Page 72 of Legacy of Glass
“We apologize for intruding on you at such a time,” he said, “but we urgently need to ask you some questions about your daughter’s disappearance.”
The man’s eyes flashed for a moment, as if offended by his words, but then they narrowed.
“You look like Prince Julius,” he said gruffly.
“I am Prince Julius.” Julius gestured to the others. “And this is Lady Olivia and Lord Cade.”
The man’s expression grew fearful, and he peered up and down the street before gesturing urgently for them to come inside. Julius and Cade exchanged a wary look, but Olivia plunged quickly forward, leaving the two men with no choice but to follow.
As soon as they were inside, Master Larkin shut the door behind them, breathing easier only once it was shut.
“I heard the door!” a woman’s voice called sharply. “Is it?—”
She broke off as she reached the hall and stopped, her eyes growing round. The man shook his head at her and ushered them all ahead of him into the room the woman had just vacated, which turned out to be a prettily furnished sitting room.
“My dear,” he said to the woman, “Prince Julius and Lady Olivia have come to visit. They want to know about Elisabeth.”
The woman’s mouth gaped open, swinging shut and then falling back open several times. She finally sank into an overstuffed armchair and looked at her husband in bewilderment.
“I don’t understand?” she said. “Why are the prince and his betrothed visitingus?” She stiffened. “Does this mean the authorities have heard of Elisabeth’s abduction? But the note said?—”
Julius, who had taken a seat as directed by Master Larkin, leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. He hoped his casual pose came across as reassuring.
“So you have received demands from your daughter’s abductors?”
Mistress Larkin exchanged a worried look with her husband, and Olivia spoke quickly.
“We aren’t here in any official capacity. As far as we know the guards are unaware of your daughter’s situation.”
“I see.” Master Larkin looked like he didn’t see at all. “Then what brings you here?”
“We—” She began to answer, but Julius intervened, afraid her compassion might lead her to tell them the full truth.
“We heard a whisper of your situation in the market,” he said, “and we guessed you would have been instructed not to go to the guards. We want to help you find your daughter.”
Mistress Larkin immediately burst into tears, sobbing out something that was too garbled to understand. Her emotions wrung Julius’s heart. He could only imagine how desperate and alone the couple must have been feeling.
“Whispers in the market?” Master Larkin seemed much less grateful for their offer. “I feared as much.” He sent his wife a reproachful look, and she flushed, her sobs subsiding.
He looked back to Julius. “The note warned us not to tell a soul, but of course my wife had already told anyone who would listen that she was sure Elisabeth had been abducted.”
“They should have delivered the note more quickly if they didn’t want us to say anything,” his wife said defensively. “I haven’t said a word to anyone since. I haven’t even left the house!”
“I know, my dear.” Her husband spoke in a softer tone, reaching over to pat her knee.
“We don’t want to do anything that could put your daughter at risk,” Julius said carefully, “but could we see the note?”
The couple exchanged a look. “You can if you like,” Master Larkin said, “but if you’re hoping for some clue as to where she is or who took her, I fear you’ll be disappointed.”
He crossed to a desk, opening the top drawer and retrieving a folded slip of parchment. He returned and handed it to Julius.
Olivia and Cade crowded close behind him, reading over his shoulder as he scanned the words.
The note was addressed to Master Larkin, but there was no signature. It informed the man that his daughter had been taken, but that she would not be harmed if he complied with the kidnapper’s demands.
“Do you think they mean that bit about not hurting her?” Mistress Larkin asked as the three silently regarded the paper. She sounded close to tears again.
“Oh yes.” Olivia sat beside the woman and took one of Mistress Larkin’s hands in hers. “Your daughter is not the first to be taken, and from what we’ve heard, all the other girls were returned safely and unharmed.”
