Page 5 of The Lady and the Lion (Victorian Outcasts #9)

five

H ours couldn’t pass fast enough for Vivienne.

The captain wanted to go to the circus late that night—after he would receive his payment. She’d agreed although she refused to wait for him in his house as he’d demanded. So she paced her bedroom.

Not fully trusting him, she wanted to go with him to the circus. Besides, Lion Boy was her responsibility. It was only fair she was present when he left his cage, in case he didn’t trust the captain, either.

A quivering fear knotted her stomach. Without any particular criminal skills or rebellious traits, the chance she made a mistake was bigger than Big Ben. A mistake meant Lion Boy would stay in that cursed circus forever.

Only an oil lamp lit her bedroom as she moved in front of the window, waiting for the signal to leave.

London seemed to have drowned in black ink, so dark it was.

Or maybe she saw darkness everywhere since she’d met Lion Boy.

He’d opened her eyes to a world made of abuse and suffering, of people enslaved for greed.

A shiver slithered down her spine, even though she was wearing heavy clothes.

If she was going to be honest, she felt a kinship with Lion Boy. Not that she wanted to compare her safe, uneventful life with his, but she lived in a cage as well. A cage made of fears, prohibitions, and lack of choices.

She jumped, startled when a soft knock came.

Dobkins entered the bedroom, carrying a black velvet bundle and a satchel. “I found an old pair of trousers and a shirt that should fit Lion Boy, and I took the bracelet from the strong room.” She opened the bundle.

The dim light sparkled on the bracelet, casting shiny glitters around the room. But when Vivienne touched the cold, hard diamonds, she was reminded that the world was as cold and hard as the gems.

“Your mother is going to notice its absence.” Dobkins slid the bundle into her pocket.

“I’ll tell her I wore it for my morning riding in the park and lost it. She’ll be upset and I’ll get scolded, but it’s worth it.”

Dobkins shook her head. “To give this fine piece of jewelry to that disgrace of a man.”

“Why do you hate the captain so much?”

“I don’t hate anyone.” Dobkins recoiled. “I don’t like how he behaved after…”

“Adele’s death,” she whispered.

Dobkins nodded. “I don’t think Lady Adele’s death was his fault, but after her death, the accusations, his reaction was to selfishly drink himself into a stupor, and he hasn’t stopped since then.

He has also become spiteful and angry with everyone.

Not to mention he turned to crime. I can forgive a moment of discomfort, but a moment that lasts years while he keeps destroying himself is too much. He wallows in pity.”

“Mother’s discomfort has been going on for years, too.”

Mother was still wearing mourning gowns, but mostly, her mind was stuck in the past.

Dobkins gave a little shrug. “The countess lost a daughter. Her pain is justified.”

Yes, but Vivienne wanted a normal life, as much as she’d loved her sister. “The diamond is not for the captain but for an innocent young man who deserves a better life.” She fastened a long dark cloak around her shoulders and walked out of the bedroom with Dobkins.

The tick-tock sound of the grandfather clock in the hall itched along her skin. The stairs had never been so long. Her breath thundered in the quiet, no matter how softly she inhaled.

Thank goodness Mother took a sleeping potion every night; she wouldn’t hear a thunderstorm.

Vivienne stopped shaking once they stole out of the rear entrance and reached the high street. Dobkins hailed a cab, waving her arms frantically.

In the cab, Vivienne wiped her clammy hands over her skirt. Sweat dampened the back of her neck, and her heart beat in a frenzy as if wanting to crawl out of her chest.

Dobkins didn’t look calm, either. She peeked out of the window every other second and breathed quickly.

Vivienne swallowed as her mouth grew suddenly dry. “You can return home once I’m with the captain. You don’t need to risk anything.”

“And leave you alone with a potentially dangerous wild young man and a certainly dangerous man like the captain? Over my dead body. I agreed to come with you, and I won’t change my mind. Besides, as you said, it’s for a good cause.”

The ride to the captain’s flat was both too long and too short. Vivienne wanted the whole affair to be done quickly, but also wanted not to start it. Her legs trembled when she got out of the cab and walked to the captain’s door.

She knocked a few times, her breath turning into mist in the night.

The door opened. For once, the captain looked sober. His black eyes were sharp, and his dark clothes were clean. The smell of tobacco hadn’t changed.

“I told you to use the back entrance,” he hissed, ushering her inside quickly.

“I forgot. Sorry.”

He shut the door quietly. “You forgot? Do you understand what we’re risking?”

“It’s done. You don’t have to shout at her.” Dobkins showed him the bundle. “No one saw us. We have the bracelet. We’ll give it to you once Lion Boy is here.”

He examined the jewel under the light of a lamp, raising his eyebrows. “Fine piece indeed. Well, ladies, make yourself at home. I’ll see you later.” He donned a black coat and put a hand on the knob.

“We’re coming with you,” Vivienne said.

He barked a raspy laugh. “Absolutely not.”

“For once, I agree with him,” Dobkins said.

Vivienne insisted. “We’re involved in this plan, and we need to know if something happens to you. We must go together.”

He scoffed, hands on his hips. “I don’t want a clumsy, inexperienced pair at my heels. We’ll get caught in a moment.”

“We’ll wait for you outside of the circus,” she said.

“We won’t interfere with your work. Besides, I’ve already been there, and I can tell you where the cage is.

It’ll save you time. And I’ll hail a cab while you free him, so when you come out with Lion Boy, we’ll be ready to go.

I also have a bag with some clothes for him. He’ll need them.”

Captain Jackson paused, stroking his chin. “We’ll discuss the details on our way there.” Scoffing, he beckoned them to follow him.

Dobkins rolled her eyes.

Vivienne should have been excited, happy even, to help Lion Boy, but she couldn’t ignore the fact that she might get arrested.