Page 16 of A Rogue to Forget

“I have no idea,” Hannah said. “I wish I could see his face clearly.”

They walked to where a man sold chickens and Hannah asked for one. The bird was quickly killed, tied together, and handed to Marta.

The entire time the man watched from a distance. He’d moved to keep up with them, not bothering to keep from being noticed. He wanted Marta to see him.

“We should not have come alone,” Marta said, shivering. She motioned to Silas. “Stay close.”

Hannah had to admit, it was unsettling to be watched by someone who could possibly mean them harm. She searched the area for a constable, but there were none to be found.

Just then she spotted one. With the ease of a man of authority, the officer swung his club and walked assuredly down the street.

“I should speak to him.” Hannah hurried toward the officer, who noticed her and stopped walking.

“Is everything all right, Miss?” he asked, glancing around. Upon spotting the man in the black coat, his eyes narrowed.

Obviously the man had a reputation. The man in the black coat began to whistle and strolled away.

“He kept watching us,” Hannah told the officer. “Do you know who he is?”

“A petty thief. Often paid to do things such as watch people and collect debts. I would return home and ensure next time to be in the company of your husband. If someone in your household has debts with people of dubious nature, they should pay.”

“I do not have any dealings with anyone of any bad reputation. I live with my maid. There was no reason for that man to watch me.”

The constable did not seem overly worried about her safety. “His street name is Beans. I would keep my distance.”

“Aren’t you going to go after him?”

“Miss, there is no law against looking at someone.”

Annoyed, Hannah began to walk in the direction the man—Beans—went. The constable hurried alongside. “What are you doing, Miss?”

“I am going to ask him what he wants and why he approached my housekeeper last week.”

“You didn’t tell me about that.” The officer sounded winded.

Noting that the man had stopped, and did not notice they walked towards him, she hurried her pace. “I made a report.”

“Miss, you should stop at once,” the constable managed to say just as they reached the man, who turned and looked at them wide-eyed.

Hannah stepped up to the man, who was shorter than she expected. “Sir, you approached my housekeeper last week and now, today, you followed us.”

“I ’ave no idea what this woman is talking about,” the man sputtered, looking from her to the constable. “A man can look and be to ’imself.”

The constable seemed to regain his composure. “Beans, did you approach the lady’s housekeeper?” At this point, Marta and Silas had caught up.

Hannah motioned to Marta. “Tell the constable what I say is true.”

Marta nodded, her eyes moving from Beans to the officer. “He asked me to steal ledgers from the house.”

“I see.” The constable turned to Beans, who began walking backwards.

“I did nothin’.” Beans turned on his heel and ran. The constable chased him, blowing a whistle to alert others if they were near.

Hannah, Marta, and Silas stood in a line watching as Beans did his best to run, but he was not very fast. The constable seemed to be losing his breath too, his face turning red.

“I better help.” Silas took off sprinting across the market, cutting through the middle. Within moments, he caught up to Beans and tackled him to the ground.

“Ha!” Marta exclaimed. “That’s why it’s better to raise lads in the country. Lots of room to run.”