Love With an Improper Stranger (22 page)

“I shall see to it, myself, Admiral.”  Hamilton bowed and quit the study, just as Jason and Lance appeared.

“Sorry we are late, but we were for a ride in the park with our wives and only just received the correspondence.”  Lance rubbed the back of his neck.  “Why the urgency?”

“I will enlighten you, once we are all present and accounted for, as there is no need to repeat the unpleasant news.”  The admiral lit a cigar.  “In the meantime, take your respective places.”

Soon, Damian, Lucien, and George strolled into the study, with Sir Ross Logan in their wake.  But it was the final member of their gathering, Nigel Lloyd, who set a plan of action into motion.  Little by little, Admiral Douglas repeated Blake’s account, and it gave him no comfort to have his anxiety vindicated by the unwavering agreement from his brothers.

“Admiral Douglas, perhaps I can shed light on the issues, as there seems to be some confusion regarding the late General Teversham’s estate and finances.”  The lawyer folded his arms and narrowed his gaze.  “Never has General Teversham accumulated debt, and there are no arrears, to my knowledge, that would necessitate mass liquidation of the personal effects.”

“So you did not order the sale of the Teversham’s property?” Blake inquired.

“This is the first I have heard of it.”  Shaking his head, Lloyd frowned.  “And I am very disturbed, as the gentleman claiming to be Samuel Teversham made no mention of it, when he visited my offices.”

“Did he leave an address?” Dirk asked.

“No.”  Lloyd sighed.  “He said he would be in touch.”

“What of the will?”  George compressed his lips.  “Did the document raise no suspicions?”

“In truth, he had no will, as he stated he lived in America, which I knew to be correct, and had yet to procure the item from among the general’s possessions.”  To Blake, Lloyd said, “But that is not unusual in these difficult, post-war days.  However, Mr. Teversham, or whoever he is, displayed an uncommon command of General Teversham’s intimate affairs, thus I did not question his veracity, given I had never met him, in person.  An individual with that name is the designated executor, as I filed the requisite forms, myself.”

“That is very interesting.  I will need a thorough description of our suspect, Mr. Lloyd.”  Sir Ross glanced at Admiral Douglas.  “Mark, we should begin a search, and I suggest we divide the city into sections, as it will be a monumental task.”  Then Logan peered at Blake.  “Your Grace, with your approval, I would hire some Runners, as they are familiar with the inner environs, and their knowledge is priceless.”

“Employee as many as you wish, as I will pay them handsomely for Lenore and Lucilla’s swift return.”  Blake swallowed hard.  “And I shall double their fee, if the ladies are unharmed.”

“That is a very generous offer, Your Grace.”  Sir Ross tapped his chin.  “Mr. Lloyd, if I may, could you possibly initiate an audit of General Teversham’s accounts and report anything that strikes you as irregular?  And as for the mysterious relation, whom I suspect is a fraud, I would have you stall him.  Must the estate and final dispensation not be transacted in the probate courts?”

“Indeed.”  The lawyer nodded.  “But only the solicitor of record is required to attend the hearing, as it is usually considered a formality.”

“But our villain may not know that, so I think it a wise tack.”  With a furrowed brow, Sir Ross stood and addressed the group.  “Gentlemen, we must act with haste and discretion.  If the blackguard discovers Lenore is affianced to the Duke of Rylan, he could demand a steep ransom.”

“What does it matter, as I would pay anything to have Lenore and Lucilla back?”  Blake shrugged.  “I care not for the money, and he is welcome to it, as long as he frees my bride-to-be and her sister.”

“Is that what you believe he will do, once he collects the funds?”  With an expression of sadness, Sir Ross studied the floor.  “My apologies, Your Grace, but such situations rarely end that way, as more often than not, the criminal takes the payment and disposes of the victims, who posit unimpeachable witnesses to the crime.”

At the mere suggestion, fury blazed a path straight to Blake’s heart, and he gritted his teeth.  “Then for the scoundrel’s sake, you better find him before I do, as I swear I will kill him with my bare hands if he harms Lenore or Lucy.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

A haze of
confusion mixed with delirium, as Lenore fought to wake from a rather strange sleep.  Confined to her filthy quarters, the four walls of which could not enclose the sheer terror that infested every part of her, days turned into nights, passing in a blur beneath an unassailable blanket of stark fear, while she struggled to make sense of her predicament.

At her side, Lucilla dozed, and through the fog of befuddlement, Lenore noted the deathly pallor of her sister’s face.  Pressing a palm to Lucy’s cheek, Lenore was startled by the cold, clammy condition of Lucilla’s flesh.  Worried, Lenore stumbled from the bed, and the floor seemed to pitch and roll, as if she was at sea, and the dreaded sickness had set in with a vengeance.  But she suspected the odd illness born of some unidentifiable influence spawned by the devious malefactor who took her from Blake.

Shivering, she dropped to all fours and crawled to the fireplace, where she stoked a blaze.  Relieved to discover their captor absent, she rested her head in her hands and tried, in vain, to focus.

“What is wrong with me?” she asked no one.

To her left, her so-called uncle’s trunk sat, and she lifted the lid.  Glancing from side to side, as if expecting the reprobate to reveal himself, she rifled through his belongings, which consisted primarily of tattered clothing, and located a canvas bag, which contained several small brown bottles.  Curious, she yanked on the cork, inhaled deeply, and flinched.

The telltale spicy sweet pungency functioned as an icy bath, of a sort, and she gasped in shock.  “
Laudanum
.  That is why the water from the pitcher tasted so bitter, as the man has drugged us.”

In a flash, she restored the belongings to their place, as she would not enlighten the cad.  Using the wall for stability, she stood and waited for the dizziness to ease.  At last, she staggered to the table and frowned at the disgusting fare of weevil-infested stale bread and moldy cheese.  Then she glanced at the ewer sitting atop the washstand.  Grasping a dirty glass, she teetered to the window, which remained partially open to air out the dank room, and emptied outside what she suspected was contaminated fluid.

Returning to the basin, she poured water from the second jug, sniffed for any indication of laudanum, and sighed in relief.  Without hesitation, she gulped the refreshing liquid.  After refilling the glass, she wobbled to Lucilla, perched on the edge of the dirty mattress, and gave her sister a nudge.

“Lucy, dearest.”  Again, Lenore shook her younger sibling.  “Please, wake up.”

After what seemed interminable minutes, whereupon she fought panic, Lucy emitted a moan and yawned.  “Leave me, as I am so tired.”

“I know you are, my darling.”  With a grunt, Lenore sidled an arm under Lucilla’s shoulders and helped her sit upright.  “Here.  Take some water.”

“But I do not want it, as I do not feel well.”  Lucy slumped forward, and Lenore held the glass to her lips.  “Stop it, Lenore.”

“Lucy, listen to me.”  Lenore massaged the back of Lucilla’s neck.  “That man is poisoning the water in the pitcher on the table, and you must not consume anything from it.  From now on, drink only from the ewer on the washstand.”

“What are you talking about, Lenny?”  Lucy closed her eyes.  “I do not understand.  Why would anyone wish to harm us?”

“Pay attention, as I am positive we are in real danger.”  Lenore leaned near and whispered, “I found several bottles of laudanum in his trunk, and I believe he puts it in the water, so you must avoid it.  And do not let him force it upon you.  Make an excuse, do whatever you must, but do not take it.”

“What if I am thirsty?”  Lucilla groaned in protest, and Lenore grew more worried by the minute.

“Lucy, I know it is difficult to concentrate, but you must heed my warning.”  Lenore fretted her sister must have ingested more of the foul substance, because Lucilla, in normal circumstances, would have come alert in an instant.  “I beg you—”

A high-pitched whistle gave Lenore a start, and she jumped from the bed.  As her little sister remained trapped in a drug-induced stupor, Lenore held her breath and tensed in anticipation of the scoundrel’s arrival.  But as the flirty ditty soon morphed into a hum, it dawned on her that it came from beyond the window.

Quick as a wink, she hobbled to the sash and flung open the shutters.  On the tiny service platform balanced a chimney sweep, preparing to perform his trade.  When he spied her, he flinched.

“Oh, I say.  You gave me quite a fright.”  With a boyish grin, and wearing grey trousers, a matching long-sleeved shirt, and a black vest, the young tradesman doffed his cap and bowed.  “Beg your pardon, milady.  Did I disturb you?”

“No, not at all.”  It was as if the heavens had sent her a lifeline, and Lenore clung to the hope of escape.  “My name is Lenore.  What is yours?”

“Jasper.”  Even through layers of soot, he blushed.  “And I am sorry about the noise.  I will be quiet as a church mouse, as I work.”

“Have you much business to conduct today?”  Her mind raced, as she seized upon a possible rescue.  “Because you could be of great service to me, if you can manage a simple errand, and I would be forever in your debt.”

“Well, I have two more houses to visit, after this.”  He narrowed his stare and scratched his chin.  “Would it take very long?”

“Scarcely a minute.”  How her spirits soared, and she contemplated a much prayed for reunion with Blake.  “If you would deliver a note to a friend, he would make it worth your effort, as he is a very distinguished man.”

“Then why is he not with you?”  Jasper shook out his broom.  “And why do you not send a messenger?”

“Because I have no money, and he knows not where I have moved.”  Voices echoed from the hall, and Lenore cringed.  “Please, he will compensate you.  I am sick; else I would go to him.  If I write a brief missive, will you take it to him?”

“I do not know.”  The sweep frowned.  “Where does he live?”

“In Grosvenor Square, number twenty-six.”  She pressed her clasped hands to her chest.  “Pray, I beg you.”

“But that is in Mayfair.”  He arched a brow.  “Do you think he will pay for a hack to bring me back to Marylebone?”

“I should expect he will offer the use of his very fine coach.”  She gave vent to nervous laughter.  “You see he is His Grace, the Duke of Rylan.”

“Are you joking with me?  A duke?”  Jasper appeared skeptical.  “You seem nice, so I would like to help you.  Would you send me on a fool’s errand?”

“Never would I do such a thing.”  Lenore could have danced a jig.  “Why do you not clean the chimney, while I compose a brief dispatch?”

“All right, but you must hurry, as my apprentice has completed the flue, and I need only to sweep the top of the stack.”  He huffed a breath.  “My mum says I can never resist a damsel in distress.”

“Oh, thank you.”  Inside, she scanned the decrepit chamber for a writing utensil and parchment, but she found nothing to suit her purpose.  Limited in her choices, Lenore opted to throw caution to the wind, as she recalled a singular item in her possession that would signal Blake, without doubt.