Chapter 23 #2
Even worse, what if Hadrian collapsed again? He couldn’t very well have another migraine this morning.
Though Teague’s notice had seemed off-hand, what if he became truly aware of Hadrian’s episodes and began to question what was happening with him?
Tilda held the note up so she and Hadrian could look at it together. In fact, she positioned it to shield her mouth from Teague and Wycombe. “It’s too risky,” she barely whispered as she gave him an urgent look, then darted her gaze toward Teague.
Hadrian’s nostrils flared and his eyes sparked with surprise. He turned his attention to the note she held. “This looks like the same hand to me.”
After returning the note to the desk, Tilda sent Hadrian a look of apology. She then addressed everyone. “The specific threat to Miss Redmayne sounds angry.” The phrase, “it’s time to pay,” also read strangely to her, but perhaps that was only because Mobray hadn’t used it before.
“Yes, the tone seems angry to me as well,” Teague said. “And the fact that he sent it sooner than the others indicates he may be losing patience, which makes sense. Perhaps he fled his lodgings because he knows we’ve identified him.”
Wycombe glanced at everyone. “I’m surprised he didn’t flee London altogether. One would think the other two ransoms would be more than enough.”
Teague narrowed his eyes briefly. “Indeed, but Mobray seems committed, and we can hope that will be his downfall. We’ll have plenty of police at Cremorne Gardens this evening.
Everyone will be in plain, dark clothing.
Married constables will bring their wives, and we’ll employ some of the women who work as searchers to act as companions to the unwed constables.
We don’t want any single men milling about, which may draw Mobray’s attention. ”
“Would you like us to be there?” Hadrian asked.
“You won’t be part of the official operation since Mrs. Redmayne explicitly stated she didn’t want you involved.
” Teague grimaced apologetically. “However, who am I to stop you from attending Cremorne Gardens on a lovely June evening?” He shrugged before returning to discussion of his plan.
“We’ll drop a bag filled with counterfeit bills. ”
Wycombe cocked his head, his brow furrowing with uncertainty. “Is Redmayne in favor of this scheme?”
“No.” Teague flattened his lips briefly. “Regardless, we will carry on as planned.”
“Don’t you need Mr. Redmayne to be there?” Tilda asked. “The note said he should come alone, which could mean Mobray will be watching for him.”
“Yes, but if he refuses to participate, we’ll use someone who bears at least a passing resemblance to Redmayne.” Teague shrugged. “What else can we do?”
“Nothing,” Tilda replied.
A knock on the door drew them all to turn their attention in that direction. Teague went to answer the summons. “Mr. Redmayne. Come in.” He opened the door wider.
Redmayne appeared to be in his late forties or early fifties with blond hair and of middling height. Fine lines fanned from his mouth and eyes, and deep furrows marred his brow.
“I came to tell you I’ve changed my mind about this evening,” Redmayne said gruffly. His gaze drifted toward the rest of them gathered near the desk. “Did I interrupt something?”
“Just making plans for tonight,” Teague said. “We’ll be certain everything goes smoothly. Though it’s Sunday, we have called many of our constables in.”
Redmayne’s eyes rounded briefly, and he appeared almost panicked. “There can’t be too many of you! Spring-heeled Jack mustn’t be aware of your presence.”
“No one will be in uniform,” Teague assured him. “Your presence would be most helpful as we believe he’ll be looking for you since the note instructed you to come.”
“Alone,” Redmayne grumbled bitterly. “I will—very reluctantly—go along with your scheme.”
Teague took a breath. “Thank you, Mr. Redmayne. I will deliver the counterfeit ransom for you to take with you tonight. I’d like to accompany your coachman on the seat, so that I’m with you from the moment you leave your house.”
“Fine,” Redmayne grumbled. His gaze once again strayed toward Tilda and Hadrian.
Tilda wondered if Mrs. Redmayne had told her husband of their presence. Regardless, Tilda thought it best that they leave. She sent a look toward Hadrian and inclined her head slightly toward the door.
Hadrian bobbed his head the barest amount. “We’ll take our leave of you, Detective Inspector.”
Teague thanked them for their assistance, and they departed. At the base of the stairs, Hadrian paused and glanced back up toward Teague’s office. “Redmayne seemed familiar to me. We’ve probably met.”
“I hope so, because if not, he was probably looking in our direction because Mrs. Redmayne told him about us.” Tilda scowled faintly. “I suppose both those things could be true.”
Offering Tilda his arm with a flourish, Hadrian gave her a dazzling smile. “Would you care to visit Cremorne Gardens with me this evening, Miss Wren?”
She smiled, absurdly flattered by his flirtation. “How can I resist an invitation such as that? Though you may be tempted to dress in your finery, you must wear something drab.”
Hadrian laughed as he escorted her to the door where a constable opened it for them with a nod of his head. Stepping outside, Hadrian cocked his head. “Something from my City of London disguise wardrobe?”
“Yes, those garments are more than sufficient. I suppose I must wear one of my old gowns again,” she said with a sigh.
“When we met, you were loath to surrender those gowns,” Hadrian noted with a chuckle.
“They’ve served me well, and I don’t like to replace clothing unless it’s absolutely necessary.
I know it’s important for me to dress like a successful detective, so new costumes became necessary.
” She gave him a sheepish look. “I confess I don’t enjoy wearing my older gowns anymore.
These new ones are more comfortable. However, the old ones are useful for disguises, so I’ve kept them. ”
They arrived at the coach, and Leach opened the door for them.
Once they were settled inside, Tilda continued to think of her wardrobe. “If I became a countess, would I need to constantly buy the latest fashions?” She grimaced. “I don’t know if I could ever be that wasteful.”
“If you become my countess, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.
” He sent her a quelling glance. “And before you say that may not be possible, I promise you right now that we will always find a way.” He made the vow with such conviction that Tilda wanted to believe him.
But she knew Society would not bend to his will, even if he was the Earl of Ravenhurst.
They rode in silence for a moment before Hadrian turned toward her. “You were very concerned about me touching the ransom note. Why did you think it was too risky?”
“Because Teague has noted you feeling poorly—first with the collapse the other day, and then last night at Mobray’s lodgings with your alleged migraine.”
Hadrian’s eyes darkened with apprehension. “Has he said something to you?”
“Rather off-handedly, in the context of how busy you must be since you manage to find time to investigate with me in addition to all your other duties.” She met his gaze with a bit of concern. “I confess, I’ve been wondering why you haven’t been going to Westminster as much.”
“I go when there’s something critical on the agenda or if I need to speak, but in all honesty, there are plenty of days I don’t need to be there.” He lifted a shoulder. “I’m not in the cabinet, nor do I have any designs to be. You don’t think Teague suspects anything is wrong with me?”
“I don’t think so. But then, nothing is wrong with you.”
He sent her a sideways glance. “You know what I mean. I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t find my…skill to be wrong.”
Tilda blinked at him. “I didn’t. Nor did your mother.”
“You two don’t count. You both care for me.”
“I didn’t know you very well when I discerned you were hiding something from me,” Tilda said.
“You didn’t care for me immediately?” Hadrian touched his chest in mock dismay. “I’m wounded, for I began to fall for you not too long after we met.”
Tilda snapped her gaze to his. “Did you really?”
He chuckled softly. “You needn’t sound so surprised. Is it any wonder I would be attracted to the most brilliant and captivating woman I’ve ever met?”
Thankfully, she didn’t blush. Perhaps she was becoming accustomed to his flattery and flirtation. “My rule about not flirting during our investigations really has no teeth, does it?”
This provoked an all-out laugh from Hadrian. “Apparently not. My apologies.”
“We should turn our attention to tonight’s scheme. Teague is right that everything must go smoothly.”
“Agreed. I will fetch you just before seven.” He clasped her hand. “I’m sorry to disrupt your grandmother’s evening again. You’re spending a great deal of time away from home on this investigation.”
“That is almost always the case.” Tilda looked at their joined hands and thought of her grandmother and how she was now aware of their courtship. She ought to tell Hadrian, but they were nearly to her grandmother’s house.
She would tell him that evening, for as much as she’d hoped to keep their secret courtship moving slowly, it seemed that was not to be.
Unless something within the investigation prevented her from discussing it with him.
She hoped not, for they really did need this to go smoothly.
Spring-heeled Jack’s new reign of terror was about to come to an end.
“At what point did your grandmother call your bluff?” Hadrian asked with a laugh as he and Tilda were on their way to Cremorne Gardens that evening.
“I didn’t want her to worry.” Tilda explained that she’d told her grandmother Hadrian was escorting her to Cremorne Gardens. “However, she took one look at my costume and concluded—correctly—that we were working, and that this was not a social occasion.”