Page 81 of My Kind of Scoundel
“Yet now they’re sending secret missives and arranging assignations.” Theo leant forward and brushed her lip with his thumb, though looked like he wanted to eat her.
“Did I miss more crumbs?”
“Just one, but I needed an excuse to touch you.” He glanced at the book on the table, wrapped in brown paper and fastened with string. “Will you give Miss Franklin thebook? If you do, it’s as good as admitting we know about her secret meetings with Lucille Bowman.”
Eleanor sipped her coffee as she considered the question. Her patience had worn thin. She was tired of tiptoeing around. It was time to grab the proverbial bull by the horns. Maybe set a trap.
“Theo, what if Lady Lucille used Miss Franklin?”
“For what purpose?”
“To retrieve my diary. To cover her tracks so Lord Wrotham doesn’t discover she paid his debts. Perhaps Miss Franklin knew I kept a record of my dealings with the aristocracy.” Had she been spying, watching Eleanor’s every move? “She might have seen it during our sewing lessons.”
Theo relaxed back in the chair. “The woman is as timid as a mouse, though I imagine that serves as an excellent disguise.”
“How did Miss Franklin know about my accident?” A chill ran across Eleanor’s shoulders. “Maybe she pushed me down the stairs. She stole into the shop to pinch my diary. Heaven knows where she got a key.”
Theo thought for a moment. “Why would Miss Franklin risk her neck just to appease Lucille Bowman? Why would either woman want to harm you? I cannot help but think we’re missing a vital clue.”
Yes, why would two women from different social backgrounds conspire together? “Lady Lucille doesn’t want anyone knowing I delivered her letters.”
“You’re not likely to tell Wrotham.”
“She doesn’t know that.” Eleanor had noticed the unmistakable glint of jealousy in the lady’s eyes that night at the Olympic. “Mr Daventry will know how to proceed. We should seek his counsel.”
Theo diverted his attention, focusing on the tall, sturdy man standing outside the tobacconists across the street.
“Is something wrong?”
“I’m sure I saw that man in New Bridge Street yesterday. And he entered the Red Lion tavern near the docks when I was wrestling the truth from Jack Rogers.”
Eleanor gave a surreptitious glance out the window. “Are you sure? He’s the same height and build as most dockworkers.”
“Look closely. Though his clothes suggest he’s a labourer, he has a gold watch in his pocket.” Theo straightened. “Someone hired him to follow us. That, or a debt-ridden lord named me the first to die when he made a bet at White’s. Wait here.”
Eleanor shot out of the chair. “You’re not going alone. I’m coming with you.” She snatched the book off the table. “Please, Theo. Don’t leave me here.”
Theo sighed but made no objection. “You’ll do exactly as I say. We need to be certain he’s following us. It’s a short walk to Fortune’s Den. We’ll lure him there.”
He paid the bill and escorted Eleanor along Bishopsgate.
“When we reach the street corner, drop the book,” Theo said. “Make it look like an accident. As you bend to retrieve it, check if we’re being followed.”
Though nerves assailed her, she did as he asked, stealing a quick peek before picking up the book. “He’s walking behind us at a distance of twenty yards. Two other men have joined him.”
“Cursed saints!” He gripped her hand. “Keep walking.”
To avoid suspicion, they navigated Leadenhall Street as if in no hurry. They laughed and stopped to look in themilliner’s window. Theo kept her close and whispered for her to run should the thugs attack.
With Fortune’s Den in their sights, Theo brought her to an abrupt halt at the entrance to the Saracen’s Head Inn.
“Wait until they come a little closer, “ he said, “then I shall confront them and demand to know who the devil hired them. We can’t afford for them to run.”
Eleanor could see the men out the corner of her eye. “Should we not call on Aaron first? We’re but a stone’s throw from the front door.”
He’d been itching for a fight ever since he was shot in the shoulder. He couldn’t tolerate being seen as weak.
“If these men have nothing to hide, it will be a brief conversation.” He made to usher her across the street. “Alert Aaron. Go now. I’ll be fine on my own.”
