Chapter 34

Early in the morning, a servant delivered a message from Jake to meet at a tavern later in the afternoon. It seemed his friend was eager to hear about last night's rendezvous. He tossed the message aside with a touch of irritation and proceeded to his study. As usual, his morning time was taken up with administration. He finished the tasks before lunchtime, because today he'd planned to go downtown to check another business of his.

Dressed inconspicuously in a brown morning coat and matching breeches, Matthew made his way out through the rear entrance and into the remote alleyway in the back of the building. The weather was nice so he decided to go on foot. Once he reached the main street, he pulled his hat low over his eyes and put his hands in his pockets. Strolling along the sidewalk, he wandered at a leisure pace, enjoying the anonymity of a commoner as he blended with other passersby.

Strange how after so many things had changed, some things remained the same. He still preferred