A Wedding In Springtime(97)

A small shape caught her eye as it darted into a doorway near her.

“Jem? Is that you?”

The thin urchin emerged from the doorway, glancing around nervously.

“Have you been following me?”

Jem stepped closer to her and nodded. “What’s you doing out on the streets alone, milady?”

Genie sighed. Chastised for lack of propriety by a street urchin. “I need to deliver a letter. You know the chocolate shop you recommended to me as having a moneylender?”

The boy’s eyes widened and he nodded.

“Could you deliver a message to the Candyman? Tell him I have what he was looking for and I will meet him at Hookham’s Lending Library. Do you understand?”

Jem’s eyes remained wide, and he nodded but remained where he was.

“Oh, of course,” said Genie rummaging through her reticule and pulling out one of her few farthings. “You would like a treat from the shop.” She held out the coin but the boy did not take it. “Is something the matter?”

“Are you sure you want me to go to the chocolate shop?” asked the boy.

“Yes. Is something wrong?”

“I don’t like the Candyman,” said Jem in a low voice, head down.

“I can always go myself—”

“No! I’ll go.” Jem turned on his heel and raced down the street. The coin Genie had offered still rested in her hand.

***

Genie waited impatiently in Hookham’s library. The Candyman had not come. She had thought for certain he would arrive, given how much he wanted the envelope in her reticule, but it had not come to pass. Genie began to wonder how long she should wait and how she was going to return home.

The walk to Hookham’s had not been smooth. Her unchaperoned presence had drawn more attention than she wished to garner. She had drawn looks of censure from older matrons, whistles from common laborers, and rude comments from several dandies. One of these set had followed her into Hookham’s and was even now sitting in plain sight with a wolfish grin on his face. She did not relish stepping outside the relative protection of the library.

The bell at the door rang softly and Genie turned her attention, hoping the Candyman would arrive to put this entire situation behind her. Genie gritted her teeth in recognition. It was Mr. Blakely.

Genie turned away and pretended to read a book, but he walked over to her.

“Good afternoon, Miss Talbot.” Mr. Blakely sat in a chair next to her.

Genie did not look up or acknowledge him in any way, hoping by sheer neglect to make him somehow disappear.

“I am glad I have seen you.” Blakely leaned forward, speaking softly. “I wish you to know how sorry I am for our disagreement.”

Genie glanced over the top of the book at him. “Sorry enough to forgive my brother’s debt?”

Blakely colored slightly. “No, I mean… it is not in my power.”

“Good day, Mr. Blakely. I can have nothing more to say to you.”

“Wait, you misunderstand me. I was contacted by the Candyman who indicated you had negotiated terms and he was going to pay off your brother’s debt. He asked me to meet you both here and bring a letter of forgiveness for the debt.”

Mr. Blakely pulled a sealed letter from his breast coat pocket. Genie’s eyes followed the letter. It was everything she wanted.

“Do you know when he will arrive?” she asked, her pulse starting to quicken. She was so close to saving her brother and being done with it.

Mr. Blakely inspected his pocket watch. “He should have been here by now. I do not know what has kept him.”

Genie sat primly on the edge of her seat. She wished the Candyman would arrive soon, so she could forget she ever met Mr. Blakely.

“I suppose I could stop by the shop and see what has detained him.”

“Hey, gent.” The ogling dandy strode up to Mr. Blakely. “I found this ladybird first. She’s coming home with me if she’s leaving with anyone.”

Mr. Blakely rose slowly from his chair, staring down the dandy. “You have made a grave error in judgment. You will apologize immediately to the lady or I will meet you at dawn.”

The smirk on the dandy’s face slid into gaping fear. “I-I am sorry. I do apologize. Thought you were someone else.” He retreated and left the library with due speed.

“Thank you,” Genie breathed. Even though Blakely was more interested in money than her, it did appear he was still gentleman enough to have a care for her reputation.