“Where is it?” the shorter of the two demanded. The larger one brandished a cudgel, and Muriel gasped.
“We have no money!” Mr. Holmes yelled, right before he grabbed his own bat from behind the counter. He advanced on the bigger man as Muriel moved backward. She was impressed with her boss’ bravado.
“Run to the back, Muriel, and lock the door.” He swung his bat, but the larger man moved away. Muriel was almost read to turn at the end of the books when she saw the smaller man start after her. Mr. Holmes lowered his bat and the man tripped over it.
“John-John, run for a Peeler!” Mr. Holmes said. There was a loud noise, and Muriel, who was almost to the storeroom door now, thought that maybe the two cudgels had met in mid-air. She worried about Mr. Holmes, and decided she couldn’t leave him to fight what was essentially her battle.
She picked up a broom and headed back to the front of the store, just in time to see Mr. Holmes chasing the two men from the store.
“Lousy bandits!” he yelled after them.
She ran to his side. “Are you hurt?”
“No,” he said.
“Muriel couldn’t help but notice there was a smile on his face.
“You were right to be concerned,” he said. “But how did you know the robbers would come tonight?”
“I’ve had an uneasy feeling all day,” she said, which was the truth.
John-John was back in moments, with two Peelers in tow.
“Took a minute to convince the bobs I wasn’t lying,” he said. “Shall I escort you home now, Miss?”
“Not yet, John-John,” she said. “Wait one minute.” She went to the back room and checked on the box. It was still there. She reached into her reticule and pulled out a pound coin. Then she called the young man to the storeroom. “Take this and go out the back door.” She handed him the coin. “This is very important, John-John. But if you see someone following you, don’t let them hurt you. Just give it to them. Understand?”
John-John, whose gaze had been trained on the coin in his hand, nodded. “Be very careful, and after it is dark bring it to my home.” She gave him her address. “Can you make sure you are not followed?”
John-John laughed and nodded. She had no doubt he could. She let him out the back door just as one of the Peelers, with Ewan on his heels, appeared in the doorway.
Ewan rushed past him and took her in his arms.
“We want to hear from you what happened,” the Peeler said.
“Of course,” Muriel said.
“And the young lad, where did he go?”
“I sent him home,” she said. “I’m sure his mother is missing him.”
The Peeler snorted something about “No mother,” and he indicated Muriel should follow him.
“You were late,” Muriel said to Ewan as he kissed her.
“Yes, I think the attacks were timed,” he said. “Someone wants our relief. We have to speak with the Egyptologist tomorrow. I think we’ll be able to learn a lot from him.”
“You found him?”
“Mr. Lewis, Edward Lewis. We are meeting him for tea at four tomorrow afternoon.”
It was then that Muriel processed the words he’d said just moments before. “What do you mean attacks, as in plural?”
Chapter 9
“What do you mean, attacks?” Muriel repeated when he didn’t answer her. Her voice sounded shrill, even to her own ears. She looked Ewan up and down, and realized his jacket was torn, and there was a bruise forming on his face.
“Keep your voice down,” he said. “Right now, they think it was an attempted robbery, and I’d like to keep it that way. I don’t want them asking questions about the relief you received, and where it is. I assume the young man has it?”
“Yes, his name is John-John.”
Ewan lifted one eyebrow. “And his last name?”
“I have no clue,” she said. For a moment, she felt stupid about letting him leave the store with what was obviously very precious cargo.
The look on Ewan’s face spoke of his disappointment, and she sighed. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t worry, my love,” he said. “We’ll find it, and we’ll figure out exactly what is happening, and why. We’ve been thrown to the wolves, so to speak. But we’ll come out of it smelling like roses.”
“I hope so,” she said.
“Miss Robertson.” She looked up to see the Peeler standing there. “If you would, please?”
“Of course,” she said.
“May I accompany her?” Ewan asked.
“Of course,” the Peeler said.
Ewan and Muriel exchanged looks, and then they joined hands. His squeeze said it all. Don’t say anything about the attack on his person. They would talk about it later, when they were alone. And then they would decide where to go from there.
The Peelers were attentive, but most of their attention was focused on Mr. Holmes.
“What about this young man? Do you think he was part of the scheme?”
Muriel stared at the one who’d asked the questions. “He is a wonderful young man that runs errands for us. He was not part of this.”
The Peeler shrugged. “Many times, these young men work their way into your hearts so they can figure out how best to steal from you. I don’t mean to upset you but it’s the truth. When we find the boy, we’ll get him to admit who his accomplices are, and things will be solved.”
“John-John is not part of this,” Muriel said.
“I agree with her,” Mr. Holmes said. “These men acted alone.”
“Then where is the young man?” the Peeler asked.
“I sent him away,” Muriel said. She didn’t add that she had him take away a valuable item.
There was an uncomfortable silence before the taller Peeler said, “Even if he is not involved in the attempted robbery, he might have noticed something, maybe men hanging around during the day, watching the comings and goings. We need to speak with him.”
“I have no idea how to find him,” Muriel said, truthfully. “If he comes by tomorrow I will send you the information on where to find him.” The second part of the sentence was not truthful. Muriel knew the authorities targeted the street urchins who worked the streets to make a living.
“I suppose that will have to do,” the Peeler said.
“Good, because I have to get home to my wife,” Mr. Holmes said.
The Peelers left, and Muriel smiled at Mr. Holmes. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine, given the fact I’ve lied to the authorities,” he said. “I know the men were after something you had, and I don’t want to know what it is. I would just like to know that they won’t be visiting our store again.”
Muriel’s mouth opened, and she couldn’t get it to close. Ewan started to laugh, and the two men shook hands. Once the store was locked up they went in the same direction for a few blocks, and then broke apart.
“We’ll be followed,” Ewan said before they split apart. “Be careful, Mr. Holmes.”
“I will. Muriel, please take as much time as you need to resolve this problem,” Mr. Holmes said.
“That’s very generous of you, Mr. Holmes,” she said.
“It’s obvious they are dangerous,” he said. “I’m going to hire an off-duty Peeler to guard the store. Take care of business, and then come back to work.”
Muriel sighed. She understood Mr. Holmes’ concern about the store. She prayed he wouldn’t terminate her before this was all over.
When they were on the way home, Muriel took Ewan’s hand and squeezed it tightly.
“I hope Mrs. Haskell is not upset with us for being late,” Muriel said. She didn’t want to voice her idea that this incident could be the end of her job at the bookstore. They had other things to worry about now. She needed to focus on getting them out of danger.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart, I’ll charm her.”
Muriel had no doubt he would do exactly that. After this was over, they would face the idea that she might be
unemployed, and figure out what to do from there.
* * *
The house needed more work than Muriel had thought possible. The walls were covered in soot, and the wallpaper was peeling on all the walls. That would make taking it down easier, but putting this place back in order would take a lot of manpower.
And, in the end, it wouldn’t be their house. It would belong to Mrs. Haskell. It made Muriel’s heart hurt, because she loved the place, the large rooms and the idea that she and Ewan could make it their home.
She looked over to where Mrs. Haskell and Ewan stood, their heads bent as if they were discussing the problems of the world. She knew she should join in the conversation, but a movement from the corner of her eye caught her attention. She turned to see John-John, climbing in a window. He dropped to the floor silently and she smiled.
He held up the box and she pointed behind him. He nodded and went in that direction. When she turned her attention back to the room she found only Ewan.
“Is he hiding?” he asked.
“Yes, and I bet he’s hungry,” she said. “I worry that we’ve put him in danger. Maybe we should have him stay here. Do you think we should tell Mrs. Haskell?”
“No,” he said. “This is our house now, as far as I’m concerned. Mrs. Haskell is offering us free room while we fix up the place. She’s going to feed us, too. It’s a win-win situation.”
Muriel wished she could feel so optimistic.
“We’re in the middle of something, and we have no idea exactly what it is,” she said.
“You’re right, but worrying about it will not solve the problem,” he responded. “We need to relax tonight, and visit the Egyptologist tomorrow. Now, let’s go retrieve your unexpected gift from John-John, and then eat. After dinner, we’ll sit and examine the relief, see if there is something in it that gives us a clue as to who might have sent it.”
John-John sat in the first room at the top of the stairs. He was eating a slice of bread, and he looked extremely pleased with himself.
“Here you are, Miss,” he said. He patted the box. “It’s yours. No one followed me, I made sure. I didn’t even look in the box.” He took another bite of bread and grinned while he ate.
Muriel couldn’t help but think he needed a lesson or two in manners, but his instincts were perfect, and he really was a good boy.
“Thank you, John-John,” Ewan said. “Here’s something for our trouble.”
He flipped a coin in the boy’s direction, and Muriel saw that it was a pound.
John-John laughed, and when Ewan flipped him another pound the laughter increased.
“You can stay here if you want,” Ewan said. “I’ll bring you food over later. And a pillow and some blankets.”
John-John nodded. “Thanks for that.”
He continued to eat his bread.
Muriel waved at him as Ewan picked up the box. They started for the stairs and when they were downstairs Ewan told her to wait. He opened the box and his eyes widened.
“Wow, it is a beautiful piece of work,” he said. “Let’s go eat, and then let’s go for a walk in the park, see if we can flush out anyone who might be following us. It might earn us some information.”
“Following that train of thought, could you tell me what happened to you this afternoon, to make you late?” she asked. “You said the attacks were timed. What do you mean by that?”
“Two men tried to jump me as I left the museum,” he said. “I was lucky a Peeler was there and ran them off. They were after what was delivered to you this afternoon, I believe. Which means we have two parties at odds with each other, and one of them has put us in the middle.”
“Those rat bastards,” she said. “How dare they drag us into something we know nothing about. We don’t even know who it was. How has this happened?”
“I don’t know,” Ewan said. “But I would kindly remind you to watch your tongue, young lady. If you don’t it will earn you a spanking later in the evening.”
“Before or after our walk?” she asked.
“Perhaps both,” he said.
“Good.” She sniffled and said, “They are rat bastards.” Then she repeated the term once more for good measure.
“You are a naughty girl, Muriel,” he said. “When you’re spanked later, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Muriel smiled. A good spanking would allow her to focus on things other than the events of the day. She was rather looking forward to it.
* * *
Once they’d eaten, and delivered supplies to John-John, they made their way down the block, and Muriel snuggled into Ewan’s side, putting her hand in the pocket of his jacket. When they were at the end, Ewan put up his hand and a hansom cab pulled up.
“Are we not walking to the park?” she asked.
“No, we are going to my house for a short while.” He helped her inside. “I have something there I want to show you.”
They were settled in the seats when she put her hand on his crotch and said, “Have I seen this something before?”
“You’re a cheeky wench,” he said, but he didn’t move her hand.
She massaged him gently, loving the feel of his cock hardening under her touch. It took her mind off the trouble they were facing. She would like nothing more than to undo his breeches and free his prick. What would it be like to take him in her mouth while the cab rolled down the streets of London? She’d never done it before, and the thought was pretty exciting.
It was on the tip of her tongue to make the suggestion, but he put his hand on top of hers and said, “Lift your skirts.”
“One of my hands is a little occupied,” she said.
“We have little time until we arrive,” he said. “Do as you’re told.”
“If I don’t, will it make you spank me harder?” She batted her eyes at him. “You did promise to spank me for my naughty mouth, didn’t you?”
“Do as I say, or I will withhold the spanking.”
That was a threat that caught her attention. She pulled her hand out from under his and lifted her skirts as far as she could.
“Put your hand inside your under things,” he whispered in her ear.
She was wet and ready for him to play with her, but playing with herself while he watched was just as exciting to her. She cupped her mound and pushed her fingers into her wetness.
Ewan put his lips against her ear. “Such a wicked girl,” he said.
“You’re the one who led me astray,” she said.
“Is that a complaint?”
“Not in the least,” she replied. She moaned in pleasure when he cupped her breast.
“Stroke yourself, and tell me what it feels like when I spank you.”
Muriel groaned. He wanted her to put it into words? “Well, it’s, um, it’s…” The only thing she could concentrate on right now was the feel of her fingers on her hard nub.
“Answer me,” he said, sternly.
“It hurts, but it still feels… good.”
“Good how?” he asked. “That’s such a vague term. Define it for me.”
Muriel giggled. The cab continued to bounce along, and she worked her clit. She wanted to ask him what his definition of good was, but then she decided to stroke his ego, not just to keep him quiet, but because what she had to say was true.
“Good is feeling you touch me, no matter if it’s spanking my bum or feeling my breast. Good is knowing I’m going to spend the rest of my life with you. Good is soaring to the clouds when you’re inside me.”
In the moonlight coming into the cab she could see his expression. He was not happy.
“What?” she asked.
“My being inside you is only good?”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “Having you spank me, having you inside me, is more than good. It’s stupendous, it’s incredible, it’s the best thing I’ve ever felt in my life. Every time you spank me, every time you’re inside me, it’s better than the time before. Is that better than good?”
“
It is,” he said. “What would be excellent right now would be you climbing on top of me and doing naughty things in this cab. Wiggle out of your underthings.”
Muriel immediately followed his directive. She had her skirts under her as she watched him take his cock out of pants.
“Come on, little one,” he said. She straddled him, taking him inside her in one move. They both groaned, and she rode him slowly so as not to give away their activities to the driver.
They kissed and stroked each other as she rode him, with words of love passing between the two of them.
The slow, sweet love was staggering, mind-blowing, really. Ewan had taught her that slow lovemaking could be as sweet as the hard, fast joining. Tonight’s lovemaking proved true to his teachings. Her body shook as she came, his cock hitting just the right spot as she rode up and down.
She melted into his arms, and when he knocked his fist on top of the carriage she couldn’t help but smile. “We weren’t going to your house at all, were we?”
“Oh, we are going, just long enough for me to get some clothing,” he said. “I’ll be staying next door with John-John tonight, to keep watch on things. I don’t think anything will happen, but I want to be sure.”
His words warmed her heart. “Something tells me you’ll be giving up your rooms permanently tonight.”
“Or tomorrow,” he said. “I just know I don’t want to leave you alone anymore. I love you too much for that.”
“Just two more months and we can live under the same roof,” she said.
“It won’t be soon enough,” he said. “Even being next door will be hard at night, knowing you’re close, but not in my arms.”
“We’ll find time,” she said.
“But there is nothing like waking up and holding you,” he said. “We shouldn’t have waited so long to get married.”
He stroked her cheek as the carriage drew to a stop. “When this case is over, I say we run to Gretna Green and get married. To hell with the banns, and the wait. I want you as my wife.”
Muriel smiled down at him. “Those are the most good—no, incredible—words I’ve heard all day.”
Muriel’s Adventures Page 11
