Abbie and Finn passed the Fulton Market where the vendors brought fresh fish caught that morning in the East River, but the smell of the fish kept them from stopping to take a closer look, and they kept walking until they reached Battery Park where Finn took Abbie to a coffeehouse. It was still several hours till supper and they were tired and hungry from walking for so long. Abbie tried a currant scone with clotted cream and found it to her liking. She’d have to learn to bake those and then show her mother how to do it once she got home. The girls would love the crumbly pastry with the sweet bursts of currants. They loved anything sweet. Thinking of Annie and Sarah made Abbie homesick, so she tried to focus on the sights and sounds of the city, pretending that she and Finn were just travelers in a new land, rather than spies working against the people who barely noticed their presence. It was better that way. To the soldiers who boarded with Mrs. Cromwell, they were just servants, there to see to the smooth running of the boarding house. The less attention they paid them, the better.
After their coffee break, Finn and Abbie took a walk in the park, grateful for the shade of the trees on such a hot day. A crowd had gathered around a makeshift stage where a show of some sort was being performed. Most of the audience was made up of soldiers, but there were a few civilians in the crowd, some of them with small children perched upon their shoulders to get a better view of the stage.
“Let’s go see,” Finn suggested, pulling Abbie along and maneuvering her through the crowd so she could see the stage. Two puppets were going at each other, eliciting uproarious laughter from the spectators. One was dressed in the colorful outfit of a court jester, his beaky nose the most prominent feature on his malicious face. The bells on his hat jingled violently every time he swung his stick at the female puppet, causing everyone to laugh. He had a strange voice that sounded unnaturally high-pitched, making it almost impossible to make out what he was saying, but making him sound comically deranged. He was berating the woman for something, trying to get in as many blows with his stick as he could as the female managed to dance out of his reach every time.
The female puppet was almost round, with a bosom that came up to her pointy chin, and a voluminous cap that quivered every time she ducked the jester’s stick as she screamed abuse at him to the delight of the crowd. It was so silly, Abbie couldn’t help but laugh. Eventually, the woman managed to get the stick from the jester and beat him over the head until he retreated behind the painted screen, bringing the show to a close. The crowd reluctantly dispersed, leaving the puppet master to put away his set and dolls and move on before the park grew dark.
“What was that?” she asked Finn as they finally walked away.
“I think it’s called a Punch and Judy Show. It’s popular in England, so they perform it here for the soldiers. Did you like it?”
“It’s kind of silly really, but in a funny way,” Abbie replied, shrugging. She preferred something a little wittier.
“I think that’s the idea. It’s meant to cater to a large crowd where people don’t really get too involved in what they are saying. I bet Annie and Sarah would like it.”
“Yes, they’d love it. I miss them so much. It must be hard for them with everyone suddenly gone. I hope Jonah is all right. How soon do you think he’ll get leave?” Abbie knew her parents were terribly worried and would love to see Jonah, if only for a couple of days. He’d been so eager to go, he barely said goodbye.
“I don’t know, maybe you should ask Sam. I hope we hear from him soon. I’m a little worried since he didn’t turn up for our meeting this week.” Finn instantly regretted his words, seeing the anxious look on Abbie’s face. Finn had waited for Sam in the designated spot for over an hour, but Sam never showed, forcing Finn to return to the boarding house before he was missed by the ever-watchful Mrs. Cromwell. He couldn’t afford to draw attention to himself by disappearing for too long, even in the evening.
“I’m sure he’s just fine, Abs. We’ll hear from him soon. Now, where would you like to go next?” Finn asked in an effort to distract Abbie from worrying.
“I think I’d like to go back to the loft if you don’t mind. I’m awfully tired today.” Abbie slid her arm through Finn’s, leaning her head on his shoulder. It would be absolute heaven to get out of these clothes and lie down for a little while before the evening meal.
**
“Abbie, where in God’s name are you? If you think I’m going to do all this laundry by myself, you are gravely mistaken.” Libby was standing in the doorway, her arms on her ample hips, her face a mask of indignation. She was a good sort, really. Abbie couldn’t blame her for being annoyed. There was enough work for both of them, and they needed to pull their weight to get through the day.
“I’m coming. Sorry Libby. Just felt a bit faint.” Abbie laboriously rose to her feet, reluctant to go back in. She took a few last lungfuls of the briny air coming off the river before following Libby into the steamy laundry room, heat coming off the cauldron of laundry in suffocating waves.
“You do look a bit peaky. Have a cool drink while the Dragon Lady is not here. There’s an open barrel of beer in the cellar. She’ll never notice a cupful or two missing. I just had one.” Libby gave her a mischievous smile as she disappeared into the laundry room. “Don’t worry, the laundry will keep till you come back.”
Abbie wiped her forehead with the sleeve of her dress. It was clammy, and her upper lip was covered in perspiration. Libby was right. A cool drink would set her to rights.
Chapter 16
Abbie viciously tore off her cap, her shaking fingers already undoing the buttons of her dress. “God, I can’t take this heat. Help me with the buttons, Finn.”
Finn obediently went to help, trying to sneak in a kiss once Abbie lifted her hair to give him better access. She jerked her head away, irritated and upset.
“Sweetheart, it’s not so bad in here. The breeze off the river is nice tonight. Here, take off your dress and lie down. That will help you cool down.”
He’d opened the little window as soon as he came up, letting the heat from the afternoon dissolve in the briny air blowing from the river. Abbie seemed unusually flushed as she finally came up with a pail of stew, some bread, and a bottle of beer that Mrs. Cromwell provided for their supper. Normally, they ate in the dining room, but some nights they preferred to eat in the loft, enjoying a little alone time after a day of never-ending chores. Finn wouldn’t have minded eating at the main house, since there was a good chance of getting seconds and an extra cup of beer, but Abbie said she couldn’t stand being at the boarding house for a second longer than she needed to be, so he quickly agreed to have supper in the loft, not wanting to upset Abbie further.
Abbie barely touched her food, drinking most of her beer in one gulp and slamming the cup onto the scarred wooden table that also served as a nightstand and holder for the pitcher and ewer. Finn didn’t think that it was just the heat that was making Abbie so angry. True, it was hot, but not any hotter than it was in Virginia at this time of year, and Abbie hardly ever complained there. She was worried about Sam. It was safer for her not to know where Sam was staying or whom his contacts were, but it also made her feel isolated and vulnerable. Finn was used to the ways of the Committee, knowing that the lack of information was meant to protect him and others, but Abbie was still new and felt as if she were purposely being kept in the dark.
Abbie lay down in her shift, using a pamphlet to fan herself. “Aren’t you coming to bed?”
Finn busied himself with tidying the small room in an effort to avoid Abbie’s intense gaze. “Actually, I have to go out for a while.” There, he’d said it, and now he could brave the storm that was about to rage through their little room.
“And where are you going at this time of night?” Abbie sat up on the bed, her eyes boring into him.
“I got a message from Sam this afternoon. He wants to meet with me.”
“Why didn’t you say so?” she asked happily. “I’ll come too. Maybe he has so
me news of home. I miss them so.” Abbie was already reaching for her dress when Finn finally turned around to face her.
“Sweetheart, you can’t come,” he said quietly. Damn Sam for putting him in this position.
“Why ever not? I’d like to see my brother.” Abbie rolled up a stocking, ready to put it on, but Finn gently took it out of her hand and replaced it on the chair by their bed. It was probably wiser to stay back as he told her the news, but he felt awful for upsetting her further when she was already out of sorts.
“I’m meeting Sam at Mabel’s brothel.” There, it was out. Abbie’s mouth opened in shock, no sound coming out for a few moments until the shrieking began.
“You can’t be serious! Why, in the name of all that’s holy, would Sam want to meet in a brothel? What’s the meaning of this?” Finn quickly clamped a hand over Abbie’s mouth before the officers at the boarding house heard her. She struggled for a brief moment before realizing her mistake and hanging her head in shame. Finn slowly removed his hand, studying her for signs of further screaming before replying.
“I don’t know, but I’m sure he has a good reason. Why don’t you just stay here and get some rest, and I’ll be back as soon as I can? I will tell you everything that happened, I promise.” Finn was already backing out of the loft in the hope that Abbie would calm down once he left. Now that she knew Sam was alive and well, maybe she would be able to get some rest and calm her frayed nerves.
Finn had to admit that he was just as puzzled as Abbie. Sam certainly didn’t live a monastic existence, but a brothel? That just wasn’t like him. Finn jammed his hat onto his head and stepped out into the sultry night. Sam was one of the most patriotic and clever people he’d ever met, aside from Mr. Mallory, so whatever he was up to must have a purpose. Being in this situation, they had to trust each other implicitly since even the slightest mistake could lead to their capture. Sam would never knowingly do anything to endanger Abbie and Finn, so his reasons for meeting in a whorehouse had to be sound — besides, Finn was more than a little curious. He’d heard of the existence of such establishments, but he’d never been to one. Abbie had been the only girl he’d ever been with, and that was how he wanted it to be for the rest of his life. He knew that some men still visited brothels despite being married, but Finn felt no such desire. Both his father and Mr. Mallory were faithful husbands, who treated their wives with the utmost respect, and Finn intended to be the best husband he could be.
Finn chuckled as he thought of Sam. Sam certainly never missed an opportunity for a roll in the hay. To him, sex had nothing to do with emotional love, and was to be enjoyed as long as both participants were willing. Sam simply loved women, and the notion of settling down with just one was probably the next best thing to a prison sentence for someone like him. Would Sam ever find a girl to tame his wild heart? Finn certainly hoped that he was around to see the woman who took Sam in hand.
Jonah, on the other hand, would probably fall in love with the first girl who showed him any affection, following in his father’s footsteps and settling down at an early age. Finn said a silent prayer for Jonah’s well-being every night. He missed him more than he could have imagined, often carrying on a conversation with him subconsciously while he worked. Sam and Jonah were the closest thing Finn ever had to brothers, and he prayed that they would survive this war that was to last for another four years. A lot could happen in four years.
Chapter 17
Finn walked down the street, looking around. He didn’t know what he’d been expecting, but it was a nice street with two-storey houses on each side, some of them with shops on the first floor. All the shops were shuttered for the night, but there was a tavern at the end of the block, snippets of song and loud conversation disturbing the silence every time someone opened the door. Otherwise, all was quiet. Finn stopped outside the address Sam had given him. The building didn’t look like much, built of wooden planks and punctuated by small windows with darkly-painted shutters. All the shutters on the second floor were firmly closed, most likely to keep whatever was happening inside from being seen by passersby. Finn knocked on the door, his stomach twisting. What if Sam expected him to participate in whatever was going on? He just couldn’t do that, not only because of Abbie, but because that went beyond the call of duty.
A middle-aged man opened the door, studying Finn for a few moments as if he could learn all he needed to know just by staring at him. He was bald and stocky, with a nose that looked as if it had been broken more than once. Several of his teeth were missing, leaving dark gaps that made him look even more threatening than he already did. He was clearly no stranger to violence and would gladly pummel anyone who displeased Madame Mabel.
“In with you,” he grunted as he held the door open wider, allowing Finn to walk past. The narrow, dark hallway led to a well-proportioned room, decorated in crimson and gold. There was a pleasant aroma of something flowery and sweet, reminding Finn of being in a garden on a spring afternoon. A large mirror hung on every wall, reflecting the light from the candles and giving the room an appearance of intimacy. Several British soldiers were dispersed throughout the parlor, enjoying the charms of the girls, who were surprisingly attractive and healthy-looking. The men didn’t seem in any rush to take them upstairs, but were having drinks and flirting with the unoccupied girls, prolonging the pleasure and enjoying the hospitality of the Madame, before getting what they came for and retreating back to their lonely barracks.
Finn spotted Sam seated in a large armchair in the corner, a buxom redhead on his lap. Finn couldn’t help but stare. The woman was beautiful, with mischievous blue eyes and luminous skin that looked pale against her rouged lips. Her large breasts swelled above the low-cut bodice, barely covering her nipples and occupying all of Sam’s attention. The woman arched her back, bringing her breasts closer to Sam’s face and running her finger seductively over his lower lip. Sam appeared to be in heaven as he planted a sensuous kiss on the creamy flesh before turning to Finn.
“Ah, here’s the friend I told you about,” Sam said, gesturing to Finn to come closer. “When I promised you an unforgettable evening, I meant it. John, may I present Diana — the Goddess of the Hunt.” Sam smiled at Finn, willing him to cooperate. He’d mentioned that use of real names wasn’t wise, so for tonight they were Patrick and John.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Finn stammered, trying not to stare at the woman’s tits.
“Oh, the pleasure is all mine, I’m sure.” Her voice was throaty and seductive, her eyes taking Finn’s measure and pausing meaningfully when they reached his manhood.
“Any friend of Patrick’s is a friend of mine.” The woman slid off Sam’s lap and wrapped her arms around Finn, whispering into his ear. “Don’t worry. Your virtue is safe with me, Johnny.”
“Shall we go upstairs then?” Sam asked, rising to his feet. “Don’t worry, John, she’s all paid for.” Sam slid his arm around Diana’s waist, maneuvering her toward the stairs, slightly unsteady on his feet. “Lead the way, princess.”
Diana beckoned them to follow as she walked out of the room and back into the darkened hallway toward the stairs, calling a bawdy greeting to the man by the door. He responded with a huge grin, suddenly looking more goofy than intimidating.
“What are you doing?” Finn hissed to Sam as they fell a few steps behind her. “Abbie is livid, not to mention worried for your safety.”
“Just play along, John, and trust me. I wouldn’t steer you wrong. She’s worth the money; I promise you,” he said a little louder for the benefit of the thug manning the door.
Diana led them up the stairs and to a room at the back of the house. The hallway was lit with only two candles mounted in sconces on the walls, their shadows dancing on the dark upholstery of the walls. Finn heard moaning and giggling as he passed a room on his right, and muffled screams of pain from the left. What the hell was Sam playing at?
The room Diana led them to was decorated in shades of cream and green, surprising
ly clean and pretty. Most of the space was taken up by a large bed, hung with gauzy bed hangings that parted in the center opposite a large mirror strategically situated just across from the bed. Diana lay down on the bed, smiling invitingly.
“Get on the bed, John,” Sam ordered as he lay down next to the woman. He was still dressed, so that was promising. Finn did as he was told; lying down without actually touching the girl and hoping that was as far as it was likely to go. Sam began to bounce lightly, making the bed creak as Diana moaned theatrically, winking at Finn and trying to suppress a giggle. She sounded as if she were in absolute ecstasy, the sounds coming from her low and exciting.
“Easiest money I ever made,” she whispered as she slid her hand up Finn’s thigh, amused by his look of shock.
“Now listen,” Sam whispered, “the reason I had you come here is to meet Diana and know where Mabel’s is. Diana is one of us, and she’s doing what we’re doing, only in a slightly different capacity. I need to lay low for a few weeks, so Diana will be your contact. Come here only if you have some important information, or you’re in any kind of trouble. She will be able to help. Otherwise, wait for me to contact you. Now go. I’ll follow you shortly. Diana and I have some business to wrap up.”
“Are you actually going to stay with her?” Finn asked, amazed. Sam looked as if he had every intention of getting his money’s worth.
“That’s classified information, brother. Now away with you, and remember what I told you.”
A Game of Shadows Page 7