Page 38 of Code Name Duchess
“I almost dare not say it, but it seems we are almost at the end of this nightmare.”
Seth couldn’t help himself. He took her hand in his and held on tightly. “I believe so, Winnie. I really do. And then, I think the two of us have some things to talk about, don’t you?”
She beamed at him. “I believe so. Yes. But first, we must make sure everything tomorrow goes to plan.”
He squeezed her hand as her small fingers curled around his hand.
“It will. I will have the money; Mr. Markham will be with us—all we have to do is ensure nobody else finds out about our plans. As long as the gang doesn’t renege on their promise, and the authorities don’t show themselves for whatever reason, all will be well.”
They walked away together, their hands still connected and for the first time Seth experienced a sensation he hadn’t felt in days—relief.
* * *
A tall man in a distinctive scarlet waistcoat under a dark blue greatcoat passed atop a horse, a member of the horse patrol, Victoria knew. She’d seen them along the roads leading to the country, just outside of London. They were the men who kept the streets safe from highwaymen. They policed the city, and that is what one needed in cases of such peril as her brother was currently in—the proper authorities.
Victoria held the letter in her hand with such a tight grip it bent in the middle. Beside her, Hester waited patiently.
“It is the right thing, isn’t it?” Victoria asked.
“I should think so, Miss Keating,” the maid replied.
What a comfort it is to have her by my side. It should be my sister, but since we do not see eye to eye on anything, I must rely upon a servant to be my comfort and strength. But not for much longer. Soon, Leo will be home. And he will see that it was I who did the right thing, not Winnifred. He will be free, along with his love, because I made the correct call. Winnifred and His Grace can pay off the kidnappers, as they ought, but there must be some structure to it all. Someone who knows what they are doing… Besides, even if the kidnappers are paid, who knows if they’ll keep their word?
She took a deep breath and craned her neck, taking in the grand building before her. It looked imposing and awe-inspiring, as any building containing the courts and Bow Street Runners headquarters ought, at least in Victoria’s opinion.
Yes, the people who worked here were undoubtedly professional and more than capable of taking on this gang. Much more so than one lone investigator and two people who’d never faced anyone more severe than an ordinary street beggar.
Victoria exhaled, pulled back her shoulders, and walked on. As she gripped the handle and pulled open the door, her eyes wandered to the sign above the heavy oak door.
As she walked into the cool interior of the building, she glanced up and smiled as she read the words written above the door.
Bow Street Magistrate Court
This was the right move. With a smile, Victoria let go of the door and made her way inside. The authorities would bring back her brother, she was certain.
Chapter 19
On Saturday afternoon, Winnifred hastened across the newly opened Regent Bridge toward Vauxhall Gardens. They were forced to make such haste she almost ran into some of the slower-moving pedestrians on the bridge. A little ahead of her, Seth ran, his hair flying in the wind. Their carriage was forced to stop on their way due to an accident that blocked traffic in both directions. She hadn’t wanted to look at the carnage as she and Seth exited and rushed down the road, but from the corner of her eye, she’d spotted several people lying on the cobblestones, injured.
There was no time to stop as they could not miss the meeting time. The two of them ran across the bridge as quickly as they could. A sack containing the ransom money swung back and forth from Seth’s right hand. The mere knowledge of the vast some contained within made Winnie ill, but at least nobody else knew just how much money Seth carried with him.
Winnifred could hardly believe that he’s been able to raise the sum in such a short time. But then again, he was one of the wealthiest lords in all of England.
“I am afraid we will be too late. Why did the carriage have to get stuck in that awful traffic?” She gasped as they neared the end of the bridge.
Seth glanced at her but did not slow his run.
“We’ll make it. Do not fret. We are almost there. Look!” He pointed up ahead to where the bridge ended and where the gardens rose in the distance. A few more minutes and they would arrive.
Winnie had visited Vauxhall Gardens many times but hardly ever so early in the day. The actual attraction of the Gardens was not the beautiful, graveled walkways or even the orchestra box which stood in the middle of the Gardens—the location where they were to drop the ransom. The real draw was the lights that illuminated the gardens at night. According to Leo, some ten thousand lights were used to create the fairytale-like appearance.
She used to think the Gardens were highly romantic.
To think that I imagined myself visiting here with Seth… Not in my wildest dreams did I consider it would be under these dire circumstances.
Near the end of the bridge, Seth stopped and waited for her to catch up. If only she hadn’t worn such uncomfortable half-boots, she might have made her way across the bridge much faster. Winnifred found some solace in knowing that Mr. Markham was already at Vauxhall Gardens. She’s seen his carriage pass theirs on the way, just before the accident.
They raced into the Gardens and only stopped when the Pavilion came into view.
