Mystery of the Heart by Jillian Kent

Author:Jillian Kent
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook, book
ISBN: 9781621360162
Publisher: Charisma House
Published: 2012-12-11T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 16

There are some that only employ words for

the purpose of disguising their thoughts.

—VOLTAIRE

I’VE BEEN LOOKING for you everywhere. Where did you go?” Mercy found Devlin returning to the building just as she went to search for him outside.

“It’s a long story and growing more complicated. Where’s Snoop?”

“Inside with Lord Eden. When I left, he was confronting Mr. Kane about the diamond expedition he hoped to gain financing for, and I think he may have talked some of the young fools into the venture.”

Devlin shook his head. “No doubt.” He offered her his arm. “Come on. Let’s find Snoop and go home. I’m hungry.”

When they entered the building, many of the crowd had dispersed, though some still lingered over the displays and four gentlemen encircled Kane, listening to him with wide, curious eyes and open wallets.

Mercy scanned the room and the balcony. She hadn’t been able to locate the shadowy figure she thought she’d seen earlier, and perhaps that was best. What would she have done if she’d caught him? And the possibility that it had been John Marks was remote. “I don’t see them anywhere.”

“Nor I, and I don’t like it. I thought I’d told Victoria I’d be back.”

“Maybe they’re looking for us. I don’t think I said anything to Victoria. I wasn’t planning on going far. ”

“It’s Lord Eden,” Mercy gasped. “He’s hurt.”

Eden clung to a balustrade as he made his way up the stairs from the basement.

“What’s happened, Eden?” Devlin demanded. “Where’s my sister?”

“I–I don’t know. Someone attacked us. I was hoping she’d gone for help.”

“Blast the wicked devil. Kane!” Devlin yelled. “Get down here immediately. My sister, the Countess Witt, is missing. If anything’s happened to her, I’ll hold you responsible. This was your event! Where was your security?”

“I’m sure there’s a logical explanation,” Kane said, wearing a look of complete annoyance as he approached the three. “I’m trying to conduct affairs of business here. Now what’s happened?”

“I’ll tell you what’s happened,” Eden said, grabbing Kane by the lapels of his green velvet jacket. “I was knocked out when someone slammed a trunk lid on me in this basement, and when I came to, the countess was gone.”

Kane smirked. “What were you doing in the basement?”

Mercy spoke up. “They were looking for me. I’m sorry, but I thought I saw someone I knew, and I failed to tell my sister I was leaving.”

“Well, let’s go to the basement and see if we can find her,” Kane growled. He turned to the gentlemen who were waiting. “I will return shortly. Please be patient.”

The men nodded, conveying their own looks of annoyance to Kane, and continued talking to each other.

“I swear,” Kane said, descending the long curving staircase into the basement, “if you cost me their agreements to finance this next expedition, I will demand satisfaction.”

“Let’s concentrate on finding my sister,” Devlin said, “because I swear I will have you put in Newgate if anything has happened to her.”

Mercy yelled, “Victoria! Victoria, are you down here?”

“Show us where you were when the attack occurred,” Devlin ordered.

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