“Not a bad thought,” Anthony replied, his gaze never leaving Penelope.
“What lame beggar?” she asked.
“Why your newest stray, of course.” Anthony squinted. “We just saw him in town, dressed in rags.”
“You’re mad. What would the captain gain by harming my son?”
“Gain?” He shrugged. “Why need he gain?”
“Only a madman would harm a child without reason,” Penelope replied.
“Oh, I heartily agree.” Anthony smiled. “And, now that I consider, your beggar more than fits that bill.”
“Just because he taunted you—”
“That?” Anthony interrupted. “I’d forgotten all about that. After what all of us witnessed in the village, if the magistrate sets the beggar free I would be very surprised.”
Her heart leapt in her throat. “What’s happened?”
“I keep telling you, sweet. Those sailors cannot be trusted. Your beggar nearly killed a man today.”
She yanked out of his softened grip. “I don’t believe you.”
“Believe what you will.” Anthony shrugged. “I know what I saw. Irus challenged him to a fight.”
“Irus, the drunken fisherman?” The captain wouldn’t harm an old man. Would he?
“Yes.” Anthony snorted. “I suppose there simply isn’t enough room for two beggars in the village.”
Pen narrowed her eyes. “You encouraged the fight, didn’t you?”
Snickers sounded among the gentlemen.
“What if I did?” Anthony replied. “A man has got to havesomeentertainment. Settle.” He held her back by the shoulders. “Settle! My God, Penelope, I almost believe youcarefor the beggar.”
Blood crept into her cheeks she dropped her hands and looked away. “I find your behavior repugnant, is all.”
“Mybehavior? It wasn’tmewho nearly killed a man. Irus may well be dead.”
“He’s right.” Lord Thomas moved to the front of the group. “You should have seen the bloodlust in the captain’s eyes. I shiver just to recall. He beat Irus until Irus could not stand and then dragged him half-conscious from the town.”
No.It couldn’t be true.
Not the captain. Nothercaptain.
I am still a stranger. You do not know my intent.
The captain had even warned Thaddeus not to give him his trust. Had she been a complete fool?
She turned away. Anxious to reach him. Anxious to discover the truth.
“Where are you going?”
“Back up to Thaddeus.” She would take the servants’ stair out. She picked up her the clothes from the stairs. “Do you object?”
Anthony held her gaze for a long moment.
“Carry on,” he finally said.
