Page 73 of A Deal with the Devil

“Kitty was the one who threw paint at the blighters who followed me from…there.”

“That was you?” Devil asked softly. “I should have guessed.”

Tom smirked. “Barnabus still has gold paint in his hair.”

“Good,” Kitty said. “I hope it got up his nose too.”

They grinned at each other.

Devil groaned. “I’ve never known two people more prone to attracting trouble. London is not safe if you two are friendly.”

“London could do with a bit of shaking up,” Tom said dismissively. “We can’t let you have all the fun.”

“Oh, am I having fun?”

“The Devil always has fun.” Tom bowed smartly. “Miss Caldecott, do call on us anytime. I am much more entertaining than my brother.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“The hell you will,” Devil said mildly. “Tom?”

“Yes?”

“Be careful.”

Tom waved a hand negligently. Devil gestured to a footman, who materialized like magic. He bowed and hurried after Tom. There was a dagger in his boot.

“Do you have everyone followed?” Kitty asked.

“Only when it’s necessary.” Devil scowled. “As to that, where the hell is Wulf?”

“He followed me very carefully,” Kitty assured him.

“Good.”

“About that.”

He accepted his own hat from Shelby. “You’re never going to convince me to let you jump headfirst into danger without an armed escort. When I’m not with you, they are.”

Something warm bloomed inside her chest. She tried to ignore it. “I was only going to say that they can hover just as effectively inside the shop when it’s raining. They’ll catch their death.”

“A little rain won’t hurt them.”

“Neither will a little dry,” she pointed out. “And they have to let me give them tea.”

“It’s not a damn picnic.”

“I know you did not just curse in front of a lady,” Shelby said, disapproval all but shooting from him like darts.

“I don’t mind.” Kitty grinned. “I know he’s a little sensitive. His moods, you know.”

The workers in the vicinity froze, waiting for his reaction. Shelby was the first to break, and his laugh boomed like a cannon.

“You are the real devil here,” Devil said. His expression stayed stern, disapproving. But his eyes glinted, faintly amused.

“I’ll stop teasing you if you give me a tour.” She was itching to see the rest of the pleasure hall.

Devil’s mouth was very close to her ear. “Perhaps I’ll tease you instead.”