Page 16 of A Spinster for the Rakish Duke
Donovan had almost returned with his brother when he realized that he would be riding alone with Emma back to the Bradford apartment. Alone time was exactly what he wanted and didn’t want. Their interrupted kiss had made things tense and awkward again and made Donovan painfully aware that, despite his apology, he had nearly done the same thing he had done at the party. And if Emma perceived the interaction differently than he was imagining now, she didn’t say otherwise.
The return to the apartment was one of relief for multiple reasons. The end to the awkwardness came ironically enough because of the insertion of a third-party, one Mr. Herst, but also, because it had been a long and taught morning. Emma retired to her room to rest and Donovan to the office, everyone agreeing to meet in a few hours in order to share a late lunch.
“I don’t imagine, Mr. Herst,” Donovan began, “that this question will yield much in the way of results, but it would be remiss of me to ask it. You can’t think of anyone who would want to do harm Mr. Bradford, can you?”
Mr. Herst, who had been making a pot of tea, shook his head. “As much as I value my position as an apprentice, Mr. Bradford was very private with his business. Though, don’t get the wrong impression, I wouldn’t say he was secretive. If anything, he avoided doing business that would require anything adjacent to secrecy. He simply valued the, how did he put it, compartmentalization of his work.”
Herst poured the steaming tea into a cup. “But now that I’m talking about it aloud, it's kind of funny. Mr. Bradford would never do any sort of even suggestively scandalous dealings, so him being disappeared in a matter of his work isn’t all that likely.”
“No, it really isn’t,” Donovan said thoughtfully, “and the Bradfords, while not necessarily poor, are not a wealthy family. So kidnapping Donovan for ransom doesn’t seem likely either. So, what does that leave?” Donovan thanked Herst for the cup oftea, sat before him, and thought as he swirled the spoon in the cup. “Did he have much of a social life?”
“I think there was little to share on that front. If I am being perfectly honest with you, part of the reason I sought an apprenticeship with him is that his record is impeccable, but he isn’t popular among the organization. I think the term that floats around the halls is a “mope.” Meant there wasn’t a lot of competition for the apprentice position though,” Herst added with a smile.
“Hm... what about romance?” Donovan asked, the subject floating around his mind anyway.
Herst laughed and then paused for a moment. “You know, now that I think about it… I wrote the detail off because I knew he would never talk about it, but he was writing a letter to someone named “Jenny” about a week before he disappeared.”
“Jenny? I don’t suppose you have a last name or an address?” Donovan asked.
“I can do you one better, Mr. Connor. I can show you exactly who I handed the letter to,” Herst said with a smile.
“Excellent. Would you mind preparing lunch? I will inform Miss Bradford that we will be leaving immediately afterward,” Donovan said with a fresh, determined smile. Donovan was excited to follow up on anything he could. Even if it didn’t amount to much past the initial lead, it was still better than sitting and waiting.
Donovan knocked excitedly on the door to the guest bedroom. “Miss Bradford. Emma, if you have a moment, I have exciting news.”
Her reply was surprisingly distorted and hard to hear, like it was echoing, but Donovan distinctly heard the words “come in,” and his excitement about the situation urged him to press onward without more intricate consideration.
Donovan entered the guest bedroom just as Emma was exciting the guest bathroom. She was wrapped in nothing else but a towel around her midriff and let out a startled squeak when she saw Donovan. Her friend, realizing his error, immediately turned around.
“Mr. Connor! I said don’t come in!” she huffed, more in surprise and shock than in anger.
“I apologize profusely. I didn't mean to… I wasn’t aware that there was a bathtub to this room, and I didn’t assume you would be... undressed,” he said, clearing his throat.
Emma was about to point out that he had yet to leave the room, despite that being the appropriate course of action, but then she stopped. She didn’t want to kick him out. She wanted him to stay. Even if he wasn’t looking. His presence while she dressed was of course very inappropriate, but…
“You said you have something important to tell me? About the investigation?” she said with a bit of a tut. “I can dress and listenat the same time. If this was important enough to walk into my room, then you best hurry up and tell me.”
Donovan cleared his throat again. “Of course. Mr. Herst remembered an unusual social engagement your brother was involved in. A letter to a woman. He wasn’t seeing anyone romantically, was he? I feel like if you knew you would have mentioned it long before this point,” he remarked offhandedly.
“No, that's correct, I haven’t heard of such a woman. Mr. Herst remembered her?” She felt her heart race and her skin prickle as she moved about behind him. She had never felt this comfortable while undressed before. What kind of effect did this man have on her?
“Yes, while I was talking to him. He said he delivered a letter for a “Jenny”. We’ve both been through your brother’s papers, and I don’t recall seeing any “Jenny”. This leads me to believe it was a social call. Perhaps one your brother had more invested in than anyone realized,” Donovan speculated out loud to himself.
Emma was glad he couldn’t see her smile. She appreciated his flair for the mystery of it all but wouldn’t want him to interpret her enjoyment as laughing at him rather than enjoying him.
“Are you decent?” he asked, only turning his head ever so slightly.
Emma swore internally, she had gotten so caught up listening to him that she hadn’t finished dressing. “A moment, please.”
“It doesn't matter,” he said, trying to sound casual. “I asked Mr. Herst to prepare something for us to eat, and then the three of us will set out to meet this Jenny. I will see how the preparations are coming. You may join us when you are ready. No need to rush,” he assured her before departing the way he came and closing the door from the outside, so he would not risk peeking.
Emma didn’t want to admit how disappointed she was that he was gone, especially to herself.
Chapter Twelve
“You are sure this is the place?” Donovan asked incredulously.
“Sure as sure can be, Mr. Connor. One of the reasons Mr. Bradford keeps me on is for my navigation and memory. If I had fewer aspirations, I’d be the best delivery man in all of London, hand on the book,” Mr. Herst said proudly.
