114 Chapter 114

She tried and failed to stop her falling jaw. Not for a king's ransom, not if that ten thousand pounds waited in his bedroom neatly laid out on the bedside table. She pulled the door open. "And you can go back to your bed."

"But Splen, don't yer see?"

"Out."

"Splen ... "

"Now."

She meant it. She shut the door behind Topaz and walked to the bed. The coverlet was one of those that felt like lead. Shiny and cold to her touch. Last night there had been straw and hay. Last night wasn't something to think about here. Even if the coverlet didn't just feel like lead, it was heavier than a bucket full. She edged her knees under it. She'd soon warm it up. She'd slept on a pallet in Lanthorne Street. In the kitchen at that.

But she hadn't known then what she'd known last night.

What was she thinking about, not taking Topaz's advice? Lanthorne Street was what she'd be facing, or worse if she didn't sort this. Was she mad?