Chapter 11
As Hadrian helped Tilda into his coach that evening, he sent a concerned glance back toward her grandmother’s house. “What did your grandmother say about you going out so late with me for our investigation?” He climbed into the coach beside her, and Leach closed the door.
“She was concerned. Not that I blame her, since I was kidnapped not so long ago.” Tilda didn’t have to remind him.
Hadrian was all too aware she’d been abducted near this very spot.
He’d found her by using his ability to experience a memory of the man who’d taken her.
But she’d been in mortal danger. Thankfully, Leach had killed the man, else Hadrian would have hunted him down.
“I said she needn’t worry about anything happening. Not to me anyway,” Tilda said.
“I will ensure it doesn’t.” Hadrian met her gaze with steely promise.
“I confess, since that happened, I sometimes don’t want to let you out of my sight.
It’s silly, I know, but I hate that I wasn’t here to protect you that night.
” In fact, he’d only left for a short while, during which time she’d been abducted.
Tilda put her hand on his and gave him a gentle smile. “You returned very quickly and were able to find and save me—with Leach’s help. That is all that matters.” She looked toward the basket on the opposite seat. “What have you brought?”
Hadrian chuckled. “Mrs. Rowe insisted on sending cake and biscuits in case we grow hungry this evening.”
“Your cook is always so thoughtful,” Tilda murmured.
“Will there come a time when we decide nobody is going to deliver a ransom payment tonight?” Hadrian asked. “I’m only curious how long we may be waiting.”
“I’ve no idea.” She withdrew her hand from his and sent him a determined look. “I’m prepared to watch all night if we have to.”
They arrived at the Danish Embassy and met Teague, who was accompanied by Sergeant Wycombe and three constables.
The detective inspector gestured for everyone to come close.
“You all know the assignment. We’re looking to see if anyone leaves the house or the mews.
If so, we’ll follow them. We have a cab stationed just there.
” He gestured across the street to an unremarkable vehicle.
“And we’ve another constable in uniform patrolling the area who will act as a messenger between us in the front and those in the back and mews if one of us sees someone leaving. ”
“It occurs to me that we can position my coach on the corner,” Hadrian suggested. “Leach can easily watch the house from his seat.”
“Excellent idea.” Teague looked to Tilda and Hadrian. “I recommend you both take various positions on the opposite side of the street. I’ll be patrolling the side on which Alnwick House sits. You don’t want to loiter anywhere too long, as you’ll draw notice.” He looked around. “Any questions?”
When there were none, he dismissed everyone to assume their places. Hadrian went to inform Leach of the new plan to have him watch from the corner. Leach was, predictably, thrilled to participate.
Hadrian joined Teague and Tilda. “Are we prepared to stay out all night?”
“I am, but you needn’t do so,” Teague replied.
“I’ve dressed warmly,” Tilda said. “And Ravenhurst’s cook sent sustenance. We aren’t leaving.” She looked over at Teague. “You’re welcome to cake and biscuits in Ravenhurst’s coach.”
Teague smiled. “Most thoughtful of you, my lord.”
“It’s entirely due to my cook. I will pass along your appreciation.”
Hadrian escorted Tilda to the opposite side of the street whilst Teague moved along the other toward the park. “I don’t know why I didn’t think of watching from Leach’s seat on the coach. He has the prime perspective.”
They stopped on the pavement not far from the corner where they’d crossed. Alnwick House was in view on the other side of the street, a pair of houses away from where they stood.
Tilda’s left arm was curled through his, and she placed her gloved right hand atop his sleeve. “I like that Leach has something to do. It almost makes me think we’re superfluous.”
“It’s good there are so many of us. We’re far less likely to miss anything.” Hadrian felt a tremor move through Tilda.
“I hope not,” she said. “I don’t know how I’ll bear it if something happens to Lady Priscilla.”
“You can’t think like that. You’ve done all you can in the face of the duke’s resistance.
If things end badly, it won’t be your fault.
” He stopped and angled toward her. “I know I keep saying this, but you really mustn’t blame yourself for Miss Chadwick.
You said we’re dealing with someone who is mentally unstable, and I agree.
Her death was a tragedy, and you did everything you could to find her. ”
Her lips lifted briefly as she looked up him. “I know that. This case just has me confounded, and I don’t like it one bit.” She focused her gaze on Alnwick House. “What do you suppose is going on in there?”
Hadrian noted the drawing room on the first floor was brightly illuminated. “No idea, but if the ransom delivery is the same as it was for Miss Chadwick, we’ve some time to wait until they leave.”
“I can’t imagine the kidnapper would use the same ransom delivery location,” Tilda said.
“In fact, he may have changed the time as well.” She gripped Hadrian’s arm more tightly, prompting him to look at her.
“What if he arranged the ransom to be delivered earlier? What if we’ve missed his departure? ”
Hadrian moved to stand in front of her. There was true panic in her eyes. He caressed her cheek. “Don’t cause yourself upset. We’re here now, and we’ll be vigilant.”
She stepped back and peered around him. “I can’t if you stand in front of me.
” She brushed her hands down her skirt from her waist. “I ought to have considered that the kidnapper might have done things differently with Lady Priscilla to avoid detection. The observation of the duke’s house should have started immediately following Teague’s visit earlier. ”
Hadrian heard the agony in her tone. “Tilda, please don’t torture yourself like this.”
The sound of wheels on the granite street drew them to look toward Park Street as a cab turned onto Upper Brook Street.
“That’s not the cab Teague stationed, is it?” Hadrian asked.
“I don’t think so.” Tilda exhaled, as if she’d held her breath.
The cab stopped in front of Alnwick House, and Hadrian held his breath. Tilda grasped his hand.
They watched as a woman stepped out of the hack.
She stood in the pool of light cast by a nearby gas lamp.
Hadrian made out medium-dark hair that hung down her back, and she wore a dark cloak.
She tipped her head up and seemed to be looking toward the drawing room.
In that moment, Hadrian was able to make out her features.
Tilda started across the street, pulling Hadrian with her. “That’s Lady Priscilla.”
The cab started moving forward as they reached the other side of the street. Lady Priscilla had already walked to the front door. Tilda saw Teague leap toward the hack, waving his hands. The vehicle stopped, and Tilda focused her attention on Lady Priscilla.
She’d just stepped into the house. Tilda took her hand from Hadrian’s and dashed up the steps, but Hadrian moved faster and placed his palm against the door to keep it open.
The butler appeared, holding the door from the other side. He frowned upon seeing Hadrian.
“You must allow us inside,” Hadrian commanded, pushing at the door and forcing the butler to step back.
Hadrian inserted himself into the house and took control of the door from the butler so Tilda could walk inside. Whilst Hadrian stared down the butler, Lady Priscilla moved out of the entrance hall. Tilda hurried after her.
“You can’t come into the house!” the butler cried.
“We’re already here,” Hadrian said firmly. “We must speak with Lady Priscilla. Detective Inspector Teague will be here presently.”
Tilda registered Hadrian’s reply as she caught up to Lady Priscilla at the base of the stairs.
The poor young woman looked dazed. Her auburn hair hung lank about her shoulders, and her green-blue eyes were wide with a mix of fear and confusion.
Her porcelain skin was nearly translucent, appearing as if it might shatter like a fine teacup dropped upon a marble floor.
The dark gray cloak covered a nightgown, and she wore black boots that buttoned up the sides.
“It’s all right,” Tilda said softly. “I’m Miss Wren. I’m so glad you’ve been returned. How did you find your way home?”
“I woke up with—” She shook her head. “I want to see my mother.”
“Of course.” Tilda didn’t want to upset the young woman. She’d already survived a terrible ordeal. “May I escort you upstairs to find her?”
The butler had come into the staircase hall, as had Hadrian, and strode to where they stood. “You cannot just barge into this house.” The butler glowered at them.
“Please fetch Lady Priscilla’s father,” Tilda said evenly. “His Grace will want to know she’s returned. I’m going to help Lady Priscilla up to her chamber. She would like to see her mother.”
Sputtering, the butler looked as if he wanted to rail at Tilda. Instead, he turned on his heel and hurried away.
Hadrian moved to join them as Tilda put her arm around Lady Priscilla. “I’ll stay down here and let Teague in after he’s done speaking with the driver of the cab,” he whispered.
Tilda nodded at him, then aided Lady Priscilla as they ascended. “How did you pay for the cab?” Perhaps a simple question of what had happened most recently might be easier for the young woman to answer.
“I awakened earlier this evening in the yard of a coaching inn with a coin in my hand.” She sent Tilda a bewildered look. “I used that.”
“How fortuitous.” Tilda gave her an encouraging smile. “Were you alone in the yard?”