Chapter 33 #2
The only thing that might speed things along was funds. While the brothels provided a steady income and he did have some blunt stashed away, more would be required to hire good people, acquire a new base of operations, and buy the favors he needed.
He sighed in frustration. All things considered, it might be time to visit the Duchess of Eldridge.
He was, after all, her only nephew. A connection he was certain she would pay dearly to keep buried.
* * *
Adrian poked at the log he’d added to the fire, nudging it farther into the flames.
He and Samantha had just finished looking over the letters she had received from Harlowe.
His handwriting didn’t match the one used on the anonymous note at all.
In other words, it did not look as though he was the man responsible for Evie’s death either.
Unless he’d deliberately used a different script.
A possibility that made Adrian realize how flimsy the lead he possessed truly was.
“Any word from Edward?” Samantha asked, interrupting his thoughts.
He sighed at the reminder of his friend, recalling how close they’d once been. Their relationship felt fractured now. “Not yet.”
“It’s probably just a matter of time.”
“I lied to him and he found out. There’s no getting past that.” He returned the brass poker to its holder. It was awful knowing he’d lost Edward’s trust.
“Maybe you should seek him out.”
“To what avail?” Her belief that this rift could be easily mended frustrated him. He’d rather accept the situation for what it was.
“To explain your reasoning,” she said as though he were daft. “You kept Melody’s true identity from him for his own good. Not only to keep him safe from Harlowe but also to stop him from learning that she was no more than a fantasy built on deception.”
“And yet here we are. He has discovered exactly that. If Melody mentioned her run-in with him to Harlowe, Edward has still been placed in danger. Nothing about the outcome has changed, except for the fact that I failed him.”
“Adrian, that’s not—”
“Don’t tell me it isn’t true when we both know it is.
Edward risked everything in order to save me.
He dismissed the very principles that guide him for my sake.
Yet rather than tell him that Melody isn’t merely his godmother’s meek companion but rather a government agent, I allowed him to fall more deeply in love with her. ”
“You tried to prevent that by encouraging him to give her up.”
“A spectacular muck up, wouldn’t you say?”
She blew out a breath. “Sorry. I’m only suggesting that you did what you thought was best at the time.”
He sent her a sidelong glance and went to pour himself a drink. “The wound is still fresh. I need to give him at least another couple of weeks before trying to speak with him.”
A knock at the door made him pause with his glass in mid-air. “Enter!”
Elks appeared and Adrian took a sip of his brandy while waiting to hear what the butler wanted. The older man looked at them each in turn. “Apologies for the intrusion, but the Duke of Wrengate wishes to see you.”
Adrian froze. Wrengate? What the devil could he possibly want? He shot a look in Samantha’s direction and saw the displeasure etched on her face. Addressing Elks, he said, “I’ll meet with him in my study.”
“Are you sure that’s wise?” Samantha asked after Elks had departed.
He shrugged one shoulder, then downed the remainder of his drink. “He came here for a reason. I’d like to know what it is.”
“As would I, but I still don’t like the idea of him being here in our home.”
“At least he didn’t sneak in uninvited,” Adrian mused, earning a disgruntled look from Samantha. “Besides, he did offer his help when you were held captive. The least I can do in return is hear him out.”
He re-filled his glass and handed it to her, then dropped a kiss to her brow before striding off. The door to the study remained wide open with Elks right outside. Adrian sent him a grateful nod, then entered the room and closed the door.
“Wrengate. What an unexpec…” Adrian’s words were cut short at the sight of the duke’s strained expression.
Gone was the arrogant set to his mouth, the accusative look in his eyes, the overall conceit.
In its place, Adrian found the kind of fear he himself could too easily relate to. “What’s happened?”
It seemed to take every bit of strength Wrengate possessed to utter the words, “I need your assistance.”
“With what?” Adrian asked, already sensing that something terrible must have happened to bring the duke to his doorstep. He’d not be here unless he’d exhausted all other options.
“My sister went missing two days ago.” Wrengate straightened, as if drawing on his last reserves. “I’d like you to help me find her.”
Adrian stared at the duke while considering his request. In a way, he did owe him, though he himself hadn’t asked for his help with regard to Samantha. Edward had done so, which meant there might be some bargaining room.
“And in exchange?” he asked.
Wrengate’s lips thinned, but instead of telling Adrian to go to the devil, he asked, “What’s your price?”
“The truth.” Adrian angled his head and snared the duke with his gaze. “I want to know everything about your involvement with Wycliff. Especially why you killed him.”
A muscle twitched at the edge of Wrengate’s jaw. His gaze hardened with displeasure, but he eventually nodded. “Very well. You have yourself a deal.”