Page 51 of A Little Bit Dangerous
He reached into his pocket, then thrust a few sovereigns into the maid’s chapped hand. “Should you decide to leave, Nancy, come to Fortune’s Den in Aldgate Street and ask for Delphine. She will help you.”
Nancy was not shy. She yanked the collar of her dress, shoved the coins between her breasts and removed a small pewter pendant. “This belonged to Sarah, sir.” She pushed it into Christian’s palm, sealing his fingers around the metal. “It was hidden under her bed. She’d never have left here without it. Maybe it might help you find her, sir.”
The sudden slam of a door made Nancy jump. Before they could question her further, she darted from the room like a frightened doe.
Isabella clutched Christian’s arm. “Do you think there’s any truth to her claim? Maybe she needs money to send home, and we were foolish enough to fall for her tale?”
Christian ran his finger over the carvings on the pendant before tucking it away in his coat pocket. “Who can say? Lord Oldman’s lust for power means he’s capable of anything.”
“You heard how he spoke to the maid. Perhaps Sarah couldn’t tolerate his aggressive manner and decided to return home.”
Christian looked her keenly in the eyes. “Is that not what you do when faced with a monster, Isabella? Leave and put an ocean between you?”
Every horrid memory flashed before her eyes. “Sadly, my tactic has one major flaw. Monsters have a nasty habit of finding me.”
“Then you agree it’s pointless running?”
She heard the thread of hope in his voice. “Running has saved my life on more than one occasion. One does what one must in times of crisis. I have no qualms in doing so again.”
From his woeful expression, it wasn’t the answer he wanted. But she had sworn to be honest. Yes, when they fell into each other’s arms, the rest of the world blurred into the background. Still, his family would not accept her. And men soon tired of opinionated women. She’d witnessed her mother’s many mistakes and knew when it was time to leave.
Sensing a presence in the doorway, she turned to see Mr Daventry.
The man had a way of appearing at inconvenient moments.
“Have you examined the artefacts?”
No, they had kissed so deeply her toes had curled. Their lips would be locked now were it not for Nancy and her shocking claims. “We were interrupted by the maid.” Isabella beckoned the gentleman into the candlelit room and relayed Nancy’s tale.
Mr Daventry considered the information. “You’ll tell Oldman you believe the relics are genuine. That you cannot make a more thorough assessment without removing them from the cases. Leave the rest to me.”
They made to leave, but a sudden chill in the air stopped Isabella in her tracks. She stared into the room full of ancient treasures, wondering if the spirits of their owners did indeed haunt the small space.
She was still thinking about ghosts when they met Lord Oldman in the hall. Mr Daventry mentioned their findings, and she spoke when prompted.
“We would need to remove the items from the cabinets to be certain, my lord. Based on appearances, the pieces look genuine. We’ll inform the magistrate of our findings.”
Lord Oldman seemed elated. “I’ll not forget this, Daventry. I cannot bear the thought of those blighters handling such delicate treasures. Should you require assistance in the future, feel free to call in the debt.”
Mr Daventry smiled. “Well, you could do me a small kindness.”
“Name it.”
“I’m having a devil of a job finding a decent maid. I’ve exhausted Mrs Shaw’s Registry on Old Kent Road. Do you know where I might find competent staff?”
Lord Oldman moaned about his current crop of servants. He believed times were changing, and those capable of hard graft were few and far between. “Speak to Winthrop in Stanhope Street. He weeds out the weak ones.”
Mr Daventry thanked him, and they bid the lord good day.
Once outside, they were given their orders. “Visit Winthrop in the morning. If what Oldman says is true, and he hires his staff from that establishment, they will have a forwarding address for Sarah and any other maid who’s left without notice.”
“You think it’s a matter worth pursuing?” Christian said.
“Every line of enquiry is worth pursuing.”
* * *
Fortune’s Den
