Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
For all of the time she had spent in London, Aislynn had never been to Vauxhall.
For one, she did not feel she had a reason to engage in these entertainments when she was trying to build her own career.
She supposed it was a different sort of engagement with the acrobats and magicians showcasing their talent for both the wealthy members of society while the common laborers who all watched in similar fascination.
It was one of the few places where class did not seem to make such a difference, where those who could pay the cost of admission could freely experience the same delights as their more affluent neighbors on the opposing side of the city.
Boats still traveled up and down the Thames in an endless string of bobbing anticipation but most of the crowd found their way across the bridge to the heart of the aptly named, “Pleasure Gardens,” which were notorious for their Dark Walks where couples could easily lose themselves in a torrid embrace among the flash of the fireworks overhead.
She wasn’t sure why her mother had chosen to meet in such a public place. At least Aislynn could take comfort in the fact there were plenty of people around to deter any unwanted attention.
Mingling among the crowd, she was told in the instructions of the letter that her mother would find her, that all she had to do was stay available in the crowd and wear something that would blend in.
Aislynn had a limited supply of gowns, but she was able to “borrow” something from the theatre, shoving the costume into her bag before she had departed for Spades with Mary.
Thankfully, most of the costumes were relatively easy to put on without much assistance and the deep blue gown fit into the surroundings perfectly.
She did worry that the white satin gloves she wore might get ruined but it was all part of the act she was meant to play this night.
Aislynn did her best not to glance around too often but she had yet to gain sight of Lord Alton who had vowed to watch over her from a distance.
She realized she was grateful for his insistence to do so that afternoon and breathed a little easier believing that he was waiting somewhere in the shadows to intercede if necessary.
Naturally, her thoughts turned to Cordell and how she wondered if she’d made a mistake by not confiding in him, no matter her reasons for concealing the truth.
She just could not get over the look of pain in his eyes when she’d told him to leave her.
Would she be able to explain her reasoning where he could understand the deceit?
The last thing she wanted to do was lose his trust in her when she had just discovered her trust in him.
As she drew closer to the rococo, Turkish tent, one of the largest and most impressive structures in the Gardens, Aislynn happened to see a flash of light.
She narrowed her gaze and realized that it was the reflection on a small, mirrored compact catching the glare from a nearby lantern.
She glimpsed the profile of her mother’s face as she disappeared inside the tent.
Taking a steadying breath, Aislynn clenched her fists as she made her way forward.
Once inside, the first thing she noticed was the smoke.
It permeated the air, mingling with the scent of various dishes being consumed by the guests who were not fortunate or wealthy enough to procure a private, supper box.
The interior was a homage to Asian culture with a mixture of chinoiserie and bright colorful designs.
It was obvious this was a popular place for commoners to congregate, as Aislynn had a hard time navigating the overabundance of people engaging in revelry.
However, she managed to catch sight of her mother’s chartreuse colored gown as she turned a corner further away from the assemblage.
She pushed her way forward as quickly as the crowd would allow until she found herself at the edge of the merriment.
Flashes of light overhead added to the uncertainty of this moment as every fine hair was standing on end on the back of Aislynn’s neck.
She wasn’t afraid of her mother and hadn’t been for a number of years, but for some reason, her arm suddenly started to ache, the memory of the broken bone that had never healed properly adding to her apprehension.
The hum of activity was still present when someone brushed her shoulder. She jumped and immediately regretted the action when Imogen eyed her with a critical eye. Folding her arms over her bodice, she sneered, “I hope you have the money.”
“That depends on whether or not you have the information you promised me.”
With a snort, her mother returned, “I promise that you will not be disappointed. Follow me.”
She started to turn and go, but Aislynn wasn’t having any of that. “You did not mention that I had to go anywhere with you. Information is a conversation, nothing more.”
“As if you would trust anything I had to say.” Aislynn gritted her teeth because it wasn’t as though the woman was wrong. “I am afraid if you want to know the answers to the murder’s identity, you will have to come with me. I guarantee that the proof will be worth it.”
Aislynn’s heart stopped. “He is not planning another murder this evening, is he?”
“I would not know,” Imogen shrugged. “But there are performers all around that would make an easy target. If you want their blood on your hands, that is up to you.” Aislynn uttered a curse and her mother laughed.
“You are more like me than I anticipated.” Another firework split the night sky. “Time is ticking.”
Aislynn thought of the small metal object concealed within the pocket of her skirts. “Fine,” she spat. Looking around, she spied a dirty knife on the edge of a plate. She grabbed it and held it in her grasp. “But I will use this if necessary.”
Her mother did not reply, just set off in the opposite direction where Aislynn was reluctant to follow.
* * *
Cordell jumped out of the hackney before it had even come to a complete stop.
He raced over the bridge toward the gardens, shoving people out of his way in his haste to get to Aislynn.
He worried that he was already too late, that he would arrive to find a criminal scene and her prone figure lying motionless in the middle of the green lawn.
However, it didn’t take long for him to realize the breath leaving his chest in heavy pants was currently in vain.
Having been to Vauxhall on several other occasions, he did not notice anything out of the ordinary.
Performers were entertaining the guests and the wealthy moved about among the commoners.
He spied several smooth pickpockets at work and realized that he might be getting a few messages tomorrow when the gentry discovered some priceless, family heirloom was missing.
But until this murder investigation came to an end, that was all he intended to focus all of his interests on.
He would not rest until Aislynn was safe.
He thought about how she had sent him away earlier that day and how he felt something had changed.
When he’d left her before the play, she had been all smiles.
Afterward, it was obvious that something weighed heavily on her mind.
He had no doubt that if he were to return home right now there would be a letter waiting from Mary.
He prayed that Aislynn wasn’t foolish enough to make her way to the Gardens without proper protection but he had to assume she was alone.
Or with someone who intended to cause her harm.
It was that constant threat he’d been feeling ever since he’d taken his leave of The Wolf that made Cordell scan the faces around him.
He didn’t think he would be lucky enough to see Aislynn but he did feel that his gut would send him moving in the direction he needed to go.
It was one of his most notable traits and what had assisted him through many previous investigations.
He had the instinct within him that others lacked.
Reynolds had grudgingly complimented him on his foresight more than once.
He made his way beyond the supper boxes where wine was flowing freely and past the other elaborate structures set up for various entertainments.
He skirted around performers trying to earn a reasonable coin for their efforts.
But still, he could not see anything that might cause concern.
He turned his head for another scan around the area, and in that moment, he happened to see the profile of a man who looked familiar.
Cordell narrowed his gaze and immediately gave chase.
While he did not know how often Viscount Alton frequented the Gardens, he decided it would not be amiss to involve another ally if The Wolf’s sources were correct and the villain was present this night.
It could be that Aislynn’s life was in extreme danger.
The viscount was about to head down one of the Dark Walks in the heart of the Gardens.
They were dimly lit by lanterns and offered a bit more privacy to those who didn’t want to be disturbed.
Cordell passed one such couple in a torrid embrace.
The woman was wearing fashionable clothes while the gentleman wore simple attire like Cordell had donned that night.
But whereas Cordell had hidden his true identity for a purpose, it did not appear that these two lovers cared for convention, as wrapped up as they were in each other’s embrace.