Jeremy tugged at my sleeve. “We can’t stay here all night,” he said. “Lady Glover could be in terrible danger. If we’re not going to interrupt them, there’s no point hanging on when we could be trying to help her.”
“You’re right.” We retraced our steps, pausing to put on our shoes at the top of the stairs that led down to the kitchen. Once we’d made our way halfway down, the butler appeared at the bottom. When he did, he nearly lost his balance.
“Sir! Madam!” To say he was aghast would have been something of an understatement. “I … I—”
“Delightful to see you again,” I said, neatly stepping around him. “I’m sure we’ll meet again before too long. Do enjoy the rest of your evening.”
Jeremy and I tumbled out of the house, nearly doubled over with laughter by the time we’d emerged back in the mews.
“I’m beginning to have a vague notion why you like all this intrigue,” Jeremy said.
“It’s exciting, isn’t it? Terrifying, but exciting.” I was breathless with mirth. “Come, though, we’ve no time to waste. Lady Glover is in danger.”
We leapt back into the carriage and fairly flew to Hyde Park, crossing through Apsley Gate at Hyde Park Corner. I directed the driver to the first lodge I could remember. We couldn’t have him take us all the way—the clatter of wheels might alert our friend’s captors. Jeremy and I skulked towards the building.
“You should let me take over from here,” Jeremy said. “It would be safer.”
“I’ll stay back,” I said. “But I’m keeping you in sight.”
“I suppose I can’t just knock on the door?” he asked.
“No.” Moving as quietly as he could, he methodically made his way to each set of windows on the building and then returned to me.
“Nothing to see there but a gardener and his contented-looking wife,” he said. “Or his dissatisfied mistress. I consider the two interchangeable.”
“What would be the wifely equivalent of an extremely pleased mistress?” I asked.
“A widow.”
We repeated our pattern at three more buildings.
“I must say I had no idea how pleasant some of these lodges are,” Jeremy said. “How exactly does one go about arranging to live in them? I’m ready to give up my house.”
As we approached the fourth lodge, a small building in the northern section of the park, I followed Jeremy to the windows. I bunched up my skirts to step over the iron fence—it wasn’t particularly high—and then ducked down when I got close to the windows. Inside, two men were sitting, fierce looks on their faces, their attention fixed on the other side of the room. The upholstery on the chairs, which looked velvet, was worn and threadbare. A bookshelf at the far end was empty save for a pile of neatly stacked newspapers. But it was the object in the center of a rough-hewn table that sent the strongest message to me. The side we couldn’t see. Stepping with care, we moved farther along the outside wall of the house, hoping for a better view. We still couldn’t make out much, but I did manage to catch a glimpse of turquoise satin fabric encrusted with golden-colored crystal beads. Then, one of the men moved, revealing a revolver under his jacket.
Excitement and fear coursed through me. Wanting to operate with extreme caution, we made our way back to the pavement to discuss our options.
“We need a plan,” I said. “I think she’s in there.”
“I agree,” he said. “I think I can—” He stopped talking and lunged towards me. Before he reached me, I felt a sharp blow, and everything went black.
29
I tasted dirt when I woke up. Taking a deep gulp of damp, mossy air, I struggled to my feet. My head ached, and I leaned against a tree for a moment, trying to get my bearings. It appeared I was still in the park, but I could no longer see the lodge in which I suspected Lady Glover was being held. There was enough moonlight that I could make out vague shapes around me, and in the not-too-far-off distance I saw the flicker of what had to be gaslight. I walked towards it and found myself only a few paces from the Round Pond in Kensington Gardens. Not finding much to recommend spending any more time in the park than absolutely necessary, I moved quickly in the direction of Kensington Palace.
Jeremy was nowhere to be found. I worried he’d suffered a fate similar to mine, but knew there was little I could do to locate him on my own in the dark. As soon as the lights of the palace came into view, I started shouting, hoping someone inside would hear me.
Unfortunately, as the structure had fallen far from its days of splendor, and was now used primarily as a place the royal family could stick inconvenient and distant relatives, there were no guards on hand to assist me. The gates were locked. I shook them and yelled for help to no avail. Not wanting to stop moving until I felt safe, I ran out of the park and into Palace Green, almost tripping up the steps of Lady Carlisle’s house.
I don’t know when I’ve ever better appreciated the comforting warmth of a family home.
Lady Carlisle fussed over me unmercifully, and I welcomed her ministrations. She plied me with tea, then sherry, and wiped the dirt from my face and hands herself with a soft linen cloth. Her husband notified the police and sent a message to Park Lane at once. Colin must be beside himself with worry. It was nearly two o’clock in the morning.
I reclined on the chaise longue and closed my eyes to ward off the throbbing in my head. The sound of Lord Carlisle conversing with someone brought me alert again. Jeremy was standing next to me, along with two inspectors from Scotland Yard.
“Thank heavens you’re all right,” he said.
“What about you?” I asked.
“I started for the thug who was coming for you. Didn’t make it two steps before someone whacked me on the back of the head, too.”
“Lady Glover?”
“We’ve been back to the lodge, madam,” one of the inspectors said. “She’s not there. We’ll conduct a more thorough search in the morning.”
“I’m sure she was there,” I said. “You must believe me.”
“Did you see her?” he asked.
“No, just a glimpse of fabric. But I’m certain—”
“Don’t try to exert yourself, Lady Emily,” Lord Carlisle said. “Your butler sent a message saying your husband is not at home. Would you like to stay here tonight?”
“He’s not?” I asked, confused and wondering where he could be at this time of night.
“No. I’m afraid we don’t have any further information.”
“I see,” I said. “Thank you for your hospitality, but I think it best I go home. He’ll be worried if he returns and finds me gone.”
“I do wish you’d let me send for a doctor,” Lady Carlisle said.
“You’re very kind,” I said. “But I’m perfectly all right. No permanent damage done, just a little bump. I’ve had much worse. I would, however, be eternally grateful if you’d lend me your carriage.”
They were reluctant to let me go, but in the end were persuaded to agree that Jeremy could see me home.
“I’m no longer so convinced about the merits of excitement,” he said. “When I woke up and couldn’t find you I thought bringing the police was the best thing to do.”
“You were right,” I said.
“I do wish they’d been able to find Lady Glover,” he said. “It looks like what we saw were some vagrants who had thought they’d find a good place to seek temporary shelter.”
“Vagrants don’t wear turquoise silk with gold beads,” I said.
“Well.” He paused. “Vagrants may not, but there are certain women of ill repute who could have access to such garments.”
“Hmpf.” I wasn’t convinced. “They should be taking what we saw much more seriously after what happened
