Page 77 of The Ambiguous Enigma of the Hunted Lady
“The wharfs? Why do you need to leave? If Riphook is done with you then you got off easy enough.” Leah was beginning to feel remorse for Nash. They had known each other a long time, and she could feel the pain he was experiencing.
“I warned the good doctor that Riphook knew you're alive.” Nash let out a long sigh. “I'm as good as dead.”
“Yes.” Leah said pointedly, relaxing her body. “You are.”
Nash looked at her, and Leah began to smirk. Then the two of them chuckled a bit in the stillness of the cemetery.
“Leah, I am sorry about, well–” Nash tried to apologize.
“Don't be, Nash.” Leah shook her head. “Put me in your shoes, and you in mine. I wouldn't have ever left you leave that alleyway.”
“Aye, I suppose you're right.” Nash grinned, a little life coming back into his pale face. Then they stood in a pause of strange silence.
“Do you want to come with me, to the docks?” Leah offered.He needs to get out as bad as I do, and there is some safety in numbers.
“Thank you, Leah.” Nash give her what looked to be a sincere smile.
“Let's hurry.” she said no more and began leading Nash on the course she had selected. “We just have to get over the Westminster Bridge, then we're clear out of Riphook's territory for at least three miles.”
“He'll have men watching the bridge,” Nash added.
“We shall see what occurs.” Leah gritted her teeth and pressed on through the shadowy grounds of Westminster Abbey. Drawing near to the Westminster Bridge, Leah's heart fell to see several large thugs patrolling. They ducked into a shallow hiding place, pressed against the walls of the Cathedral.
“I told you.” Nash hissed. “We've got to go the long way.”
“Do you think we can outrun them?”
“Sure, but they got knives.”
“Oy! Lurkin' there! Come out!” the voice of a Parish watchman startled them, and they could see the lantern-bearing official coming down the road behind them.
“Blast!” Leah whispered. She could see the thugs on the bridge taking notice of the commotion.
“What do we do?” Nash was tense, nervous, and looking to her lead.
Leah looked around frantically and spotted St. James’s Park at the end of the street, a haven of grass and trees to escape into, out of the brick-lain jungle.
“I said come on out! Oy!” the watchman drew nearer.
“What's he got?” the thugs took a few paces towards their hiding space. “What's the watchman got?”
“Run!” Leah shouted, and the two of them tore off towards the park.
Chapter 21
Upon receiving news of Leah's hasty departure, Kenneth was distraught. He had sat down to breakfast a chipper person, bright with energy for the day, imaging another long garden stroll with the woman he had fallen for.
But instead of being greeted at the breakfast table by Leah's smiling face, he was met by Mrs. Redford's somber expression. In that moment, he knew that Leah had gone, and with her went his appetite.
He shoved the cup of coffee aside and looked blankly at his dish. He felt empty, hollowed out by the sudden loss of everything he had come to know as all important.
“Kenneth?” he could hear his mother's voice floating down the hall.She is the last person I would speak with at this time.He made to stand, but it was far too late.
“Kenneth, there you are.” she said, approaching the table. “Mrs. Redford has reported to me that your guest has left us.”So, she has gone then.Although he already knew in his heart, he had held out a shred of a hope that his instinct had been wrong. Now, nothing was left to his imagination. “Apparently she absconded during the night.”
“So, it would appear, Mother.” Kenneth replied, looking aimlessly at his biscuit.
“What sort of a thing is that for a woman to do?” his mother scoffed, pulling out a chair at the breakfast table. “It is unthinkable, truly. Entirely improper. Wouldn't you agree?”
