Page 13 of Code Name Duchess
She paled, and her green eyes grew wider and wider. Somewhere in the distance, children kicked a can down the street. A woman hollered at her husband from a window above, berating him over his drinking. He studied the area. This was not a good place for them to talk.
The two of them stood out like sore thumbs in this area. Winnifred in her delicate gown and handsome turban adorned with feathers and a gemstone, and he in his best new pantaloons and fine, burgundy-colored waistcoat and top hat.
He got up and extended his hand to her.
“We ought to go. This is not the right place for us. We are already drawing attention.”
Winnie glanced around, and at once, her back stiffened as she realized they were not alone. A confederacy of men congregated around the area, and several stared at them.
“You are right. We ought to go. But where to?”
He pointed toward an ally across the street they’d come from moments ago. “My carriage is there. Yours?”
She pointed to the opposite side of the church.
Seth rubbed his chin and considered. If they were to figure out what happened to their siblings, she needed to understand just what kind of danger they were facing. It wouldn’t do any good for them to waste time.
“We will go to your coachman and ask him to follow my carriage to Lester House. We can talk further there. You will ride in the carriage with me.”
Without hesitation, she got up, and they walked across the courtyard and toward her carriage. Seth watched her speak to the coachman, who narrowed his eyes at him. Seth was well aware that riding in his carriage with Winnifred was more than unusual. It was scandalous almost, but he didn’t care. He never really cared much for society’s silly rules, but he especially didn’t care now.
Once he and Winnie were seated in his carriage, he cleared his throat.
“What do you know about gangs?”
Her lips parted, and he knew the answer even before she gave it. Nothing. She knew nothing.
“I know organized crime is entirely out of control, and the constables cannot manage. I know the Bow Street Runners do not dare go into the rookeries. And I know some noblemen like to visit places like this for some rather unsavory actives, run by gangs. Activities Leo most certainly did not participate in.”
He shrugged. So, she knewsomethings. Even better.
“I agree. I cannot see Leo mixed up with this lot. Especially not now that we know he and Rose received the same letters. No, I venture to say that a gang took them. The only thing I haven’t figured out yet is why we haven’t received a ransom notice.” He paused and pursed his lips. “You do realize the house we just exited from was a gang den, yes?”
“What do you mean? I… I thought I was looking for the person who sent the blackmail demand to Leo.”
“Right, which was likely sent by the gang.” Irritation pushed its way up from his stomach. Hadn’t he just gone over all of this? “Among the activities you mentioned, kidnapping and blackmail are high on the list of actions gangs engage in with frequency. When I came here and looked at the shack, it was clear to me what it was.”
Winnie blinked her beautiful green eyes at him and flushed red.
I embarrassed her because she didn’t know. But how could she? She’s a high-born young lady who doesn’t have anything to do with this sort of thing. Heavens, I hardly know my way around these parts, and it is only through my interest in crime novels that I even know as much as I do.
“Anyhow, I am sure the two we encountered are some lower-level members of the gang. I am hopeful that Mr. Markham can uncover more.”
Winnie shook off her discomfort and nodded at him. “I suppose I ought to tell him that Leo received the same letter Rose did.”
Seth shifted in his seat and crossed his legs, eyes peeled out of the window at the passing city. They were out of St. Giles now and entered into Covent Garden, and from there, they would make their way back to St. James’ where Seth lived. In the distance, the sun still bathed the world in its beautiful glow, and the sound of sparrows filled the air.
“Seth?”
“Yes. I did tell him there was a letter, although I did not allow him to keep it. Either way, I do not think it will make much of a difference. I’ve asked him to run his investigation while I will continue mine, alongside you, as you wish. We may tell him about your letter, but you ought to know I requested that he search for Leo while looking for Rose.”
“You did?” The disbelief in her voice hurt him. Did she think him so cold and calculating as only to wish to search for his sister and not his friend as well? He shook his head. He wanted to appear aloof—it was the only way he could distance himself from becoming too involved with Winnie. The fact she showed surprise at this news only meant his plan was working. Distance. He needed distance.
“Of course. Now. We’ve established a general timeline already as to what happened when. I surmise that Rose and Leo both went to the meeting place and either refused to pay the blackmailer or the letters were a ruse, and they were taken. But we do not know which is correct.”
Winnie shook her head. “Or if either is correct. To figure out what happened to them, we must first find out what it was they were keeping secret. What was it they were each doing they could be blackmailed over? We already concluded gambling is out of the question.”
