Page 80 of A Devious Secret

“Do you not worry about your safety?”

Hawthorne reached down to his boot and retrieved a muff pistol. “That is why I carry two pistols and a dagger on my person.”

“Isn’t it uncomfortable having a pistol in your boot?”

“You get used to it,” Hawthorne replied as he returned the muff pistol to his boot. “Besides, it is better to prepare for a fight than expect none.”

“How often do you get into fights?”

Hawthorne chuckled. “That is a ticklish question.”

“It shouldn’t be.”

“What I do with my time is none of your concern,” Hawthorne said, his voice holding a warning.

Stephen knew it was best if he stopped asking questions. Hawthorne was entitled to have his secrets, even if he was the most perplexing man he had ever met.

They both retreated to their own thoughts as they traveled towards the docks since neither one of them seemed intent on conversing.

The hackney came to a stop and Hawthorne glanced out the window. “We are here,” he said. “Be aware of your surroundings and follow my lead.”

Hawthorne didn’t wait for a reply before he opened the door and stepped out onto the narrow pavement. He turned to address the driver. “Wait here,” he ordered. “We will be back shortly.”

“That will cost you,” the driver shouted down.

Hawthorne reached into his waistcoat pocket and retrieved a coin. He extended it towards the driver. “I will double that amount if you wait here for us to return.”

The driver clutched the coin in his hand. “I won’t wait forever.”

Hawthorne acknowledged the man’s words with a tip of his head. Then, he met Stephen’s gaze. “Follow me,” he ordered.

Stephen followed Hawthorne down one of the worst sections of town that he had ever seen. The blackened buildings were collapsing in on themselves but somehow it appeared as if people were still living in those conditions. The people were dressed in dirty, ill-fitting clothing and their faces had streaks of dirt on them. Furthermore, their eyes all seemed to have the same hollowed-out looks.

Hawthorne came to a stop at an alleyway where five women were leaning against the brick wall.

A dark-haired woman with a brown, faded dress pushed off from the wall. “Are you looking for a good time, Mister?” she asked in a sultry voice.

“I am here to speak to Lavinia,” Hawthorne said.

The dark-haired woman stepped closer to Hawthorne and purred, “You will find that I am much more preferable to Lavinia.”

Hawthorne remained stoic. “Do you know where Lavinia is or not?”

“I do, but it will cost you,” the dark-haired woman replied. “Information don’t come cheap here.”

A woman’s voice came from deep within the alley. “Leave them alone, Patty. They aren’t here to see you.”

It was but a moment later when the redheaded lady from the boarding house came into view and she came to a stop in front of them.

Her eyes lit up with recognition. “I know you two. You were the ones that knocked on Colin’s door that day to see if he were home,” Lavinia said as she tightened the threadbare shawl around her thin shoulders.

“We are,” Hawthorne confirmed. “Thank you for agreeing to meet with us.”

“I didn’t have much of a choice, at least that is what the bloke told me.” Lavinia glanced over her shoulder. “Can we do this somewhere more private?”

“Are you hungry?” Hawthorne asked.

Lavinia nodded slowly. “I am. I haven’t eaten since yesterday,” she replied. “I had been hoping that work would pick up.”