Lois Greiman by Seducing a Princess Page A

Landow Manor. He was taller, but no broader. His face was thin, his cheeks hollow and though he had almost certainly not continued to learn to read, it was clear he had learned other things, for he could act as if William was not even in the same room, as if they had not shared the remote comfort of another world. “I’ll do better tomorrow, if’n I get a decent meal.”
    Poke tsked like a disappointed father. “As you well know, that’s not my decision,” he said, “though the others have not done a far sight better.” He glanced at the women, who sat side by side. Gem had produced a small wooden box with a broken hasp and Princess had donated a tattered bag of vegetables.
    “So, Mister Bald,” Poke said as he poured a bit of whisky into a glass, “I hope your night was more successful.”
    Peter sat down across the table from Will. Tall and angular, he looked lean and chagrined. “’Fraid the pickin’s was slim, Master Poke. No one about much what with the cold and the rain.”
    Poke cocked his head. “If you let a bit of precipitation stop you, Mr. Bald, you may be dreadfully hungry by spring.”
    “Well, I did get this,” Peter admitted.
    He moved his arm and presumably something fell into his hand, because young Jack gasped.
    There was a moment of silence, then, “Ahhh, Mr. Bald,” said Poke, reaching across the table. “Very good.”
    So he had decided to hand over the prize he’d offered Gem. Relief mixed with regret and sluiced through Will in equal amounts, but in that instant Peter handed over his treasure—a pillbox made of porcelain. It was no bigger than a copper but even from this distance, William could tell its quality. It was gilded with gold and boasted an exquisite cameo on its lid.
    “And pray, lad, where did you obtain this little jewel?” Poke asked.
    “A lady in Uphill. She was givin’ her maid a sore scoldin’. Poor wee lass was barely the size of a butterfly.” He grinned. “I figured it was only fittin’ if she lost a bit of somethin’.”
    Poke smiled with predatory pleasure. “Mister Bald, as masterful at righting wrongs as he is at filching treasures.”
    Peter rubbed his hands together. “Looks like I’ll be divvying up the meal tonight.”
    “What ’bout me?” Oxford had been absolutely silent so far, but when William glanced his way, the man’s excitement was clear. His body was tense, and his eyes glowed with some emotion Will could not quite identify.
    “Ahh, Mr. Oxford,” Poke said, leaning back in his chair and steepling his fingers. “Have you a gift to contribute to our happy family?”
    Oxford’s sharp eyes skittered sideways and back. “Could be I got me a little somethin’.”
    “Well…” Poke lifted his hands palm up. “Don’t keep us in suspense. What is it?”
    Oxford licked his lips. “Just this,” he said, and dangled a strand of pearls over the table.
    Gem gasped. Peter swore. Princess remained absolutelystill, frozen in place. Perhaps she saw what William saw—a streak of blood, marring the perfect, gleaming orbs.
    His stomach roiled.
    “Mr. Oxford, that is truly lovely,” Poke cooed. His tone was impressed as he reached for the necklace. But Oxford curled it back into his grimy fist and pulled his lips away from his teeth in the facsimile of a smile.
    Poke settled slowly back into his chair. Silence sifted into the room. “Decided to go your own way, have you, Mr. Oxford?” His voice was soft, his lips smiling. Not a soul moved. Not a breath was drawn.
    Ox swallowed. “’Course not,” he rasped. “But this little trinket wasn’t got easy.” There was blood on his hand, smeared with the dirt that caked his knuckles and nails. “And I just wants ta make sure I gets what’s comin’ ta me.”
    Poke lifted an elegant hand, indicating the table in front of him. “As you well know, the spoils go to the night’s victor. The entire meal is yours if you like. Or you can distribute it as—”
    “I want the Princess,” Ox