“I take it they were not discreet?” he managed to ask as a wave of disappointment washed over him.
Aaron released a hash laugh. “No. Which was the problem.” His mouth set in a grim line. “While most in the community understand that not all of us can always meet the gentiles’ definition of being ‘upright’ if we want to feed ourselves, the Moses family was not merely surviving.”
Aaron sighed, then continued. “And they were certainly not thinking of the community and its safety when they acted. They were known to revel in how many characteristics they embodied of the monsters we’re believed to be.” He shook his head. “Worse, they were arrogant and careless. Tried to extract too much from a gentile of influence, with a sister who’d decided certain people needed to be taught a ‘lesson.’”
Sol gulped. “Oh no.”
Though considering the bravery she’d shown when she’d saved his life, the story wasn’t particularly surprising. Really, he should have known. Why else would she have been out at night like that if she wasn’t one of the community’s villains? And while he didn’t quite share Aaron’s single-minded desire to protect the community at all costs—a good reason his friend was the one on the Commission of Delegates—the communal body, who, in addition to advocating with the Crown for the community’s safety, solving internal disputes, and organizing their various factions, maintained tight control of the community’s image to the outside world—he most certainly understood why a woman like Hannah was not only someone of no use to his or his brother’s goals, but also someone he shouldnotwant to be around.
“The gentiles loved the trial. Both the outcome and the exaggerated reporting, which made several of their papers quite wealthy. Not to mention that writer who penned a popular serial changing the facts to make the woman’s father resemble the fiends of their fairy stories even more. Wrote him as relying on the corruption of gentile boys for his criminal ways. Which, given the writer’s connection to the trial, had many of his readersbelieving the truth in those allegations. And made them even more disappointed there were no hangings.” Aaron shook his head in disgust.
Oy. Just oy.
“But that’s not here nor there. In the real story, the Moses family greed saved them in the end,” Aaron continued, shoving his hands into his pockets. “The parents paid a pretty penny in bribes to be sent to Norfolk Island. The older daughter—your Hannah—was given a lesser sentence, and only spent a year or two in prison. Though from what I’ve heard on the Commission, she was as up to her ears in everything as the parents.”
Sol released a few choice curses in his head. Yes, sir, there could be no speaking of Hannah ever again. Especially not with Frederick’s clear interest in the viscount’s sister. Any whiff of a connection could kill his brother’s chances. He opened his mouth to thank Aaron but—
“Older daughter?” he asked instead.
“Yes. There’s a sister. Much younger. A mere child at the time. The community begged Hannah to let us take care of her, raise her properly so she’d have a chance at a good life,” Aaron explained.
“Let me guess, the elder Miss Moses didn’t take kindly to that?” His lip twitched despite himself because the woman he’d seen was hardly the type to acquiesce to anyone.
“No.” A ghost of a smile graced Aaron’s lips as well. “Essentially told my grandmother-in-law that she and the community could hang, and given what we ‘allowed’ to happen to her parents, that she and her sister had no use for our—well, let’s just say the words were not polite and reflected a certain animosity.” He cocked his head at Sol. “What?”
“I’m just surprised she didn’t end up floating in the Thames,” he said, giving in to laughter. Because Aaron’s wife might be frightening, but her grandmother, a leader in the community despite not holding a delegate position on the Commission, was downright terrifying. Hannah was truly brave, or foolish, or both.
And for some ridiculous reason that only made him like her more.
“I’m sure the possibility crossed her mind several times, but Hannah Moses still lives, as we’ve all witnessed.” Aaron smirked.
“Though if the two had met at services today…” Sol shook his head at the possibilities.
“Oh yes, that might have made quite the entertainment.” Aaron’s smirk became a full grin, the man probably picturing the scene. Sol worked to do the same but failed to remember what Mrs. Lira even looked like despite walking with her a mere hour ago, as his mind could only conjure images of Hannah. And the way her plump, full lips settled into a rather delicious smirk every time she gave as good as she got in verbal sparring.
Shaking his head, he said, “But back to Hannah.” He pushed off the door and took a step toward Aaron. “What happened to her and her sister after?”
“As far as I know, she took the girl back to the family’s old rooms and started running that pawnshop again. As if nothing had happened. Albeit she’s had less monetary success and taken seemingly more care, as there hasn’t been any trouble since, but you know the danger in it. Especially given how many gentiles those places serve.” Aaron sighed anew. “Barely involve themselves in the community. The older one attends onthe holidays, but always hides in the shadows. I’d forgotten she existed until she bumped into you by that alcove… Funny that.”
“What?” Sol blinked at his friend.
“Nothing of importance. It’s just the same exact spot where I crashed into Isabelle for the first time. Must be something in the design.” Aaron tapped a finger to his lips before seemingly dismissing his thoughts with a brisk wave. “Anyway, I have no idea what she could possibly have been doing at services today. Or more, I can’t think of a good and honest reason for her to be there. Which means that you should be careful.”
He leveled a warning gaze at Sol, who ducked his head, scratching the back of his ear.
“About what? I don’t even know the woman,” he said, wincing a little at his dismissive words. Villain or not, Hannah had saved his life, which had to meansomething.
Not that she appeared to be holding out for his gratitude. Or even seemed to want it. She hadn’t been able to get away from him fast enough at the synagogue, and if that wasn’t a sign that he needed to forget her, then that, coupled with Aaron’s information…
Still, he hadn’t truly thanked her.
“No. You don’t.” His friend frowned. “I’m just—Isabelle is only now getting her bearings with the Berab brothers, and you’re still making a name for yourself. I can’t imagine the dramatics they’d engage in to avoid being associated with someone like Miss Moses, and after all your hard work, you see…”
Sol could only nod. Because yes, he saw. Isabelle’s former animosity with her business partners was the only reason she’d offered him a role—and with thefamilies of Lira & Berab Sureties no longer at odds, he had no reason to assume she’d back him should he become embroiled in any sort of scandal.
“And I’m sure Frederick would have a fit if he knew you’d even spoken with her. Especially with the way he was fawning over that gentile woman,” Aaron added, rolling his eyes. “Though now I suppose I don’t need to wonder anymore about his recent Baptism.” He smiled sardonically. “I hope he gets everything he wants out of it.”
Sol winced at the judgment in his friend’s tone.
