“Go ahead and talk.” He nipped at her earlobe, his hands wandering. “I’m listening.”
“I can’t concentrate when you do that,” she gasped.
“Mmm, I can feel my seed inside you.” The randy light in his eyes made her heart palpitate as did the wicked stirring of his finger. “You’re soft and wet—ready for me.”
“Sinjin—wait. I’m… sore,” she said desperately.
“I’ll be gentle.”
“But we really ought to talk first—”
The rapping at the door made them both still.
“Why the bloody hell is someone knocking at this hour?” he growled.
She had no idea, but she was glad for the interruption. She jumped out of bed and snatched her wrapper from the floor. Tying it securely, she called, “Come in.”
It was Harvey. One look at the normally unflappable butler’s aura filled her with apprehension.
“Is something amiss?” she said.
“I’m sorry to bother you, my lady,” he said in flustered tones, “but an urgent message just arrived from Mrs. Hunt. She requests your presence at the academy. Apparently, one of the foundlings has gone missing.”
~~~
Sinjin accompanied his wife to the Hunt Academy. Upon their arrival, they were greeted by a pale Mrs. Hunt, who led them directly into her office.
“We think Maisie left sometime in the night,” she said without preamble. “The last time anyone saw her was at lights out. This morning, her bed was empty. Mr. Hunt will be back shortly—he and some men are out in the neighborhood looking for her—but I sent for you because you know her best of anyone, Polly. Do you know where she might have gone?”
“No.” Polly’s brow furrowed. “But it’s unlike Maisie to leave without telling anyone.”
Sinjin had awakened feeling on edge, and seeing Polly’s concern sent a charge through him. She was his wife. It was his job to protect her from the worries of the world.
“Have all the children been questioned?” he said.
“Yes. And no one saw her leave. Or knows why she would go in the first place.” Mrs. Hunt’s hands knotted in front of her. “As far as anyone knew, Maisie was content here—”
“Wait—Tim,” Polly breathed.
“Tim?” Sinjin said.
“Her older brother. He runs with a band of mudlarks,” she explained. “Maisie mentioned that since their leader died, there’s been a struggle for power. Tim was trying to protect the younger ones from getting caught in the crossfire. When Maisie was telling me about it, I worried that he might end up in danger. Do you think she caught wind that something had happened and went to him?”
“That sounds like a tenuous situation,” Mrs. Hunt said worriedly.
At that moment, Hunt strode in. The brawny fellow had attended Sinjin’s wedding and birthday fete, and the two exchanged brief nods.
Mrs. Hunt rushed over to her husband. “Any luck, Gavin?”
“Sorry, buttercup.” He shook his head. “No one has seen her in the neighborhood.”
“Polly thinks that Maisie’s disappearance might have something to do with Tim,” his wife blurted.
As Polly recounted her story, the scar on Hunt’s cheek tightened. Grimly, he said, “I know the flash house used by the Larks. I’ll go have a look.”
“You must be careful,” Mrs. Hunt said fretfully.
“You can take a man out of the stews, but not the stews out of a man.” Hunt’s wink was roguish but his touch gentle as he tucked a wayward blond curl behind his lady’s ear. “Don’t worry, love, I know what I’m about.”
