Page 4 of Miss Thornfield’s Daring Bargain (The Troublemakers Trilogy #1)

1811 Garret Street

Pimlico, London

B asil needed help fast, and there was only one person he trusted: his and Richard’s friend from Cambridge, Leo. They had formed a formidable friendship over the years. Richard and Leo’s mothers had always left their homes open even when Basil’s parents had proven to be less welcoming. After school, Leo had gone into the military and served in India before returning home to join The Metropolitan Police Force. He’d left the police force only a year before to work as a private investigator. Establishing himself quickly meant he was busy, so catching him at home with his mother was a matter of luck. If this gamble didn’t work out, then he’d have to wait to speak to him.

Basil knocked on the familiar grey door and waited impatiently until it opened to reveal the housekeeper, a slim stern-faced woman named Mrs. Kemp. Her blue eyes fell on him and narrowed playfully even as they warmed.

“Trouble,” she grumbled, shaking her head.

“Mrs. Kemp,” he took her by the arms, “Is Leo home?”

“Aye, just. He’s in the front sitting room with the Missus,” she said stepping aside for him to enter. He handed her his hat and gloves and walked down the hall and up the stairs to the family sitting room. The house was immaculate as always and modestly furnished, but there were small paintings everywhere, done by Leo’s late father, of meadows, of his family, and of a large stone house near a lake with a yellow door.

Leo sat beside his mother, Naomi Kingston, on the blue sofa having tea. Based on the coat flung across the back of a chair, Leo had just returned. Naomi would never have allowed discarded clothing to clutter her otherwise immaculate sitting room for long. She had always been a proud and warm-hearted woman, wrapping her coarse hair with bright turbans which, while unfashionable, always matched her dresses perfectly. He knocked on the doorframe and her hazel brown eyes found him first.

“So you still remember to come see me?” Naomi asked, shaking her head with a pursed mouth.

Despite his anxiety over Richard, Basil couldn’t help the small chuckle or the bittersweet mix of fondness and guilt that welled up in him at the sight of her. It was true, he didn’t visit her nearly as often as he should now that Leo was more often than not away from home. She’d been like a second mother to him, ceremony was no excuse. He crossed over to her and kissed both her cheeks before raising her hand to his mouth and pressing a kiss on the back of it. “My apologies, my lady.”

“It will take more than that for my forgiveness,” she replied but her grip on his hand tightened in an affectionate squeeze. “Sit down, boy. I’ll fix you a cup of tea.”

“Don’t. I can’t stay for long.”

“Something’s wrong?” Leo was still seated, watching him carefully with his mother’s light brown eyes. He wasn’t smiling or frowning, and he didn’t offer any other greeting. Leo knew this wasn’t a social call.

“How could you possibly know that?” Basil asked.

“You look more uptight than usual. It seems impending marriage doesn’t agree with everyone.” He shot a pointed look at his mother who shook her head in bemusement.

It wasn’t exactly a criticism, but Basil still fought the instinct to argue against the notion that he was high strung as a matter of course. “This has nothing to do with Miss Ashwood, thank you very much Leo, and I am not an uptight person.”

“I beg to differ. Don’t argue, Bas, just tell me what’s wrong.”

He hated when he did that, but there were more important things to discuss. Like their friend’s abduction. “It’s Richard. He’s been taken.”

“What do you mean taken?” Leo asked, sitting up straighter in his seat.

“I mean he got rounded up by two men, thrown into a wagon, and taken away to Giltspur.”

“When was this?”

“Three days ago,” Basil said.

“That rich boy got sent to debtor’s prison?” Naomi asked incredulously, glancing at Leo.

“He was put there, but I don’t know that he was sent there, exactly,” Basil said.

She turned back to Basil. “What’s the difference?”

“No one ends up in debtor’s prison without creditors making an attempt to get money first. Loudly. There has to be court order given by magistrates,” Leo explained, a slight frown the only indication of his concern. That cool head under pressure had saved them and no doubt him countless times before, and Basil was counting on it to find a solution again.

“Exactly,” Basil said. “There’s been no hint of that at all. They supposedly just came for him.”

Leo stood and began pacing, his arms crossed over his torso and one hand collaring his bronzed neck, rubbing at it absentmindedly. “And you are sure he’s at Giltspur?” he asked.

“Positive. I grabbed a hackney and followed the wagon all the way there. I watched it pass through the gates. I’ve been trying to get in there ever since but the guard wouldn’t allow me in to see him. Today, he denied knowledge of Richard’s existence entirely.”

“Now that is interesting.”

“Sit down, boy, you’re breaking my neck,” she complained and Basil immediately sat in a chair, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees to keep his feet from tapping with nervous energy.

“Did they see you following them?”

“No. I don’t think so. Trent was there, but I feel as though he’s involved somehow.”

“Trent.” Leo paused and glanced at Basil. “Isn’t he at one of the mills? The foreman Richard fell out with?”

“Yes.”

“What’s his story?”

“I have no idea. I assumed he was there to help at first.”

“But?”

“But he barely reacted at all to Richard being detained. He just denied it, calm as you like, and walked in to find out more. When I asked him what he was doing there if he wasn’t there for Richard, he spun a story about simply going for a walk.”

“Past a debtor’s prison?” Naomi asked skeptically.

“As one does,” Leo replied, his tone bone dry. Their incredulous expressions were a balm to Basil’s nerves. He’d known he wasn’t delusional but if Leo and Naomi Kingston smelt a rat, something was rotten.

“You think the guards are working with Trent?” Naomi asked Basil.

“I don’t know. All I know is I need Leo to help me look into it and find out if there is an order for him to be sent there, and if there isn’t, what the hell is going on. We have to get him out.” He looked at Leo. “I know you’re always busy but are you free to help me?”

“I am for this,” Leo replied, and the relief that flooded Basil was nearly overwhelming. He didn’t know what he would have done if Leo wasn’t able to help. “First things first, assuming Trent’s after money or worse, Richard’s sister is vulnerable.”

“Adelaide?”

“Yes. Is she in London?”

“I have no idea. Why would she be in London?”

Leo stared at him for a long moment. “For the season Basil.”

“What?” The season? She was far too young to be out in society already. “She’s only sixteen isn’t she? Seventeen?”

Leo shook his head as if mystified by Basil’s ignorance. “She’d be twenty by now, if not already past it.”

Twenty? How had she gotten to that age? Try as he might, he couldn’t conjure an image of Richard’s sister as a woman. The last image of her in his mind was of a skinny, pale girl with wide, dark eyes and an expressive face running after Richard like a shadow. She had been effervescent and sweet as a girl. He couldn’t remember if he’d seen her past their parents’ funeral. “Ah. It’s rude to dwell upon a lady’s age.”

Leo took a deep breath and continued to speak. “We have to consider he may have reached out to her already. She’s young, relatively sheltered, and entirely alone to say nothing of the fact that she has no idea he isn’t trustworthy. She is a prime target to extract money. Do you know where she is?”

“No, but I suppose I’ll start with Richard’s London house and make my way from there.”

“Find her and get her to safety.” He turned to his mother and rested a hand on her shoulder, “Mother will you send a note with my apologies to Mr. Willis? I have to move his case back.”

“Of course,” she replied, patting his hand.

He looked to Basil again, “I’ll put out feelers on my end and see what I can find out for you. Meet me back here tomorrow.”

Basil stood and walked over to him, clasping his forearm in a grateful grip. “Thank you,”

“Don’t. He is my friend too.”

*

Melbroke House

Brighton, three days later

Ada was fighting to keep her spirits up. She didn’t know if she was succeeding or if her friends were making a point of ignoring her silences. She wanted silence, but she was terrified of being alone with her thoughts. Everything was focusing and refocusing on her brother. Who could have a grudge against him? Who would wish to harm him to this level?

It’s true there were always those like her bullies at school who despised her mixed heritage and resented the wealth and privilege she enjoyed despite it. But hurtful pranks were different to kidnapping someone and subjecting them to all kinds of humiliations. Zhenyi had always looked after her. He’d comforted her when she was afraid, defended and protected her from harm or her parents’ censure. After their parents’ deaths, he’d always taken time to visit her at school, bring her treats or gifts, write to her so she didn’t feel lonely. Who could protect him now? Was he cold or hungry? Every day that passed dawned with fresh dread in her heart at the ominous silence from Trent. A light touch on her arm brought her attention to Elodia who was watching her expectantly. How long had she been waiting?

“I’m sorry, Ellie. What did you say?” she asked.

“More tea?” Elodia looked down at the now stone-cold oolong in the bone china clutched between Ada’s hands.

“I—” she stopped herself. She’d only waste it at this point. “Perhaps not, Ellie. I don’t think a fresh cup would fare better than this one.”

Elodia nodded and topped off her own cup.

“What were we discussing?” Ada asked, trying to make an effort to participate.

“Well, I wanted to go for another walk on the shore, but Miss Regina here,” she paused to glare playfully at Regina, “refuses because when we went five days ago she apparently saw a gentleman in the altogether and didn’t say a word about it.”

Ada looked over at her South Asian friend in surprise. What naked man? How had she missed that? “Was he handsome?”

“I don’t know. I wasn’t looking at his face.”

Ada choked back a laugh and placed down her cup and saucer. Regina had a way with words that bordered on obscene without even trying.

“What exactly had caught your attention Miss Mason?” Elodia asked fluttering her eyelashes.

“Nothing, I was too busy getting out of there,” Regina replied frankly, cradling her cup of tea. “What if he’d seen us? I would die of mortification.”

“What if you met him again?” Elodia said, “How would you be able to form an acquaintance if you don’t recognize him?”

“What if he recognized me and I had to face that circumstance. I’d rather swim in the Thames,” she said with a shudder.

“What if he were the one you were meant to marry?” Elodia asked.

“I know who I’m going to marry,” Regina replied rolling her eyes. “I’ve known since I was sixteen. I don’t think my mother and father would allow me to marry anyone else at this point. The minute Lord Reginald Starkley returns from the continent, I will become his baroness.”

“Nonsense. We’ll steal you away before we let you marry that walrus, won’t we Ada?” Elodia said before turning to Ada expectantly.

Ada gave her a small smile and nodded. She felt ungrateful. Her friends were doing everything they could to distract her from her brother’s troubles, but she was unable to keep her mind from him for long. Elodia and Regina had been particularly mischievous over the past few days at Brighton. It had nearly driven the captain and his Maharashtrian wife to distraction. The sea-bathing had been truly wonderful, and when they were splashing in the ocean, Ada could allow her mind to drift. But times like now or at night, it was harder to forget that her brother was gone and that she may never get him back.

“Ada?” Regina called her name again and she snapped to attention, noticing the expectant gazes of her two friends.

“What?”

“Ellie invited us to the opera with her and her father when we return to London. They’re playing Lucia di Lammermoor .”

“Oh, thank you. That will be wonderful.” She tried to smile but from the eyebrow Regina raised in response, her attempt was in vain.

“Will it? You look as though we’re trying to take you to the dentist for a tooth pulling.”

“No, I mean it. I’ll be happy to go. Thank you for thinking of me, Ellie.” She tried to smile again. Elodia nodded and squeezed her hand.

“Frankly, I don’t see the point of pretending everything is all right anymore.” Regina said setting down her tea cup and flopping backwards in the chair.

“Gigi,” Elodia hissed.

“Well, it’s not as if it’s working, and no one is here to overhear.”

“Wait…” Ada said as the sound of raised voices filtered through. “Do you hear that?”

She stood and walked over to the parlor door, opening it a sliver. The scene before her was something out of a comic opera. Ingsley, the butler, and another footman were physically restraining a tall, brown-haired man who was having little success in freeing himself.

“Let me in,” the man growled.

“Your name and business, sir,” Ingsley said, sneaking his arm around the man’s neck.

“I’ve already told as much to that selectively mute footman over there, now let me pass.”

“I’m afraid that won’t be possible, sir.”

“Is Miss Thornfield here?” the man asked.

At that, she shrank back in caution. How did he know her? Had the kidnappers come for her? Where was Mr. Trent?

“I beg your pardon?” Ingsley blinked in confusion and that was all the man needed to wriggle an arm free and plant his elbow in Ingsley’s side, creating an opening for him to jerk out of his and the footman’s grasp.

He let out a frustrated huff and dragged his hands back through his hair. “Miss Adelaide Thornfield, is she here?” The footman started forward and the man’s hands came up to fend off the attack.

Wait. She knew that voice. Her mind raced trying to place him, but she could hardly see his face, especially now that he was moving, trying to avoid being pinned between the footman and the wall despite once again being caught in his clutches. She knew she had heard his voice before, but she couldn’t be certain until she saw him.

“Who is Harris fighting?” Elodia asked.

“I don’t know but he knows who I am,” Ada replied, making a decision. She wouldn’t hide away like a mouse. Even if he proved to be untrustworthy, she was safe enough. If he couldn’t get past Ingsley or Harris all she needed to do was stay far enough away. She pushed open the door and stepped out into the hallway.

“Don’t go out there, Ada!” Elodia hissed, but Ada ignored her. At her appearance, the men froze and turned to her. Once she saw the unknown gentleman’s face her eyes widened in shock. Basil . He was older, but that sharp, pale face was unmistakable even if his jaw was now covered with a light beard and his hair was a touch longer. It was him.

“It’s all right, Harris. I know him,” she said.

Harris halted immediately, and Basil threw him off with a force that was… unexpected. Ada didn’t know what to make of it, or the effect it had on her, but she stumbled out of the way when Basil strode down the hall and past her into the room. She followed him in and watched in alarm as he slammed the door in Harris’s face.

“Basil, what is the meaning of this?”

He turned to face her and she was struck by the intensity and color of his eyes. Crystal blue almost the color of a summer sky. “I apologize for my behavior, but it is paramount that I speak with you. I’ve been trying to find you for three days.” He scanned the room and took in the two other young women who were staring at him with a mix of fascination and alarm. “Miss Mason, Miss Hawthorne,” he greeted, giving them each a slight bow. Regina’s mouth had fallen open slightly, her doe eyes going even wider. “How do you know who we are?” Elodia asked.

“I’ve heard stories about the three of you from Richard.” He turned back to Ada. “Do you know where your brother is?”

“I know that he’s missing,” Ada replied, glancing at Elodia and Regina.

“Missing?” His eyes narrowed in consternation.

Did he know something? “Do you know his whereabouts?” Ada asked, crossing over to him and clutching his arm with unwitting candor. “Oh, it’s good that you are here. I’ve been desperate for news about him. Mr. Trent has been looking but—”

“Mr. Trent told you that your brother was missing ?” Basil asked, his words slow and deliberate.

“Yes… is something wrong?” she asked, apprehension flooding her with each passing moment.

He shook his head, the concern on his face turning grim. “You cannot trust Trent, Ada.”

Her head was shaking in rejection of those words before he could finish the sentence. Trent was the closest thing she had to an ally. He was working with her, not against her. “I’ve known him all my life,” she argued. “Longer than I’ve known you in fact.”

“I understand that, but—”

The door opened again, and they turned to see Ingsley standing in the doorway watching them carefully. “A Mr. Trent here to see you, Miss,” Ingsley said.

Basil gripped her arms in his hands, his touch firm but not uncomfortable, drawing Ada’s attention back to him. “Please, Ada. Please trust me this once, and I will explain everything later.”

It took her a moment of staring into his eyes before she nodded her consent. Basil had long been a friend to her brother, as close as Elodia or Regina to her. The chances that he would be working against Zhenyi were low and the anxiety on his face was making her nervous.

Mr. Trent had been a fixture in her life from the time she could understand. Her parents never let her or her brother forget the source of their wealth and prestige, or the people who made it possible. But from what little she remembered of Basil, he wasn’t a man given to theatrics. If he was this worried it was only because there was something to be worried about. Could Mr. Trent have become so bitter and confused as to turn on her and her brother?

“Ingsley, wait a few minutes and then let Mr. Trent in,” Ada said, and Basil gave her a grateful nod.

“Very good, Miss,” Ingsley replied.

“Ingsley, does Mr. Trent know that Mr. Thompson is here?” Regina asked.

“No, Miss Mason.”

“Keep it that way for now,” she said.

“As you say, Miss.” He gave her a nod and left.

“Gigi, I think we had better show Mr. Thompson into the next room,” Elodia said.

“We can’t leave her alone with Mr. Trent if he’s a blaggard!”

“Then you go with Mr. Thompson. It will be less suspicious if I stay here with her. Trent has met me before.”

“Nonsense, you go with Mr. Thompson. My mother would skin me alive if she found me alone with another man. And after all, it is my father’s house.”

“Why don’t you both stay with her,” Basil suggested.

Elodia nodded and stood. “Right then, come along Mr. Thompson,” she said, escorting Basil over to the adjoining door, shutting it behind him.

Ada walked over to the door and opened it before seating herself between Regina and Elodia.

Moments later Trent entered.

Ada smiled at him and gestured for him to sit.

“Mr. Trent, what an unexpected surprise to see you here.”

“Yes… I’d hoped to have good news when I saw you next, Miss, but I cannot give you satisfaction there.” He sat down in the chair, leaning back comfortably.

“Your constable has found nothing?” Ada asked, paying attention to his posture.

“Nothing at all. And it’s been days now.”

Was he too arrogant or did he think she would be too overwrought to notice? “That is concerning. And there is no one at all that we could call on? Who have you spoken to?”

“I’ve been trying to manage things during your brother’s absence. I haven’t had time for too many inquiries.” He rubbed his forehead, shaking his head wearily.

“Richard is hardly unknown. He’s been running the business for at least six years now, Mr. Trent, and even before that he wasn’t exactly hidden away.” Ada was getting a horrible feeling that he was checking off a list of possible concerns she could have instead of showing worry for her predicament.

“This is true,” he said turning his attention to her as if he’d never considered the possibility. Or perhaps he hadn’t considered her before. It had never occurred to her before now, but it was clear Trent underestimated her.

“The owner of a hundred- and fifty-year-old business does not go missing without a trace. What is the name of your runner? I will make inquiries myself.”

“Best to leave it to me, Miss. It’s dangerous work that, it’s not for the likes of you.”

“You cannot expect me to sit here and do nothing.” Regina’s hand closed around Ada’s in a silent warning. If she pushed too far or showed a blatant distrust for him it would put him on his guard. Ada drew a deep calming breath and released it.

“Perhaps it’s time for my father to make inquiries, Ada,” Elodia said. Ada looked at her, noted the chill in her eyes. Elodia wasn’t one who excelled at games or pretending, and she was losing patience with Trent and his evasions.

“Your father?” Trent scoffed. Elodia stiffened, and Ada’s hand grabbed hers reflexively.

“The Viscount Melbroke will surely have more access to resources than you, Mr. Trent,” Regina replied, while Ada studied him with new awareness. It was terrifying to see how manufactured his behavior was when only an hour ago she would have believed all of it.

“Oh, begging your pardon, Miss. In my day viscounts’ daughters didn’t look like you.” Trent replied with a meekness that Ada almost believed, if it wasn’t for the sickening feeling in her stomach coloring his every action and word with suspicion.

“I assure you, Mr. Trent, there have always been viscounts with daughters like me, even in your day,” Elodia replied with a regal hint of steel in her voice. “In any event, I will speak to my father about this and see if he cannot do better.”

“I couldn’t advise it, Miss,” Trent replied, his eyes fixing on Elodia explicitly. “Men like this, they ain’t the kind to let a titled gent get in their way. What if he went missing and all? You’d all be in danger then.”

It was meant to sound reasonable but somehow it felt like a threat. The small smile on Trent’s face had a sharp chill creeping up Ada’s spine like frost on a window. What had he done? Who did he have on his side that would result in this level of boldness?

“I don’t imagine the Viscount Melbroke means to engage in a round of fisticuffs with a criminal, Mr. Trent,” she replied, hoping her anxiety didn’t show in her voice.

“That’s fair enough, I suppose,” he replied, watching her closely as if he were sizing her up again and taking note of things he’d missed before. “I was only thinking of master and getting him back safely to you and all. Have you heard anything, Miss?”

The question seemed sudden. Her mind raced for an innocent explanation as to why he would ask it, desperate for a reason to believe in him but nothing was coming. “Anything about what?” she asked.

“Any rumors flying about? Anyone asking questions?”

Was he fishing for information? Did he know Basil was here? “No. No one is aware Richard is missing outside of the present company.”

“Anyone reached out to you about a ransom or anything?”

“Do you imagine the kidnappers are aware that I am in Brighton with friends?” she asked.

“Well, people will talk, Miss. You can’t pay heed to everything. I wonder if it would be better if you were with your uncle.”

“Why?” Ada asked carefully, while alarm bells sounded in her head.

“Well, I’ll need to leave London soon for Cheshire. It would be easier on my conscience if knew you were with family.”

“I don’t think there’s any reason for you to be concerned for my safety, Mr. Trent.”

“With respect, Miss, I didn’t think I needed to be concerned about your brother either until recently. Always better to err on the side of caution I say. Wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to you as well, especially with the culprits on the loose.”

Indeed. “That is true, but you needn’t concern yourself to deliver me to him, Mr. Trent. The viscount would be more than equal to the task in the event that it is deemed necessary.”

“I believe it would be best if I take you, Miss. Wouldn’t want to arouse any suspicion. If they can get your brother, you can be sure they know all about you. They’ll be watching you.”

“Then they should take note that while I may be novel, I am hardly friendless,” Ada replied, giving him what she hoped was a sincere-looking smile. She rose to her feet on unsteady legs. “You would of course, be welcome to visit me at my uncle’s home, Mr. Trent,” she said.

“We can be ready by tomorrow,” Elodia said rising to her feet as well.

“Oh, I’d need a bit more than that, Miss,” Trent said rising to his feet. She gestured to the door and took his arm, leading him from the room. Elodia stood but one look from her kept her friend where she was. She was sure of herself now as she led Trent to the front door. She needed to get as far away from Trent as possible or find a way to protect herself from whatever he was planning.

“How long will it take for you to conclude your business in London, Mr. Trent?”

“Few days, a week at most,” he replied easily.

A week at most. A lot could happen in a week. Ada smiled, the first real smile she’d given since he entered the room. “Perfect. I’ll look forward to receiving you at my uncle’s estate.”

He nodded, ceding the battle and left.