Page 86 of The Duke and Lady Scandal
“His name is Constable Collier and he’s quiteamiable.” She swallowed and frowned. “Though he does not think Inspector Drake will be pleased with this change.”
“It’s only a couple of hours, and I’ll be watched over, which is what’s most important to Be—Inspector Drake.” Allie glanced out the front window and noted that the family carriage had already been brought around. “Besides, Inspector Drake needn’t know.”
“Of course he needn’t.” Lottie handed Allie her hat and helped her into her overcoat. “See you in a bit, miss.”
“Back soon, Lottie.”
Constable Collier was already waiting near the carriage. He was blond and handsome and Allie understood why Lottie had been watching at the window.
He helped her inside, but they exchanged few pleasantries on the short ride over to Jo’s. The young man kept a watchful gaze outside the carriage windows, almost as if he expected them to be set upon and overtaken by highwaymen.
She wondered if she should be more frightened. Ben had only spoken of the threat he feared in the vaguest terms. Mayhem, he’d said. The criminal he sought was planning his next act of mayhem.
“Is the threat imminent, Constable?”
He looked at her as if stunned by her obliviousness. “If Inspector Drake says to keep watch, then I suspect it must be.”
Allie had the distinct feeling that Ben hadn’ttold the young man much more than he’d told her, though she hoped he had. Certainly, Collier needed to know what he was looking for.
When they arrived at Wellingdon House, Allie and the constable parted ways. He stood and assessed the townhouse, looked both ways on the street where it sat, and then positioned himself in a landscaped area across the way.
“You came!” Jo greeted Allie with all her usual enthusiasm. “Did you receive my reply? I’m afraid I got it off quite late.”
“I didn’t, but that’s all right. I’m here now, though I had to bring the constable.” Allie hoped Lady Wellingdon wouldn’t notice or hear about the matter at all. It would only serve to reinforce her opinion of Allie.
“Where is he?” Jo tipped her head to look behind Allie as if the constable might be hidden at her back.
“He’s positioned himself in the square.”
“I’m sorry, my dear. I know you value your independence.” Jo hooked her arm around Allie’s. “Come with me to the drawing room. I’ve commandeered the space for our planning session, and it also affords us some privacy.”
Once they were inside the room, Jo closed the panel doors behind them.
“I do want to plan the charity dinner, but I also want to hear more about what’s caused Inspector Drake to demand you stay at home. Under guard.” Jo took up her usual spot on the elegant settee and patted the space next to her.
Allie sat next to her friend and was shocked when she felt the sting of tears welling up.
The part she’d avoided thinking about all day was what weighed on her mind now. The fear. The question that had kept her up late until exhaustion had overtaken her.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever see him again.”
Jo scooted a bit closer and offered Allie a pristine folded handkerchief from her pocket.
“I don’t understand, my dear. Inspector Drake?”
“The way we parted from each other last night. I’m not certain. But I know he will let this case consume him.”
“The theft at Princes.” Jo reached out and clasped Allie’s hand. “When I saw that in your note, it broke my heart. I dare say you and Mr. Gibson are devastated.”
“It could have been worse. No one was harmed. But the whole thing was odd. Only a couple of gems taken from a safe full of them and bits of a torn letter found.”
“Torn letter?” Jo jerked back as if it was the oddest thing she’d ever heard.
“It’s a clue, isn’t it?” It had been nagging at the corner of her mind, but she’d been concerned about Grendel and putting the back room to rights, and Detective Constable Baker had collected them before she’d even had a look.
“Is it?”
“What else would it be?” Allie shot up from the settee and began pacing. “Those pieces must mean something. Something significant.” Allie presseda hand to her mouth, trying to recall everything Ben had said. “Ben said a piece contained an initial that he believed indicated the thief’s name. Or his rank.”
