Page 82 of Lady Gambit
What an astonishing revelation.
“As I’m acting on behalf of Bow Street, I’ll question Nora Adkins,” Dorian countered.
Aaron arched a brow and gestured to the hall. “Be my guest. Had you put the case before your amorous liaisons with my sister, we wouldn’t be in this predicament.”
They joined Aaron in his study.
Nora was seated in a wooden chair by the fire, warming her stocking feet and tucking into a selection of cold meats and cheese. Miss Lovelace stood in the corner like a disobedient child, out of Aaron’s line of sight. She’d fastened her hair in a loose braid and held a plaid blanket around her shoulders, though the room was stifling hot.
“Your brother has an issue with my attire.” The lady pulled the blanket firmly across her chest while meeting Delphine’s gaze. “I had the choice of this or Sigmund’s greatcoat.”
Delphine inwardly smiled. Though she felt guilty for involving Miss Lovelace in her personal problems, these unexpected encounters weakened Aaron’s resolve. To make amends, she would become a member of The Burnished Jade.
Dorian approached Nora Adkins, who shoved food into her mouth quicker than she could swallow. “How do you know Caterina?” he said, using the name belonging to the girl who would always be lost in the night.
Nora looked up through wild eyes and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “What’s it to you?”
“Unless you want to sleep in a dank cell for the next sixteen years, I suggest you answer my questions.”
The woman laughed. “Hewon’t take me back. He needs rid of me before them governors start poking into his affairs.”
“You speak of the Superintendent, Mr Powell?”
“No!” Nora looked at Dorian like he was as mad as a rat in a trap. “The toff with the face of an angel and the heart of a beast. He’s the one who had Powell set me free.”
Delphine stepped forward. “Lord Meldrum freed you? We were told you hit the doctor with a bottle of castor oil and snatched his keys.”
“I did. We had to make it look like a real escape.” She touched her fingers to the cut on her head and blenched. “Though I reckon Powell enjoyed giving me a good old thwack.”
Dorian frowned. “I can think of only one reason Meldrum wants you roaming the streets. You’re a witness to his duplicity. The only hold the blackmailer has over him. Perhaps he believes the contract would become void if you escaped and were found dead in the Thames.”
Clearly, Aaron thought the theory had merit. “Meldrum wouldn’t want her dying in Bethlem. He’d not risk an enquiry.”
Nora stuffed a piece of bread into her mouth. Crumbs fell onto her lap when she spoke. “His men were waiting outside thehospital gates. They’d have done me in good and proper, but I escaped through the garden and over the back wall.”
Delphine wondered if they were the same men who’d tried to abduct her outside Miss Darrow’s shop. It made sense. Lord Meldrum was weak and lacked moral character. If he married her and killed Nora, his life would no longer be a shambles. Except that his man had shot Theo and ruined the plan.
“He knew I’d come looking for you, Caterina,” Nora added. “He has one of his thugs across the road watching this house. I slipped inside when he went to relieve himself in Golden Fleece Alley.” She cackled. “Or should I say, Golden Sprinkle Alley?”
Aaron was at the window in a second. He peered into the darkness before turning to Miss Lovelace. “Now do you see why I suggested you remain here?”
The lady looked angry, not thankful. “I’ll not stay the night.”
“Rest assured. You’ll be gone at the first opportunity. Sigmund will escort you home once I’m certain this thug poses no threat.” He scanned the street again before sending Theo and Sigmund out to hunt for the blackguard. “Bring him here. He’ll tell me who hired him, or I’ll cut out his tongue and feed it to the dogs.”
Dorian had other matters on his mind, namely dragging answers from the irrational Nora Adkins. “What makes you think Miss Chance is Caterina? Why are you looking for her?”
Nora held up her plate. She’d gobbled the food like it was her last supper. “Any more cheese? And I’ll want bread to squirrel away to eat later. When I leave here, I’m heading to the coast. Don’t suppose you can spare a few coins for my purse?”
“Who tied you up and left you for the previous Lord Meldrum to find?” Dorian persisted. His scowl said he was nearing the end of his tether. “You’ll answer all my questions before you get another morsel.”
Nora glowered at him. “I ain’t eaten in days. How can a woman think when her stomach growls like an injured bear?”
“You’ve managed thus far.”
The woman looked at Delphine, though her hard eyes did not soften. “She’s the image of her mother. Now, can I have more cheese? Got any pickled cabbage?”
“You’ll get nothing more until you co-operate.”
