Chapter 20
Chapter twenty
’Twas early evening when the carriage rattled, swayed, then halted in front of a charming three-story building.
Juliet peered out the window to read the sign hanging beside the portico.
A fluttering glowworm left a golden trail beneath the etched words, Fletcher’s Investigations and Bounty.
Hope immediately overshadowed her niggling trepidation because after a long day, she was moments away from speaking with someone who might be able to help her.
The carriage door opened. Walter held onto her elbow until she stood on the cobblestones.
“Thank you,” Juliet said.
“My pleasure, Miss. Would you like me to wait for you?”
No matter what Juliet had asked of the man, he’d been accommodating and gentlemanly. No wonder Esther fancied him. But since she had no idea how long this would take, she needed to send him on his way
“I’m in good hands,” she said, pointing at the sign. At least she presumed she was. There was always a chance that Emily’s brother-in-law would scold her, then send her away.
“As you wish.” Walter climbed into the coach box, calling down to her, “’Twas an honor to assist you, miss.”
With the shake of the reins and Walters’s loudly clucking tongue, the carriage lurched forward, leaving Juliet alone in a foreign part of the city. Satchel in hand, she approached the front door.
Please let Mr. Fletcher be home, she prayed as she knocked.
The door opened, and a gangly adolescent, an adorable black dog peering around his calves, regarded her.
“Hallo, Miss. May I help you?” the boy asked.
Woof, barked the dog, tail wagging.
The lad’s eyes widened with what seemed to be recognition. “Miss Coldpepper?”
“Yes,” she said hesitantly. She’d never visited the Fletchers before today, so she had no idea how he knew her.
“I’m Billy. I used to work at Chesterhill Manor,” her greeter said as if reading her mind.
“I remember you from one of Lady Chesterhill’s fancy parties.
” He wrinkled his nose, endearing himself to Juliet.
No sane person could reference the deranged marchioness without experiencing horror.
“You are Lady Emily’s sister,” he added.
Of course. That is how he knew her. “You have a splendid memory.”
He pulled his shoulders back and grinned. “I try to remember everything now that I work for Mr. Fletcher, him being an investigator and such.”
Despite his long, thin limbs that didn’t quite match the chubby cheeks that sported a plethora of pimples, Billy was adorable.
“I am here to see Mr. Fletcher,” Juliet said. “I’m afraid I don’t have an appointment, but my business is rather urgent. Is he available?”
“Yes. I’m sorry. I’m bein’ rude. I’m rather surprised to see you, is all.” Billy stepped aside. “Please, come in.”
As Juliet entered the foyer, the dog hopped about, its body wiggling as its tail whacked everything in its path.
“Sit, Pepper,” Billy said.
The dog plopped onto his hindquarters. Its ears poked into the air.
“Good boy.” Billy patted the dog between those alert ears. “Miss, may I take your coat and bag?”
Juliet handed him her belongings, then removed her bonnet and cloak. Acting the perfect butler, Billy dutifully hung her outerwear on a hook. He opened a nearby door and placed her satchel inside the room. “This is Mr. Fletcher’s office. Your bag will be safe here.”
An eruption of uproarious laughter came from the room at the end of the hall.
“Sorry. Mrs. Lista made Curly and Stilts pork pasties.” Billy wrinkled his nose.
“Don’t fret, you won’t have to deal with them.
Mr. Fletcher says they have to stay in the kitchen until they stop behaving like filthy animals.
Unfortunately, Lucy said she’d help Mrs. Lista roll the dough.
” He sighed. “Poor Lucy. Well, poor Mrs. Lista too, if truth be told.”
Juliet suspected that Billy was referencing Hugh and Charlotte’s staff. She made a mental note to stay away from Curly and Stilts, whoever they were.
“The Fletchers are upstairs. They are eating early tonight because Mr. Fletcher has business he must attend to. Come on.” Billy crooked his finger, indicating she should follow him.
The lad led her up a steep stairwell, papered in the same lovely creams and browns as the foyer. The puppy trotted behind them as they continued down a hallway. They entered a cheery yellow dining parlor bathed in the light emanating from twinkling candles and glowing wall sconces.
A man and a woman sat side by side at the table. On any other day, Juliet would have found stumbling upon the loving scene romantic. Since she’d arrived unannounced, this intrusive moment felt almost as awkward as being caught staring at the naughty book.
Pepper bounded into the room, placing his paws on Mr. Fletcher’s lap, earning himself a few forehead scratches.
Billy cleared his throat. “We have a guest.”
The couple tore their gazes from each other to regard her and Billy.
Even though Juliet’s cheeks heated, she boldly stepped forward. “Please forgive me for interrupting your meal. I have urgent business to discuss with Mr. Fletcher.”
Hugh Fletcher rubbed his eyes, then gawked. His spoon slipped from his grasp, clanging on the side of his bowl. Soup splashed all over the yellow tablecloth.
Juliet winced. She hadn’t expected the investigator to be this unsettled at the interruption. She should have found lodging and sent him a note before showing up unannounced.
The golden-haired female stood and approached Juliet. Her full hips swished from side to side, and her lovely blue eyes lit up.
“Juliet Coldpepper,” Charlotte said. “What a delightful surprise.”
“My lady.” Juliet bowed. “Again, I apologize for arriving unannounced. I was wrong to intrude.”
“Not at all.” The lady bussed Juliet’s cheek. “Please call me Charlotte. Since my brother is married to your sister, we are practically family.”
“Bloody hell,” Hugh Fletcher said as he approached. “All of London is looking for you.” He took Juliet in from head to toe. “By God, you have been at Chesterhill Manor the entire time. I should have known. I suspect you were even visiting when I was last there.”
Nonplussed, she blinked. Could the investigator read minds?
“You are wearing your sister’s dress.” Mr. Fletcher pointed at her frock. “’Tis two short and—” he scratched his cheek “—well, too small in some places and too large in others.”
Juliet’s already warm cheeks caught fire.
“Do not be embarrassed,” Charlotte said. “He is quite observant.”
“That and I remember seeing Emily wearing it on one of my visits,” Hugh added.
“Under normal circumstances, it would be quite rude of me to point this out, but since you are thought to be missing and there are angry mobs searching for the man who supposedly abducted you, I suggest we start our conversation with honesty.”
Juliet wholeheartedly agreed.
Charlotte put her hands on her enviable, curvaceous hips. “I dare say, I would like to know what the two of you are talking about.”
Juliet exhaled, and then, without taking a breath between words, she pleaded her case.
Hugh Fletcher sat behind his desk, his blue eyes intense and assessing.
Not even the pair of colorful birds chirping from their cage in the corner seemed to break his concentration.
Pepper, the pup, lay beside the door, snoring.
Cradling a fluffy cat on her lap and swinging her feet, Charlotte perched on the side of her husband’s desk, attentively listening as Juliet repeated her story.
During this retelling, Juliet added details. She even told them the scandalous parts, such as kissing the masked man.
“So, you see, Mr. Fletcher,” Juliet concluded, “I showed up on your doorstep for numerous reasons. First and foremost, I recall meeting you at the Chesterhill’s autumn ball, when you were still a Bow Street Runner.
My sister also mentions you with such fondness in her letters.
She says you are the best investigator in all of London and that you can find a minuscule pebble lost on a rocky shore.
” Get to the point, she berated herself.
“Honestly, I didn’t know who else to go to, and I desperately require help because Knight Roamer is innocent. ”
Mr. Fletcher half-snorted, half-chuckled. “Well, I don’t know about minuscule.”
“Don’t be so humble, darling. You are the best,” Charlotte said. “Juliet, he never stops working.”
“Am I keeping you from one of your investigations tonight?” Juliet asked.
“Coincidentally, I planned to confront Lord Riley this evening. A few things about his story don’t add up.”
At the mere mention of her ex-fiancé’s name, Juliet’s empty stomach soured.
“I’ve always known Lord Riley was the worst sort of man,” Charlotte said.
“Years ago, he cornered me at a dinner party at our Mayfair Townhouse. I couldn’t have been more than sixteen years old.
Luckily, Alexander happened upon us and gave the man a firm talking to that included a threat involving a sharp knife and Riley’s stomach and bollocks. ”
No wonder Alexander detested the man. In Juliet’s humble opinion, he had every right to.
The thought of her brother-in-law disemboweling Charles brought her a moment of vengeful joy.
Mr. Fletcher’s shoulders tensed, and he let out a feral growl that disturbed poor Pepper’s dreams. Opening one eye, the pup sniffed.
“I will kill the bloody fool,” Mr. Fletcher said.
Charlotte patted his forearm. “’Twas long ago, darling. Let us focus on Juliet.”
Mr. Fletcher continued to scowl. Charlotte pecked his cheek. His expression relaxed as if her kiss was a soothing balm. He leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling. Pondering the case, Juliet supposed.
The room was quiet except for a purring cat, a panting dog, and the chirping birds.
At last, Mr. Fletcher spoke. “I have been following the stories about Knight Roamer. I have concluded that he is an avenger.”
“An avenger,” Charlotte said. “That sounds quite ominous.”