Page 101 of From Rakes to Riches

She gave her head a little shake and watched as he made his way inside without so much as a glance over his shoulder. He wouldn’t have come to Bow Street if he didn’t have new information to share.

And she did too.

It took her less than a minute to decide what to do next. When the earl’s driver jumped down from the box to use a hoof pick on the lead horse, she eased around the back, opened the carriage door and climbed inside.

9

Theodore concluded his discussion with Fredrickson and Johns, left the ledger and disturbing message in their possession, and headed for his carriage where it waited near the curb. His notes were tucked into his breast pocket and contained inconsistencies he wanted to review as well as a copy of the words written on the wrinkled paper he’d found at the back of the ledger.

The Runners had assured him they were actively conducting the investigation and he shouldn’t worry, but that didn’t sit well with him. Not just because the Runners had made little progress. The listing in The Quarterly Pursuit had yet to produce information and Theodore doubted it would. No, more because Fremont was like a brother to him. No matter the circumstances, his friend deserved better than the way he had died.

Indicating for his driver to remain on the box, Theodore opened the carriage door and paused. A smile forced its way out, lightening his mood. He had an unexpected guest. He settled on the bench across from Lola, rapped on the roof, and the carriage lurched forward.

“Good morning,” he said, his grin still in place.

Something about Lola made him happy. He couldn’t define it any other way. It had been so long since he’d experienced pure happiness, he almost didn’t recognize the feeling. The physical attraction, well that was elemental. No living, breathing man could resist Lola’s tight body and tempting curves, never mind her delicious heart-shaped mouth. A pulse of lust worked through him as he cleared his throat to help clear his mind.

“Good morning, my lord.”

“Lola,” he said in a way that made his meaning obvious.

“Good morning,Theodore,” she answered with a mischievous smirk.

“How is it you’re inside my carriage?” He asked. “Not that I have a complaint.”

“I saw you arrive while I debated how to go about speaking to Fredrickson. Last night I learned something interesting that could prove helpful in the investigation.”

“You promised to contact me and share anything of worth.” He hoped he didn’t sound arrogant, but he was disappointed she’d thought to go directly to Bow Street before telling him.

“I had no way to find you,” she said. “I don’t know where you live.”

“That can be easily remedied.” He knocked on the roof and instructed the driver to his address near Grosvenor Square.

“And why have you come to Bow Street?” she asked, her eyes never leaving his face. “Have you learned something?”

“Yes. Shall we share fact for fact?” he suggested, interested in her information.

“You go first.”

He should have expected that response. Removing his gloves, he reached inside his waistcoat and took out the notes he’d written along with his pair of spectacles. When he slid them on, Lola made an appreciative sound from across the bench.

“You wear spectacles?” She asked, a gleam in her eyes. “I like them on you.”

A shot of desire cut through him at her compliment. She was forever surprising him.

“Thank you.” He cleared his throat again, feeling utterly pleased and foolish for it at the same time. “I went through Fremont’s things with Margaret and found a few discordant items I believe are connected to his death.” He glanced at Lola, her attention unwavering though she didn’t speak. “This is the first.”

He retrieved one of the silver tokens from his pocket and handed it to her.

“He had this token?” She asked.

“Two of them, actually. Both different. What can you tell me about them?”

“Each year a new coin is designed and issued to allow unlimited entry into Vauxhall. The tokens are exclusive. Most guests can’t afford them or don’t plan on visiting often enough to make it worth the guinea. And you found two?”

“Yes,” he answered as he replaced the token in his pocket. “I assume there’s one for each of the last two years which means, close to the time I left for America, Stephen became involved in something.”

“You were in America?” She asked, her eyes going wide. “What was it like? How long were you there?”

---