Free Ghost of the Thames by May McGoldrick Page B

felt him stiffen as the blade slid deep between
his ribs.
     

CHAPTER 10
     
     
    “One of the servants found her
crouching by the kitchen entrance when he unlocked it, Captain.”
Reeves helped Edward with the shirt and coat his master was yanking
on. “Covered in dirt from head to toe, I must say, and the young
woman refuses to come inside. Something about her stopped our lad
from running her off."
    “He would have had his hands full, if
he’d tried,” Edward replied.
    “She wouldn’t answer any of Mrs.
Perkins questions, but she’s clearly no guttersnipe, if I may say
so. She simply asked that a message be brought up to you that
‘Sophy is here’ and that she wishes to speak with you. She claims
you know her, sir.”
    "How long did you say she's been
waiting?"
    “We don't know, Captain. Mrs. Perkins
said the young woman was shivering like a leaf when she went out to
her. Naturally, she took a blanket out to her.”
    Edward hurried out of his dressing
room with Reeves on his heels.
    “Seeing your reaction, Captain, I am
quite relieved that we didn’t wait to awaken you.”
    “Yes. Good decision,
Reeves.”
    “Would she be connected in any way
with Miss Amelia’s disappearance, sir?”
    “No,” Edward replied curtly, going
down the steps two at a time and moving quickly through to the back
of the house. His long strides left the butler trailing
behind.
    The mystery of Sophy’s past and her
lost memory were far too complicated for him to even venture a
guess what brought her to his door during the night. As he entered
the kitchen wing, the clock behind him chimed six. No matter what
happened, he knew that the matron at Urania Cottage would not dare
to put Sophy on the street before first sending him a
message.
    The buzzing voices of the servants
gathered in the kitchen went silent when they saw Edward stride in.
Quick curtsies and bows all around, and in an instant the
housekeeper was beside him as he moved to the door.
    “Good morning, Captain.”
    “Mrs. Perkins,” he replied. “Couldn’t
get her to come in, I hear?”
    “We cannot get the poor thing to
budge. Other than the blanket, she won’t take a thing. She’s
refused every offer of food or drink.” They reached the door. “This
girl is nothing like those other wretches who have been showing up
at the door for reward. There is a refinement, I'd say, in her
speech and politeness. Do you really know her, Captain?”
    “Yes, I do,” he said, going out the
door.
    There was a sharp tug at his heart
when he saw Sophy shivering on the bottom step, her knees tucked
against her chest. The blanket covered most of her. He hurried
down.
    “You will come inside, this
instant.”
    “No,” she said. Dark, fearful eyes
peered up at him. She was incredibly pale. “I cannot.”
    “I will carry you inside by force, if
I must, Sophy. You are freezing out here.”
    She immediately pushed herself to her
feet and backed away from him. “Then if you are not willing to help
me, I’ll go.”
    “Sophy, stop. I’m trying to
help.”
    “Please, Captain. I shouldn’t have
come here. But I had nowhere else to go.”
    “Then come inside. Let me help
you.”
    She looked up at the house. Edward
knew that Mrs. Perkins was on the landing behind him.
    “No. I cannot come in. This is your
home.” Sophy paused, desperation evident in her voice. “You can
help me, but I hate to ask it. It is too much.”
    “Ask.”
    “If you could find me a room
somewhere. Anywhere but the Cottage, or here. You offered to
help.”
    “Of course.”
    Edward stared at her for a moment. He
considered arguing with her, convincing her to come inside, at
least to warm up. But she was already looking hesitant, again ready
to flee.
    “You wait right here.” He turned to
his housekeeper. “Mrs. Perkins, this is Sophy. Keep her company
until my carriage is brought around.”
    “Very good, Captain.”
    “This will take a few minutes. If
you’ll excuse me?”
    She nodded, and he went