Page 38 of A Royal Kiss & Tell

Miss Marble managed to gather herself. She said to the man, “Two of your best chickens, if you please. Make certain they’re your best—they’re for Lord Hawke.”

The man nodded, took butcher paper and turned around for his stick to reach the carcasses hanging above him.

“Wrap them well,” she said, then gestured for Leo to step into a tight passage between two stalls. She stepped in behind him, glanced over her shoulder, then dipped into a curtsy.

“Oh no, no,” Leo said, reaching to lift her up, but drawing back his hand before he touched her, uncertain if he ought to, given the circumstances. “That’s...that’shardlynecessary, given this...ah, arrangement,” he stammered, seeking the right word.

“Please, Highness, what do you want of me?” she begged him. “I’ve done all I can do. I told the gent that I couldn’t help more.”

“The gent? What gent? Do you mean Lysander? But he gave me your—”

“Who?”

Leo paused. “Lysander, the Alucian.”

She shook her head.

Leo frowned with confusion. “But he gave me your name. What gentleman are you referring to?”

“Don’t know. I only know the Weslorian girl.”

“Who?”

“Isidora Avalie,” she said.

Leo’s heart lurched. That was one of the names.

“She’s the one you want, isn’t she? I told you, I can’t help you. I told the other gent that, too, when he came looking for her. Lord Hill, he turned us both out, and without any pay. Lord Russell, he didn’t like the way Lord Hill had done it, but he was kind enough to take me in until I could find another position. But Isidora, he wouldn’t take her, not her, because she was Weslorian, and he said he’d not involve himself in that. There, I’ve told you all I know, and now I really must go, Highness! If I lose my post, I’ve nowhere to go!”

“Hawke won’t turn you out—”

“He will, Highness, hewill! Please, let me go.”

“Take a breath,” he said, realizing it was his own chest that felt tight. He was far out of his depth.

“I tried to help Isidora, on my word, I did, but she...she...” Miss Marble suddenly burst into tears.

“Oh no. Goodness, no,” Leo said, putting both hands up. “No, Miss Marble, you mustn’t weep. Why are you weeping?”

“She had no place to go, either, and now she...oh, she’slost, the poor soul.Lost!”

Leo’s breath caught. “Do you mean she’s gone missing? Or...” He winced.“Dead?”he whispered.

Miss Marble looked up from blubbering into her hands and pinned him with a ferocious look. “She ain’tmissingordead. She’s working in a house of ill repute, that’s what. Right at Charing Cross. What was she to do? I begged Mrs. Mansfield to find something else for her—”

“Who is Mrs. Mansfield?” Leo asked, his head spinning.

Miss Marble’s eyes narrowed. “She owns the house where Issy stays now,” she said stiffly. “She said Issy was as safe with her as she was in some grand house, and if I didn’t leave her be, she’d take me in, too.” She glanced over her shoulder and gasped. “Molly’s looking for me! Please, Highness, don’t ask me again, Ibegyou.”

“Just one last question—who is the other gentleman who asked you about your friend?”

“I don’t know.” She turned to go.

“Wait! Where is Mrs. Mansfield? Where might I find her?”

“Charing Cross,” she repeated irritably.

“But Charing Cross is...”