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just a hundred yards or so along Black Eagle Wharf. It was identical in size and architecture to her home, but the Barnums were considerably more affluent and a great deal of money had been spent on the decoration and furnishings.
     
Rosina had abandoned the idea of speaking directly to Captain Barnum. Although she did not want to admit it, she knew that Walter had been right – if she tried to interfere, she would only make matters worse. Instead, she had decided to pay a call on Sukey to see if she knew anything about the ill-fated race and the rotten hay. She quickened her pace, smiling as she acknowledged the greetings from the men working on the wharf, and received a nod and a wave from the wharfinger himself as he came out of his office. She had barely reached the lodging house where Artie and Caddie lived when the sound of a horse's hooves striking the cobblestones at a gallop made her stop and turn to see who could be so foolhardy as to ride along the narrow wharf at such a breakneck speed. She leapt for safety into a doorway as the rider drew his mount to a slithering halt, just feet away from her. The horse's hooves struck sparks from the cobbles. For a terrifying moment, it seemed as though the rider had lost control, and all she could see was flailing legs and hooves as the animal reared above her. She closed her eyes, expecting the worst.
     

Chapter Three
'Good morning, Rosie. I must say that's a dashing bonnet you're wearing today.'
     
She opened her eyes and found herself looking up into Harry Gostellow's boyishly good-looking face. She leaned against the doorpost, fanning herself with her hand. 'You stupid idiot, Harry! You frightened me half to death.'
     
He leapt from the saddle and tossed the reins to a small urchin who was gaping at him openmouthed. 'Hold my horse, boy, and there's a penny in it for you.' He turned to Rosina, sweeping his top hat off his head with a bow from the waist and a rueful smile. 'I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. I just saw you in that charming bonnet and I had to hasten to your side to tell you how stunning you look.'
     
'You ought to know better than to gallop that poor animal along here.' She went over to the horse and stroked its muzzle. 'Poor old Nero. He's in a lather and all because you wanted to compliment me on my bonnet. For shame on you, Harry.' She took a halfpenny from her reticule and pressed it into the boy's hand. 'Walk the horse slowly, and the nice gentleman will give you twopence when he returns.'
     
'Why, Rosie, I believe you like Nero better than you do me,' Harry said, grinning.
     
'Indeed I do. Horses have much more sense than men.' She tempered her words with a smile, and walked on.
     
'You are a hard woman to please.' Harry caught up with her, measuring his pace to match hers. 'Where are you going on this beautiful morning?'
     
'I'm going to see Sukey Barnum. Aren't you supposed to be at work?'
     
'But I am at work, or rather, I have been working. My father sent me to inspect the cargoes of hay that arrived in port last night.'
     
Rosina stopped and stared up into his face. She had heard the serious note creep into his voice, and she saw confirmation of her concern in his eyes. 'Is it true then?'
     
'It's serious, I'm afraid, Rosie. Captain Barnum's cargo is perfectly fine, but the hay your father carried is diseased. I can't offer him a penny for it.'
     
'I see.' She looked away, biting her lip. Of course she knew this already, but it seemed so final coming from Harry. She knew nothing of their finances – Papa and Walter dealt with all that – but to lose money on a whole cargo must be serious indeed.
     
'I am sorry. It's rotten bad luck.'
     
'Papa will make up for it, I'm sure. Don't give it another thought.'
     
'But I do, Rosie.' He clasped her hand. 'I don't like to think of you going without.'
     
'I don't lack for anything. My pa sees to that.'
     
'I would give you the moon and the stars too, if I had my way.' Harry pressed