Page 28 of The Duke and Lady Scandal
“Are you all right, Miss Prince?” He examined her with genuine concern. “I heard scrapingaround back here and thought you might have encountered a mouse.”
“No, not a mouse. Grendel would have heard the creature before either of us.” Allie blew out a few long, relieved breaths and pressed a hand to her chest, willing her heart rate to settle. “Do you have the card he gave you?”
“The customer?”
“Yes, I need it.”
“It’s up front.”
Allie rushed past him and spotted the gilded rectangle on the counter and snatched it up. It was printed on scarlet paper, thick and expensive, with elaborate gold details.
It readLord ThomasHolcroft, Belgrave Square, London,and Allie’s hand shook as she examined it.
Finally, she had something. Some tangible proof that the man existed, and she needed to get it to Inspector Drake immediately.
“Is something amiss?” Mr. Gibson had followed her to the counter.
“What did he say?”
“That he wishes to bring me a gem, a diamond, to cut to his specifications.”
“Did he say when?”
Mr. Gibson nodded. “He said he would deliver it to me tomorrow afternoon.”
“Personally? He himself will return?”
“That seemed to be his implication, yes.”
“Tomorrow afternoon,” Allie repeated breathlessly. “There’s not much time. I must go.”
“Miss Prince, will you please tell me what’s upset you so?” He gestured toward his own face. “You’ve gone as red as a ruby, and you’re breathing as if you’ve just won a foot race.”
“I believe that man may be up to something nefarious.” She didn’t want to tell him more. No need to cause him to worry when Inspector Drake would no doubt wish to keep the matter quiet.
Mr. Gibson frowned. “Do you know the man? What gives you reason to suspect him?”
“I’m afraid I can’t say more. Not yet.” Allie drew closer. “I may be wrong, but it’s worth getting this information to someone who can sort the matter out.”
“Shall I decline Lord Holcroft’s custom if he returns tomorrow?”
“No, not at all. We need him to return, and we need to be ready.” Allie reached for her coat and scarf and donned both while Mr. Gibson regarded her with a mixture of concern and doubt.
“I know I’m not making a great deal of sense, but I must go. Would you mind closing up on your own?”
“Not at all, but I am concerned about you, Miss Prince.” A sigh escaped him, and it seemed weighted with sadness. “I’m afraid this is just the sort of thing your brother feared before he departed.”
Allie’s shoulders tightened and she clenched her jaw at the reminder. “I know it may seem that I’m acting impulsively, but I’m not.”
At his dubious expression, she gave a tiny smile.
“All right, perhaps I am, but I must. This matter is urgent, and if it turns out well, I vow that Dominic will be proud of me.”
He nodded but offered her a warning look very much like her brother—or her father—would have.
Allie slid the nobleman’s card into her coat pocket and made her way out to the street to hail a hansom. This afternoon, she’d told herself she’d likely never see Detective Inspector Benedict Drake again, but it seemed she would. She had exactly what he needed—a clear lead that would allow him to properly investigate the matter.
This time, at least, he would be pleased to see her.
