Page 54 of Black Widow

He knew it wasn’t. The Bow Street runners reported movement behind the drawn curtains. Additionally, both Amelia’s town carriage and travel coach were still in themews.

Gideon ignored the snickers of the Bow Street runners when they realized he was lockedout.

“A fine toff like you can find another bit o’ muslin,” the one named Owen suggestedhelpfully.

The burly man scrambled out of his way when Gideon turned on him with a blacklook.

“Just do what I’m paying you for,” he ordered. “Watch for anyone approaching the house—and I mean anyone. I even want to know when the night man visits and how long hestays.”

The two runners exchanged a look but agreed. He was paying them too much for them to do otherwise. To their credit, they didn’t laugh aloud when he was forced to scale the back garden wall to access the rear balcony of thehouse.

He broke into one of the salons and stalked down the hall to her bedrooms, intending to confront Amelia straightaway.

No carpet, but also no Amelia. Nothing in the other rooms as well. The house was almost empty. The few servants left only spoke Italian. After a stilted but productive conversation, he learned they had been instructed to pack their belongings—theirs, but not Amelia’s. While they were being sent to the country for their protection, their mistress was selflessly staying on intown.

Knowing better than to wait for Amelia to come to him of her own accord, he sent out notes to his informants. Ten pounds to the man, woman, or child who could give him Amelia’swhereabouts.

The answer came in a record twenty minutes. Amelia was at aball.

Chapter 22

Lord Durney studiedthe list Amelia had copied from Isobel’s letter. His expression was paternalistic and shrewd. “You know most of these volumes are verydear.”

He pointed to a title on the list. “This one alone is quite costly. It’s worth more than my wife’sjewels.”

Amelia smiled politely in the direction of the Lady Durney. The lady’s modest string of pearls was probably paste, but she didn’t dare mention that. “I imagine most genuine occult volumes are expensive, but if the text is on this list, then money is no object. Not for me. If you procure these volumes for me, I am prepared to pay a generous commission. Say twentypercent?”

Durney leaned in closer, a spark of eagerness lighting his eyes briefly before it dimmed. “But that commission alone would be hundreds of pounds on some of these,” he warned, his head bobbing between her and thelist.

“As I said, money is of no consequence. Speed is essential. If you can get me those books this week, I’ll be pleased to compensate you for any additional expenses you mightincur.”

She put her gloved hand on his wrinkled one. “My dear friend the Contessa Garibaldi specifically recommended you as the man I needed for thistask.”

Amelia had given up on receiving any aid from her former governess. Her appeal for advice had been sent weeks ago when she first encountered Gideon again. When she didn’t hear anything, Amelia assumed her letter had been lost. With the recent outbreak of war with France, the mail service abroad had been thoroughly disrupted. But by some miracle, Isobel’s letter had been waiting for her when she returned fromDevon.

Amelia felt loved when she read the letter. Isobel was distraught over her predicament. Her former governess had expressed regret at being unable to come to her because of the perils of traveling in wartime. Nevertheless, Isobel managed to convey in a few simple words her concern and affection for her formercharge.

More importantly, Isobel had practical advice to offer—just as Amelia had hoped. It contained an extensive list of books and severalnames.

Lord Durney had been at the top of the list. A brief inquiry via her solicitor revealed him to be an aficionado of rare and antique books. Isobel had also sent the names of a handful of other collectors, as well as an apothecary and another of amidwife.

Amelia wasn’t certain how the latter was supposed to help with her current predicament, but at least she had a place to start her inquiries into thesupernatural.

Durney pulled his collar away from his neck. He was blushing. “The Contessa is generous with her praise. She’s a discerning collector. But while I’m familiar with most of these volumes, I should warn you that most are in private collections much like my own. Some of their owners may not wish to part with them for any price,” he addedanxiously.

Disappointment threaded through her. Amelia bit her lip. She had expected this part to be simple. “If they won’t sell, perhaps they would consider letting thevolumes.”

“Letting the books?” Gurney guffawed. “These are hardly the type of works one finds in a lending library.” His aristocratic tone was filled withdisdain.

For a man of modest means, the old collector was certainly high in the instep, but Amelia didn’t let her annoyance show on her face. The idea of renting out their books might strike some of them as one step too close to being in trade. Amelia knew many in the genteel class would rather starve than stoop solow.

She took Durney’s arm and prodded him to walk with her around the edge of the Trenglove’s ballroom. “They shouldn’t think of it that way,” she said with a dismissive wave. “It would be more like being a patron who lends a work of art for an exhibition. The difference is it won’t be a painting, but a book and the audience will be considerably smaller. Namely myself and possibly afriend.”

“A patron, you say? I hadn’t thought of it in such a light.” Durney puffed up. “Well, I do think some of the collectors involved might be moved to become patrons for your special project. An index of the supernatural is a Herculean task, but with your resources, you are advantageously positioned to make a better than decentstart.”

Amelia thanked him, promising to consult him if she had any difficulties understanding the books he had already agreed to part with—something he seemed preoccupied with. She bristled at such condescension but held her tongue. She knew nothing about the occult and Durney was an expert, although strictly in an academicsense.

Though he was only one of half a dozen collectors she had to consult, Amelia felt better than she had in ages. It was good to bedoingsomething rather than wait for the next horror to befall her. She turned the corner, intending to find the exit now that her business wasconcluded.

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