at the ball but it fell through,” Byer said.
“So they left Drusilla and came for Samir.”
Byer pushed off the desk and stood over Symond. “Is there anything else?”
“I’ve told you all I know, sir.”
“Everything?”
“Yes, sir. Everything.”
Byer turned to Gabriel. “You ready?”
He nodded, and they headed for the door.
“Sirs!”
They both turned to find the valet standing in the middle of the room, his hands out.
“What?” Gabriel asked, impatient to be moving on.
Symond gestured around the room. “What should I do?”
“About what?”
“About Lord Visel. He should have been home already—I think something might have happened to him. Surely I should do something? Tell someone?”
“You could go tell the local constable,” Gabriel tossed over his shoulder. “But given what Lord Visel was up to, I doubt he would thank you for that.”
* * *
It was almost eight o’clock in the evening and Drusilla was half-mad with worry as she paced her study. She’d been waiting for hours for Gabriel to return or at least for a message from him. It was getting to the time when somebody should take the money and go meet Theo. What could he be doing? Why hadn’t he at least sent a message? Something must be terribly wrong—she felt it in her bones.
There was a soft tap on the door, and Parker entered. He looked as raw and tense as she felt.
“A message for Mr. Marlington, ma’am. But I thought you should have it.”
Drusilla recognized the handwriting immediately: it was from Eva.
“The messenger is from the Swan with Two Necks, madam. He said he was paid double and that it was urgent.”
“Is he waiting for an answer?”
“He said the young man instructed him not to wait for an answer.”
Young man? What young man. Oh Lord. What had Eva done now?
Drusilla realized her butler was still waiting. “Thank you, Parker,” she said, staring down at the message as the door shut. Drusilla chewed her lower lip. There was no name on the delivery, only the address—did that mean it was for either her or Gabriel? She thought about how oddly Eva had behaved the last time she’d seen her—and now this about a young man. She was up to something; Drusilla knew the signs. Who knew when Gabriel would get back? She tore open the seal.
Gabe:
She paused at the name—it was to him, not them . . . But then her eye caught her name on the next line.
You’re going to wonder how I know this, but I can’t tell you. I hope it didn’t happen, but if Drusilla is gone, she will be down by the East Docks in an empty corder’s warehouse between an inn called the Jolly Taxpayer and a pawn broker called Hurley’s. If she is not gone, watch her closely because a man named Rowland has decided to take her for ransom. This might never happen as I know at least half of his plan was foiled.
Don’t believe everything you hear about me, my favorite brother. I am fine and will be happy. Take care of my best friend and yourself.
Love,
Eva
Drusilla considered the last few sentences, which were even odder than Eva usually was. What did she mean, not to believe everything she heard?
She bit her lip so hard it stung. She simply did not have time to worry about Eva, too. At least not right now. Already it was eight o’clock and she had heard nothing from Gabriel. Should she go?
If she left now, she could make it in time to meet Rowland’s instructions.
She knew that Gabriel was furious—that he didn’t wish to spend her money nor want her to be the one to deliver it. But time had almost run out.
Drusilla groaned—she just wanted it over—all of this was her fault. Rowland wouldn’t have even known of Samir if not for her.
She would never have guessed he would do such a thing. But she probably should have. She recalled his angry accusations the last time she’d seen him—that she’d led him down a false path: all those private talks, sharing their hopes and dreams. Drusilla still didn’t believe his accusations—that she’d led him along—but she did realize it hadn’t been wise to spend so much time with him. And now he’d done this. If Gabriel got his hands on Rowland, he would kill him.
She pulled the bell. “Summon a hackney, Parker. I shall be ready to leave in ten minutes.”
* * *
“You promise me you will wait until I return, Gabriel?” Byer asked for the second time. “I know you’re eager to