Chapter 9
It was late afternoon by the time Adrian walked into the Bow Street offices in search of Kendrick.
His visit to Murdoch’s had been brief — a hasty relaying of information his longtime associate promised to follow up on.
Hopefully, additional hints pertaining to Grover’s goal and whereabouts would soon surface.
In the meantime…
He greeted Jackson and Lewis, two of the Runners he knew, and gave the front office a quick sweep with his gaze. Looked like he wasn’t the only Mayfair resident who’d chosen to stop by. Nathaniel Dermot, Marquess of Lundquist, was presently busy conversing with Kendrick’s new wife.
Curious to know the marquess’s business, Adrian approached.
He acknowledged Lundquist with a polite, “My lord,” then told Mrs. Kendrick, “You look well. It would appear that married life suits you.”
“Indeed, I feel truly blessed, Mr. Croft. Thank you for all you have done to ensure I would have this future.”
He mirrored her soft smile. “Think nothing of it. My wife and I were happy to help. In fact, she said to tell you that you’re welcome to visit our home whenever you like.”
“How is she faring these days?” Lundquist asked, his tone casual yet curious. “From what I gather, she must be due any day now.”
“I believe we’ve at least another couple of weeks to go,” Adrian said, a deep inhalation quelling the rising panic that came with the prospect of childbirth.
The danger was…unbearable to think of. He swallowed hard and managed to say, “My wife is in good spirits. She is looking forward to becoming a mother with great anticipation.”
“I’ve always worried the world wasn’t safe enough for raising children,” Lundquist stated.
“As you may or may not know, a cousin of mine disappeared when he was but five years old and was sadly never found. Made me fret for the challenge involved in being a parent, but thanks to your effort in ridding London of crime, I’ve begun to reconsider my stance. ”
High praise from a man Adrian had once accused of murder before proceeding to launch a physical attack on his person. It still surprised him that the marquess hadn’t pressed charges.
He nodded his appreciation. “No child should have to grow up in a dangerous place. Meanwhile, all parents deserve the peace of mind of not having to constantly worry over their child’s safety.
My collaboration with Bow Street will hopefully make this increasingly possible, which brings me to my reason for coming—though I must confess I’m curious to know why you are here, my lord. ”
Surprise widened Lundquist’s eyes. He’d clearly not expected such directness, but having failed to find a delicate way of inquiring about the man’s business, Adrian had decided to put it plainly.
“The marquess is a longtime family friend,” said Mrs. Kendrick when Lundquist seemed to hesitate in his response. “He met with Papa, then stopped to see how I’m faring after…all that has happened.”
“Of course,” Adrian murmured.
The files his family had been keeping — the same ones that had been mostly lost and that Cummings, his secretary, had since worked hard on restoring – had linked the Lundquist family name with the Hastings’s decades ago.
Ever since the present marquess’s youngest aunt had married the current chief magistrate’s cousin.
This, however, was not a matter of interest to Adrian, who only cared about Lundquist showing up here if it was in connection with a crime.
As far as he could tell, however, the man was only here on a social visit.
Unwilling to share his own reason for coming, Adrian quickly said, “As I mentioned, I’d like to speak with Kendrick if possible. ”
“He’s in his office.” Mrs. Kendrick stood. The dreamy smile now gracing her lips was clearly brought on by the thought of her new husband. “I’ll show you in.” To Lundquist she said, “If you’ll excuse me, my lord. I’ll be back in a moment.”
“That’s quite all right, Mrs. Kendrick.” The marquess sent her a wink, then put on his hat. “I need to be on my way, but I look forward to seeing you and Kendrick soon. At the theatre on Thursday.”
“It surprises me that he hasn’t yet married,” Adrian said while he and Mrs. Kendrick walked to her husband’s office. “One would think he’d want to secure his lineage.”
“As you heard, he worries about bringing children into this world.” Mrs. Kendrick’s voice lost a bit of its vibrancy. “Honestly, after what I myself have experienced since I began working here, I cannot fault him for thinking this way.”
“Perhaps not,” Adrian mused. Least of all when he suspected the marquess of being in love with his housekeeper. The affectionate look that had passed between them when Adrian went to Lundquist for help in regard to Samantha’s kidnapping had been profound.
The door to Kendrick’s office was open, so Mrs. Kendrick gave it a light rap to draw her husband’s attention, then announced Adrian’s presence while entering the room. Adrian followed her in.
Kendrick, hunched over documents strewn across his desk, pushed himself upright. Visibly exhausted, he extended his hand for Adrian to shake. “It’s been a while. I was starting to think you might have retreated from social life on account of your wife approaching her final days of confinement.”
“If only that were an option,” Adrian said. “Unfortunately, the criminals wreaking havoc on the city refuse to give me a welcome reprieve.”
“A new case has been brought to your attention.” A statement, not a question, made by Mrs. Kendrick.
“Please tell me there’s not been another murder.” Kendrick’s voice was a mixture of caution and fatigue.
“No, but I fear there may be one if we do not act quickly.” Adrian knew he was going against Wrengate’s wishes by involving Kendrick, but he’d made Kendrick a promise before the duke asked for his help. To go back on that now would be dishonorable.
“You have our attention,” Kendrick said when Adrian hesitated in divulging the details.
Adrian looked from the chief constable to his wife, then back again. He cleared his throat. “What I am about to tell you cannot become public knowledge.”
“That will be for us to decide once we know the nature of—”
“No.” In this, Adrian agreed with Wrengate. If his sister’s disappearance made headlines, her reputation could be ruined by speculations alone, her life destroyed. “If I am to let you into my confidence, then you must swear to me that this particular case won’t be spoken of outside this office.”
Kendrick paused as if in contemplation, then looked to his wife and jutted his chin toward the door. She went and closed it, leaving the three of them alone, shut away from potential eavesdroppers.
“Go on,” said Kendrick. When Adrian still didn’t speak right away, he added, “You have my word that whatever you share with us will be handled with discretion.”
“In that case, I’d like to report a missing person,” Adrian said. “The Duke of Wrengate has personally asked me to help him find his sister. Lady Edwina was last seen leaving Hyde Park with a man whom I suspect plans to sell her.”