He was supposed to meet Carlos Sebastian, Richard’s friend, and the cryptographer who was helping to decode James’s journal.
When he had arrived in Spain, Richard had written to Adam to get in touch with Carlos. And having finished his business within two days of his arrival, Adam had contacted Carlos, using the address Richard had sent to him.
The previous night, Carlos had replied with an anonymous letter asking Adam to meet him at the Rodriguez Inn that evening. But as of now, Adam had been waiting for thirty minutes and no one had walked up to him yet.
He glanced around the dimly lit room. There were just a few men drinking and smoking at the bar, all of them speaking Spanish. Adam believed that if the day grew darker, there would be more people in the inn.
He checked the time one more time and was beginning to get impatient. A married, responsible man – never mind a titled man – should not be seen in a place like this. He still wondered why Carlos would ask them to meet here when they could have met in his office. Frankly, almost anywhere else would have been better than this.
Adam sighed and beckoned to the waiter to refill his cup . . . and as he took a drink, a man entered the inn.
The man was quite tall. A heavy beard obscured almost half of his face. The beard was so thick that it filled the space below his nose and ran all the way past his jaw and down his chin. The ends of it pointed upwards, almost reaching the center of his chest.
His nose was pointy and long and a thin pair of spectacles rested on the tip. His eyes scanned everywhere until they descended on Adam.
In the bearded man’s hand was a brown envelope.
Adam hoped this was the man he had been waiting for and stood up as the stranger approached his table. “Lord Strickland?” the man asked.
“I am he,” Adam replied.
The man took a bow. “Carlos Sebastian, my lord,” he said, before taking a seat. “I apologize for coming rather late. I was trying to hide from some people.”
Adam frowned. The man seemed very strange, but what else would he be?
“I have the journal,” the man replied. He started to reach into the envelope but stopped all of a sudden to scan the room for anyone who may be watching.
After a moment, he brought out James’s code. “I got what he was trying to say, my lord,” the man replied, and took out yet another book from the envelope.
Adam took up the other book and began to go through it.
Page 1
I told father about the member of the ton who is busy killing slaves just because he thinks they’re not important. Father promised to look into it. Magnolia avoided Adam when he came around. Something is happening between these two.
Page 2
Father forgot to look into the matter and I reminded him. We solved the case of Barry Amos, the drunk lord who was always sleeping with his maids. He was put behind bars and the maids were sent back to their homes with good payment. All his properties were confiscated.
Magnolia made a gift for Adam and refused to show me. I still think something is going on between them. But wouldn’t it be preposterous to think my little sister has a crush on my best friend?
Adam gasped after reading the first two pages of the work. “I believe you’ve found the answer to your questions, haven’t you?” the man asked, scratching his beard; but Adam did not respond for he was turning to another page.
Page 3
Mother and father argued. She thinks he spends too much time in the office. Trista came on to me. I don’t like her.
Page 4
Father and I met in his office. We were able to identify the man but we are yet to get his name. He’s a member of the ton. Looking forward to the ball where we can find out who the killer is.
Page 5
Father’s office was ransacked early this morning. I think the killer knows we’re on to him. Told father we must be careful but father said the man is afraid because we’re this close.
Page 6
Another slave died. Her body was found on the street early this morning. There was a rumor that she said some things about the man who gave her the locket before she died. People believe the killer gave her the locket, slept with her and then stabbed her. There was no proof as the weapon was never found.
We found a clue: He loves branding his initials on his jewelry. The gold locket will give us a chance to know who the killer is. From the ball, we’ll be going to her parent’s house to talk to them.
That was the end of the journal. That was apparently the last time James had ever written in it. Adam shut his eyes and sighed.
“Did you find your answers, my lord?” asked the bearded man.
He shrugged. “I believe I only found more puzzles to solve. But at least now I know I was right all along. My friend died because of the last case he was working on. Whoever killed him is the one that has been trying to attack my wife.”
Carlos signaled to a waiter. “Your wife?”
“Yes. She is the only member of the family that was not involved in the accident.”
“If that is the case,” said Carlos, drinking from his filled cup, “you must do everything possible to protect your wife.”
Adam sighed. “I am trying to, Sebastian, believe me. But the more I try, the more it affects my marriage.”
Carlos smiled. “That is because you and your wife have yet to understand each other perfectly.”
“But I do understand my wife. She thinks I am only trying to treat her like a child. I do not understand how else to explain to her that it is only for her safety.”
Carlos sighed. “My line of work caused great issue between my wife when we had just married. There were times I asked her not to go to certain places for her own safety. Although she complied, she was not happy. I could see it in her reactions.
“For some time, we hardly had two conversations in the house in a day. When it became necessary for me to go with her to all of her favorite places, I bought her several special gifts that I knew would make her happy. Then I took the time to explain some things to her.
“Since then, she began to understand me more. She now understands the nature of my work and whenever I tell her to do something, she complies.”
Adam sighed. “Your wife must be very understanding because I have tried everything possible, but it is all to no avail. She thinks I am trying to control her and I do not know how else to explain things to her.” He sighed as he held his cup, not bothering to drink from it.
“My marriage is suffering, and I have no idea how to make it work. What do I do? I love her so much and I do not want to lose her. I know she loves me as well. I need help!”
Carlos smiled and stood up. “I hope you would not mind if I invite you to my home.”
Adam was surprised. “You would do that?”
“Yes. I think you should spend the night with us and in the morning, you can go back to London. Perhaps you can learn one or two things from us that can help you.”
Adam smiled. “That is fine. I would love to go with you.”
* * *
A short time later, Adam sat in the parlor of Carlos Sebastian’s house. He sipped from the glass in his hand while he waited for Carlos to return.
Seconds later, Carlos and a young woman descended the stairs side by side. She was shorter than average with brown hair rolled into a bun. Carlos had his left hand on her back and she was all smiles when she sighted Adam.
“My lord, please meet my wife, Rosita,” started Carlos. “Mia, this is his lordship, the Earl of Strickland.”
“Oh! The one whose job you just finished?” asked the lady.
“Yes, mia.”
“My lord,” Rosita said, with a curtsey. “You are welcome to our home.”
“Thank you for having me,” replied Adam, as he stood up.
“Please, come to the dining room. Dinner is served,” Rosita said, leading the way.
* * *
Some minutes later, they were all seated at the table, eating.
“So, how is London, my lord?” asked Rosita. “I have heard so much about it.”
Adam smiled. “London is peaceful and beautiful, as always. I take it to mean you have never been to London before?”
Rosita shared a look with her husband and smiled before shaking her head.
“Oh! That is indeed a shame. You should visit soon. I hope you would not mind if I invite you there one of these days? I am sure Sebastian would bring you over.”
Rosita clapped her hands excitedly and faced her husband. “Mia, I hope we would be able to go this time?” she asked, with a pleading look.
“Yes, my love,” Carlos replied, putting his arm around her and pulling her closer to him. “I am sorry we could not go the last time.”
“Of course, love,” replied Carlos, playfully touching her nose with a finger. “You understand what happened the last time?”
“Of course. It was for my safety. If I had gone, who knew what would have happened on the way?”
“And I love you more because you always understand me,” he said, planting a kiss on her forehead.
Even while this was going on, Adam kept looking at them in interest. He wished he and his wife could be this intimate again, laughing and whispering to each other as Carlos and Rosita did.
Finally, he looked away. He didn’t care what he would have to do . . . he had make his marriage work.
* * *
“I overheard you and your wife talking earlier about her not being able to come to London at a previous time,” Adam said. Both he and Carlos were back in the parlor and were alone, for Rosita had retired for the night.
“Oh, yes. At that time, my work involved some powerful men of Spain. There was a conspiracy which involved some codes. It was necessary for me to lie low for some time while I deciphered the codes for the government.
“At one point I had to go to London, but my wife stayed in Spain with her parents instead. She has always wanted to go to London, but I explained things to her, and she accepted it.”
Adam sighed. “You are a lucky man, Sebastian.”
Carlos chuckled. “Every man is a lucky man when they have a beautiful marriage. I know you love your wife, and I have a feeling she loves you as well. You both must work out your differences. Do things that will make her happy. When last did you get her a gift?”
Adam thought for a time. They had been too concerned with the investigation for the journal to have time for that.
“My lord?”
He sighed and shook his head. “It has been a while,” he replied. “We have been too carried away with finding the journal. I suppose we forgot to be romantic with each other.”
Carlos smiled gently. “That is why your marriage suffers. Try to do something romantic with each other, and you will see how things change.”
Adam frowned. “Are you certain of that?”
“Very certain.”
“Then I know what to do.”
Chapter 28
Magnolia Richmond Avery, the Countess of Strickland
Magnolia sat in the parlor, reading from a book in her hand. On the next couch was her mother-in-law, busy sewing.
It was the fourth day since Adam had gone on his journey. Magnolia had not written to him as she used to. This time, it was different.
She sighed and set her book aside, for her mind was not involved with what she was reading. Her thoughts were consumed by too many other things including the journal, the cufflinks, her marriage, and how everything would be if her family was still alive.
Magnolia knew it was too late to be thinking in such a manner, for it was only worsening her mood. She picked up the book once again and flipped to the second page.
Adam’s mother had been very quiet. Magnolia wondered if she even knew everything that had been going on between Magnolia and her son. If she did, she could have brought it up and discussed it now. There was no way the dowager countess would not have overheard their noises four mornings ago, and Magnolia concluded that she had decided not to interfere.
Since Adam’s departure for Spain, everyone in the house had been on their best behavior. The servants were incredibly nice to her – far more than usual – but Magnolia knew they were only doing what they could to reduce the tension in the house. All of them must have heard the last conversation she’d had with her husband before he had gone.
“My ladies.” Mr. Hartley walked in and bowed low. “Miss Dorothy Richmond is here.”
Magnolia looked up instantly, surprised that her aunt would come without a prior notice. Nevertheless, she was happy at the thought of seeing her.
“Do let her in,” replied her mother in-law.
Hartley bowed and left. Seconds later, Aunt Dorothy walked in with a beaming smile.
“Oh! Dorothy!” cried Adam’s mother, standing up to embrace her friend. “Quite a surprise!”
“Yes,” replied Aunt Dorothy, kissing her friend on both cheeks. “I just thought of popping in unannounced. I hope I meet you well?”
“Of course,” replied Dowager Countess, while Aunt Dorothy motioned towards her niece and pulled her closer.
“How are you doing, Aunt Dorothy?” Magnolia asked.
“Fine, dear. Just fine. But what about you? And what of your husband?”
“He has not yet returned,” Magnolia replied.
“I see. But I wish to speak with you, dear,” her aunt replied.
“Then I shall excuse you both,” stated in Lady Strickland. “We shall see you once you are done.”
Magnolia watched as the woman left, leaving herself and Aunt Dorothy alone in the room.
“Is everything all right?” Magnolia asked once more as the two of them sat down.
“I am here to ask as regards our last discussion, dear,” began her aunt. “Did you do what I asked you to do?”
Magnolia sighed, dropping her gaze to the ground.
“By your reaction, it seems things did not go as expected. Is that so?”
Magnolia closed the book in her hand and dropped it onto the couch. She tried to speak, but suddenly found that her heart was heavy and all she was able to do was shed tears.
Quickly, her aunt pulled her into her arms. “What is going on, Magnolia? Why the tears? What happened?”
“I do not know how to make my marriage work, Aunt Magnolia. Nothing is working! I love him, but it is so difficult to understand him! I do not know how long he wants to keep treating me like a child.”
“You do not have to cry, dear,” Aunt Dorothy said, cleaning her niece’s face with the back of her hands. “You must think deeply, change your orientation, and be ready to make some compromises.”
“But I do not understand how that would work? How can we both be happy and get what we both want?”
Aunt Dorothy sighed and held her hands. “Tell me some things about your husband that you know are true.”
She frowned. “I do not understand.”
“I mean . . . what is something you think about your husband that, for certain, you know is true.”
Magnolia shrugged. “I know that he cares for me.”
“How much do you think he cares?”
She frowned and looked down at the floor. “I know that he cares deeply for me.”
“So, that is number one. What else?”
“I know that he loves me, very much.”
“And?”
“And I also know…” Magnolia thought for a while before proceeding. “I know he is trying to do the right thing by looking out for me.”
“And what do you think is wrong among all these things you have mentioned?”
She frowned. “Nothing is wrong.”
“So, you accept that there is nothing wrong with your husband loving you, caring for you, and looking out for you?”
Magnolia nodded, still looking at the floor.
“Then if your husband is doing everything that is right . . . what is it that makes you unhappy with him?”
She raised her head. “He treats me like
a child.”
“How?”
“He thinks I should not do certain things that I want to do.”
“Are those things important?”
“Yes, Aunt Dorothy.”
“More important than your marriage?”
“Yes –” Magnolia stopped as she realized what her aunt had just said. Proceeding with the investigation was important, but not as important as her marriage. “No.”
A Mysterious Quest of a Seductive Lady: A Regency Historical Romance Novel Page 20