Always Have Hope (Emerson Book 3) (14 page)

“Where the devil did you get that?” asked Grayson.

“Colin always travels with it. I simply borrowed it
from his suite once I knew Win and I would be on the streets alone tonight.”

“I’m going to have a very long talk with all your brothers
when this is over,” muttered Grayson, as he headed into the tunnel with Lewis
directly behind him.

The four of them crept silently into the passageway,
which sloped upward, gradually becoming lighter and cooler. There was a door
at the end of it. Grayson looked back at all of them, where Lewis had his
pistol at the ready. Grayson slowly opened the door. He disappeared into the
opening, with everyone else following.

They emerged into a cool, damp cellar, illuminated
only slightly by windows high on the wall.

“This is the wine cellar,” whispered Win, as she slowly
made her way through the gloom.

“Let me go in front of you,” Alex whispered near her
ear.

“You do not know the way.”

“A villain could be hiding behind these racks.”

“And I trust you to subdue him,” she said, as she
continued to lead. His grunt was the only answer she received. When she came
to the door that would lead them into the kitchen, she hesitated.

“Let me go first,” said Alex. “If villains are on the
other side, Grayson and I will hold them off while you and your sister run to
safety. Do not argue with me, Win. That is the plan we will follow.”

She was surprised he’d used her Christian name, but
she didn’t have time to think about the implications, as Alex went to the door
with Grayson close behind. Rose shook her head at the protective men. But Win
had to admit she found the change refreshing. Here were two large men unrelated
to her who’d placed themselves in harm’s way to protect them.

Alex pushed open the door to the kitchen. Then the
four of them slowly made their way to the outer door. There was no sign of
anyone lurking about and it was with a great sense of relief that they crossed
the garden and hurried past the mews without being seen. They finally stopped
in dense shadows half a block away, where Alex wrote out his note. He paid a
passing hack to take the message to Sergeant Fisk.

It was a cold night and Win was shivering, as they
watched the hack drive away.

“Grayson, you should take the ladies home,” said Alex.

“No,” said Win. “We are staying until Sergeant Fisk
arrives. Unless you’ve changed your mind about allowing Rose and me to walk
the few blocks on our own.”

“That will not happen,” said Alex in a tone that
brooked no opposition.

Grayson pulled Rose into his arms.

“Wh-what are you doing?” she asked.

“Keeping you warm,” said Grayson, as he leaned his
head on hers. He was a good six inches taller than Rose. She looked a bit
nervous, but settled into the embrace.

“I am only allowing this because it is frightfully
cold and it will warm you as much as it does me,” said Rose.

“Rather more,” muttered Grayson.

Win and Alex were standing rather conspicuously apart
from each other.

“Would you allow me to hold you?” Alex asked her.
“For the warmth, of course.”

Win slowly nodded. “For the warmth.”

He carefully brought her into his arms, so they were
lightly touching down the length of each other. He was only slightly taller
than Win, so as they pressed their heads together, Alex’s lips were but a few
inches from Win’s. She wondered what it would be like if he kissed her.

She dismissed the fanciful thought, but remained in
his arms as they drew warmth from each other.

A little more than half an hour later, a hack drew up
to the house and six men climbed out of it. Win recognized Sergeant Fisk, but
the others were unknown to her. They all had varying disabilities. One man
had both his legs amputated and had to be carried out of the carriage by two others.
Another was missing an arm. One appeared to be blind in one eye with limited
vision in the other. But they all had the posture of military men.

Once the hack drove off, one of the men said something
to Fisk, then the men turned as one in their direction with weapons drawn.

Win inhaled sharply, frightened to have been
discovered.

“Shh,” said Alex against her ear, even as he pulled
her closer. “Fisk would not have brought men he did not trust.”

The group made their way toward them, including the
double amputee, who pulled himself along on a platform. When they were a few
feet away, Fisk said “Mr. Lewis?”

“Yes, Sergeant. Thank you for coming and bringing
your friends.” Alex pulled back from Win. Perhaps noting Fisk’s surprised
look, he added, “I believe you remember Mrs. Pierce.”

“My lady,” said Fisk, bowing and obviously curious
about the embrace he’d interrupted.

“I didn’t get the chance to thank you, sir,” said
Win. “I am not certain I would have survived Newgate.”

“Our entire family owes you our thanks,” said Rose.
“I am her sister, Rose, and this is our family friend, Nathanial Gage, the
Marquess of Grayson.”

“Does his grace know you’ve left Lynwood House, Lady
Winifred?” asked Fisk.

“No. Nor do my brothers. I realize I am in violation
of the terms of my release…”

“But I insisted she and the others join me here
tonight,” said Lewis. “We discovered a series of tunnels beneath the house, as
well as a body.”

“A body?” Fisk and the others were curious as Lewis
explained the circumstances of how they found Tawny’s body.

“Do you think it’s one of them in that house who
killed her?” asked Fisk.

“I do not know, Sergeant,” said Alex. “But I would
like to go in and conduct a search of the tunnels, while Grayson takes the
ladies home.”

Fisk nodded, then introduced his friends. “We may be
a motley crew, but we all met recovering from wounds we got in the war. None
of them will miss a thing. More important, you won’t find a more loyal or
honest group of men if you tried.”

“That is exactly what we need,” said Alex. He turned
to Win and Rose. “Ladies, I bid you good night. I shall call on you tomorrow
with the results of tonight’s endeavor.”

“Thank you, Mr. Lewis, Sergeant Fisk, gentlemen,” said
Win. She was now surrounded by men not known to her, yet she did not have the
overwhelming fear that used to be part of her daily life. She was positive it
had not gone away. But in this one moment, with these particular men, she was not
afraid.

It was a good start.

Win, Rose and Grayson left the group, then walked
quickly through the Mayfair streets, keeping to the shadows.

“I want your word you will not do something this
foolhardy again,” said Grayson.

“But if Win and I hadn’t come out tonight, you never
would have found your way in the tunnels,” said Rose.

“We would have managed,” said Grayson. “Though I must
say Lewis didn’t look at all well when you caught up to us. Did the two of you
have words, Win?”

“I believe he was only concerned about the
investigation,” said Win. She wasn’t sure why she was keeping Alex’s fear of
enclosed spaces from Rose and Grayson, other than she felt she owed him his
privacy after his kindness that night.

They made their way through the Lynwood House garden to
the door through which they’d made their escape.

“Thank you for your assistance tonight, Grayson,” said
Win as she kissed his cheek. “I shall give you two a moment to say good night.”

Win slipped into the house, allowing her sister some
privacy.

She said a quick prayer of thanks for their safe
return, then turned her thoughts to the events of the night. Who had murdered
Tawny? Had it been an intruder? Or had it been a servant or even a member of
Pierce’s family? And was it the same person who’d murdered Clarence?

It was too big of a coincidence to think the murders
were unrelated. Yet she found it difficult to believe someone of her acquaintance
had murdered twice.

Rose entered the house, closing the door behind her.

“Rose, are you all right? Grayson wasn’t too cross
with you, was he?”

Rose turned to face her and it was obvious she was
reeling from several emotions. “That man is extremely exasperating,” she said.

Win had to hide her grin. “Yes, it looks like you are
quite agitated over whatever just transpired. What did occur?”

“Nothing!” said Rose, a bit too quickly. “We
shouldn’t talk now. I would hate for us to come all this way only to be
discovered skulking about in the hall. Can I still stay with you tonight?”

“Of course.” Win put her arm around Rose’s waist as
they climbed the back stairs to the family quarters. There was no doubt that
Rose was in love with Grayson. But what Win didn’t understand was how the
rakehell without a care in the world had come to be breaking and entering a
home with a barrister for the Crown.

There was more to Grayson than met the eye.

And more to the barrister.

Alex
watched as Fisk examined Tawny’s body in the small, cramped room. This time
when they’d entered the house, they’d gone through the front door, awakening
Havers, the butler. Fisk had stationed two men outside and another two in the
cellars. The fifth – Bibbly, the double amputee – was waiting in the kitchen,
looking like he’d been too infirm to accompany his comrades and all the while
making mental note of the servants’ conversations. He’d told Alex that most
people tended to speak freely around him, believing that an infirm body encased
a child-like mind.

Alex
had worried about leaving him defenseless in a group that likely harbored a
killer, but Bibbly’s response had been to pull out a pistol and two of the
deadliest knives the prosecutor had ever seen.

“What
do you think?” Alex asked Fisk, fighting his fear of being in the enclosed
space. It had been so much easier with Win by his side. He knew he absolutely
should not be calling her by her Christian name even in his head. But he’d
fainted into her arms. A certain amount of familiarity seemed warranted.

“I
think I’d like to know what you were doing here with the widow, her sister and
their close family friend.” Fisk’s look wasn’t accusatory as much as one of
genuine curiosity.

“I
was as surprised that it came about as you.”

“You
realize that if I reported this she’d go back to prison and you’d face
disciplinary charges.”

“Yes.
Yet I do not regret my actions. You know as well as I there is a conspiracy
afoot at Bow Street. I believe it extends into my chambers and quite possibly
into the courts, as well.”

“Why
are you so certain I think the same?”

“Because
I asked you to bring men you trusted and not a one of them is from Bow Street.”

Fisk
nodded. “You have a point there. ‘Struth I don’t know who to trust, though if
faced with a choice I reckon I’d have to go with you and her ladyship.” He
covered the body with a blanket from the bed. “This Tawny had relations
shortly before her death.”

“Was
she ravaged?”

“I
can’t say for certain, but her clothing’s not torn and there ain’t any bruises
on her legs. I believe she was likely willing. Do you know who it might have
been?”

“Lady
Winifred believes Tawny was having an affair with Mr. Pierce, though we can
safely count him out as a suspect.”

They
were interrupted by Johnson, the man with only one arm. “The toffs just sent
for Bow Street. If you want to question them before the others arrive, you’d
best be quick about it.”

“Thank
you,” said Fisk, as he turned to follow Johnson out.

“Sergeant,”
said Alex. “If you could keep Mrs. Pierce and the others out of your report, I
would be most appreciative.”

Fisk
considered it for a moment. “I’ll keep them out of it. But you might tell her
ladyship she’s playing a dangerous game.”

“I
couldn’t agree more.”

“So
are you, if you don’t mind me saying it.”

Alex
could hardly mind since he quite agreed with the assessment. He couldn’t
remember the last time he’d been so out of his element on a case.

They
entered the kitchen to find the staff huddled together in groups. Several of
the women looked frightened. A few of the men looked bored.

Fisk
addressed the group. “All of you, follow us to the sitting room.”

The
group was surprisingly obedient. Perhaps living in a house where two murders
had occurred made them realize cooperation was in their best interest. Or,
mayhap, they were hoping one of the toffs would soon be hauled off to gaol.
Alex had a feeling most hoped it would be Mrs. Warren.

When
they reached the sitting room, they found Clive Pierce drinking a rather large
snifter of brandy. A disapproving Emmeline Warren watched, accompanied by her
dozing husband, Horace.

“Why
on earth did you bring all the servants in here?” asked Emmeline. “It is one
thing to be awakened in the middle of the night with news of a murder and quite
another to be surrounded by servants in their nightclothes. It is most
undignified for everyone concerned, but especially them.”

“Were
you awakened Mrs. Warren?” asked Lewis. “Or do you always wear a petticoat to
bed?”

The
crinoline of a petticoat peeked out from beneath her dressing gown.

“A
gentleman does not speak of ladies’ undergarments,” sniffed Mrs. Warren, even
as she tried to conceal them.

“Where
have you been?” asked her brother, bemused.

“That
is none of your concern. And at least I did not spend my night as you did,
drinking in the study.”

“But
‘e weren’t in the study,” said a maid, whose voice Alex recognized from the amorous
encounter earlier that evening.

“And
how would you know that?” asked Pierce, who suddenly appeared much less
inebriated than earlier.

The
maid colored. “I was in there….dustin’.”

“So
that’s what you’re calling it,” said Pierce, looking the girl up and down. “I
am most sorry I missed you.”

“What’s
your name, miss?” Fisk asked the girl.

“Susie,”
she said with a wink.

“When
was the last time any of you saw Tawny?” asked Fisk.

“She
wasn’t at supper,” said Havers. “But then, she has a habit of disappearing.”

“But
never at meal times,” said Susie.

“True,”
said Havers.

“Did
she have a sweetheart?” asked Fisk.

Here,
most of the staff smirked.

“I
am not one to gossip,” said Havers. “But there were rumors that she and the
former master were quite fond of each other.”

“That
is a lie!” said Emmeline. “My late brother would never have consorted with the
staff. It is too common by half.’

Her
brother laughed. “Come now, Emmeline. You were recently complaining that the
old girl had already collected too much coin from her ‘consorting’ with
Clarence.”

“But
one does not speak of such things in front of one’s inferiors.”

That
comment didn’t sit well with the staff, judging from the mutterings Alex
heard. The so-called “inferiors” likely viewed the family as unfavorably as
their Mayfair neighbors did. It seemed no one liked people who tried to move up
from one class to another.

“Tawny
wasn’t that fond of the old master,” said Susie, who continued on as if Mrs.
Warren hadn’t spoken. “She used to complain that ‘e talked a good game, but
was never able to satisfy ‘er. Spent much of the time talkin’ about Mrs.
Pierce – the one as did murder ‘im – and ‘ow ‘e was about to come into a fair
amount of blunt. Tawny thought that was odd since ‘e already ‘ad more blunt
than Croesus, but ‘e would brag about how ‘e ‘ad somethin’ on a toff and when everyone
found out, the
ton
would ‘ave no choice but to bow down to him and
invite him to all the balls.”

“Did
he say what it was?” asked Alex.

“Might’ve.
But Tawny never told me. She probably didn’t want no one else queerin’ ‘er
game. You know, toadying up to the master and getting’ a share of whatever it
was she was gettin’.”

“It
was probably just talk, Lewis,” said Pierce with a yawn. “Clarence was always
one to talk a good game, but only rarely followed through. The only reason he
married Winifred was because of the money he’d get out of it.”

Alex
studied the man. “But I was told there was no money and he married her for the
status.”

Pierce
shook his head. “There were others he could have married to gain entrance into
the
ton
. The thing about that lot is they’re all drowning in debt, yet
spending blunt like they had it. No, he bragged to me that he would have it
all – Winifred’s position and her family’s fortune.”

“There
is no family fortune,” said Grayson, who’d just entered the sitting room.

“Why
the devil are you here?” asked Pierce.

“Just
an interested party.”

“Just
how interested?” asked Mrs. Warren. “Were you having a liaison with that
woman? Was she cuckolding my poor brother? He’s barely in his grave and you
barge into our house unannounced.”

“It’s
Mrs. Pierce’s house, is it not?” asked Alex. He’d initially been surprised by
how brazenly Pierce’s family had moved in, and that had been when he’d thought
Mrs. Pierce was a cold woman with overwhelming evidence pointing to her guilt.
Now that he’d gotten to know her a bit, he felt it was grossly unfair that a
woman who’d been beaten, arrested and thrown into Newgate, would have her home
all but taken from her. If she was acquitted, he’d like to personally deliver
the eviction notice to Pierce’s family.

If
she was acquitted. He was supposed to be prosecuting her and he rarely lost a
case.

He
tried to shrug off that unsettling thought. “At this point, Mrs. Pierce would
be within her rights to have you arrested for trespassing, so I would not press
your good fortune by antagonizing her family friend.”

That
made Mrs. Warren cease her tirade. Though he had no doubt it would resume
momentarily.

Her
husband spoke up in her place. “Grayson here should know that while the old
Earl of Ridgeway lost most of his money, the Earl of Layton has plenty of blunt
– as long as he holds the title. I think Clarence thought he could tap into
that fortune. Don’t know if he ever did.”

Alex
wanted to know the answer to that. He would need to speak to Lord Layton and
Lord Ridgeway.

“I’ll
need to know your whereabouts this evening,” Sergeant Fisk said to Pierce’s
family.

“You
cannot think any of us is involved,” said Clive.

“Well,
there’s one way to know for sure,” said the sergeant. “We’ll start with you,
Mrs. Warren. We know you weren’t asleep just now. Where were you?”

“With
my husband.”

Mr.
Warren looked at her in surprise, though he tried to hide it.

Mrs.
Warren continued. “We were at a dinner party. I know it is a bit unusual,
given we are in mourning. But people are so worried about us, we thought it
would be kind to show them we are getting along as well as can be expected. Then
when Mr. Warren went to his club, I came home. I slipped in through the
servants’ entrance, since I didn’t wish to awaken the staff by knocking on the
front door. I did some needlework in my sitting room and dozed off. I was
just in the process of disrobing when I was summoned to this rather impertinent
gathering. That is why I still have my petticoat on beneath my dressing gown.”

“But
it does not explain why you said you were in bed when we asked where you’d
been,” said Alex.

Mrs.
Warren was not the most skilled liar.

“I
might not have been in bed. But I almost was. Really, Lewis, you shouldn’t be
quite so literal.”

Fisk
turned to Mr. Warren. “What about you, sir? Your wife said the two of you
went to a dinner party. Who were your hosts?”

“I
am frightfully bad with names, Sergeant,” said Mr. Warren, darting a nervous
glance at his wife. “As a good husband I simply show up when and where I need
to.”

“I
see. But I am certain you can at least tell me the name of your club?”

Now
beads of sweat appeared on the poor man’s forehead. “Well, I didn’t exactly go
to my club.”

That
got his wife’s attention. “Where were you?”

Mr.
Warren now looked like he hoped Tawny’s murderer would make an appearance and
kill him. “Just out and about.”

“Out
and about with whom?” asked his wife, as her voice became more shrill.

The
servants braced themselves for an explosion.

“Just
walking about,” said Mr. Warren, who also seemed to be preparing for an
eruption.

Fisk
cleared his throat, not unsympathetically. “Mr. Warren, the only way to count
you out as a suspect is to tell us where you were and if anyone saw you.”

“Can
you not just take my word that I didn’t kill the maid?”

“No,
sir. I cannot.”

“I
was with a….friend. A female friend. At Madame Thurmond’s.”

It
was the name of one of London’s most exclusive brothels.

Mrs.
Warren let out a shriek that almost deafened Alex. He was surprised it didn’t
break the windows.

“Horace
Warren!” said his wife. “You promised you’d give up that trollop long ago.
How can you cavort with that whore while your good wife waited for you in her
bedchamber, crying her eyes out with worry?”

“Technically,
Emmeline,” drawled her brother, “you were in your sitting room doing
needlepoint and dozing. It is odd, too, since I cannot recall you picking up
a needle in years. Unless you were planning on sticking Horace with it.” He
turned to Fisk. “I suppose you’ll be wanting my alibi, won’t you? I was also at
a brothel. Two of them, in fact. No rest for the wicked and all that. I’d
tell you the names, but I’m not completely sober. What I would like to know is
where Winifred was during this. She knew this house better than anyone. She
could have snuck in, finished off the tart and got out without any of us ever being
the wiser. She’s the one you should be questioning.”