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“But I would do it again, and you can’t stop me. Lilly needs my help, and she’s suffered enough, and I don’t intend to desert her.”

Stubborn little madam.

I sighed as my anger fell away. “Lilly means that much to you?”

“Yes. Despite our rank, Lilly was like a sister to me. I would not desert Lilly to the mercies of fate. London has already been veryunkind. It would be even crueller for me to leave Lilly when she needs me.”

“Fine, tomorrow, send word to Lilly that you have found her a place of employment where she can also bring the infant. Give Lilly this address, and I will employ her. Having a child about does not bother me. Lilly can do light duties, so she has plenty of time to spend with the baby,” I said impulsively.

Elizabeth looked at me with the hope I was not jesting her. “You would do this? You would help an unknown person?” Elizabeth breathed, her face a study of emotions.

Confusion warred with gratefulness and a little suspicion.

“This ensures your night-time safety. Not for you or Lilly, I must admit, but for Barrington.”

Elizabeth rose to her feet and pecked me on the cheek.

“David is right. You have a very kind and generous soul. I see why David considers you a brother.”

This was news. I’d not realised that Barrington considered me like that.

“David thinks so much of you and considers you one of his very best friends. It is clear why. I didn’t believe him, but now I see what David can. Thank you for helping Lilly.”

At that moment, Jeeves returned with some clothes, and I sent Elizabeth up to my bedroom. Fifteen minutes later, Elizabeth returned in clean clothes and left.

Sitting down after they had gone, I rang for Marks, and he entered within a few seconds.

“Marks, we’ll have another maid coming tomorrow. Her name is Lilly, she will have a young infant with her—”

“A baby?” Marks cut in, confused.

“Yes.” I sighed. “Please, can you see that Lilly only receives light duties on my orders? Also, see to it that she has everything she needs for herself and the child. Tell Mrs Kingston (my housekeeper) that if there is anything Lilly requires, then she isto go out and buy it. Speaking of purchases. If there is anything that you or any other member of my household need, make a list and charge it to me.”

Marks nodded and smiled.

I was always generous towards servants. For I never knew if I would need their help one day. Treating them right paid off in the long run.

Marks had once informed me a position in my household was sought after. He claimed I was known in London as one of the best employers, if not the best. I was a great believer in showing people respect and kindness. My staff could come to me if they required help. A few of them had done so over the years (I’d done my best to support them), and I knew that I had their loyalty until their dying days.

My staff understood something different about me. Even so, they readily rose to my defence if someone of their acquaintance said a word wrong.

Marks was aware of my Vam’pirism yet kept it confidential. The loyal man would take the secret to his grave. I don’t think that it really bothered him. If it did, Marks never mentioned it. As he turned to leave to give the orders to Mrs Kingston, I called out.

“Buy those cigars which you are fond of.”

Marks grinned before leaving the room. Our relationship possibly was not as formal as it should be. The staff performed better for the lack of formalities and if it worked, then why change it?

Wearily, I sat back in my comfy chair and pondered on the night’s events. The Ripper had sobbed and fled. Why? He couldn’t have known what I was, so why flee? Why weep, for that matter? That wasn’t because he’d been caught.

The Ripper had knocked out Jeeves and yet had not raised a hand against me. That sob kept worrying me. The cry resonatedwith familiarity, though the source eluded me. Sighing loudly, I left the study and walked to my bedroom. As I lay on the bed, I carried on analysing the memory repeatedly, trying to find that elusive detail.

Just as I was about to leave the problem alone for the night, the realisation hit me like a bolt from the blue.

Oh my God!Shocked, I sat upright, but I knew that I was correct. I extended my senses, searching for my quarry, but they were nowhere. They had completely closed themselves off. That was why they had run away.

The Ripper had known me and what I was capable of.

Christ almighty!