Page 85 (1/2)

It was the tavern keeper who lunged forward, leaning over the counter and trying to grab the bills

"Don't even think of it" Julian snatched the ly low "Not unless you have infores me"

"Don't mess with him, Briney," another sailor piped up "I've 'eard of this Merlin 'E's not one to take on—not unless ye wanna get 'urt bad"

The tavern keeper took a step backward, holding up conciliatory palms "Easy, fellow," he cautioned Julian "I don't run that kinda place No fights, no stealin', nothin'"

"I'lad to hear that" Julian's suests at a ball "Now, to repeat inal question, does anyone knohere I can find Barnes?"

"'E was 'ere earlier," Briney replied, wiping his hands on his apron "I expect 'e's at the Cove 'E usually goes there next, stays till ten Then 'e goes 'ome to bed"

"Excellent Thank you" Julian slapped the bills on the counter

Eyeing theAurora "'Ow about keepin' yer money and sharin' yer woman?"

Julian went deadly still "How about taking theyour offer—or I'll break your jaw?"

"Okay, okay" Hastily the tavern keeper snatched up the pound notes, retreating farther behind the safety of his counter "Didn't know she meant that much to ye No 'arm intended"

That practiced slanced about "Enjoy your evening, gentle them on the counter "For your trouble—a few rounds of drinks for everyone, on me" He led Aurora to the door "Oh, and Briney?" He turned "Tell Macall I'm ready whenever he is"

Aurora stepped outside and breathed for the first time in fifteen minutes

"Are you all right?" Julian tipped her chin up, assessing her ashen expression

A shaky nod "Just a bit taken aback That … place wasn't at all what I expected 'Twas nothing like Dawlish's"

"Dawlish's has a cleaner bunch of regular patrons Half these sailors are slers, thieves—or worse They're an entirely different breed"