Chapter 17

Chapter Seventeen

Finch Lane

Cornhill

By the time the carriage turned into the lane and stopped outside a quaint shop selling ladies' trinkets, Theo had cleaned the evidence of their lovemaking from Eleanor's thigh. They spent a moment straightening their clothes, looking at each other and smiling like they were the only two people in the world.

Were their thoughts aligned? she wondered. Was he imagining how impossible life would be if they did not spend every hour together?

"That's the most scandalous thing I have ever done," she said, tying the ribbons on her bonnet. "You're a bad influence, Mr Chance."

"You asked for a kiss." Eyes a soft, sated blue lingered on her mouth. "I never do anything in half measures, Eleanor. You know that. "

No, he'd exceeded all expectations when tidying her shop. He had more than fulfilled his vow to put things right.

"Does this intense euphoria ever fade?" she asked. When would lust's flames stop burning so brightly? Would the inner agony dull over time?

Theo shrugged. "What exists between us is unlike anything I have experienced before. Our relationship is unique."

"Oh." What did that mean? She was too afraid to ask.

When you secretly loved someone, there was still hope.

The pain of shattered dreams was hard to bear.

Seeking a distraction from her wayward thoughts, she glanced at the pretty reticules in the shop window and nearly fell off the leather seat.

She pointed at the sign. "Tell me my eyes deceive me."

He read the name painted in red script on the pale blue background. "Franklin's Emporium? Franklin? Any relation to the silversmith?"

"I don't know. Might it be a coincidence?"

"There's only one way to know for sure."

They alighted. With Finch Lane being a five-minute walk from Fortune's Den, Theo instructed Godby to return home.

"I thought you might appreciate the exercise," he said to her, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Perhaps we might dine with Aaron tonight. He will be glad of the company. You can wait in my room while I assist him at the club."

The thought of dining with Aaron filled her with dread. He didn't want her there, but Theo loved his brother, and so she would smile and be polite.

"While I wait, might I sleep in your comfortable bed?"

His smile turned sinful. "Sleep while you can. When I return, I doubt we'll keep our hands off each other. "

A vivid scene entered her mind. Them kissing until breathless.

I'm so in love with you , she wanted to say.

"You know how to appeal to a woman's fantasies."

"I know how to appeal to yours. I don't care about anyone else."

They locked gazes for a heartbeat.

No words were needed.

Upon entering the emporium, they were greeted by the tinkling of a tiny bell and an enticing display of costume jewellery filling the glass cases.

A woman of thirty approached them, her dark hair fixed in an elegant coiffure, a pretty lace choker fastened around her neck. "Good afternoon."

Eleanor stepped forward. "Good afternoon. Might I look at the emerald-green reticule in the window? The one with the gold embroidery?"

"Of course." The assistant removed it from the window and placed it on the velvet pad on the counter. "The colour matches your eyes perfectly."

Eleanor could sew something similar in an hour, but she studied the stitches and the tiny glass beads. The design reminded her of something she had made to complement Lady Beckett's new carriage dress.

"It's beautiful."

Theo moved to stand beside her. "It's yours if you want it."

She looked at him, tempted to say yes so she could thank him later. "You've spent enough money already." She turned to the assistant. "Are they made by a local seamstress?"

"They're made by my cousin. She's a budding designer." The lady explained she was the proprietress and introduced herself as Miss Franklin. "Those in the window are the first Anna has had the courage to sell."

"Anna?" Eleanor feigned curiosity. "I'm quite sure I know her, assuming her surname is Franklin. I live in New Bridge Street and taught my neighbour Anna Franklin to sew."

The lady clapped her hands in surprise. "You must be Miss Darrow. How wonderful. Anna speaks so highly of you. You're her inspiration." Her smile faded. "There's been some terrible business in the street lately. Thieves running amok. It's bound to ruin livelihoods."

"Anna believes the men on the merchant ships are to blame."

"I fear it's a problem throughout the city. Anna's friend had me make a paste version of her grandmother's diamond necklace." She gestured to the display of costume jewellery in the cabinet. "The poor lady was terrified to wear the original in case someone snatched it from around her neck."

The cogs in Eleanor's mind began turning. There would be an uproar if Lady Lucille's family knew she'd sold her jewels. The only way to avoid detection was to have copies made.

"Ah, you speak of Anna's friend Lucille."

The proprietor tapped her finger to her lips. "It's supposed to be a secret. Anna is quite protective of her new friend. Different social backgrounds can be a problem. Few members of the aristocracy are accepting of the working classes."

"Of course. Lucille asked me to deliver a letter here for Anna, but a thief stole it when he ransacked my shop." Eleanor slapped her hand to her chest as if she had spoken out of turn. "Forgive me. I swore my involvement would remain a secret."

The lady offered a reassuring smile. "Yes, Anna was expecting the note. Her brother Geoffrey is very protective and would have bombarded her with questions if it had been delivered to the house. He would assume someone of Lucille's standing was mocking Anna and then tear up the missive."

"I'm sure that's not the case," Eleanor said. But how had the women fostered an unlikely friendship? It can only have been when they met at her modiste shop. "But you have my word. I'll not mention our conversation."

The shop bell tinkled, and two women entered.

The proprietor greeted the newcomers before returning to their conversation. "It's hard for Anna, living with her brother. She is keen for Geoffrey to marry in the hope a sensible woman might curb his frivolous ways."

Frivolous ways? Mr Franklin seemed the practical sort.

"Well, I shall not say a word. I'm pleased Anna's sewing is giving her a small income." As the lady had been so helpful, Eleanor decided to make a purchase. "I don't need a reticule, but might I look at that gold cannetille brooch with the cluster of green stones?"

When the owner went to fetch the brooch, Theo whispered, "I shall buy you one with real emeralds. One with a price tag of more than twelve shillings."

"I like simple things. The cost doesn't matter."

Eleanor made the purchase, although Theo insisted on paying.

He stopped outside the shop and pinned the brooch to her pelisse, his fingers brushing her breast. "The need to see you smile is becoming a compulsion. "

She touched his hand, her heart fluttering with the depth of her affection. "Good. You can treat me to coffee and a slab of seed cake. There's a quaint little coffeehouse on Bishopsgate, a short walk from here."

"Remember we're dining with Aaron tonight."

She chuckled and gripped his arm. "Any lady will tell you, cake never spoils one's dinner."

They were about to walk away when the other Miss Franklin burst out of the emporium and thrust a package into Eleanor's hand. "Would you mind giving this to Anna? It will save her the walk here."

Eleanor turned the wrapped item over, confident it was a book. "I might not see her until tomorrow."

"Perfect. I doubt she'll have time to call before the weekend." The lady patted Eleanor's arm. "The brooch looks marvellous on you, Miss Darrow." And then she dashed back to the shop.

They sat in Pickins coffeehouse eating cake and discussing the unlikely friendship between Lady Lucille and Anna Franklin.

"It makes no sense," she said, licking crumbs from her lips. "They met once, maybe twice, while Lady Lucille attended a dress fitting. They couldn't have exchanged more than a few words."

"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 the book? 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 the milliner'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."

Eleanor turned her head, meeting the burly fellow's gaze.

To avoid detection, he led his lackeys into the inn's yard.

"Theo, you're outnumbered."

"I live on this street. I know all the men who work here."

Every instinct said not to leave him. While struggling with her dilemma, the answer to her prayers left the confectioner's shop and walked towards them.

Miss Lovelace noticed them and stopped. "Miss Darrow. How wonderful to see you looking so well." She turned to Theo and inclined her head. "Mr Chance."

Eleanor clutched the lady's arm and whispered, "We desperately need your help. Would you call at Fortune's Den and ask Aaron to join us at the Saracen's Head. Tell him it's urgent and relevant to the case. Go now. Hurry."

Miss Lovelace frowned. "Are you in some sort of trouble?"

"I'll explain later. There's no time to lose. "

Eleanor as good as shooed the lady away.

Miss Lovelace raised the hem of her skirts and hurried across the street before hammering on the door of Fortune's Den.

"Eleanor, go with Miss Lovelace."

She gripped Theo's arm. "I'm staying with you."

After a brief exchange, they entered the yard. The men were leaning against the wall near the taproom door. The owner of the gold pocket watch straightened when he saw them.

Keeping her behind him, Theo strode up to the men and addressed their leader. "You've been following us for days. Tell me who hired you, and you can leave with your face intact."

The lackeys gawped at their master.

"I don't know what you mean, governor," the bold brute said.

"Don't lie. You were outside Pickins coffeehouse fifteen minutes ago, watching us drink our beverages."

The thug laughed like Theo was a loon. "You've got me confused with someone else. I'm out for a stroll and to see a man about a dog."

As the King of Hearts, Theo was kind and considerate. As the part-owner of a gaming hell and the brother of Aaron Chance, he could be the devil incarnate.

A darkness passed over his handsome features. He rose to his full height and lunged at the beast who dared to mock him. His fist connected with the man's jaw, a punch that sent the fellow reeling and left his counterparts wondering what on earth to do.

One found the courage to strike. He was about to hit Theo when Eleanor whacked his hand with Miss Franklin's book. "Touch him, and it will be the last thing you do."

Panic ensued when Aaron Chance burst into the yard, looking like he could flay men alive with his obsidian glare. People hurried indoors and peered through dirty windows. Men scrambled to move carts and horses.

One fled but tripped over Miss Lovelace's extended foot and hit the ground with a thud. The lady looked quite pleased with herself.

Sigmund grabbed the lout by the scruff of his coat and hauled him to his feet. "I'll take this one to the basement," he yelled before dragging the fellow away.

Aaron gripped the other scrawny devil by the throat. Though the man tried to fight, he was no match for one with an arm of steel. "We'll question them in the fighting pit. It's been a while since I flexed my fists."

Theo scowled at the miscreants' leader. "You'll come with me to Fortune's Den, or I'll drag you there myself. As I said in the beginning, save yourself the trouble and tell us who hired you. Was it Berridge?"

The fellow held his hands up in surrender. "I ain't a fighting man. I was paid to follow you about town and keep a list of the places you visited. Duncan and his brother"—he pointed to the man with his neck wedged between Aaron's firm fingers—"are out of work and said they'd help."

"Who hired you?" Theo demanded.

"If I tell you, I won't get paid."

"You'll spend a month in the infirmary if you don't." Theo gave the man a few seconds to reply before adding, "Trust me, you don't want to visit my brother's basement."

Shifting nervously, the beast wrung his hands before confessing. "She never gave her name. Her maid is friends with Duncan's sister and knew we were men for hire."

"Her maid?" Eleanor said, knowing the culprit was one of two people. "Was the lady young or of middling years?" Was Mrs Dunwoody looking for the means to hurt Theo? Was Lady Lucille worried they'd discover she'd paid her fiancé's debts?

"She was young and pretty. Spoke like she had a peg on her nose. Had hair like spun gold. She spread her hanky out on the chair before she sat down."

"It has to be Lucille Bowman," Theo grumbled. "It's time we confront the woman and demand to know what the hell is happening."

"What, and be fed a pack of lies?" Eleanor said. The lady had something to hide, something that amounted to more than secretly settling Lord Wrotham's accounts. "No, we need to trick her into meeting Miss Franklin. Of the two, the latter is more likely to confess when pressured."

"Confess to what?" Aaron said.

Eleanor shrugged. "We don't know."

With a growl of frustration, Aaron released his prisoner and made for the sturdy brute. "I want to know everything the lady said when she hired you. What information does she seek?"

The craven fellow stepped back. "I was to list the places they visited. And what dealings they had with the man at the silversmith shop."

"Mr Franklin?" Eleanor sought to clarify.

"She got all in a tizzy and said the devil had ruined her life."

How odd.

Had Lady Lucille fallen in love with the silversmith? Was that why she nurtured a friendship with Miss Franklin? Did she enjoy rubbing shoulders with the lower classes? Or did she have reason to fear him?

"You'll make a statement to that effect," Theo said. "I'll have every word in writing. She'll not worm her way out of this."

With some reluctance, the men for hire accompanied them to Fortune's Den. They stood in Aaron's imposing study and scrawled their names on a document stating why Lady Lucille had hired them.

"You're lucky you're walking out of here," Aaron said, shooing the louts out the front door. "If I see your faces again, you won't be so fortunate." He returned to the study and dropped into his black, throne-like seat. His gaze slid to Miss Lovelace, who sat beside Eleanor. "I'm sure you have much to do before you open tonight."

"Nothing that cannot wait."

"You seem to make a habit of becoming embroiled in my family's affairs. One would think you have enough problems of your own."

The lady raised her chin. "What problems could I have besides an absent father, the threat of bankruptcy and a host of young women who demand I play matchmaker? Surely you've heard their excited screams when the Marquess of Rothley comes to gamble."

Aaron snorted. "I've seen them peering through the window—hardly what one expects from wallflowers. Besides, Rothley would eat them alive."

Before the lady replied, a loud knock on the front door had Sigmund trudging through the hall. Seconds later, Daventry entered the study .

"What the blazes do you want?" Aaron said.

Mr Daventry smiled. "Good afternoon. I've been following the leads on the books Miss Darrow gave to Pickering." His gaze came to rest on Eleanor. "I went to the shop to update you on my progress, but Gibbs said you were out. I came to see what Aaron thought of the information."

"It's about time you considered my opinion," Aaron replied.

Mr Daventry ignored the snipe. He reached into his leather satchel and dropped a book onto Aaron's desk. "The first volume of Radcliffe's The Italian left in Miss Darrow's coal shed and delivered to Pickering. You'll see the note is still hidden beneath the bookplate."

Aaron took a paper knife from the drawer. With surprisingly gentle movements for a man with large hands, he cut the plate and retrieved the tiny note. The paper was blank.

Eleanor sighed. "So, the motive was to ensure I left the shop."

"Undoubtedly," Mr Daventry said. "We must ask ourselves for what purpose? Why put on such a dramatic show?" He removed another book and handed it to Aaron. " Virtue Rewards by Samuel Richardson. Perhaps you might tell me what the books have in common."

"I did not deliver that book to Mr Pickering," Eleanor interjected.

"No, I acquired it this morning."

Aaron studied both books. "They have the same bookplate."

Eleanor straightened. "Who does the book belong to?"

Daventry found the question amusing. "I confess, I had my agent break into the house to borrow it. Therefore, we cannot use the book as evidence." His smile broadened into a grin. "D'Angelo took it from Lord Wrotham's library. He inherited the books from his mother. Hence the image of two turtle doves. In her memory, Wrotham had more plates printed. D'Angelo found a file full of them in the desk drawer."

The room plunged into silence.

While Eleanor tried to imagine Lord Wrotham attacking her in the yard, Aaron gritted his teeth and cried, "That cowardly fop used Miss Darrow because of her connections to this family."

"That's not the motive," Theo said. "How can it be? Until our encounter at the Olympic, Wrotham knew nothing about my relationship with Miss Darrow."

"This case has us going around in circles." Eleanor knew there was but one way to solve the mystery. "We need more information. We should begin by using what we have against Lady Lucille and Miss Franklin."

Everyone remained quiet while considering the point.

"I agree," Mr Daventry eventually said. "We trick them into meeting and apply pressure to get answers."

Eleanor had an idea. "I have a letter Miss Franklin sent thanking me for giving her sewing lessons. I could copy the handwriting and write to Lady Lucille."

"You have a book from Miss Franklin's cousin," Theo added. "Why not say you were given a message as well? Use the term friend instead of giving a name. If the plan works, they'll both believe they have been summoned by the other."

It could work.

Providing Eleanor perfected her acting skills.

"Excellent." Mr Daventry clapped his hands together. " Let's put the plan in motion." He raised his hand. "Just a word of caution. It takes cunning to keep a secret. Men kill for a pocket watch. Remember, nothing is more important than protecting each other."