Love Engineered (24 page)

“Miss Thomas, I assure you, my staff are the most trustworthy there are.” Mr Russell looked unperturbed at her outburst.

“Well somehow he found out, and you must investigate. Someone who works for you has passed on the information.”

Mr Russell said nothing more. He knew Miss Thomas well enough to know that there was no arguing with her now, so he bowed his head and mumbled something about questioning his staff.

She remembered fleetingly that she herself had told only one other person where the child was, all those months ago in her study. Mr Lucas. But no, she was sure she could trust him. He had no reason at all to help Mr Risinger. She trusted him with her secret about Robert Adams – was that not proof of his honesty? He was the very last person she would suspect.

Mr Russell stayed for another hour, answering questions from both Louise and Lord Philip. But eventually they allowed him to take his leave, after he promised to send news of his progress twice every day. The ransom note indicated that the money was to be placed into a Swiss bank account within seven days. She would need only three to gather the funds, but she decided to wait for a few days. She had to hope against hope that the child would be found before then.

After Miss Thomas departed from the wedding reception, Charles fulfilled his promise to her and spoke to Jane a few minutes later. He told her that urgent business had called her away, but no more than that. He couldn't mention the child the real reason for her early departure, but he assured Jane that she was well.

It was a small lie, spoken to avoid compromising his sister's happiness, on this her most special of days. Jane was of course disappointed, but she knew her friend well enough now to know that she wouldn't have left unnecessarily. She couldn't help commenting to her brother, “I saw you two dancing not long ago. I hope you didn't offend her in some way again and chase her away.”

“Of course not,” he exclaimed, somewhat horrified. “I would never offend her again.”

Jane smiled. “Good. Though I will check with Louise when I see her next.”

“Do as you wish,” he replied gravely.

The wedding party continued for some hours, and Charles, despite his current anguish, fulfilled his role as stand-in father of the bride to the very end.

But in his mind, he resolved he must leave that night and travel to Nottinghamshire and find out for himself what had happened. Mr Russell was commissioned to investigate, but he couldn't stay in London and do nothing. And then what? He didn't know, but he knew he must be armed. There was a pistol stored in the cabinet at home. He would take that.

As soon as the details were planned in his mind, his thoughts dwelt on the time he had recently spent with Miss Thomas. He looked for the smallest indication that she might still care for him in the same way she had professed before. She had been indifferent to him earlier in the day and it was only when they danced that he felt he was making progress. He would have melted her cool exterior eventually, he was sure. He danced once more that evening, with Jane. If he hadn't been obliged to do so, he wouldn't have bothered. It wasn't that he didn't want to but his mind was in Nottingham.

The wedding had been a bright ray of sunshine to his family after months of dark despair. The loss of their mother affected them all. He had grieved at his father's death all those years ago, but losing his remaining parent was a heavy blow. And yet, through all his sadness what had been the one thing carrying him forward? Even though she told him her affections were at an end, still he couldn't but hope against hope that there remained a glowing ember of love that could be set ablaze again, given time. Because he burned with love for her; his heart quickened at the mere thought of her.

And then he remembered that he had squandered the chance to have her as his own, that he had injured her, been less than a gentleman to her. Worse, he chastened her, insulted her, put her down to a degree for which he hated himself more than he hated anyone before. He burned now, but with the deepest shame at what he had done.

Beautiful, perfect Louise. His Louise. Yes, she would always be his. She had borne everything he wrongly threw at her and she could have ruined him and removed all funding but she chose not to. She bore no malice. The look on her face that day when he threw aside her declaration of love. The tears he caused, the anguish; all his own fault. Well, he was paying for it now. And it was sweet punishment. He deserved it and he accepted it.

Every time his mind wandered to her, it was quickly chastened by the echo of the words he had used that day: 'more male than female'. Yet he couldn't push her out of his mind, however much the thought of her tormented him. He must help her now, do anything he could to alleviate her current suffering.

Then today, he had made her cry yet again by his stupid thoughtless comment as they waited for the carriage. He sighed and made his way through the crowd and tried to look happy and at ease for Jane's sake, although his heart was anything but.

. . .

It was now four days since Miss Thomas had been given the news of the missing child. She hardly ate, and was pale and drawn as she sat in her drawing room alone for yet another day. The deadline for the ransom fast approached, and she dared not think what Risinger would do to the child if she didn't pay. She must pay. It was a large sum, but what value could be put on a child's life? It would mean she would have to stop any further investments for a few years, but it was a small price.

Mr Russell kept his promise and kept her informed of any progress on the investigation, not that there was anything to report. Mr Risinger was as elusive now as he had been for the many months since his disappearance. She felt helpless, despondent and angry, and cursed herself for not having punished Mr Risinger as he deserved the first time he tried to swindle her.

She went to bed at her usual time, but like the last few nights, sleep eluded her for many hours until sheer exhaustion took over and she finally drifted into a light slumber. At four o’clock she was woken by her maid. She held a letter that had just arrived, and which she passed to her mistresses.

The handwriting she vaguely recognised, but couldn't identify it immediately. She tore it open, desperate for news.

Miss Thomas,

Forgive the late hour of this letter, and the liberty I take. But would you be so kind as to come to my house immediately? I have information on the whereabouts of the missing child. Please keep the reason for your visit a secret, even from your most trustworthy servants. Although I fear they may know the reason for this unusually timed visit, please conceal everything you can.

Yours,

Charles Lucas

She told the maid to order a cab, then dressed herself quickly. A cab was called, which she took with a footman but whispered the address of the destination to the cab driver so he couldn't hear.

Shortly before five, the cab drew up outside Mr Lucas's house. She alighted silently and knocked on the door, her heart pounding. After what seemed an eternity, the door opened and she walked in.

Charles waited by the window in his small drawing room for a sign of Miss Thomas. His ears caught the distant rumble of a carriage and he knew it was her.

It pulled up and a few moments later a dark figure alighted. She wore a black hooded overcloak, but the faint outline of her face confirmed her identity. He would know her anywhere. He heard the knock at the door and the servant let her in, as instructed. Then, a few moments later, the drawing room door opened and she walked in.

“Thank you for coming Miss Thomas.” He took her outstretched hand in his for a moment.

“Mr Lucas. Your note was most unexpected, but you have news of the child?”

“Yes, but first, are you sure you were not followed? You told no one you were here?”

“I told nobody. Only the cab driver and my trusted footman I brought with me know I'm here.” He noticed a vulnerability in her eyes as she spoke.

“I can assure you, I mean you no harm. Would you be so kind as to come with me?”

He led her through to the sitting room, a place she knew well through her previous visits to Jane. The house was deathly quiet; only the sound of their footsteps could be heard.

He stood aside once they were inside. The room was dimly lit, with a few candles. Huddled by the fire were Mr and Mrs Prentice and their daughter, the missing child.

It took Louise a few moments to believe what she saw. She looked at Mr Lucas, then at the family again. “Marie?”

“Aunt Louise!” The little girl ran and hugged her. Her arms flew around the child. “Oh Marie! You're safe, you're safe!” Tears sprang into Louise’s eyes, and she knelt down and kissed the cheeks of the small dark haired girl she though she were her own flesh and blood.

Then sudden realisation followed, and she grabbed the girl by the shoulders and demanded, “Did he harm you?”

They were interrupted by Mr Lucas saying in a serious, urgent manner, “Miss Thomas, we must act quickly. There is no time to lose.”

“Tell me everything you need to.” She looked up at his anxious face.

“I have barely time to explain. I will tell you every detail shortly, but I believe there has been a conspiracy to defraud you, although I do not yet know the full extent of the deception. Please believe me when I say that you cannot trust anyone at the moment, not even your servants or friends. I can only hope you will make me the exception.”

He continued, “I believe it would be most advisable for the police and the local magistrate to be called immediately. Then, if you would allow me, I would like my brother, Edward to be called. We will need a lawyer.”

She hesitated for a moment, then remembered that, with the child safe, there was no reason why the authorities couldn't be called.

“Very well.”

“Thank you. I will be back in a moment, and then I will tell you everything.”

He walked out of the room, pulling the door shut as he left.

Louise continued in her earlier burst of emotion. “Oh Marie, I thought I'd never see you again.” she said and kissed her face again. She turned to the child's parents, who were in a similar state to Mr Lucas, travel-worn and weary.

“Miss Thomas,” Mr Prentice said. “Be assured, Marie has not been harmed. In fact, you will be amazed at what happened.”

Mr Lucas returned a few minutes later. “I have done as I said, I'm sure Edward will be here soon. As for the police, I hope they will come presently. Time is of the essence.”

Louise was now seated on one of the sofas, next to Marie, who looked as though she were about to fall asleep. Mr Lucas sat opposite her.

“I will tell you everything now,” he said.

“Please do,” she responded. “I would dearly love to know it all.”

He sat back in the chair, and after a moment's pause tried to work out where to begin. “I left for Nottingham the night of Jane's wedding. Using the information that you gave me before you left, I intended to find my way to the house where the Prentices were living.” He didn't attempt to explain why he went. But he knew his forthcoming words would shock and distress her and the last thing he wanted to do was to cause his Louise any further pain. He paused momentarily, as if reluctant to disclose what he was about to say.

“When I reached Woodborough village the following morning, it took some time to find out where the family was. The landlord of the inn is a man we're both indebted to. He took a bribe easily and told me. When I reached their cottage, only one servant remained, the housemaid. She was somewhat surprised to see anyone call for the family and said that they had left for a month's trip to Scotland to see relatives. She clearly had no idea that the family were in hiding, but after further questioning I established that they had travelled together and that Marie hadn't been kidnapped. The maid stated that they had been gone above a week, and laughed at me when I asked if the child had been taken by force. She had seen the family leave together.”

He rubbed his eyes a little, trying to banish the tiredness, and continued, “Eventually, she gave me the name of the place where they were staying – it was in Edinburgh.”

I travelled there as fast as I could, but arrived in Edinburgh too late to do anything that day. The following morning, I managed to locate the Prentices.”

Here Mr Prentice, who had sat in silence until now, interjected. “We stayed with my cousin at Mr Russell's advice. He told us to remove ourselves there. He said they feared it was because Risinger had wind of where we were.”

“Mr Russell?”

“Yes.”

“When did he write?”

“Almost two weeks ago.”

Miss Thomas gasped. “Mr Russell has been party to this deception,” she whispered, her eyes darting to Charles for confirmation.

“I believe so,” he said in a grave tone.

Her head swam. “But he has been my family's lawyer for over forty years,” she managed to say.

“That does not exonerate him from any illicit activity.”

The truth in his statement hit her, and all at once the betrayal struck her with such force that she covered her face with her hands and cried, “How can I ever trust anyone again? How? It is too much!”

Charles walked over to Louise, and placed a hand on her shoulder, “You can trust me.”

She looked up at him. His gentle touch burnt her skin and she never wanted him to take his hand away. “Yes, you're right. I'm sorry.”

“It's no matter. Your reaction is completely understandable,” replied Charles tenderly, and seeing the tears in her eyes, said, “You have done nothing to provoke this man, yet it seems at every turn he wants to hurt you and turn people against you. He tried to do it to me, but he only succeeded in making me your closest ally.” She closed her eyes briefly in acknowledgment and he said in a soft tone, “Please try not to distress yourself.” He took his hand away and she felt the loss of his comforting touch.

After Mr Lucas had explained all that happened in the last few days, it was only a short time later that the authorities arrived. It was agreed by all those present that Mr Russell should be arrested and questioned. They acted quickly and left. Louise hoped they were up to the job.