Den of Thieves by Julia Golding Page A

. .’ I then told him about the promise I had given and how Billy wished me to repay him. When he heard that Billy had asked for the Crown jewels, Frank gave a bark of laughter which turned abruptly into a growl when he learned of the alternative I had been offered.
    â€˜You don’t think you have to do anything that that cockroach asks, do you?’
    I should have realized that he wouldn’t understand. If I’d told the same story to Syd, Jo or Nick they would have got it at once. ‘It’s street honour, Frank.’
    â€˜Street honour!’
    His aristocratic assumption that the people of the lower classes were less men and women of their word than the nobility rankled with me.
    â€˜If you gave your solemn promise to someone you’d keep, it wouldn’t you, Frank, or expect to be shamed in your circle?’
    â€˜Of course, but . . .’
    â€˜If I don’t keep my word, I can’t go back. You wouldn’t want me to take the second choice Billy gave me, would you?’
    â€˜Heavens no, Cat.’ He looked shocked at the idea.
    â€˜Don’t worry, Frank. I may have made a mess of the last few weeks but I can handle Billy Shepherd. I’ll come up with something – or I’ll hitch a lift to America with Lizzie and Johnny. Exile is better than putting myself under Billy’s tender loving care.’
    Frank shook his head and looked out at a windmill revolving slowly on the horizon. ‘I’m pleased Lizzie never gives me any cause for concern, Cat, for with you as my honorary sister, I have more than enough worries.’
    I felt a lump in my throat. That he looked on me like a sister was the most wonderful thing I had ever heard. I had an adopted family of the verybest. How could I have ever thought I was abandoned and let myself get into such a fix?
    â€˜Thank you, Frank. I’ll try not to disgrace you.’
    â€˜Though I advise you to take some fashion tips from Lizzie,’ he added with a significant look at my frills, ‘I don’t think I can cope with a younger sister who looks like she’s wearing the entire contents of my maiden aunt’s workbasket.’
    My chicken bone sailed through the air and struck Frank on the forehead.
    â€˜Now I know the old Cat’s back!’ he said, rubbing the spot with a rueful smile.

SCENE 2 – NOTRE DAME BY STARLIGHT
    Reader, if you have not yet had to endure a sea crossing, take advice from me and keep your feet firmly on dry ground. I have discovered that I am not what one would call a natural sailor.
    The wind began to pick up as we descended into Dover at nightfall. Frank made light of it, telling me it was only a summer squall, and I, not yet knowing my own weakness, followed him innocently on board the little vessel that was to transport us across the water.
    â€˜Quickly, quickly, girls,’ Madame Beaufort trilled to her troupe. ‘Get below.’ She cast a disapproving look at the sailors who were leering at her charges.
    â€˜Show us a bit of ankle, love,’ shouted one tar to the prettiest of the chorus. ‘Give us a twirl, will you?’
    The ballerinas twittered with pleased outrageat this impertinence and scurried off to their cabins. I suddenly remembered that I should think of myself as one of them. With a sigh, wondering what I had let myself in for embarking on this adventure for Mr Sheridan so far from my natural habitat, I took one last look at the twinkling lights of Dover at the foot of the great white cliffs and dutifully followed Madame Beaufort.
    It was then that my torment began. Leaving Frank with his footman, Joseph, up in the bracing fresh air of the deck, I found myself closeted with three dancers called Mimi, Colette and Belle. I’d never much liked them at Drury Lane and closer acquaintance did little to improve on this impression. They greeted my arrival in their cabin as an unwanted intrusion on their gang. The spare bunk had