Page 79 of The Ambiguous Enigma of the Hunted Lady
The more he obsessed, the more he became certain that Leah was in mortal danger, and the more he cemented his resolve to rescue her from whatever evil that may be.
Kenneth pushed his horse hard again and finished the distance to London as the noon bells sang out. The beast drank greedily from the public troughs, and Kenneth patted his hide.
“You have earned it.” he whispered in the horse's ear.
Kenneth looked hopelessly around at the sprawling shantytowns that filled his view. The Boroughs stretched between him and the river. The mismatched collection of buildings formed a labyrinth before him, full of bustling commerce and foot traffic.
It would be impossible, Kenneth was beginning to realize, even from his vantage point atop a horse, to locate Leah in neighborhoods such as these.
Think! She is from White Chapel, so I must at least begin there.
After resting his horse a spell by the fountain, Kenneth rode over the river towards White Chapel. The smell of the Smithfield Meat Market caught him before the rest of the neighborhood. It was the largest butcher market in the city, and it was the largest city in the world.
It stretched the entire square, and Kenneth was taken aback to imagine Leah growing up between the scene of butchers on one side and the doxys that lined the block on the other.
He sat atop his horse, looking over the market, and a large butcher approached from his nearby stall.
“Is you lookin' for anythin' in partic’lar, Lord?” the man asked gruffly, wiping his hands on his bloody apron.
“I'm not here to shop, no.” Kenneth shook his head.
“But you is lookin' for somethin', I can see you up there pokin' about, Lord. Maybe I can help you find it?”
Kenneth looked the butcher over. No doubt he was looking to earn a coin or two for helping a nobleman with some menial task.Perhaps he could help more than I know.
“I am.” Kenneth said finally, shifting in his saddle. “Perhaps you know her. Have you seen a Miss Leah Benson about? Do you know her?”
“Benson.” the butcher muttered, casting his gaze downward. “Don't know nothin' about no Benson.” he grumbled, turning to shy away.
“Who said what about a Benson?” Kenneth turned to see a large, brutish man who held his left arm in a sling, fast approaching them.
“Not lookin' for no trouble, just doin is I'm told is all.” the butcher protested, raising up his hands. “I swear, Gopher.”
“What's it to you? Miss Benson?” the man identified as Gopher walked up beside Kenneth's horse, staring unapologetically up at him. “Now what would a fancy suit like yourself know about her?”
Kenneth felt his horse shift, and he felt his cheek twitch. He wanted no more than to knock this Gopher silly and see what he knew, but looking around, Kenneth saw that there was a small circle of large, apish men making their way towards their little assembly.Friends of Gopher, no doubt.
“I am looking for her.” Kenneth announced. “What do you know of her?”
“You ain't in St. James's Place right now pretty boy.” Gopher sneered. “You best start talkin'.”
“Do you have any idea who I am?” Kenneth challenged, holding his ground.How to bluff my way out of this?He could not help but notice the butchers all turning their backs to the ring of thugs that now encircled his horse.
“Blast, Gopher!” one of the thugs scolded. “He's got to be with Riphook!”
Kenneth saw Gopher's face drain to a pale white as he perhaps thought to understand the gravity of his mistake.
“That's right.” Kenneth stated.Whomever this Riphook is, they are all terrified of him.“I am with Riphook. Tell me what you know of Miss Benson or I'll be talking to him all about you especially, Gopher.”
The offensive seemed to be working, for the mood of the gangsters changed dramatically. They became instantly cooperative, even apologetic.Who is this man that they believe a Lord could be working for him?Kenneth's head was beginning to spin. Everything seemed upside down.
“We were on her tail this mornin'.” Gopher began, glancing nervously between the ground and Kenneth. “Almost had her but she broke my elbow and got away.” Gopher's face was bright red. He was clearly embarrassed.
“She broke your elbow?” Kenneth asked, smiling inside.I knew she was in trouble. I must find this Riphook, but to ask them about him will destroy my image.“How?”
“Got knocked over. Gopher muttered, scratching the back of his head.
“Unbelievable.” Kenneth shook his head. “You are a disgrace. Go tip the tall keel over a pint of blue ruin and forget you ever worked for Riphook,. he spat out the words. The aggressive attitude was working, but it had to hold.
