Page 26 of A Pearl Possessed
He always tries to protect his back, because of jealousy over the many plum assignments he'd had over the years; however, being forewarned, he'd make sure to be doubly careful in the future. Thank God for Captain El's wide-ranging network of spies.
12 September,1826
Somewhere Along Maiden Lane
A long walk had cleared the mists of anger from Adrienne's head, and she was beginning to see how Obadiah had a right to his anger over her deception several nights before. However, she still felt a little stung by how he'd disregarded her emphatic refusal to bring a child into the world.
She could still feel a bit of the burn on her face from his beard stubble from the night before when she'd repaid him in kind. She realized he'd probably be angry with her for a very long time over what she'd done in retaliation, so she intended to give him a wide berth for a while.
She looked up and realized she'd been walking aimlessly for some time, without paying attention to her surroundings. Turning quickly down a side alley, she darted to the end andthen left before being confronted by two men who apparently were cleverer than Adrienne. When she reached down for the dagger she always kept inside her walking boot, a third person grabbed her from behind and shoved a rag over her mouth with something smelling cloyingly sweet.
12 September,1826
Goodrum's House of Pleasure
Obadiah sat in front of Captain El, Duchess of Chelmsford, with his head in his hands. He vowed he would not show emotion, but when he lifted his head to face her, a bit of moisture leaked from the side of his eye. "I have to find her, but I know I can't do it on my own."
She came around the side of her mammoth desk and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Of course you can't do this alone, you big hulk." She sat on the edge of the desk and let one long, booted leg swing free. "Where should we start looking?"
"Well, I think Dickie has been been working on trying to find out if the Marquess was behind the attack on her. Maybe you could call him in to see if he's seen her?"
When she moved behind the desk to a bell pull, the door opened soon after with one of her footmen guards on the other side. "Send as many of our men as are free to see if they can find Dickie Jones and bring him back here to me. Search all his usual haunts."
The guard nodded to Captain El, and then Obadiah, before leaving quickly.
She turned back to Obadiah and glanced toward the still open door. "What are you waiting for?"
"I'm afraid I haven't told you everything."
Her eyes widened. "Proceed."
"She may be, um, with child, and she's terribly angry with me. If I can find her, I mean to marry her as soon as possible."
There was a long silence before she spoke again. "Well, then, Mr. Lassen, I shall put Percy to work getting a special license and readying his house on Berkley Square for a wedding. And the Earl of Framlingwood should be good for putting up a decent dowry."
Terror filled Obadiah's lungs and he had difficulty voicing his thoughts. "What if...what if she won't have me?"
"You're just going to have to grow into the man she wants you to be and do whatever it takes to make sure she'll accept your proposal." She stood suddenly and gave him a look that meant their meeting was over. He turned and headed out of her office followed by a dash down onto the main floor of Goodrum's and then out onto the crowded streets of London.
12 September,1826
Earl of Framlingwood's Home
Grosvenor Square
Derek Welkirk, Earl of Framlingwood, finished reading a new letter from the blackmailer and had to race to the nearest water closet in his Grosvenor Square mansion to cast up his accounts.
By the time he was back at his desk re-reading the latest message from the craven bastard, his valet Bharat had arrived with a linen cloth dipped in cool water. He tied the cloth around his head and took a deep breath to keep the dizziness at bay.
In case you thought 2,000 pounds would keep me satisfied indefinitely, I decided to let you know I mean business. Yourpoor Mistress Number One, the headstrong Miss Godet, can be found in the attic of an abandoned house at Number Seven Maiden Lane. She's always assumed she's invincible. I thought I'd teach her a little lesson whilst also showing you I will not be put off.
Yours, & Etc.
A friend with mutual interests
Black spots dancedbefore his eyes. When he looked toward Bharat, his efficient servant had already summoned Brighton - he could hear them conferring outside his door with a footman. Yes, he'd need a carriage immediately and every footman he had. He also had the presence of mind to dash off a message to have delivered to Captain El.
12 September,1826