The girl looked back to Rafe. “I like to read.”
“Good. Don’t stop. Where do you live?”
She raised her chin and glowered at him. That was the only answer he was going to get, and he understood why. If someone knew where she lived, they could attack her. It was the same reason she dressed herself to look like a boy. This is how Selina would have been forced to live if Rafe hadn’t sent her away to school.
“Do you have work?” Rafe asked.
She hesitated but shook her head. He also understood what that meant—she stole to survive.
“But the book was for you, not to sell for money?”
She nodded, then shot a glance toward Anne, who’d entered the shop and stood a few feet away, effectively blocking the door.
Rafe let go of the girl. “You’re going to come here every morning except Sunday and sweep the shop. You’ll also do whatever tasks Mr. Entwhistle directs you to do.” He looked at John, who didn’t reflect even a glimmer of surprise. Rafe then fixed an expectant stare on her. “Agreed?”
“What’s wrong with your eye?” she asked, staring at the orange spot.
“It’s how I find children like you. You need to stop stealing. You’re going to get caught.”
She looked away, pressing her lips together. She knew he was right. He could smell the fear beneath her bravado.
Rafe knew how to win her over completely. “If you need a room, you can have one upstairs.” John lived over the shop, but on the uppermost floor, there were a handful of rooms where other young people—mostly boys—had stayed for a time. Rafe had helped all of them find employment.
Rafe picked up the book she’d taken. It was a collection of Greek mythology stories. “Do you like Greek history and culture?”
She shrugged.
“After you read it, tell Mr. Entwhistle what you think.” He handed her the book. “Do we have a deal?”
“You’re just giving me the book?” She stared at him dubiously.
“I trust you’ll be back—for the job, if not the room. I hope you’ll take both.”
She clutched the book to her chest and stared at him a moment longer before turning and nearly colliding with Anne. “You’re a woman.”
Anne’s gaze met Rafe’s briefly before she smiled at the girl. “Yes. What’s your name? Seems like your future employer should know it.”
“I haven’t decided if I’m taking the job.”
“Oh, you must. I can highly recommend his character,” Anne said, flicking a glance toward Rafe that made his breath catch. “You won’t regret it, I promise. I’m Anne, by the way.”
“I’m Annie,” she said shyly. While Rafe couldn’t see her face, he could hear her tone, and he detected the slight curl of her shoulders.
Anne laughed softly. “Then we were destined to meet. You must take this offer of employment and lodging.”
“Are you his wife?” she asked, prompting Rafe to freeze.
“Er, no.” Anne’s gaze found his again, but only briefly. “Just a friend.”
“All right, I’ll take the job. Will you come back to visit?” Annie asked.
“Definitely. I’ll bring you something cheerful for your room upstairs. If you don’t mind.”
Annie shook her head. “I don’t.”
“It’s settled, then.” Anne looked toward the book in Annie’s arms. “I will also read that book so we may discuss it. Would you like that?”
“I would. Thank you.” Annie turned her head to look at Rafe. “Thank you too.”
“See you in the morning,” John called with a wave. “Unless you come back later. I’ll have the room ready if you do.”
Annie nodded before departing the shop far more sedately than when she’d run out the first time.
Anne came toward Rafe, her eyes softening and her lips curling into a lovely smile. “You are much more than a bodyguard. You are a hero, despite what you think. You own this shop?”
“I do. You were wonderful with her.”
“She needs kindness as much as anyone. I was merely taking your lead.” She looked past him at John. “Is he always like this?”
Rafe pivoted so he could see them both.
John gave her a small smile. “Yes.”
“How wonderful,” she murmured. “I should have realized you owned a shop here, given how much you like the street. And books. How long have you owned this shop?”
Once again, they were venturing too close to things he didn’t want to share. Except, he almost wanted to. “Several years.”
“Earls don’t typically own shops.” She clapped her hand over her mouth. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to bring that up.”
Rafe shot a look toward John, whose brow creased with confusion. He’d have to explain everything to the shopkeeper. There were so many people he needed to explain this to.
Turning back toward Anne, Rafe gestured toward the door. “Shall we go across the street to the coffee house?”
“Yes, but first I need a copy of that book.” She went to John. “Would you mind directing me to where I can find it?”
John moved to a display with a stack of books and plucked one from the table. “Nearly our last copy. It’s been very popular.”
“Annie made a good choice, then.” Anne took the book and then reached into her pocket, presumably for money to make the purchase.
“Consider it a gift.” Rafe ignored the elevated eyebrows of the shopkeeper.
“Thank you.” She didn’t turn away from John. Instead, she asked him a question. “You’ve known Mr. Bowles for some time?”
The confusion he’d displayed when she’d mentioned earls flashed across his features. John coughed. “Yes, Mr. Bowles.”
Rafe pressed his lips together. “Come, Mrs. D.” He clasped her elbow gently.
Anne waved at John and bid him goodbye before they left the shop. “Should I not have called you Mr. Bowles? You have too many identities.”
A laugh caught in his throat. He coughed instead. “Yes.”
“Hopefully, you will tell me all of them someday.” She gave him a warm smile as he guided her carefully across the street between the slow-moving vehicles.
Rafe would never do that—not all of them. He wanted to regain
