Page 57 of Code Name Duchess
“That is correct. He said he could not keep our siblings alive because he has a family to feed. Perhaps we could speak to them. They may be willing to divulge information to us. What do you know of them?”
Mr. Markham leaned forward and placed his elbows upon his desk, his head resting in his hands. “My Lord, I mean, Your Grace, Miss Keating… If you insist… Very well. Elton has a wife, Frances is her name. They also have a daughter, by the name of Helena, nine or ten years old. It has always been my impression that theirs was not exactly a marriage based on love. As far as I know, Frances was a daughter of Elton’s rivals; then, he dismantled their gang, leaving her without protection. However, I do not believe he involves them in his business. If anything, he keeps them far away.”
Seth slipped back into the chair beside Winnifred and leaned forward.
“Where do they live? Elton and his family? Surely you know.”
Mr. Markham pressed his lips together.
“I do not. Elton owns several properties in St. Giles, and I assume they live at one of them, but I have not needed to find out. Frankly, before your case, I wasn’t involved with Elton for almost a year. I had other matters to attend to. I am not sure if his family would be aware of his goings-on, not when it comes to his business.”
“That remains to be seen. If they do not know anything, then we’ll have lost nothing, but if they do, we stand to gain everything,” Seth said with conviction.
“Indeed, Mr. Markham. We must take action, and we must do so today. Please.”
The man sighed deeply and shook his head. “I see you are determined. Very well. To find out just where Elton keeps his family, you might be best off asking some of his underlings that are perhaps easier to persuade than others. The flophouse you told me you visited the first time you ventured into St. Giles would be a place to start. But take heed. It is dangerous.”
Winnie glanced at Seth just as a smile spread across his face.
“We know,” she replied, while never taking her eyes off Seth. Finally, they would take back control of this situation. Elton would no longer decide their fate. No, Winnie was resolute. From now on, she and Seth would set the rules. Together.
Chapter 28
Seth stepped outside of Mr. Markham’s office, suddenly feeling not anywhere near as bleak as when he entered. He had to admit, despite the arrival of the letter and a mysterious hidden message, he hadn’t been quite sure what to believe. It seemed almost too good to be true. A part of him feared it was nothing but a cruel trick of fate, something that in a moment would fall apart. Hearing Mr. Markham’s assessment invigorated his fading hopes.
I cannot even explain it, but I feel as though the blood is surging through me faster than ever before. And the thought of going into St. Giles, and doing so with Winnifred by my side, brings me almost a sense of satisfaction. Before, it filled me with anxious anticipation and dread. Now I know there is hope. There is something I can do other than helplessly watch Winnifred and Victoria wither away under the strain of grief. I am refreshed and renewed. This must lead to a positive outcome.
He looked at Winnie beside him, and she, too, had an air of renewed hope around her. There was a slight smile on her red lips, and her eyes, so tired and sad these past few days, sparkled with optimism.
He’d been drawn to her, and yes, he’d even adored her for years. But always from afar. Never had he considered his feelings would turn into something more than a distant admiration. Seth always expected to one day hear of Winnifred’s engagement to another man, an inevitable outcome. To think she’d thought of him as he had of her all of these years, and he’d allow his fears to stop their union. He faced her while they waited for their carriage.
“Winnifred, you are a true marvel.”
She raised her eyebrows. “I am? And what, pray, makes you say that? Not that I’m not happy to hear it.”
“To hear you stand up to Mr. Markham, to assert yourself as you did, it was a sight to see. I do not think a lady ever spoke to Mr. Markham with as much courage as you. He was positively bamboozled. Winnifred, I know we have gone through a great many ups and downs these past few days. None lower than when we thought them lost forever. I want you to know that I wouldn’t have had the strength to come this far without you by my side. You make me feel….”
He broke off, for at that moment his carriage arrived, and Mr. Bradford jumped off the box seat and rushed around the vehicle to open the door to let them enter. Like all of Seth’s servants, Bradford donned black attire in a sign of grief for Lady Rose.
“Home, Your Grace?” Bradford asked as he closed the door.
He nodded. “For now. But I believe we shall venture out again shortly.” He squinted at Winnifred. “Shall I take you back to your home to don different, less conspicuous attire? I know I shall have to do the same.”
She nodded, and thus, he instructed Bradford to take them home. Upon hearing they would soon venture into St. Giles again, the coachman swallowed hard but said nothing. He knew better than to question Seth when it came to these matters.
When the door shut and Seth and Winnifred were alone in the carriage, a sense of awkwardness overcame him. A sense of affection for her had so overcome him he’d planned to make his declaration of love to Winnie once and for all, right there on the pavement. But now they were alone, his courage failed him. The lingering sense of unworthiness he’d carried with him since David’s death never entirely left him.
He cleared his throat and awkwardly tapped the tips of his fingers together to release the anxiety that was building ever more inside of him.
“Winnifred, what I meant to say….”
He knew exactly what he wanted to say. He just could not put it into words. The strain of the past few weeks, the apprehension, and worry robbed him of his ability to express himself. And he was not one who ever had trouble making his thoughts heard. As the one in charge of expanding their business and gathering new clients, his smooth manner of speaking, his clear terms, were essential. And yet, now he sounded rather like a bumbling fool.
To his great relief, she reached out her hand and curled her fingers around his.
“There is no need for you to fret right now. These have been long and strenuous days for the both of us, but I believe I already know what is in your heart. You must not force yourself into making any announcements that perhaps you don’t feel ready to make because….”
Seth shook his head, a blond strand flew into his face.
