“Two more,” Titan replied, glad for the network of caddies they had at their disposal. The young boys quickly navigated the streets of London in pursuit of whatever they had been hired to obtain. Some days it was information, while other days they might be charged with purchasing items necessary for the gaming hell. Paying them a farthing for their trouble was far more economical than hiring yet another employee to see to the tasks.
“Here comes one more,” Theseus murmured.
Titan chuckled softly, noting how the short-legged boy managed to cover a good deal of ground, darting between coaches and dray carts on his way toward them. “What’s the word, Tommy?” he asked as the boy came to a halt in front of them and executed an awkward bow.
“Bookshops smell funny,” Tommy stated.
It was Theseus’s turn to chuckle. “First time inside of one?” he countered.
The caddy nodded. “Might be my last. The clerk was not very nice.”
“At Hatchards?” Titan asked in disbelief, referring to the oldest London bookseller. Located next door to Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly, Hatchards was said to be Queen Charlotte’s favorite bookshop.
“That place, yeah,” Tommy confirmed. “And no women work there. Told the bloke they should ’ire one ’cause a woman would be a lot nicer than ’im.”
“Let me guess. That’s when he kicked you out?” Theseus asked.
Tommy grunted in the affirmative.
Titan gave him two farthings. “For your trouble,” he said in a quiet voice. “Don’t be telling the others.”
“I won’t, sir,” Tommy said. “Where do I go next?”
Titan was about to mention the name of a bookshop when another caddy ran up to them.
“There’s a lady workin’ at the Temple of the Muses,” he said with excitement. “Pretty, too. Said she’s a library… library…”
“Librarian?” Titan offered.
“That’s the one. She started workin’ there this morning.”
Titan furrowed his brows. “Doing what?”
The boy lifted a shoulder. “Movin’ books about, I suppose. She was wearin’ gloves, and she was standin’ in the middle of piles o’ books,” he replied, raising his hands to match the height of his shoulders.
“Young or old?” Theseus asked.
The caddy furrowed his brows and shrugged. “She doesn’t ’ave any wrinkles, but she’s not a gull, neither.”
“Did you get her name?”
Teddy’s hands went to his hips, and he huffed as if he was offended. “Do I look nobbed in the head?” he countered.
“No,” Titan said at the same time Theseus said, “Yes.” An elbow in his ribs had Theseus gripping his side.
“Ouch.”
“Name’s Miss Kingston. Might be one of them bluestockin’s, seein’ as ’ow she can read,” Teddy said with a grimace. “Told me I should learn.”
“You should,” Titan said before giving him a farthing. “Good work, Teddy.”
“Thank ye, guv’nor.” The boy ran off in the direction from whence he had come while Tommy stomped his foot. “I suppose I don’t need to be going to that other bookshop, huh?”
Titan shook his head. “We’ll see. Come back tomorrow. She may not be the one we’re looking for,” he replied.
“Do you want me to go speak with the lady?” Theseus asked.
“And say what?” Titan countered. “I’ll let Bessie know,” he added, before heading into the Lyon’s Den.
