Page 17 of An Extraordinary Lord

He glanced at Veronica, waiting for her to jump into the conversation and once more prod him along in the direction she wanted him to go in this dangerous game she was playing.

But she didn’t. She simply waited silently with Filipe for his answer.

Cold realization poured over him like a bucket of ice water. Not a game—a test. And if he didn’t pass it, he wouldn’t walk out of this place in one piece. Most likely the two guards at the stairs would slit his throat with his own knife.

Lesson learned the hard way. He’d never underestimate her again.

“I have a big family and little pay.” He spun the story, drawing on the setup she’d given him and careful to make his pride sound wounded at having to ask for help. “At the docks, the companies don’t give a damn whether your family starves or not, but they still expect you to break your back moving their goods.” And just the right amount of bitterness. “I’m tired of having to choose between bread and rent.”

He didn’t glance at Veronica directly and kept his focus on Navarre. But from the corner of his eye, he could see her lips twitch. The infuriating little hellcat was enjoying this.

“My wife grew ill and can’t take in mending or washing now,” he explained. “The loss of that blunt hit us hard.”

“I’m certain it did,” Navarre mumbled, his face too inscrutable to tell if he believed the story, while beside him, Veronica’s eyes danced with amusement. “How many children do you have?”

“Eight.”

She cleared her throat to hide a laugh.

His voice cracked just a bit as he added, “And two wee ones already in the churchyard.”

Her laugh strangled in her throat.Merritt knew that part of the story would prove too close to reality for her comfort, as most children born in the rookeries and slums didn’t live to see their fourth birthday.

“I can’t find the means to feed and clothe them, and I don’t want them out on the streets, fending for themselves. I don’t want to sell my boys into apprenticeships or the girls into service, of any kind.”

The shine in her eyes dulled, and all her amusement at testing him vanished. The grim truth behind what he was saying hit her visibly. That was the real lot of most poor families in London—their children forced into becoming chimney sweeps, washerwomen, scullery maids, night soil men…prostitutes.

“Miss Chase told me about the Court of Miracles, how you help those who are willing to help others.” When Merritt saw Navarre’s gaze flick to Veronica, he knew the man believed him. “So I want to negotiate a trade. I’ll share with you what I learn about ships’ manifests and warehouse contents, and you’ll let me move my family here. All of them. They’re young and small yet. They won’t take up much space.” When Navarre seemed to waver, Merritt added, “They won’t be any trouble, I promise.”

“I’m certain they won’t be.” Navarre hesitated, and fear burst through Merritt that his story hadn’t been believable enough—then the man gave a decisive nod. “We’ll give it a try. Settle your family here first, then we’ll meet and talk. You’ll have no worries about your decision.” He slapped Merritt on the back as he walked away to rejoin the other man and resume their interrupted conversation. He sent Veronica a smile over his shoulder. “As long as Roni guarantees your character, that is.”

Merritt sliced her a glare angry enough to scald.

But the little minx simply smiled. “I do. Thank you, Filipe.”

“Yes,” Merritt seconded, “thank you.”

“No need. Give your gratitude to Roni.” He turned his attention back to the previous conversation.

“Oh, I’m certain I will,” he muttered, which only widened her smile.

She gestured for him to follow her from the room. “I’ll introduce him to Ivy,” she called out to Navarre, “let her find a place for his family and explain to them how everything works here.”

Navarre distractedly grunted his agreement. He’d already dismissed Merritt from his mind in favor of more important business.

As soon as the door closed behind them, Merritt grabbed her elbow and pulled her to a stop. “Is that why you brought me here?” he seethed, lowering his mouth to her ear so his anger wouldn’t be overhead by the two giants guarding the stairs. “To test me?”

“Oh no. That was merely a delightful bonus.”

When the two guards glanced down the hall at them, she smiled and slid her arm away. She walked on and made him fall into step beside her.

“If you’re going to infiltrate this world, then you have to do it from within. What we just did creates a history for you and a set of people you can point to here who are willing to swear to your identity. You have to have that before anyone will trust you.”

“But you said there was no trust in your world.”

“Exactly.”

He stopped her at the top of the stairs. Turning to the nearest guard, he gestured at the floor. “May I?”