Chapter 5
Next day
Bishopsgate
Ben’s brain was tired from the multitude of figures and documents he had perused throughout the day.
Lord Tamber’s property and investments were significant, but nothing compared to the holdings from the title he would inherit.
The marquess had agreed that Ben should be familiar with his lands and dealings, so Ben had spent the afternoon with the aging solicitor.
It had been a pleasant day, but his eyes were dry from reading so much small print and the shaky handwriting of the older solicitor. He wanted to put a warm cloth on them and sip a good brandy. A perfect end to the day.
“Mr. Cooper.”
Ben stopped on the steps of the boarding house and looked over his shoulder to see Mr. Felton walking toward him with purpose. The night watchman’s face was drawn and lacked the usual jovial expression.
“Mr. Cooper, I need your help. Can we speak somewhere in private?”
“Of course, my place is right up here. My landlady has a small parlor where we can entertain guests.” Ben led the way, wondering what on earth the man could want.
Once inside, he informed Mrs. Meyer that they would be using the parlor. Ben kept a decanter of brandy on the sideboard. He poured two glasses and handed one to Mr. Felton, who accepted it with a shaky hand.
“I’m afraid my Kitty has gotten into a bit of trouble,” Mr. Felton began, his pathetic attempt at a half smile making him look almost comical. “We need some guidance on the matter.”
Benjamin blinked, then nodded for the man to continue, his own thoughts whirling.
That lovely girl into trouble? His first thought was someone had hurt her, and anger unfurled in his chest. Then he decided it must be something else, or Mr. Felton would have taken care of it. What could she have possibly done?
“I believe she witnessed a murder early this morning while making her rounds.” Mr. Felton threw back the expensive brandy.
Ben did the same, grabbing the decanter and pouring them both another one. Was that why Miss Felton had run off so quickly this morning without a word? “Was she hurt?”
“No, by the grace of God. The dog intervened, giving her time to run.” The night watchman ran a steadier hand through his dark, graying mane. “The pup’s been coming with me at night—good company, he is—but I left him with her this evening. I didn’t want her to be alone.”
“Have you gone to the constable?” Ben had an inkling that was why Mr. Felton was here. Even in his position as a Charley, like many people, he was leery of going to the authorities.
“No, not yet. I was thinking it would be better if she just lays low for a spell and pretended like it didn’t happen.
At least until we found out what element was involved.
” Mr. Felton’s light-brown eyes pleaded for understanding.
“Don’t want to be involved as a witness if it’s someone powerful.
I’d go mad as a March hare if something happened to my little girl. ”
“How old is she?” His logical mind was already whirring with the possibility she could be a witness to a crime.
“She’s not but nineteen. Well, twenty next July.”
With a loud sigh, Ben sat down in one of the leather wingback chairs. “I understand your reluctance to go to the constable.” He immediately thought of The Vicar and the unrest in his ranks.
“I thought, as one of Mr. O’Brien’s brood, you might be able to find out if there’s been a murder on Wormwood and what kind of danger a witness might be in. Kitty’s ready to report it, but I held her back.”
Ben couldn’t blame the man. He’d be wary too if someone he loved was in the same position.
Clayton’s fiancée had witnessed a murder.
They had been able to use her statement without revealing her identity since the villain had never been found.
She had also been hidden in a carriage and not seen.
“Let me see what I can find out. In the meantime, could you arrange for me to speak with her? Perhaps bring along one of my brothers?”
Mr. Felton’s shoulders slumped with relief. “I thank you from the bottom of my heart. We want to do what’s right, but I can’t jeopardize my family.”
“Of course not, and I would do the same in your position.” He sipped his brandy, enjoying the smooth heat as it slid down his throat. “Tell me what you know.”
Mr. Felton repeated the story his daughter had told him that morning. “I’m telling her customers she’s got a chill, and I’ll wake them until further notice. She’s spittin’ mad about that, but I can’t let her out. That villain is surely looking for her.”
“He may not know how much she saw. He may not have even realized the mask had slipped from his face. But I agree, it’s better to be cautious.” Logic told him the opposite, but he didn’t want to scare the man any more than he already was.
“I’ll give you my direction on Walbrook, and you can stop by in the morning if you’d like,” said Mr. Felton, standing. “I need to be off. Thank you, Mr. Cooper. You don’t know how much it means to me.”
“I’ll be ready at the time Miss Felton usually comes by, and we’ll walk to your home together.” Ben shook the man’s hand. “Then I’ll speak with Paddy and my brothers and see what we can discover.”
He was restless that night, unable to sleep. Punching his feather pillow, he closed his eyes and took in deep breaths, trying to clear his mind of the conversation with Mr. Felton and the images of “my Kitty.” When he finally drifted off, it was well past midnight.
Ben paused on the slick cobblestone, listening to footsteps echoing in the alley.
No one was in front or behind him, yet he heard their presence.
He saw a flash of green from the corner of his eye and spun in that direction, walking swiftly toward the street.
As he reached the end of the alley, he saw the hem of the green coat disappear around the corner, and he hurried after it.
When he followed the cloaked figure into another alley. The fog was thick, but he saw the person stop. She let out a shrill scream.
“Wait,” Ben yelled to her, knowing it was Miss Felton confronting the murderer.
She turned at the sound of his voice, and he saw the fear in her luminous violet eyes. The man behind her placed an arm around her chest and held a knife to her throat.
“Don’t come any closer, or I’ll have to take care of you too,” the stranger rasped as he pulled Miss Felton backwards with him.
Ben ran toward them, but the urgency and panic caused him to stumble.
He fell face down against the slimy ground, his fingers digging into the dirt as he tried to rise quickly.
The alley was a dead-end, yet they were nowhere in sight.
His head swiveled back and forth, looking for a door or opening where they might have escaped.
He leaned against the damp brick of a building, hands on his knees as he caught his breath. A figure towered over him, and he heard the anguished voice of Mr. Felton.
“You said this wouldn’t happen. You would keep her safe if she told what she witnessed.”
Ben shook his head. “I tried—”
A scream rang through the alley.
Ben sat up in bed, dragging air into his lungs.
Dawn cast a light glow across the floor.
It had only been a dream—a nightmare, actually.
He would get dressed and meet Mr. Felton, speak with his daughter, then figure out the best course of action.
This was a case for the Peelers if there ever had been.
And he knew his brothers would be ready to help.