The boy shrugged. “Just a way to save the chink. I spends a lot on my clothes, you know. Got to look presentable in my line.”
    Judah smiled. “Indeed you do.” He clapped the boy on the shoulder and led him toward the stairs.
    “Why are you bringin’ me in ’ere? It’s too fancy for me.”
    “You’re with me, Eddy. It will be all right.”
    With slow steps, acting as if he was on his way to his execution, Eddy followed him into the back of Redcake’s. Judah led him into the corridor behind the bakery, where racks of fresh goods were kept ready to be placed on the counters.
    “You there, Irene.”
    The salesgirl glanced over, her hands full of a tray of petits fours. “Yes, sir?”
    “Can you put this loaf on my account, please? And this bit of shortbread?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    Judah handed Eddy a large loaf of white bread and a round shortbread biscuit. “For you, lad. Enjoy.”
    Eddy blinked. “Are you sure, sir?”
    “My pleasure.” Judah leaned to Eddy’s ear. “I get a discount.”
    Eddy grinned. “Thank you.”
    “I’ll show you out.”
    As they walked toward the loading dock, Judah noticed a sensation of renewal. A conversation with Eddy was as good as a walk through one of the Indian markets that had refreshed him over his years of army service.
    The door to the basement steps flew open and a girl dashed out, her apron covering her mouth. Magdalene, again? What was wrong now?

Chapter Five
    “M iss Cross? That you?” Eddy inquired.
    The girl put down her apron and sniffed. Judah didn’t recognize the cakie after all. Though slim and blond, her features were much more delicate than Magdalene’s. Eddy shrugged and