A Lady's Past by A.S. Fenichel

Author:A.S. Fenichel
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Published: 2019-11-16T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Jacques kept a close eye on Diana throughout the afternoon. She coolly answered all Alex’s questions about Victor Caron. They had returned to Everton House, where everyone had been instructed to gather.

Diana spoke quietly with Lord and Lady Everton for twenty minutes. Jacques wanted to hear what they spoke about, but he gave them their privacy and only watched from across the room. The only time he saw any spark of emotion from Diana was when Bertram arrived.

Happiness and relief flooded out of her, and she rushed to her footman and protector. “Oh, thank goodness you’re all right. I was so worried about you, Bertram.”

It was the first time Jacques had seen Bertram smile. His broad grin revealed a gap between his front teeth. “I’m happy to see you, miss. I cannot tell you how bad I feel about letting them take you.”

“Not your fault. When I saw you in the street, I thought you had been killed. I couldn’t forgive myself.”

“It will take more than a beating to kill me, miss.”

Alex interrupted the reunion. “Bertram, did you find the boat?”

Straightening, Bertram focused on Alex. “Yes, sir. It was a skiff with a Flemish captain, name of Martius Verbeke.”

Thomas Wheel and a pudgy official named James Hardwig had arrived with Bertram. James worked in some official capacity for the government, but Jacques didn’t know exactly who he was or what he did. He had met Mr. Wheel through Preston, and if Preston trusted his school friend, it was good enough for Jacques.

Running his hand through his hair, Thomas gave a laugh. “That poor captain didn’t know what was happening. One minute he was quietly waiting for his large wage and illegal cargo bound for France, and the next he was in shackles and dragged off his boat. The first mate was also arrested, but the crew were just poor sailors signed on for one trip. We let them go. It was a fine skiff, and it’s now the property of His Majesty.”

James rubbed his paunch and chuckled, and slapped Preston on the back. “I always find some excitement when you gentlemen are involved.”

Smiling, Preston shook James’s hand. “We hope to someday stop all this nonsense, but so far there has been little success.”

There was obviously some history Jacques was unaware of. Diana watched all the men intently but stayed close to Bertram.

With a nod, Alex put his fists on his hips and surveyed the group. “Well done. Thank you for your help. It does little good to save these ladies if the men involved are still at large, though. Did you find any leads as to where Caron may have headed?”

“The only things that have left this city were farmers with empty carts. Unless he took a lesser path. I just don’t know.” Thomas shrugged.

Preston said, “Jacques and I will find him. He didn’t get out of London without help. We’ll ask around and check the roads. It may take a day or so, but we will pick up his trail.

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