“The Countess of Longmere.”
Shock rammed into Livy. “Pippa is hiring us?”
“She believes she is hiring an investigator I know,” Charlie corrected, “and I am merely the go-between. She does not know of your involvement. For your protection and hers, you must keep it that way. Secrecy is paramount; without it, the Society of Angels will not survive. You recall the vow you took when you joined?”
Nodding, Livy chanted in unison with Glory and Fi:
No matter what danger may await
An Angel is loyal, brave, and true.
We will not betray our society’s aim,
“Sisters first” will see us through.
Charlie smiled. “Very good, Angels.”
“But why would Pippa need to hire an investigator?” Livy persisted.
“For the same reason most women do: a man,” Charlie replied. “In this case, her husband, Lord Edwin Longmere.”
Livy remembered Pippa’s ill-hidden distress at the symposium.
With creeping dread, she asked, “What has the earl done?”
“Nothing yet, Pippa claims. But his behavior has been unusual enough to cause her concern.” Charlie took a meditative sip of tea. “She describes his mood as irritable and erratic and says he hardly sleeps at all. In the past few months, he has been spending more and more time in his painting studio. Whenever she has tried to bring up the change in his behavior, he dismisses her or gets angry. She fears he might be in some sort of trouble…or that he might be having an affair.”
“Oh no,” Livy whispered.
She knew from personal experience that rejection was painful. To be betrayed by the husband one adored? She did not even want to imagine it.
“How could anyone do that to lovely Pippa?” Fi said indignantly.
“It is the way of the world.” Charlie’s tone was flat. “Only the truth will help her now.”
Glory’s brow furrowed. “Do Pippa’s parents know of her troubles? I am certain her papa would not stand for her to be mistreated. I know mine would not.”
“Neither would mine,” Fiona said wryly. “Which is why I would not tell Papa…at least, not if I wanted my husband to live.”
Fi had a point. Both her and Pippa’s fathers were powerful men with roots in London’s underworld, and they would not hesitate to protect their own by any means necessary. In truth, Livy’s own father was no different. A Scotsman to the core, he would bring his wrath down upon anyone who dared to harm a single hair on her head.
“Pippa was adamant that she does not want her parents to know,” Charlie replied. “For the reason you suggested, Fiona, and also because she is not yet certain what is going on with Longmere. If he is embroiled in some sort of trouble, she wishes to help him. She wants to handle the situation herself and enlisting her father, who apparently has never approved of Longmere, will only complicate matters.”
Livy understood Pippa’s desire to take charge of her own destiny. She would feel the same way. And she was fiercely glad that the Angels could take Pippa’s back.
“Tell us how we can help Pippa,” Livy said.
“We will follow Longmere and see what he is up to,” Charlie said matter-of-factly. “According to Pippa, he and a group of cronies enjoy gallivanting in the less savory parts of London. Every Friday night they convene at the Black Lion Inn in Whitechapel. That will be a good place for us to begin our reconnaissance.”
Looking crestfallen, Glory said, “I am promised to a soiree on Friday.”
“I have an event as well,” Fi said glumly.
“Do not fret, my dears. There will be other chances to observe the subject.” Charlie’s eyes met Livy’s across the table. “Are you ready to accompany me on your first mission, Livy?”
Purpose gave Livy an invigorating charge. For the first time since Hadleigh’s rejection, she felt some of the heaviness leave her heart, like sandbags dropping from a hot air balloon. While true love might evade her, she still had a destiny to fulfill, and being of service to a friend was an excellent place to start.
Pulling back her shoulders, she said, “I am ready.”
14
“Don’t turn around right away, but they’ve arrived,” Charlie murmured as she passed by, a tray of empty tankards clinking in her hands.
It required all of Livy’s self-discipline not to spin around on her rickety stool at the bar. Instead, she pretended to drink from the glass the barkeep had earlier slammed onto the sticky counter in front of her. It was Friday night, and she and Charlie were at the Black Lion Inn, a packed East End public house that catered to the laboring class.
Charlie had managed to get hired on as a barmaid for the eve. A brunette wig, face paint, and padding beneath her low-cut dress transformed her; with her bold manner and Cockney accent, she masterfully blended in with the boisterous crowd. Livy watched and learned from her mentor. She, herself, was disguised as a light-skirt with brassy blonde ringlets and heavily sooted lashes, but she had to work at roughening her accent and substituting her finishing school posture for one far saucier.
After counting to ten, she casually directed her gaze toward the entrance. Through the smoky haze and throng of bodies, she spotted Lord Edwin Longmere. Tall and slim, the earl had wavy hair that gleamed like a raven’s wing beneath his hat. He was handsome, with a brooding Bohemian quality that drew females to him like flies to honey. For Pippa’s sake, Livy was relieved when he shook his head dismissively at a bold wench who approached him.
When his gaze collided with Livy’s, her breath snagged in her throat. Would he recognize her? They’d mingled at a few social events. After an instant, he looked away and spoke to a member of his group. Exhaling, Livy noted that he was accompanied by Edgecombe and three other dapper gentlemen.
Charlie emerged on the other side of the bar. “Another pint for ye, luv?”
“Be obliged to ye.” Lowering her voice, Livy said, “I recognize Edgecombe but not the others in Longmere’s party.”
Charlie swiped a dirty rag over
