Page 6 of Taken to the Grave
It was into that study Hugh had slipped the day of his visit to Michael, to discuss some bill being presented in Parliament. He’d crossed the room, to where Audrey sat on the sofa, reading, and pulled her to her feet without saying a single word. The kiss had been hot and impassioned, but it had lasted only a few moments before he’d then needed to dash away again. Her blood had been high the rest of the day. Now, she longed to rest herhead against his shoulder as they walked toward the Cascade, one of the pleasure gardens’ most popular exhibits.
“Sir Gabriel doesn’t want me to investigate,” Hugh said.
“Why would he not want to search for his niece?”
Hugh didn’t answer, but his expression remained pinched.
“But you will still search for her?” Audrey pressed. He wasn’t a man to allow others to dictate his decisions, not even Sir Gabriel Poston.
“I am going to Mr. Comstock’s rooms on Portman Square first thing tomorrow. But I believe we will learn more pertinent information from Bethany’s friend.”
Audrey straightened, her pulse skipping for a new reason. He’d saidwe. “Are you asking for my assistance?”
“Are you not my partner?” he asked with a sly, sideways glance.
Once again, the ground parted from the soles of her feet. “I am dangerously close to kissing you right here, in front of everyone.”
“That would hasten the gossip along nicely.”
“What can I do?” she asked.
“Your lips on mine should suffice.”
She nudged him. “About Bethany.”
He cut her a roguish grin. “Mrs. Silas mentioned a Miss Gwendolyn Bertram of Fitzroy Square. She doesn’t want a scandal to break about her daughter’s disappearance, but I think we must risk it to discover whatever we can.”
A bubble of excitement expanded within her chest. The last handful of months had been deliriously dull. After the tumultuous week in Dover, Audrey had been grateful for the reprieve, however she couldn’t deny the heady enthusiasm she now felt at being useful in an investigation. She’d told Hugh that she wanted to be his partner in everything, and he had not disputed it. In fact, he’d agreed that they worked well together—and he’d readily acknowledged that her curious ability to hold objects and see what were essentially memories was beneficial to any inquiry at hand.
As Audrey started to plan her outing to Fitzroy Square, to call on Miss Gwendolyn Bertram, she and Hugh neared the wooded area of the gardens that held the Cascade, an artificial waterfall, designed in such a way to trick the eye into seeing flowing water. The enormous structure was a three-dimensional staged contraption, centered by sheets of painted tin, which were moved by men, hidden from view from the spectators. With the additional help of gas lighting and sound effects, the shaped tin sheets appeared to be a falls, flowing into a body of water. Audrey had seen it a few times before, though the scene was changed from time to time to keep from becoming too dull.
Because of the need for gas lamps to reflect off the tin, the Cascade only operated at night, and only for twenty minutes. During the daylight hours, the entire structure was hidden from curious eyes behind a large screen, painted with the image of the Cascade. However, as they came upon it now, a thick crowd had gathered in the viewing area.
“What is it they are looking at?” Audrey wondered aloud as she noticed the men and women milling about, craning their necks as if to see something. It was far too early in the evening for the exhibit to open.
Hugh started for the large screen, keeping Audrey on his arm. Behind them, Cassie, Ruth, Sir, and Thornton followed.
“Is someone injured?” Thornton asked. The concerned expressions on those gathered and the low hum of discord indicated some emergency. When Hugh cleared a path to the front of the crowd, they were met with two men standing guard, one each at the edges of the screen. Their faces were pale, their mouths taut with matching frowns.
“What is happening here?” Hugh asked the closest one. Both wore dark red frock jackets, buttoned to the neck. Neither wore a hat, marking them as workers here rather than visitors.
“There’s been an accident on the Cascade, milord,” the man replied.
Thornton stepped forward. “I am a physician. Can I be of any help?”
The worker blinked. “Apologies, doctor, but there’s naught you can do. The man’s dead.”
Audrey tensed. “That is awful. Was it a fall?” The last time she’d seen the Cascade it had been a mill scene, with a waterwheel turning and a bridge spanning the flowing water. The structure towered at least thirty feet high.
The worker hesitated, glancing over at his cohort on the other side of the screen. They’d been posted there, no doubt, to keep curious onlookers away.
“I’m afraid not, milady,” he answered.
Hugh lowered his arm, and Audrey released him. “Has anyone sent for the police?”
“We’ve sent for the manager, milord. I imagine he’ll want to call a constable.” He lowered his voice to add, “It don’t look to be a natural death.”
Cassie let out a small gasp. “You mean he’s been murdered?”
