Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Where are you? Where can you be?” Richard murmured at his London maps, his fingers tracing the roads and noting the names of the streets, even the tiny lanes.
Hawksford House might have golden days, but the nights were made for hunting and analyzing clues passed on to him by his agents. While he was in no hurry to give up Melody, he still believed that they should know where she came from.
He and Jonathan had already visited a dozen or more shops in Soho, focusing on those dealing with sewing and textiles. The seamstresses and tailors had so far been anxious and even afraid, wondering what type of inspection he was doing. Despite their curiosity, they could do nothing to help.
For every “Do you know where I can find this seamstress?” he received the response, “No, Your Grace.”
So, it was not enough to stay in his study and examine the proof that he had gathered and the number of shops he had marked with an X. He needed to get out there.
Even on a gray Thursday morning, Richard felt inclined to leave the house. He was reluctant, of course, given the fact that he had to leave Victoria and Melody behind. He wore layers for the job, expecting the chill to intensify as he explored Soho. His face was grim and determined.
“I have to leave for Soho today,” he informed Victoria.
Frustration was clear in his voice, and he could not hide it even from his wife.
He put his leather gloves on, slowly and deliberately, giving himself time to breathe.
“We still have a few shops to inspect. We can’t go on wondering what’s going to happen to Melody and to us. ”
He almost expected Victoria to protest. After all, she had formed a deep connection with the baby.
He had, as well, but for her, it was much stronger.
Anyone who looked at Victoria and Melody would think they were mother and child if they didn’t know any better.
At this point, the baby recognized her as her mother.
Instead of doing that, Victoria approached him urgently, with Melody in her arms. He noticed that both were wearing their outdoor clothes, with his wife even appearing to wear a corset beneath her gown.
Huh. He had gotten used to seeing her without corsets and stays at home, and an alarm went off in his head.
The sight of the baby wearing a knitted yellow bonnet framing her chubby, rosy cheeks confirmed it.
“We are coming with you,” the duchess declared, as if there was no room for any opposition. She tilted her chin up to show just how determined she was.
Richard narrowed his eyes at his wife. Was she getting ready when he was? It looked like she was fully aware of his plans for the day.
“I believe I was clear about this before. Soho is not a place for duchesses and babies to visit. You may soon regret it as the carriage enters the narrow streets and you inhale the stench and see the—”
“Do you think I won’t be able to handle it?” she interrupted, turning bright red with offense.
She stomped closer, the child giggling, thinking that it was all a game.
“We are resolving this matter together. Melody and I are perfectly capable of solving this mystery with you. You said yourself you have a few more shops left to visit. It can’t be that bad. If it does get bad, then at least have the carriage ready at all times.”
“I hate that you are right when it comes to this, Victoria,” Richard relented. “It may help for the seamstress to see Melody. She might recognize the baby and reveal herself.”
“Ah. I like it when we see eye to eye,” Victoria said with a smirk, her fingers fidgeting with his cravat before tapping his chest.
The duke reached for her hand before she could retrieve it, leaving it there on his chest. He wanted her to hear his heartbeat, the way it was hammering at the moment. For her.
“We will still be followed by my best men. They will be hiding in plain sight, looking like they aren’t with us and not even together,” he explained.
Did he think about the possibility of Victoria and Melody coming?
In the back of his mind, there was a nagging thought, but he didn’t really think of it that seriously. However, he was always ready for anything. Penwike had been a threat all his life. Of course, he’d have men ready to guard him and his family.
As Victoria bridged the last of the inches between them, he could smell her faint perfume.
She didn’t like anything too ostentatious.
She was just her, dressing for comfort and her own pleasure, and he didn’t want her to change.
At the moment, the way her blue eyes sparkled was enough to make her shine.
“It is a good idea, I assure you,” she insisted.
“Once the seamstress sees that Melody is thriving, she will be ready to talk. She’ll tell the mother that her baby is in good hands.
Melody’s mother isn’t cruel. A mother who would leave their child at a place where she would be taken care of properly did so out of desperation.
She must have asked about us. Knew what kind of people we are.
I mean, I am not the kindest, but I won’t send away a child. Or—or, they know that—”
Victoria paled then. Richard knew why she faltered. She was wondering if the baby was left with them because people thought she was not capable of conceiving one. There was no doubt some people already had this thought.
“It’s all right, Victoria,” he said softly.
“I know, Richard,” she said sharply. Then, her eyes widened as if she realized what her tone sounded like. “I—I am sorry.”
“You don’t have to say sorry. You are a strong woman for wanting to do this. But,” he emphasized, as he let his thumb rub Victoria’s jaw before reaching out for Melody’s hand, “You must stay close at all times. I can’t focus on the mission if I don’t know where the two of you are.”
“I agree,” she said easily. “I may be a rebel, like my family said, but I am also sensible, Richard. I won’t be coming to Soho just to endanger Melody. There may be a wildness in me, but I am also aware that I have not seen most of the world yet.”
Richard nodded and breathed deeply. So, this was it. He hated to admit that the plan was probably their only chance to find the seamstress. He hoped he didn’t have to bring Victoria and Melody to Soho one more time. This should be their one and only attempt.
Silence seemed like a habit between them when traveling by carriage. However, this particular trip was different because it carried a tension that bordered on fear. Richard was aware that both he and Victoria suspected that Melody being left behind was no coincidence.
The view changed as they went along, like a transition into a different world. The opulent stone buildings made way for timber frames that leaned with age and neglect. Richard could almost hear them groan with the effort of trying to stay upright.
Coal smoke and other unpleasant smells took over, and he had to check on Victoria and Melody for their reactions. His wife did not seem to mind, and the baby simply cooed, as if aware of the changes in her surroundings.
When they emerged from the carriage, they walked together—just the three of them—but Richard’s men moved like ghosts.
He knew them, but the untrained eye would only see men who were not related or associated with each other moving about their own business.
Some pretended to inspect the wares, while others chatted.
Two even pretended to be arguing with each other.
Knowing them, they had hidden weapons on the ready.
The first shop they visited was cramped, making the air thick. Melody whimpered as soon as they entered. Richard walked through the room in long strides, his height almost reaching the low-hanging beams.
How could people work in such circumstances?
He supposed that a lack of funds certainly did not give them much of a chance. If Melody’s mother came from this neighborhood, then it made sense for her to think she would not be able to afford caring for the child.
And yet …
Many women in these circumstances still ended up keeping their children, for better or for worse.
The shopkeeper was elderly, perhaps in her early eighties. She was sewing. It took her a moment to realize that she had guests standing in her stuff shop.
“Good day,” they greeted.
“Good day, my lord. My Lady,” the old woman hastily greeted back, swaying as she stood from where she was seated.
“Melody is here to say hello,” Victoria added, as the baby giggled and did her own version of a wave, hand flapping aimlessly and mouth bubbling.
“Oh.” The old woman looked confused, and then flushed. “Hello, Miss Melody. So, you’ve come to see a poor woman sew? How may I help you, my lord and my lady?”
Richard hesitated. He exchanged looks with Victoria, who simply shook her head slightly. They were not in the right shop. Both of them could tell, or at least they hoped they were reading the situation correctly.
“There is no need to assist us. We are merely here to assist,” Richard replied, taking three gold sovereigns from his pocket and placing them on the counter in front of the woman.
“Oh, thank you, my lord!” she gushed. “To whom do I owe this kindness?”
The duke knew that she did not recognize him, but he merely replied, “You don’t owe anyone anything.”
Then, they left the shop after a few nods of courtesy. They moved on, still fully aware of the men following them through the damp streets. Victoria grinned, looking like she was thoroughly enjoying the excursion.
“Smile, Richard. We will find her. But we also should not look too desperate. Whoever you think is endangering us may be watching,” she whispered, as Melody cooed.
He smiled back.