A Lily Among Thorns(95)

“Tom,” he said, ducking his head respectfully. “Tom Eaton.”

“Tom, I need your help.”

He frowned. “I’ve been asked to wait.”

Jenny could walk out of that bank at any moment. But Solomon appeared at her elbow. It calmed her nerves and helped her keep frustration out of her voice. “Is your customer a pretty gentlewoman, blonde, about so tall?” She gestured.

He nodded, startled.

“Then I wish you to wait, just as you’ve been. I wish you only to allow my friend and myself inside your vehicle to wait for your customer as well. Of course I will pay you for this service—five guineas or I’ll stand in your debt, as you choose.”

He looked wary now. “To be sure, having the Black Thorn in his debt is what anybody couldn’t help but like, but I’m an honest man, and—”

“Then you are just what I need.” She paused, and then, mentally gagging, added, “Just what England needs. That young woman is a spy for Bonaparte.”

He stared at her. “That tiny little gentry mort? You must be joking me!”

Serena gritted her teeth. Jenny was small and blonde, and that trumped everything else. The power of what men let themselves believe was staggering. But then, she herself hadn’t really believed that Jenny could be guilty. She’d seen Jenny wrap the teachers around her little finger at school, seen her lie and manipulate and always come out smelling like roses. And yet she’d thought it was only feminine cunning, nothing dangerous or real. Jenny had always relied on people thinking that. Serena, of all people, should have known better. “I assure you, I am very serious. When she gets in, you may convey us to Newgate.”

“Will I regret this?” Tom asked.

Serena met his eyes firmly. “Not if I can help it.”

Tom nodded. “Well, get on in, then.”

Serena glanced at Solomon, then abruptly climbed in without waiting for his arm. He climbed in after her and sat in the opposite seat. She sat very still, back against the squabs where she couldn’t be seen from the street, and tried not to let any portion of herself touch any portion of Solomon. She didn’t look at him.

After what seemed like hours, Jenny’s voice rang out gaily, “Thank you, sir! Now if you could take me to where I may catch the stage to Dover, I would be ever so grateful.”

“Yes, madam.”

The door opened and Jenny got in. She straightened, letting go of her skirts—and Serena trained her pistol on her. Solomon reached past her and shut the door with a snap. “Sit down,” Serena said.

Jenny’s face was hidden by a heavy veil, so it was impossible to guess her expression. “S—Serena?” she said incredulously. “What on earth? If Pursleigh forgot to pay you for the catering, I’m sure we can find a better way to—”

Serena sighed. “There’s no point to this, Jenny. We have evidence of your guilt. We’ll probably find more when we search your house, although if you’ve been careful, perhaps not. And if you don’t make an ill-judged escape attempt, you’ll live to see if your blue eyes have more success with a jury of the House of Lords.”

She gestured to Solomon to come sit beside her, which he did. “Solomon, I’m going to hand you the gun. I need you to keep it trained on Lady Pursleigh while I see if she’s hiding any weapons.” She had doubts about the wisdom of this plan, but since she had already considered and rejected the plan in which Solomon ran his hands all over Jenny, she had no choice.

When Solomon had the gun, Serena moved to the opposite seat and began systematically searching Jenny. This exposed far more of that lady to Solomon’s view than she would have liked, but she did her best to move quickly and keep her eye on her job, even when Jenny squirmed under her hands and made little squeals of protest. Only once, as her hands ran up Jenny’s legs to see if she had a knife in her garter, did she glance at Solomon. His eyes were glazed and his lips parted, but his hand seemed steady. Serena glanced away, feeling her temperature rising.

“Make her stop!” Jenny begged Solomon indignantly. “How can you just sit there? You wouldn’t really shoot me, would you?”

Serena paused. She didn’t look, but she could feel Solomon’s eyes sharpen on her face for a moment.

“Care to wager?” he asked mildly.

Finally, she took off Jenny’s bonnet and heavy veil and confiscated her hatpins. Serena had found those to be useful weapons more than once herself.