Read Burning Lamp for Free Online Page B

many rumors about you, sir, but none of them link you to that despicable activity.”
    “I will take comfort in knowing that I needn’t worry about an assault from your raiders,” he said politely.
    “Do you mock me, sir?”
    “No, Mrs. Pyne. I fear for your life. It is evident that you are now going after Luttrell’s whorehouses. He is a ruthless man who lacks any vestige of a conscience. He does not know the meaning of remorse. He is driven by greed and a lust for power.”
    “One generally expects those sterling qualities in a crime lord,” she said coolly. “Do you claim to be from a different mold?”
    “I thought we had just agreed that I do not make money from brothels.”
    He had to work to keep the edge out of his voice. If they were in each other’s company much longer he would soon be looking for some effective way to silence her, at least temporarily. It occurred to him that kissing her would achieve that objective.
    “My apologies, sir,” Adelaide said. “I am well aware that your character is vastly different from Luttrell’s. He is truly a monster. I see the damage he causes every time I take a girl out of one of his establishments.”
    “You got away with raiding two of his houses but I doubt that you will escape so easily the next time. Take my advice, Mrs. Pyne. Find another hobby.”
    “Is that a threat, sir? Are you implying that you will inform Luttrell of my identity if I do not agree to help you?”
    Anger crackled through him. There was no logical reason why she should trust him, let alone place any faith in his character. Nevertheless, he did not like knowing that she believed he would stoop to blackmail.
    “I am attempting to make you see reason, Mrs. Pyne,” he said. He clung to his patience with an effort of will. “It did not take me long to understand that you are now targeting Luttrell’s brothels. You may be assured that he will soon come to the same conclusion, if he has not already done so. The pattern is clear.”
    “How can that be? Three of the five raids were conducted on independent brothels.”
    “You practiced your strategy on those first three raids. When you believed that you were ready, you went after your real target. Now that you’ve tasted some success, you are planning to continue raiding Luttrell’s operations.”
    “Why would I concentrate on him?”
    “Probably because they employ the youngest women and cater to the most jaded clients. When you hit his whorehouses you also embarrass some of the most socially prominent men in London. By making an example of Luttrell and his customers, you hope to frighten other, smaller brothel owners.”
    She sighed. “My plan is that obvious?”
    He shrugged. “It is to me. There is no reason to think that Luttrell won’t figure it out as well. He is not a stupid man. Furthermore, I am quite certain that he possesses a considerable degree of talent of his own. You would be wise to assume that his intuition is at least as good as mine.”
    She was silent for a moment.
    “How well do you know Luttrell?” she asked finally.
    “We are not friends, if that is what you mean,” he said. “We are competitors. At one time we went to war with each other. The Truce settled certain matters between us but it does not mean that we trust each other. And a truce can always be broken.”
    “I have heard of this Truce,” she said. “According to the rumors, you and Luttrell battled for months over the territories that each of you wanted to control. The two of you finally met in Craygate Cemetery and struck a bargain. In effect, you divided much of London’s underworld empire between your two organizations.”
    “Something like that, yes.”
    “Good grief. Have you no shame, sir?”
    “I leave the finer feelings to people like you, Mrs. Pyne. In my experience delicate sensibilities get in the way of making money.”
    “Is making a profit all that you care about?”
    “That and staying sane. Both goals require that I