“Orright.But I gotta clean these carrots fer Cook first,” the boy said importantly.
Marcus hid a smile.It was clear that he ranked rather lower in the lad’s estimation than his cook.He glanced at her and winked.
“Yes, of course, you must always do what Cook asks of you.”
“I know,” he said darkly.“She won’t feed me, else.”
Marcus nodded.“Indeed.I doubt you’ll find this job onerous.”
The boy frowned.“What’s onerous?”
“Difficult.Your task is to look after her ladyship’s dog while she’s away.We are traveling and cannot take him with us.So, you must walk him every day, clean up after him, brush him, and feed him.Cook will give you his food—”
“And mine?”Joey said anxiously.
“Yes, as long as you do what she tells you.”
Joey nodded.“Course.”He added in a confiding whisper, “She’s a good ‘un is Cook.”
Marcus smiled at Cook.“I know.As well, I want you to do whatever Peverill tells you to do.”
Joey grimaced.“Aw right,” he said reluctantly.
“And Peverill will pay you each week.”
At that, Joey brightened.“‘Ow much?”
“That will depend on how well you do your work.”
“Oh.”Joey subsided.
“As well,” Marcus continued, amused by the boy’s transparency, “from now on you will wear the clothes that were purchased for you at all times—not your street clothes.”
“Oh but—”
“Her ladyship is worried about you roaming the streets, so that will have to stop,” Marcus said firmly.”
The boy opened his mouth to argue.
Marcus said, “You don’t want to worry her, do you?”
“No,” Joey muttered.
“Good.And every night you will sleep in the house.An attic room has been prepared for you.”
Joey heaved a sigh.“’S gunna be hard.”
“I know, but only at first.And by the time her ladyship and I return from our honeymoon, she will be very proud of the new improved Joey, I am sure.So, do you agree?”
There was a long pause, then Joey said, “I s’pose so.Orright then.”
To Marcus’s surprise the boy straightened, spat in his hand and offered it.The street version of a gentleman’s agreement, he perceived, if rather ...slimy.Ignoring his cook’s horrified expression, Marcus gravely shook Joey’s hand.“We are agreed then.”
#
TESSA’S SLEEP WAS RESTLESS, and she woke just as the faint gray light of dawn slipped through the gaps in the curtains.
Her wedding day.
