Sinking back on her heels, Eve allowed the tears to flow down her cheeks.
“What is takin’ so lo…”
Eve glanced up at her brother through watery eyes, but her vision wasn’t so clouded that she couldn’t see the color leave his face as his jaw dropped.
“How could ye?”
“I needed ta, Eve. Ye don’t understand the pressure. Nothin’ is workin’ as it should.”
“Because ye spend yer nights gamblin’ and drinkin’ instead of gettin’ a position.”
He reared back as if she’d struck him. “I’m not meant ta work.”
“I’m not meant ta live on the streets and run out on rent. Yet, it’s what I’ve been reduced ta.”
“No. I’ve seen that ye’ll be cared for.” Brendan reached out for her, but Eve jerked back.
Oh, how many times had he promised that he’d protect her, when it was she who had tried to keep the two of them from starving, and tried to earn enough funds to keep a roof over their heads? She’d failed and had finally given up, intent on taking care of herself, and now he’d taken even that from her. “Mamaí’s necklace?” That’s what cut the deepest. Father had given one to Eve and another to Cait after their mother died. It was all Eve had left of her parents, and she’d treasured the sapphire and diamond necklace above all else. Now it was lost to her forever.
“I needed it.”
“For drink, gamblin’, opium or whores?” Eve rose to her feet as her anger mounted.
“I should have won.”
“Dat’s what ye always say. Will ye ever learn?” Eve didn’t care that she was now yelling and that she might disturb the neighbors. The loss of the necklace was the end of what remained of her patience.
“It worked out dis time.” He took a step forward. “At least for ye.”
Fairytales! Her brother lived in a world of fairytales and dreams and the drink and the poppy weren’t helping him face the reality of the situation. How could it have possibly worked if they were to run again?
“I promise,” Brendan insisted. “Gather yer thin’s and come alon’. The hackney is waitin’.”
“Hackney?” They’d not taken any form of conveyance in months. They couldn’t afford to.
“I promised I’d take care of ye and dat is what I’ve done. Now come alon’.”
Hesitantly, Eve grabbed her satchel. Perhaps Brendan’s luck had finally changed. However, she might never forgive him for losing Mother’s necklace.
After settling into the hackney, Eve looked at her brother from the corner of her eye. “Where are we goin’?”
“Mayfair.” Then he took her hand. “All will be well for ye, Eve. I promise.”
Chapter 2
What was that blasted pounding? Henry pushed the covers away and checked the time. It was only ten in the morning. He’d gotten to sleep only a few hours earlier. It had been the first time he’d been out all night since before his father died. Back then he’d still been a Devil and it was expected not to return to his lodgings until early morning. Last night had been reminiscent of what his life had once been.
Once again, there was a loud knock at his door.
“Come.”
“I do apologize for disturbing you, Lord Kilsyth,” his butler said as he stepped into the bedchamber. “There is a matter most urgent.”
His heartbeat kicked up as concern mounted. Had something happened to his mother? She’d not been herself since father died.
“An Irishman, a Mr. Brendan Doyle, insists on seeing you. He says he’s here tomake good on his wager.”
Thank God nothing had happened to his mother.
