Chapter 19
“The Earl of Ravenshollow and Mr. Colin Barrington to see you, my lady,” Mr. Hardy announced from the library doorway.
“Show them in, Mr. Hardy,” Emmeline instructed. She and Louisa exchanged a look before rising to meet their guests. Louisa had spent the night with Emmeline after she had received Michael’s message about being followed.
Moments later, Michael and Colin walked through the door, each looking tired, yet determined. “Ladies,” Michael greeted as he and Colin dropped into the chairs that Emmeline had gestured toward as they entered.
“Were you followed?” Emmeline asked as she came around to sit across from them, Louisa joining her on the settee.
Colin shook his head. “We took a long circuitous route to ensure that we were not.”
“I believe that the runners scared them away,” Michael admitted. “Apparently, the runners are not as stealthy as they believe themselves to be.”
Emmeline nodded in understanding. “While I would have preferred that they lead us to the dastardly fiends who have Rebecca, I am glad that neither of you was harmed.”
Michael nodded. “I, too, am disappointed that it did not lead to further clues; however, we have discovered something of interest.”
Emmeline’s brows rose in question. “What have you found?”
“We found a friend and business associate of Martha Gouldsmith, the laundress. She told us that Martha has also gone missing, just as the coachman had said. However, she did have more insight into her disappearance than the coachman did. Apparently, Martha also disappeared the night of the Vauxhall Garden concert.”
“Vauxhall?” Emmeline’s heart raced with a mix of trepidation and excitement.
“The very same night of Rebecca’s disappearance,” Colin confirmed.
Emmeline leaned forward in her seat. “What else? I can tell that there is more.”
Michael nodded in confirmation. “The seamstress said that Martha had been working for a man of ill repute who had forced her to do many things for the sake of her family. The woman did not know exactly what those things were, but I suspect that they had something to do with Rebecca.”
“What man?” Emmeline prodded, reaching out for Louisa’s hand in anticipation as much as in need of emotional support.
“A scoundrel by the moniker of Mr. G, who conducts his business out of the Green Dragon Tavern,” Michael replied, his hazel eyes tired but determined. “Colin and I plan to pay him a visit there.”
Mr. Hardy arrived at that moment with a tray of tea and biscuits. “I have heard of that tavern before, my lady, my lord,” he volunteered. “It is an establishment of ill repute, not safe for an honest man or woman of good virtue.”
Emmeline’s heart raced with a myriad of emotions. She wanted her sister back more than anything in the world, but she did not wish to have Michael or Colin killed in the process. “Can you not have the Runners go in your stead?”
“The magistrate informed me last night when I sent him notice of what we had discovered that he was shorthanded and would not be able to send a man until tomorrow morning at the earliest. I fear that every moment we delay, Rebecca could be in danger. The more questions that we ask, the closer that we get to the truth, and the more people are noticing. The men following us last night are proof of that. I fear that if we delay that she will be moved where we will not be able to find her, or worse.”
Emmeline bit down hard on her lip in anxiety. The taste of copper filled her mouth, and she winced at the pain. Emmeline lifted her handkerchief to her lip, and it came away red with her blood.
Louisa gave her a questioning look but said nothing as Emmeline hid the stain in the palm of her hand. “Is there no one that you can take with you?” Louisa asked, giving Emmeline a moment to pull herself together.
Michael shook his head. “Mrs. Frampton does not wish to bring any of our peers into this for the sake of Rebecca’s reputation, and I am doing my best to honor that wish. I would not turn down a man with military experience, should one be available.”
Emmeline’s brain lit up at his words. “Mr. Hardy,” she called for the butler who had already retreated to the hall beyond.
“My lady?” Mr. Hardy stepped into the doorway once more.
“You have military experience, do you not?”
“I do, my lady.” He nodded in confirmation.
Michael’s brows rose in surprise. “A military man turned butler? That sounds like a story worth hearing.”
Mr. Hardy respectfully chose not to comment.
“Mr. Hardy, would you be willing to accompany the earl and Mr. Barrington to the Green Dragon Tavern?” Emmeline knew that she was asking a lot of him, but she also knew that he was a man who could handle himself in nearly any situation.
It was the very reason that her father had hired him when they had encountered one another on their travels.
“For Miss Rebecca, my lady, I would accompany these gentlemen into the depths of hell itself,” Mr. Hardy swore, his entire demeanor speaking of the earnest truth in his words. His eyes spoke of a man who had seen hell itself and knew exactly what he was promising.
Michael and Colin both sat a little straighter at hearing his words, a new respect for the man blooming in their eyes. “We would be happy to have you accompany us, Mr. Hardy. Thank you.”
“It is my honor and duty, my lord,” Mr. Hardy bowed. “I shall go and prepare the staff for my absence.”
Emmeline nodded. “Please do, Mr. Hardy. The house would not function properly without you. Thank you.” She held his eyes for a moment so that he would understand the depth of her gratitude, then he bowed again and left the room.
She turned her attention back to Michael.
“Did you discover anything else that might be of help?”
Michael shook his head. “We did not.”
“Emmeline discovered something interesting,” Louisa began, but was cut off quickly by Emmeline interrupting her with something completely unrelated to what Louisa had intended to say.
“I discovered that I do not have enough patience to wait around at home for answers,” Emmeline laughed it off, shooting Louisa a warning look to be quiet.
Michael gave her an odd look but did not press her for answers. “I would not say that your lack of patience was a new discovery,” he jested, following her cue to lighten the heaviness of the room.
Emmeline was grateful that he let the matter drop.
She was not yet ready to share with him what she had discovered.
When she was ready. She did not wish to do so in front of others, let alone have someone else be the one to inform him.
The place where her father had buried his treasure was as sacred to their love as any church might be to a parishioner.
She was in no hurry to revisit her violation of that sanctity.
“Once we have visited the Green Dragon Tavern, I regret that I must leave London for a brief time,” Michael informed her.
“What? Why?” Emmeline asked, distressed at the unexpected news.
“I received word this morning that my country estate has been broken into, and a number of valuable paintings were taken.”
“I am sorry to hear that, but what about Rebecca? Surely you do not place your family paintings above my sister’s well-being?” Emmeline was concerned, confused, and fighting a deep anger that seemed to always be just shy of spilling over when she interacted with him since her return to London.
“Of course, I do not place paintings above your sister’s well-being.” The look in Michael’s eyes was a mixture of offense with true pain. “I am surprised that you would misjudge me so.”
“I am sorry,” Emmeline murmured, bowing her head in shame. “I am distraught and have too few options.”
Michael nodded in understanding. “I would never leave you alone with this if there was any hope at all that we might find Rebecca, but if there are no further clues as to her whereabouts, I must follow this lead.”
“Lead?” Emmeline cocked her head to the side, even more confused than before.
“I believe that it is possible that this Mr. G may be the very same man who has orchestrated the art thefts that have been sweeping the country,” Michael explained.
Understanding dawned within Emmeline’s mind, and she felt even more ashamed of herself for thinking the worst of him. “I see.”
Michael’s expression changed from one of pain to compassion. “I know that this is difficult for you. I swear to you that I am doing all within my power to bring your sister back home safely to you.”
The change in the way that he was looking at her caused Emmeline’s heart to stutter in her chest. “Thank you,” she whispered, tears filling her eyes.
“Come with me,” Michael offered, his eyes holding hers with an intensity that caught her off guard.
“Leave London?” Emmeline shook her head. “How could I possibly leave with Rebecca still missing?”
“You have been complaining that you have not been able to accompany the men on their investigations,” Louisa reminded her, her eyes glancing toward the painting on the wall with the hidden map.
“I am certain that it would do you some good to return to the countryside for a time. It has been years since you set foot on the family country estate.”
The hidden meaning behind Louisa’s words lifted Emmeline’s spirits. “Indeed, it has, but someone should remain here for word of Rebecca.”
“I shall remain.” Theodocia Frampton entered the room in her usual elegant, stately manner.
The only sign of her inner distress was the dark circles under her eyes, amplified by the pallor of her skin.
“You should go, Emmeline. If there is any chance that these thefts have anything to do with your sister, you should go.”
“And what of your belief that the magistrates and runners should be the ones to handle the investigation?” Emmeline asked her pointedly.
“You will be safer outside of London,” her mother dismissed Emmeline’s petulance with a flick of her wrist. “You also have your father’s eye for art. You may see something that others have missed. It was he who acquired a great many paintings for the former Earl of Ravenshollow, after all.”
The unexpected compliment from her mother shocked Emmeline into silence. “However,” Theodocia eyed Michael with warning. “Do not do anything that might tarnish her reputation.” The unspoken words, so that you do not ruin any future marriage prospects, hung in the air between them.
“It is settled then.” Michael nodded his head in approval. “I shall have my parents prepare for our arrival.”
“Should anyone ask about our absence…” Emmeline began.
“I shall inform them that you have gone to the country to visit relatives for your health during this difficult time,” Theodocia reassured her. “I will send word to your father’s heir to expect you.”
Emmeline was not convinced that it would halt the gossip, but she left that to her mother to smooth over. “As you wish.”
“My mother will act as chaperone, I assure you, Mrs. Frampton,” Michael reassured her mother.
“I will have her send an official invitation to Mr. Frampton’s nephew to have the ladies stay with us.
She often waxes nostalgic for the days when we were children and running about the estate.
She will be certain to stave off any gossip. ”
“As she should.” Theodocia nodded, then turned to leave the room once more. “I shall have the maids prepare for your departure.”
As her mother left the room, Emmeline gave Louisa a questioning look. “What was that about?” she breathed, her heart pounding from the thought of returning to her childhood home.
Louisa shook her head. “I do not know. Perhaps she fears that if you remain here in London that you will be next.”
“I have a similar fear,” Michael admitted. “When those men followed us last evening, I feared that we might lead them to you next.”
Emmeline’s heart fluttered in her chest nervously. Does that mean that he would care? Does that mean that he does care?
“As have I,” Louisa admitted. “It is why I stayed here last night.”
“I do not wish for you to fear for me,” she informed her friend. “Come with me,” Emmeline offered. “It will do my heart good to have you by my side as I return to our family estate.”
Louisa gave her an understanding smile. “Of course, I will accompany you. It would also help to keep the gossips at bay to have me as your chaperone along the journey.”
Michael and Colin stood, inclining their heads in respect to both ladies. “We shall send word if we find anything at the Green Dragon Tavern.”
“Please, go with care,” Emmeline urged them both.
“We will,” Michael promised, then turned and left the room.
Louisa turned to Emmeline, a spark of excitement in her eyes. “Perhaps your father’s treasure map and Rebecca’s disappearance are tied together after all.”
“Perhaps,” Emmeline mused, but she was not certain. Somewhere deep inside of her, she wondered if this was her father’s way of bringing her and Michael back together. “Perhaps it is his apology from beyond the grave.”