Page 28 of An Unbending Lady for the Desperate Earl
She barked a laugh. “On your way, Christian. I must pursue Miss Longacre before I lose sight of her.”
With that, they parted. Victoria headed out of the ballroom and followed Miss Longacre at a sensible distance, making it seem as though she had lost her way in case any of the staff happened to inquire as to what on earth she was doing.
However, the entrance hall lay empty, giving her a clear route up the stairs after Miss Longacre. Victoria ducked back into one of the doorways and watched as Miss Longacre paused at the end of the hallway, before entering the very last chamber on the left hand side.
Good… it looks out over the gardens.She froze, realizing what she had thought. If the kidnappers also knew the location of Miss Longacre’s chamber, then they had further reason to deliberately select her as their quarry. Her bedchamber had easier access by way of a ladder, without alerting suspicions from other chambers along the hall.
Victoria’s heart thundered as she edged along the corridor and came to a halt at the end of a narrow passage that led to nothing but a window nook. It stood directly beside Miss Longacre’s bedchamber, separating it from the next room over.
Casting a look back over her shoulder, to make sure nobody was watching her, she slipped down the passage and stopped in front of the window. A candelabra already sat upon the sill, unlit. Delving into the neckline of her gown, Victoria removed a box of matches and struck one, lighting the blackened wicks until each candle flickered into renewed life.
Perhaps there is some use in a gown, after all.It served as an excellent hiding place for all and sundry, and no policeman or gentleman would dare to investigate beneath that secret fabric.
I hope you are in position.She peered out of the window into the shadowed gardens beneath. The moon overhead strained to cast its glow upon the world, but only a crescent poked through the velvet black of the night. She imagined the stretch of greenery looked much like that of the Pelsley’s townhouse, but it was hard to make out any significant features among the permeating darkness. Indeed, she could not even see the fence that ran along the back of the garden, though she knew it was there.
They will steal her from her bed and take her into the alley behind the house, where there is undoubtedly a carriage waiting to carry them away.She squinted toward the gloom, in the hopes of discovering that imagined carriage, but only the night met her intense gaze.
“Hello? Is someone there?” A voice startled Victoria.
Her head whipped around, to find a shadow looming at the head of the passageway. “Hello?” she replied, knowing she had no time to hide. Nor was there anywhere to hide here.
“Who goes there?” Miss Longacre stepped forward.
“Lady Laura, Miss Longacre.” Victoria rallied, knowing she needed to keep up appearances. “I wanted to thank you for this evening, but you disappeared before I could locate you.”
Miss Longacre hesitated. “Of course. It was my pleasure. I’m glad to have brought you some cheer.”
“Well… I shall be on my way.” Victoria hurried along the passage, only to find her path blocked by Miss Longacre.
“Tarry a moment, will you?” she asked.
“Me?”
Miss Longacre nodded. “Come into my chamber for a while. As it happens, there was something I wanted to speak with you about, also.”
Curious, Victoria followed Miss Longacre to her chamber and stepped inside. After all, she could better protect the young woman if she was near to her. Although, she didn’t quite understand what Miss Longacre would have to say to her, unless it had something to do with the eligible Lord Galbury.
“What can I do for you, Miss Longacre?” Victoria cleared her through, as she moved further into the room.
“I know you.”
Victoria faltered. “Pardon?”
“I didn’t say so before, but I know you.” Miss Longacre gestured for her to sit by the fire. “Every few weeks, I offer my assistance at the orphanage in Poplar. I saw you there once, several months ago. You brought in a brother and sister who had just lost their mother, after their father had murdered her. You didn’t see me, but I heard you tell their story to the proprietor. You threatened him and told him that if any harm befell those children, you would come back and bring the full might of Bow Street with you. When you left, you kissed those children on the forehead and promised they would be safe. I never forgot it. And I have made sure those childrenweresafe, ever since. In fact, I urged my father to become their benefactor, because of you.”
Victoria gaped at her.
“I wondered who you were and asked the proprietor,” she continued. “He told me you were a notable investigator, who solved crimes and cases across London. At first, I didn’t believe him, but others corroborated his story. I discovered that you were the one who caught that wretch—the one who murdered his wife, and the mother of those sweet children. He would have walked free, had you not.”
“Why did you not say anything earlier, if you knew I lied?” Victoria found her voice.
Miss Longacre smiled. “Because I knew there must be a reason for your untruth. I contemplated it all evening and came to the conclusion that it had something to do with these recent kidnappings, as you were accompanying Lord Galbury. Seeing you in that passageway confirmed it.”
“As perceptive as you are beautiful. It is a wonder the King of England is not pursuing you to be his wife.” Victoria remarked. “I suppose I should introduce my true self. I am Victoria McCarthy.”
Miss Longacre nodded. “I know. I asked after your name when I found out that you really were what the orphanage proprietor said you were. But am I correct in my assumptions?”
“You are.” Victoria almost felt sorry to be the bearer of grim news, but it was better to have Miss Longacre fully informed. “I am here to protect you.”
