Unraveling Secrets (The Secret Trilogy) (28 page)

“Excellent work, Markus.” Stephen
clasped him on the shoulder. “I don’t suppose they knew his name?”

The boy shook his head.

“That description could fit Simmons,” Weston suggested.

“
I’d have to agree.”

“I have someone working to see if any other buildings
are leased to Leonard Smith. With luck we’ll soon find where they moved to.”

Stephen turned back to Markus. “
Spread word that we have something the man in the bowler hat wants. Have some of the other lads help you. I want the kids in the workhouse and people down by the docks to get the message. With luck, Simmons will hear it as well.”

Markus nodded enthusiastically. “You can count on me, my lord.”

Stephen paid him and the boy departed.

“We
’re getting closer. I can feel it,” he said to Weston. “Hopefully, Simmons will make contact. Then we’ll persuade him to cooperate and tell us who’s behind this.”

“I just hope it
’s not too late for the missing boys,” Weston added.

“Or for Abigail. Surely she won
’t do anything rash.” He looked at Weston, hoping for reassurance him.

But Weston remained silent, much to Stephen
’s dismay.

“Are you certain you want to go in with me?” Abigail asked as she and Irene arrived in Old Square to visit Mr. Nesbitt two days later.

Irene patted her hand. “Don
’t be so nervous, darling. I know you’re used to dealing with these things alone, but I’m here to lend you my full support.”

While truly grateful for her stepmother
’s assistance, Abigail worried about how to protect her if Simmons appeared. Her father’s pistol was tucked in her pocket, just in case, thanks to Ponsford’s suggestion that she bring it. The single shot it offered gave her some comfort but didn’t erase the nagging unease that lingered.

She couldn
’t help but wonder if Irene’s true purpose in accompanying her was to try to cheer her up. Ending her relationship with Stephen had dealt a blow from which she wasn’t certain she’d recover. The weight of grief was heavy in her heart and colored everything she did. Not to mention the doubt. Had she done the right thing by severing their relationship?

With a mental shake, she berated herself to keep her thoughts on the task at hand. Their lives might depend on it.

Thomas opened the carriage door, his gaze casting about the area. “No sign of him, miss.”

“Thank you, Thomas.” She alighted with his assistance then waited for Irene while keeping watch as well. An odd feeling crept over her and she glanced around nervously, certain she was being observed
. But she didn’t see anyone suspicious.

She hoped Mr. Nesbitt could provide assistance in
helping to convince the police to take action with Simmons. Time was of the essence as she was sure he’d strike before long. She drew a shaky breath, missing Stephen more than ever.

She and Irene were soon settled before Mr. Nesbitt
’s desk, but Abigail could tell from his expression that he didn’t have good news.

“I
’m terribly sorry, but the inspector I spoke with was of little assistance.”

“Did you tell him you thought Simmons was the man who
’d broken in?” Abigail asked.

“Indeed I did. But
I have no evidence to tie him to the crime. They did a cursory search of the room at the lodging house of which you gave me the address but found nothing.”

Irene sighed. She reached over to squeeze Abigail
’s hand. “Something will turn up. These criminal sorts always make a mistake that lead the police to them.”

Abigail nodded. Irene
’s knowledge came from a recent mystery she’d read which didn’t reassure Abigail in the least. By the time Simmons slipped up, it might be too late.

Mr. Nesbitt removed his spectacles to rub the bridge of his nose. “The inspector did say they
’d post an extra man in that area to keep an eye on things. They have a description of Simmons. Perhaps that will lead to something.”

“Thank you very much for your efforts.” Disappointment flooded her. She couldn
’t think of any other way to stop Simmons.

The
y discussed a few items of business, including a list of the improvements the bookstore owner wanted to complete, but her mind was not on what he was saying.

As quickly as possible, Abigail rose to take her leave. “Please keep us apprised of any new developments.”

“Of course.” Mr. Nesbitt saw them to the door and bid them goodbye.

“Now what shall we do?” Irene asked after they settled into the carriage again.

Abigail shook her head, wondering what could be done. Despite Irene’s presence, she felt alone. In truth, she’d come to rely on Stephen in many ways, from his friendship to the passion she felt in his arms. And now, when she and her family were in danger, there was no one she’d rather have at her side. The reasons she’d decided to toss away all that were suddenly less clear.

After a long moment with only the creaking of the carriage to accompany her thoughts, she met Irene
’s gaze. “You were right.”

Irene blinked. “Was I?”

“You told me that I hadn’t trusted Stephen. And I didn’t. How can I possibly berate him for not trusting me when I didn’t trust him?” She scolded herself for not realizing it sooner. She’d let her emotions affect her thinking.

An understanding smile graced Irene
’s lips. “So glad I could be helpful, darling.”

“I need to apologize to him.”

Irene’s smile grew wider. “That sounds like a marvelous plan.”

Once they arrived home, Abigail
stepped out of the carriage, not bothering to wait for Thomas’s assistance. After she saw Irene safely inside, she would pay Stephen a visit.

As she mounted the steps, the front door flew open to reveal a frantic
Ponsford. “Thank heavens you’ve returned!”

“What
’s wrong?” she asked as Irene stepped up beside her.

“Are the twins with you?” he asked.

“No.” Irene paled visibly. “They’re in their room.”

Abigail
’s stomach dropped. She reached out to grip Irene’s hand.

“I can
’t find them, my lady.” Ponsford shook his head. “I’ve searched the whole house. They’re gone.”

***

“Were you able to follow her?” Stephen asked Markus when the boy arrived in Stephen’s library that afternoon to give his report.

“Aye, my lord. She went to a solicitor
’s office on Old Square with her mum. I kept watch outside near the window. I couldn’t hear much but it sounded like they’re tryin’ to get the police to help ‘em.”

At fifteen, Markus had served as one of Stephen
’s associates for over two years and had proven himself time and again. Stephen had requested the boy to keep a close watch over Abigail today.

“Shall I return to the lady
’s house again?” Markus asked.

While relieved to hear Abigail had done nothing more than contact Mr. Nesbitt, Stephen still worried she might do something
to put herself in danger. A sense of impending doom was growing inside him. Simmons had been quiet too long. Stephen was sure he’d strike soon.

But Abigail involving the solicitor or even the police
wouldn’t be enough. Stephen knew
he
should be at her side, guarding her and her family. He ran his fingers through his hair, frustrated with himself.

With her.

With the situation.

In his heart, he knew she belonged to him. He hated not being with he
r when she needed him the most. The question was what to do about it.

Markus stared at him as he began to pace the room, but Stephen ignored the question in the boy
’s eyes as he considered his options.

H
e stopped abruptly. How many times had he told himself never to ignore his instincts? Every fiber of his being told him they belonged together. Abigail was right. He wasn’t good at sharing, but he could change.

He picked up the small electromagnetic device that sat on his desk. The damned experiment had already cost him so much. Why should it cost him
the chance at love as well? He might not make the best husband with his many flaws, but he could promise her love and fidelity. That was more than many men offered their wives.

At the very least, he had to tell her how he felt. If he had to beg her to marry him, he would. He
’d make her see that she needed him and try not to think about how much more he needed her.

“So...should I go back to her house?” Markus repeated warily.

“Yes, yes. Go down to the kitchen first and have something to eat. You’ve had a long day already.” Stephen set the device aside and squeezed the boy’s shoulder. “I need you to be extra vigilant over the next day or two. Something will be happening soon.”

Markus nodded. “We
’ll be on guard. Don’t you worry. I’ll report again soon. Ta-ra, my lord.” With a quick bow, the boy departed.

Stephen had just returned to his desk when
Winston appeared at the door. “My lord? Hubert is gone.”

“Gone where?”

The butler shook his head. “No one seems to know. One of the maids said he was worried about the missing boys. I can only guess that he decided to search for them himself.”

“Damn!”
Stephen pounded his fist on the desk. “Send word to Weston that I need him. Quickly.”

***

Panic struck Abigail like a blow at Ponsford’s words. “Are you certain?”

“No one has seen th
em since earlier this afternoon.” The old man had aged ten years in the short time since Abigail and Irene had left for their meeting.

“Oh, dear God,” Irene murmured. Abigail took her arm as she wilted at the news. “Where could they be?”

“We’ll find them.” Abigail tried to quell the panic rising inside her. “They can’t have gone far.”

Irene
’s hand shook as she held out her hand. “Tell me that awful man didn’t take them.”

Her heart broke at Irene
’s tearful plea. That was exactly what she feared. She prayed she was wrong. She gripped her stepmother’s hand and squeezed tight. “We’ll find them,” she repeated, trying to find the confidence to make it so.

Irene
’s face crumpled as she began to cry.

Abigail could hardly breathe let alone think of what to do. With
Ponsford’ help, she guided Irene inside to the drawing room and sank down on the settee beside her. There had to be a logical explanation for Sophia and Olivia’s absence. “Calm yourself, Mother. Let us think of where they might’ve gone.”

“All I can think is
that somehow Simmons has them.” She buried her face in her hands.

Abigail closed her eyes, hoping it wasn
’t true. After all her efforts, surely she hadn’t failed to protect her family. She’d tried so hard to do everything possible to keep them safe, but now it seemed all for naught. She had to stay calm and think.

Now more than ever, she longed for Stephen
’s assistance. He’d know what to do.

“When did you last see them?” Abigail asked
Ponsford, forcing herself to reflect composure despite the panic roiling inside her.

“I checked on them shortly after you left
. They were in their room reading.” Ponsford shook his head. “Then I went down to the kitchen to see to some things. I went up again about fifteen minutes ago and the room was empty. The other servants and I have been searching, but—”

The butler
’s distress added to Abigail’s. Irene put her fingers to her lips, her breath coming out in shaky gasps.

“Were they speaking of anything earlier today?” Abigail asked, trying to remember herself. “Perhaps something they wanted to do that we didn
’t allow them to?”

“They spoke of a gathering at one of their friend
’s homes, but I told them no.” Irene looked at her with hope. “Do you think they could’ve gone anyway?”

“We
’ll send a footman to inquire.” But Abigail didn’t believe that was the answer. The girls would never disobey something like that. “Is there anyone else they might’ve gone to visit?”

Irene shook her head. “No.
But I haven’t been paying that close of attention with everything else going on.”

Abigail felt the heavy weight of guilt. “Nor have I.” In truth she should
’ve, especially since the girls didn’t realize the possible danger they were in. That alone made them easy targets.

But n
ow was not the time for self-recrimination. She had to determine some course of action, some way to find them.

A knock sounded at the door.

Dread seized Abigail. She rose from the settee as Ponsford hurried out of the drawing room to answer the door.

He returne
d a moment later, his eyes glittering with anger. “It’s Vincent Simmons. He wants to speak to you regarding the girls.”

Abigail closed her eyes
for a brief moment, unable to believe this had come to pass. Then she looked at Irene, wanting to reassure her somehow. Yet how could she when things were so terribly wrong?

She moved toward the door.

“Wait.” Irene put her hand to her heart. “You must be careful. Do as he says and he’ll give the girls back to us.”

Abigail nodded, hoping it was true. She looked at
Ponsford. “Send him in.”

“He requests that you to come to the door.”

With a deep breath, Abigail gathered her courage. She had to find some way to convince Simmons to return the girls.

The front door was shut. She felt
Ponsford’s presence behind her but motioned for him to remain out of sight. She didn’t want anything to go wrong nor give Simmons a reason to do something reckless.

Please let him return the girls
, she prayed. Then she opened the door. At first she saw nothing in the evening twilight.