“Should I have heard of Magnus?” Nathaniel asked. The name sounded vaguely familiar but he couldn’t place it.
“He was a member of the Dominicans and an admirer of Aristotle. He served briefly as a bishop and was well-known for his negotiating skills and his knowledge of physical science. Some purport him to have been an alchemist and magician. He had much to say on the power of certain stones. He discovered arsenic and other chemicals.”
“Do you have any indication as to what The Book of Secrets contains?”
“Information on those stones as well as certain herbs. Beyond that, I cannot say.”
Nathaniel shook his head in frustration. “We need a copy of the book to truly understand how Smithby might be using it.”
“I have reached out to a few private collectors I know to see if they have it or any knowledge of it.” Frost shrugged. “I’m sorry I’m not more help.”
“You have been. A random piece of information could prove to be vital. I appreciate your efforts more than I can say.” Nathaniel studied his friend. “I had no idea you were such the scholar.”
“I have always had a great affection for books. They’re far more reliable than people. Something my grandfather passed down to me, I suppose. He left me his collection, and I’ve enjoyed expanding it.”
By now, the river of people crossing the bridge had slowed to a trickle. Nathaniel was relieved he hadn’t seen Rutter or any other men speaking to the girls walking by. He motioned for he and Frost to return the way they’d come.
“Let me know if your search uncovers anything more,” he suggested. A glance ahead revealed a familiar man escorting two young girls toward a hackney. “Damn.”
“What?” Frost asked.
“That man ahead of us. He’s one of Rutter’s men, and he’s taking those two girls.” Nathaniel didn’t bother to say goodbye. Instead, he rushed forward as best he could with his injured leg. But in his hurry, he failed to see another man approaching from his left until it was nearly too late.
“Leave off,” the approaching man demanded with a snarl.
A quick elbow to the gut took away the man’s breath and stopped him in his tracks. Nathaniel continued to limp forward, reaching his original target just as he and the girls arrived at the hackney.
“Release them,” he demanded.
The man turned in surprise then glared at Nathaniel. “This ain’t none of yer affair.” He gestured for the girls to step into the hackney, but both girls stopped to stare at the arguing men with wide eyes.
“If he told you he has a high-paying job for you, he’s lying,” Nathaniel informed them. “The only position he has is one in a brothel. Isn’t that right?”
He saw the fist coming out of the corner of his eye and dodged it, nearly losing his balance when his thigh protested at taking his full weight.
The man he’d struck earlier grabbed Nathaniel’s arms from behind in an attempt to subdue him. Before Nathaniel could do more than twist to escape his grasp, Frost joined the fray, landing a perfectly placed blow to his face. The man dropped like a rock to the ground.
Nathaniel gave Frost a quick nod to thank him for his assistance before turning back to the man with the girls. Except the girls were hurrying away.
“Tell Rutter he needs to find a new line of work,” Nathaniel ordered. “I’d suggest you do the same. Inform him that each girl he attempts to take will cost one of the lives of his men. Do I make myself clear?”
The man scowled, glancing back and forth between Nathaniel and Frost. At last he nodded then backed up slowly before pivoting to hurry away.
Nathaniel drew closer to the hackney driver. “Next time a man is attempting to take young girls with him, make sure they’re his daughters. I wouldn’t want you to be accused of providing transport for girls being abducted.”
The grizzled old driver sputtered a denial.
With a shake of his head, Nathaniel added, “If I receive word of you hauling girls from this area, your life will be the forfeit.”
He nodded and slapped the reins, jerking the hackney forward.
“What an exciting life you lead,” Frost said, sarcasm edging his tone as he brushed off his clothes and flexed his hand. “I had no idea.”
Nathaniel scoffed, straightening his hat. “Books sound like a much safer hobby. Thank you for your assistance.”
“Do you encounter this sort of violence often?”
“More of late, unfortunately.”
Frost held Nathaniel’s gaze for a long moment. “Feel free to call upon me if you need assistance. Meanwhile, I’ll see if I can discover who among the ton might have an appetite for such a thing.”
A spark of hope lit inside Nathaniel at having more assistance fighting this battle. He reached out to clasp Frost’s shoulder. “I truly appreciate that.”
“I’ll be in touch.”
Nathaniel nodded then watched Frost walk down the street. Perhaps they’d be able to stop that damned brothel from opening after all. He would call upon Lettie and tell her the good news.
~*~
Lettie had hoped to hear from Nathaniel by now. At the very least, she’d expected him to update her on how Alice fared.
Wondering if she might learn something more that could aid them, she decided to consult the Seven Curses book again only to realize her father must still have it in his library.
With a sigh, she ventured downstairs to retrieve it, hoping to avoid her family if possible. She’d kept to her room for the past two days with the excuse that she didn’t feel well. It wasn’t a complete lie, but it had more to do with her roiling emotions than her physical wellbeing.
The hallway was quiet, and she peeked into the library, only to find her father at his desk. She quickly backed away, not wanting to disturb him.
“Lettie?”
Reluctantly, she returned to the doorway, attempting a smile. “Yes?”
“Come in. Your mother said you haven’t been feeling well.” He rose and came around the desk, his brow creased with concern. “How are you faring?”
A lump filled her throat at his genuine concern. The urge to tell him everything, from her attempts to help neglected children to her temporary business arrangement with Nathaniel to what her mother had said all came to the tip of her tongue. Still, she hesitated.
“What is it, dear?” he asked, putting his arm around her shoulders. It had been a long time since he’d held her thusly. The familiar, comforting scent of his bay rum cologne mixed with the faint scent of cigars tugged at her, bringing to mind similar times from her childhood.
He leaned back to study her. “Is it the excitement over Rose’s engagement? Takes a bit of the attention away from yours, eh?”
“Well...” She bit her lip, wondering how best to explain it without sounding as if she resented Rose’s good fortune, because she didn’t.
“Pay the rest of our family no mind.” He whispered in her ear, “Especially your mother.”
That admission loosened her tongue. “Why does she dismiss me so easily?”
“She doesn’t,” he said with a shake of his head. “Quite the opposite. I think it’s only that she can’t imagine managing your sisters without you. You’ve been her rock since Rose was born. She has never been quite sure what to do with all your sisters, especially since they’ve needed her far more than you ever did.”
Lettie considered his words, wondering if they might be true.
He released her to cup her face with his hands, holding her gaze. “Please know that I couldn’t be more pleased with your young man. Though Rose seems to care a great deal for her duke, he’s a bit of a cold fish if you ask me.” His eyes lit with a smile. “But your captain has passion. The look on his face when he spoke of you told me just how much he truly cares for you. I believe the two of you have something special. That is incredibly rare.”
Lettie’s eyes filled with tears as her heart wrenched. Oh, if only that were true. She didn’t know what her father had seen in Nathanie
l’s expression, but she knew the truth.
Her father smiled all the broader, obviously assuming his words had pleased her. “Ignore your mother, Lettie, for I know your union is going to make you happy. Nothing could please me more.”
“Please you more than what?” her mother asked as she entered the room.
“To see our Lettie feeling better.” He winked at Lettie.
“Oh?” Her mother studied her closely. “Well, I’m sure the captain would rather wait to see you until you’re fully recovered.”
Lettie frowned, uncertain to what her mother referred.
She waved her hand in dismissal. “I told the footman to tell him you weren’t receiving visitors.”
“Mother, why wouldn’t you ask me before doing so?” Lettie couldn’t hide her frustration.
“I think I know what’s best for my daughter,” she protested.
“And I know I’m old enough to make such decisions on my own.” The idea of Nathaniel calling upon her only to be sent away was terrible.
She hurried out of the room, determined to pay him a visit. , putting her father’s misguided notions out of her mind.
Perhaps Nathaniel had new information to report. After all, they had a business arrangement, and she needed to fulfill her end of the bargain.
And perhaps her father’s notions weren’t so misguided after all. Maybe he had seen something in Nathaniel’s expression she’d missed. If there was anything she could do to convince him that their arrangement be more than temporary, she would do it.
A future with him was worth fighting for.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
“The law takes account of but two phases of human existence, the child irresponsible, and the adult responsible, and overlooks as beneath its dignity the important and well-marked steps that lead from the former state to the latter.”
~ The Seven Curses of London
Lettie glanced out the carriage window as Nathaniel’s home came into view. They drew to a halt, and the footman appeared at the door.
“Miss, I believe I saw the captain step into his carriage with another man. What would you like to do?”
“Follow him, please,” Lettie requested. “Perhaps I can speak with him at his next stop.”
The footman did as she bid, and they were soon on their way once again. Lettie watched curiously, wondering where Nathaniel might be going and with whom he traveled. Soon she realized they were headed for the docks. The only reason for him to venture here was because of the investigation. Had he discovered something? The idea made her all the angrier at her mother for sending him away.
When the carriage stopped again, she opened the door to alight before the footman could assist her.
“You may proceed home, Howard,” Lettie advised him as she watched Nathaniel leave his carriage a short distance away and start down the street. Unfortunately, he hadn’t yet seen her. “I’ll have the captain take me home.”
“But, miss—”
Lettie waved him away. “Have no worries. I’ll be fine.” She hurried after Nathaniel, not wanting to lose him in the crowded street.
She’d never before visited the dock and couldn’t help but look about at the unfamiliar sites. People walked with purpose here as though intent on their business. Men with dirt-smeared faces hauled goods on their shoulders. Carts piled high with crates and barrels passed. More men came in and out of stores she hadn’t realized existed, such as biscuit bakers and sail makers. Smoke lingered in the air, no doubt a result of the factories near the docks. Between the smoke, the sea air, and the biscuit maker, her nose twitched.
She glanced ahead, looking for Nathaniel, only to realize she’d lost sight of him. Concerned, she hurried forward, searching the throng for his dark bowler hat. The limping rhythm of his step should’ve made him easier to find, but still there was no sign of him.
Nerves dancing down her spine, she slowed, wondering if he’d entered one of the many stores or warehouses. People brushed by her, staring rudely, making her all too aware that she looked and felt completely out of place here. She should’ve kept a closer watch on him. Swallowing back the fear in her throat, she turned slowly, still searching but to no avail. Her carriage had departed, which made retreat impossible.
She breathed deep, trying to slow the trickle of panic chilling her. Now what should she do?
~*~
Nathaniel studied the door of the warehouse a short distance from where he and Langston stood. “Are you certain this is the one?”
Langston consulted a piece of paper he withdrew from his pocket that contained the address of Smithby’s warehouse. “Indeed. How shall we proceed?” He’d finally roused the interest of his former superior at the police department when he’d provided proof of the girls recently missing from the workhouse.
The police had already been following Smithby’s movements and knew of his warehouse but had not uncovered the information Nathaniel and Langston shared with them. Based on all Langston told them, they’d decided to raid both the brothel and the warehouse—the former for underage girls and the latter for illegal goods.
Nathaniel had doubts as to whether they’d actually do as they said, but he kept that information to himself.
“We’ll wait for the police to arrive,” he told Langston. “If we have a chance to go inside along with them, we’ll take it. I don’t want Smithby to slip away or all will be lost.”
“I hope Chief Inspector Calver honors his agreement to send men to the brothel as well,” Langston said as they eased into a doorway two buildings away to wait.
Nathaniel smiled. “I have a contingency plan in case they don’t.” He’d already learned not to rely on the police based on their lack of action the past few weeks as well as their failed attempts to keep Rutter in prison.
“What would that be?”
“I stopped by Arlington Street Church earlier. They were holding their weekly women’s meeting. I spoke with the leader, a Mrs. Bellany, and advised her of the situation at the brothel and how innocent girls were being held there. She and the other women were outraged. They are gathering women’s groups from two other churches and going to the brothel in large numbers to demand the girls’ freedom by whatever means necessary.”
He only wished he’d thought of it before. There would be well over thirty women standing outside the brothel united in the cause of gaining the girls’ freedom. That was the sort of interest the brothel madam would not appreciate.
“Brilliant.” The look of appreciation on Langston’s face made Nathaniel’s smile broaden.
Until he saw Rutter moving toward the warehouse door. His heart stopped as he realized who was at the tall man’s side. “Letitia.”
“What?” Langston followed Nathaniel’s gaze. “Isn’t that—”
Before he could utter another word, Nathaniel rushed forward only to pause and turn back to Langston. “Stay here. Wait for the police. Tell them I’m inside with Miss Fairchild so they don’t use unnecessary force.”
“But, Captain—”
Nathaniel didn’t wait to hear his protest but ran as best he could, using his cane, toward where they’d disappeared into Smithby’s warehouse. All he could think about was Letitia. How had she come to be in Rutter’s clutches? It made no sense.
No. That wasn’t true. He knew it was his fault. He should’ve told her more of what was happening. His efforts to protect her had only put her in more danger. He’d stopped by her house earlier, but when her mother had said she wasn’t feeling well, he hadn’t taken any other action. He should’ve left a message, informing her of his whereabouts. Or insisted on seeing her, however briefly. He should’ve done something.
Instead he’d continued home. Langston’s arrival advising him of the upcoming police raid had changed his plans for the day. But if he’d warned her before of Smithby and Rutter—told her what they were truly capable of—perhaps she would’ve kept her distance instead of following him to the docks.
He drew a deep brea
th, forcing back the hot ball of panic in his gut. He wouldn’t—couldn’t—allow anything to happen to her.
The door was unlocked, much to his relief. He strode in as if he owned the place, trying to determine a plan as he went. The wide-open room contained piles of goods, some draped in canvas, some heaped in crates. His gazed skimmed the room, not perceiving any immediate threat. Several men lingered in the corner near where a man sat at a large desk, along with Letitia and Rutter.
She stood facing the desk with her back to him alongside Rutter, who held her arm.
“Release me at once.” The anger in her voice reassured him that she was well. At least for now.
He need only keep her that way.
“Ain’t you a fiesty one,” the man at the desk said with a grin. “Where did you find her, Rutter?”
“She’s with me,” Nathaniel said as he limped toward them, relying heavily on his cane in part because his damned leg hurt but mainly hoping to convince the men he wasn’t a threat.
Two of the men rushed toward him, knives drawn, as Rutter spun to face him.
“You,” Rutter said, eyes narrowed. He gestured for the two men to hold their positions. “I knew you had to be around here somewhere if this one was.” He jerked on Letitia’s arm.
Her eyes met his, wide with worry. The sight of her unharmed allowed him to breathe again. He drew as close as he dared until Rutter pointed at him.
“Stay back,” the man demanded.
“Who are these people, Rutter?” the man at the desk asked, gesturing for Rutter to move aside so that he could see Nathaniel. “What the hell are they doing here?”
“That one,” Rutter said as he gestured toward Nathaniel, “is the man who’s been causin’ us so many problems.” He glanced at Letitia. “And I’ve seen this one with him.”
Nathaniel cursed under his breath. How could he not have taken greater care? He’d known they might be watching him and therefore see Letitia in his company.
Loving the Hawke (The Seven Curses of London Book 1) Page 26