Nic said Bones was worried about the Thief Taker. It appeared that his paranoia held merit. Jonathan Wild, the Thief Taker General, did know who Bones was. And he also knew what his most lucrative possession was. Lady A.
“I see by your expression you’ve figured it all out now?” Wild smiled at her. It almost looked…pleasant. Pride shone from his eyes. “We are very similar, you know. You and me. We both take from those who have too much—but while you pass along the spoils of your labor to someone undeserving, I keep mine. I am a very wealthy man, and you, my dear, could become a very wealthy woman. We are both notorious in our own way, and if we combine our…talents…the sky could be the limit. I am willing to split the profits of our joint venture fifty-fifty. You could have anything. Everything.”
An uneasy feeling crossed over her skin. This could still be a setup. “Did Bones send you here?”
His lip curled in contempt. His reaction to her boss’s name showed no love lost between them. She and he had one thing in common, at least.
The only man in London who terrified Bones stood before her with an offer of freedom. It seemed too good to be true. Wild dared to go against Bones and he could win—but did she have the courage to take what he offered?
“I know what happens to people who don’t agree with you,” Arista said, keeping her voice low and even. “If I say no to you now, you’ll simply set me up—I’ll be accused of a crime I didn’t commit, and then I will disappear. Isn’t that how it works?” Arista crossed her arms over her chest to hide the way her hands were shaking. She did want out. But badly enough to actually contemplate Wild’s offer?
“Normally, you’d be right.” His honesty surprised her. She thought he would have denied it to try and convince her to join him. “But I have too much respect for you to extort your services. If you join me, it must be as a willing associate. You could remain where you are, but we both know that when your usefulness is over, Bones won’t hesitate to sell a pretty thing like you to the brothels. Is that where you want to end up? Because if it is, I can offer you a position right this moment in one of mine.” Arista glared at him. “I didn’t think so,” Wild said.
“Why should I believe you? How do I know you won’t just lock me in a different prison to use me as you see fit and keep all the money to yourself? You could dispose of me better than Bones ever could.”
“You don’t know, I suppose. But I am a man of my word, and I have made my offer. It is up to you, now, to decide the direction of your future. To choose your own fate: servitude or freedom. I am only offering you the means to obtain it if you wish.” Wild bowed elegantly, then reached out and took her hand. He pressed his lips against her glove, like any well-bred gentleman would. “It has been a pleasure and an honor to talk with you this evening, my dear. I do hope that we will have the chance to work together soon. As equals. Remember that. I assure you that you can trust me in this.”
Arista took a step back and cradled her hand against her chest. Too many emotions battled inside her head. How many nights had she wished for someone to appear and give her a way out? But did she dare to trust someone like Wild? It would be like trusting the devil himself.
“You of all people should know, sir, that there is no such thing as trust among thieves.”
Wild laughed once more. “I like your honesty, Lady A. I daresay I like it a lot.”
“Has Nic come back yet?” Arista burst through the door as soon as Becky opened it. A whoosh of musty air swept over Arista, so different from the exotic, clean smells of the ball. Blood still buzzed through her veins. She had to ask Nic about Wild. She had to know if what he said was true.
“No, miss. Though there’s been a racket fit to wake the devil on the other side of the wall since about the time you left. I’ve had to tear out three rows of stitches on a new costume because of the commotion.” The lamplight illuminated the frown on Becky’s face before the maid turned and hurried down the hall. She had not lied about the ruckus. Voices boomed through the thin walls and something heavy thudded against the boards. Arista cringed when the distinct tone of Bones’s voice could be heard over all the rest.
“You find him and bring him back here. That sorry bastard will regret the day he double-crossed me. I’ve got someone else to question, but you three go, now.”
Doors slammed and the din quieted, which made the footsteps coming toward the second door that much louder. Only Nic used that door to gain access to the main part of the house. No one else ever came through from that side. From the inside.