Page 56 of Taken to the Grave
There wasn’t time to argue with him. She turned to Cassie, still in the back seat of the phaeton. “I’m glad you’ve come.”
“You are?” Cassie peered at Thornton smugly. “See, I told you she wouldn’t mind.”
The physician looked as though he wanted to make a snapping reply, but Audrey spoke up first. “Yes, you and Sir can go with Carrigan in my brougham to Bow Street, to inform Sir Gabriel that unless he takes his men to Burdick Close right now, another young woman may die.”
Cassie paled, her haughty expression falling.
Sir threw down the reins and stood. “If this has to do with whoever killed my father, I’m not wasting time at Bow Street. I’m going with you.”
It wasn’t for her to say yes or no. It wasn’t for Hugh to approve either and he seemed to know it. He nodded to Sir, though with reluctance.
Hugh handed Cassie down to the pavement, her pleasure now visibly reduced. “What if Sir Gabriel does not listen to me?”
“Perhaps I should go with you,” Thornton said, starting to stand. It was all Cassie needed to instantly find her poise.
“Don’t be absurd, I am perfectly capable.” She quickly pecked Audrey on the cheek, then went to Carrigan, who tipped his hat.
“Be careful, Your Grace,” was all he said before seeing Cassie into the brougham.
Hugh held out his hand to Audrey. “To Vauxhall then?”
She took his hand and looked to their driver. “As fast as you can, Sir.”
Chapter
Seventeen
The coach field at Vauxhall held paltry few conveyances when Sir parked the phaeton. That it was early in the afternoon didn’t signify. The pleasure gardens should have been bustling, even at this time of day. Children, families, and anyone who did not enjoy the crush of dinner revelry and entertainment would come to the grounds during daylight. The quiet of the coach field didn’t bode well for the proprietor at all.
“There is no benefit in stopping to speak with Mr. Gye,” Audrey said. “We should go directly to Burdick Close.”
Hugh could understand her desire to leap into action, and she’d been consistent in her opinion ever since Hugh mentioned going to the Vauxhall proprietor’s building first, to see if the owner was in his offices. But Hugh wouldn’t relent.
“If he can provide any information on the Sanctuary at all before we go charging in, it will be worth the delay,” he explained.Again.
After combing over the discussion that he and Thornton had the previous evening, it seemed entirely likely that Mr. Gye had an enemy, one tied to the Sanctuary, and who might wish to damage him. Dumping bodies at his place of business wouldcertainly do it. It was also entirely possible the man himself was a member of this secret society.
“I agree,” Thornton said as he stood from the seat. “It pays to be prudent.”
Her glare scorched the physician, even as she took his proffered hand and descended to the grass.
“Sir, stay with the phaeton,” Hugh said.
Surprising no one, Sir scoffed. “I’m not going to sit here on my arse. That ain’t helpful.”
“It helps if you prevent my rig from being stolen. I just bought the bloody thing,” Hugh said. “We’ll return shortly.”
He wasn’t entirely sure they would, but if it kept Sir in the coach field for a little while, the lie would be worth it. If they were going to be making their way to Burdick Close, he didn’t want both Audrey and Sir there to divide his attention. Already, his muscles were strung tight with the knowledge that Gwendolyn was in danger. Perhaps already dead. He should have thought to check on her. It seemed she’d had good reason to be afraid at the tea shop after all.
They entered the proprietor’s house and learned Mr. Gye was, in fact, in. An attendant led them to an office overlooking the entrance pavilion in the gardens. The windows were open, inviting in a breeze, though the proprietor himself was flushed as he stood at his desk, bracing himself over a stack of papers. Several crates were on the floor around the desk, some lidded and others open. Mr. Gye looked to be packing.
He glanced up from the papers, wearing a deep frown.
“Your Grace. My lordships,” he said, an insincere grin attempting to stretch its way across his lips. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” His attention jumped back toward the papers that he’d been staring daggers at.
“We’ve caught you at a bad time,” Hugh said. “It appears as though you’re moving.”
“Selling,” he said grimly. Mr. Gye reached behind his stock and rubbed the back of his neck.
