A Taste of Paradise Read Online Free Page A

leaving the bulk of her clothing behind. She could only carry so much.
    Sophia doubted that Ray had left enough money in the strongbox in his desk to get her back home, but she knew where she could find what she needed. She turned to look at Sir Oscar, wondering how difficult it would be to lift his purse. Difficult or not, she had to do it.
    â€œWhat are you going to do?” Rigby asked when Sophia approached him.
    â€œI need money,” Sophia said bluntly. “In which pocket do you keep your purse?”
    The moment Rigby lunged forward, Sophia knew she had misjudged his strength as well as her ability to tie knots. The rope gave, and he burst free. Sophia didn’t wait as he pulled his shirt up over his arms and grabbed his coat; she turned and ran, forgetting her valise, her wrap, and all thought of money in her haste to escape the enraged man.
    Sophia flung open the door and raced for the stairs. Rigby was close on her heels. He lunged for her, catching the sleeve of her dress. It ripped in his hand.
    â€œI’ve got you, bitch!” he crowed. “You won’t get away with this. I’ll fetch the Watch. It’s a raw night; you wouldn’t get far in this weather anyway. I’ll have you brought up on charges of robbery and assault.”
    Sophia prayed for a miracle. It arrived when her sleeve tore away, freeing her. Rigby lost his balance and tumbled headlong down the stairs. Sophia scrambled after him. Reaching for the vase resting on the hall table, she crashed it on his head as he started to rise. She didn’t wait to see if it had knocked him out as she flung open the door and sprinted into the dark night. But Sir Oscar must have had a hard head, for she heard him stirring behind her.
    Sophia ran. Ran as far and as fast as she could. In the distance, she could hear footsteps pounding after her. Sir Oscar? It had to be.
    Her chest ached, her legs were ready to collapse beneath her, but she refused to give in to weakness. All her life she’d been dictated to. She was told whom to let court her, whom to favor even though she yearned for another. Now she would take care of herself.
    Sophia could hear voices behind her. Apparently, Sir Oscar had found the Watch. If she didn’t find a hiding place soon, they would toss her in Newgate and throw away the key. Gulping in a lungful of cold air, Sophia stopped to get her bearings. She’d run so long and so far, she had no idea where she was.
    The pungent scent of salt and rotting fish wafted to her on the frigid air. She began to shiver, wishing she’d had time to grab a wrap before fleeing. While she was running, she hadn’t felt the cold, but she was aware now of the biting sting of sleet. England was experiencing an exceptionally cold spring this year.
    Glancing about, she found herself in a narrow street lined with warehouses and saloons. Lights twinkling at the end of the street lured her in that direction. She began running, and then she realized she was near Southwark quay. The lights had come from saloons nestled together near the docks. She hesitated, glancing furtively behind her as she tried to catch her breath.
    Driven by desperation, Sophia ducked into an alley. A few minutes later, Sir Oscar and the Watch barreled past her, but she knew it wouldn’t be long before they retraced their steps and found her.
    Stepping gingerly from the alley, Sophia saw nothing but saloons and warehouses on either side of the street. Then she heard Sir Oscar’s voice, harsh and grating in the stygian darkness. “We’ve got her cornered.” Turning, she ran into the nearest saloon.
    Conversation stopped the moment Sophia entered the dingy, smoke-filled common room smelling of stale gin and unwashed bodies. A barmaid stopped her headlong flight toward a rear door.
    â€œ ’Ere now, wot are you doing? You don’t belong in a place like this.”
    â€œI need help. I’m being pursued. Please, will