In which James is kidnapped and wakes in a strange place.2
"Take me home?" James asked, pushing himself away from Kingston. He swiped his sleeve against his eyes, sniffling. "This is my home." 3
"Surely you don't want to stay here?" Kingston looked around at the shabby office, an eyebrow raised.4
"In any case, why should I go with you?" James seemed to have completely regained his composure. 5
"Because," Kingston said, lowering his voice, "your father awaits."6
James stiffened. "That's even more reason for me to stay. I hate him, and he hates me. End of story."7
"Don't be childish, James" - 8
"I'm not being childish! I'm being perfectly practical." His voice took on a dry tone. "Don't you know one of the first lessons every child learns? 'Don't accept anything from strangers.'" The last part was said in a high, falsetto voice.9
"The man you know as - Robert Bari, isn't it? - he is not your father."10
"What are you talking about?" 11
"You heard me, James."12
"Lies," James hissed, taking a step back. 13
For some reason, Kingston's eyes seemed sad. "I was hoping I wouldn't have to do this, James," he sighed, straightening.14
"What?" James started to say, but he was not allowed even that brief syllable. A foul-smelling cloth was pressed to his face, Kingston holding his body in place. Though he thrashed, he could do nothing, and after another moment, he hung limp in the giant's arms.15
-16
The buggy rumbled to a stop in front of the docks. Kingston stuck his head out the window. Not a soul - wait, what was that - there, in the shadows! A scrabbling - and a rodent scurried out. Kingston eyed the rat suspiciously, then retreated, only to step out holding a curious bundle, which he hid partially with his overcoat. The buggy driver flicked the reins, and the horse clomped away. Kingston slipped to the nearest building, an old warehouse that, supposedly, had not been used for decades. He rapped thrice on the door. Someone pulled a small slide and peered out at him, then closed it again. The door creaked open and shut again, with none the wiser.17
"Do you have him?" The words came from a beautiful but sad woman. Her sweet mouth was small, with a kiss at the corner that none yet had been able to take. She looked gaunt and her eyes were slightly bloodshot, as though she had neither slept nor eaten for days. "My son" - 18
Kingston bowed. "Yes, Lady Beatrice. I have him."19
"Oh" - Beatrice held out her arms beseechingly, her face radiant. "My son" - 20
"Enough of the theatrics, m'Lady," came a tired, oily voice from the back of the warehouse. "Emotions are so bothersome." 21
"Lord Dar" - 22
"No!" A pale hand was raised in warning. "Do not speak my name here, Kingston; the walls have ears."23
Kingston found his Lord rather paranoid, but complied. "Yes, my Lord."24
"Lord D will suffice."25
"Lord D." Kingston nodded in acknowledgment. "Your son" - 26
"Yes, I know," Lord D said distastefully. "Bring him here."27
Kingston walked forward. He felt sorry for the boy - no, but he couldn't go and form attachments. The job, focus on the job. 28
Lord D was a tall figure, even sitting down. He was hardly more than a skeleton, thin to the extreme. His shallow black eyes were like pebbles, small and cold, and carried a haunted look. His pasty skin sagged a little with old age, and he looked down at James over his hooked nose, one bony finger tapping the mahogany armrest of his seat. His hair was ebony, a mass of greasy-looking ringlets. "He looks like me," the Lord noted. 29
"Yes, my Lord."30
"I pity him, then. My looks are not the most desirable." Lord D laughed harshly. "Let us only hope he has my intellect."31
"He has so far proved he has potential."32
"Ah, potential - but potential is not enough to succeed, not enough to get power, not enough to get the gold flowing in. No - what you need is natural ability, or, if you're lucky, the right teachers." Lord D rubbed his hands together. "Oh, what we shall do with the boy."33
"Please - do not harm him," Lady Beatrice faltered. "My son" - 34
"Shut up, woman," Lord D sighed. "You know not what we are dealing with."35
"If you told me" - 36
"You would not understand, nor believe. Just know that it is not to take lightly." Lord D gave a shake of his curls. "Sometimes I wonder why I ever married." He turned to Kingston. "Do you know why?"37
The manservant fidgeted uncomfortably.38
"It was spur of the moment, you know - a passionate romance, but swift, you understand." Lord D said, sounding almost apologetic. He seemed to expect an answer.39
Kingston coughed. "Ah, yes, sir."40
Suddenly, Lord D heaved a sigh. "I'm tired. All this talk - take the boy to his quarters. Have the Lady assist you. And find him some new clothes - I find his garb quite ridiculous. It is not to my taste."41
"Yes, my Lord." Kingston bowed and walked backward for a few steps, then exited the warehouse through a back door and entered another, smaller one. Lady Beatrice followed.42
-43
When James awoke, he found himself in a soft, four-poster bed. He bounced experimentally a few times. No creaky springs - definitely not the one at the orphanage. He opened his eyes slightly and inspected his surroundings. Not bad, not bad at all. Thick carpet covered the floor and walls; a small chandelier hung from the sloped ceiling; a wardrobe, mirror, and washbasin lined the wall on one side; on the other, a desk and a bookshelf. Certain that he was alone, James sat up and found that he was not wearing the orphanage uniform, but a rather frilly white nightgown. A simple, clean suit lay folded neatly on the dresser, with a crisp white shirt, tan waistcoat, blue coat and trousers, knee-length stockings, and a pair of black shoes. He dressed quickly and admired himself in the mirror.44
The clothes were a welcome change from his previous attire. He had worn a sickly yellow, short-jacketed suit with pants buckling below the knees, quite too small for him, with countless stains and tears, in the style worn by several younger boys. Mister Partridge had insisted he 'spiff it up a bit' and look his best for visiting patrons by pinning a gaudy, purple-and-gold bow tie at James' neck. How he loathed that little accessory. Now, he considered himself much more well-dressed. He spied his reflection on his shoes and thought himself a handsome chap. "Indeed, I am a gentleman!" he proclaimed, grinning broadly. "I think I shall like it here." 45
[to be continued...
]46
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