Page 47 of The Duke's Embrace

Andrew glanced at Lionel. “Do you think it’s a good idea? Part of me feels like it would be prying.”

“Do you truly believe something is amiss?”

“Yes.”

“Then do it. What’s the worst that could happen? You’re wrong and the lady simply doesn’t want to see you anymore.”

That idea didn’t sit well with Andrew. How could Tabitha so easily discard him? She couldn’t. The day he’d left her at her aunt’s, she hadn’t been able to admit that she felt nothing. Something was holding her back, and Andrew would find out what it was.

“All right, I’ll see Thorne.”

“Good. Let me know how things go.”

Andrew thanked his friend, then hurried off. Hopefully, he could catch Thorne at his office. As the carriage rolled down the street, Andrew watched the passing scenery. In a way, it reminded him how quickly his life was passing by. At twenty-eight, he had accomplished a lot for a second son. And now he had the dukedom but wasn’t happy. There was something missing, and it was Tabitha. What kind of life would he have without her in it? Somehow the spirited beauty had become as essential to him as his next breath.

The carriage finally came to a stop in front of a non-descript brick building near the center of town. Inconspicuous, just as Tom liked it. Andrew had called upon his friend at various times in the past, when things needed to be done quietly and efficiently without the complication of the law.

Andrew entered the establishment, walking down the dimly lit hallway until he came to the last door on the left. The door opened to an office that was simply furnished. A large desk stood in front of a set of windows, allowing the morning sunlight to stream in. There were two chairs opposite the desk and a small table off to the side.

Sitting behind the desk was a man in his late fifties whose features showed a life not as much of leisure but of hard work. The man glanced up from what he was doing at the desk, and when he saw Andrew, a look of delight crossed his face.

Thorne let out a small laugh as he came out from behind the desk to shake Andrew’s hand. “Well, this is a pleasant surprise, my lord, or should I say Your Grace? What brings you to my part of town?”

“I need your particular services, my friend. I have a rather delicate situation.”

“Well, delicate is what we specialize in. Take a seat and tell me all about it. Drink?”

Andrew shook his head, then sat in the chair facing Tom.

Tom Thorne and Andrew went back several years. When Andrew had first started his business ventures, on more than one occasion he’d had need of men with special talents, namely security, investigation, and the occasional persuasion of less than honorable business associates. Tom was the best at what he did. His men were trustworthy, thorough, and could blend into the crowd better than anyone. Probably because most of them had criminal backgrounds, talents Tom hated to see wasted with them rotting in jail.

Andrew leaned back in his chair. “There is a person of interest who I would like followed. The men do not need to intervene. Simply watch where she goes, day and night. If there is something out of the ordinary, I need to be notified immediately, no matter the time of day.”

“She?” Tom said with a lift of one eyebrow.

“She is a special friend, and I fear she may be in some sort of trouble, of her own making or not, I’m not sure. She has been distant lately, not her usual self. When people are acting out of character, that usually means something is wrong. Haven’t you found that to be your experience, Tom?”

He nodded in agreement.

“She is a lady, so I need a little more stealth from your men since she lives in a wealthier part of town and your men will stick out like a sore thumb.”

“You needn’t worry about my men. They know what they’re doing. I would be glad to help. Do you want them to start today?”

Andrew said yes, then gave Tom information on Tabitha, including her family, address, and where to find Andrew should anything come up. He left Thorne’s office with mixed emotions. Part of him felt he was overreacting, but his gut told him he was right to have Tabitha watched. If only from previous experience with her, Andrew knew the lady could get herself into less than favorable situations.

CHAPTER19

Tabitha began her day the same way she had every day for the last week, with a feeling of dread lodged deep in her gut since the moment she’d returned home to find a letter waiting for her. It had been from Lord Vance, naming the date of their rendezvous, which was now only four days away. The closer the time approached, the more apprehensive she became. Her appetite had dwindled, and when Tabitha went out, she was constantly glancing over her shoulder, worried Vance would be standing there, an evil glint in his eyes. Or perhaps it would be Andrew whom she saw.

Since writing the letter explaining to the duke that she no longer wanted to see him, Tabitha had been nervous that he might show up out of nowhere. At least he’d stopped coming to the house. It had broken her heart to push Andrew away, but it must be done. There was Phillip to consider. She’d still had no word from her brother, so Tabitha assumed he was still in Europe. At least there he was safe.

With her encounter with Vance fast approaching, Tabitha needed to collect the sleeping draught, so today she planned to visit the apothecary. She couldn’t go to the local shop because of the risk of being recognized, since Lady Bedford was a frequent customer.

Tabitha waited until her mother was working on her correspondence before sneaking out that morning. After walking two blocks, she hailed a cab to take her to Fleet Street. The ride didn’t take long, but it was far enough away that hopefully she wouldn’t see anyone she knew. The carriage dropped her off, and she paid the driver to wait.

The door to the shop squeaked open, and a bell rang to signal her entrance. The shop was empty due to the early hour. Rays of sunlight cascaded through the windows, reflecting off the array of goods displayed. Jars and pots of various shapes and sizes with names scrolled on them lined the shelves. Some labels were so old as to be barely legible.

The smell was a musty mix of age with a hint of herbs. Tabitha could make out the distinct smell of lavender and other flowers. In a way, it was soothing. She made her way to a long counter at the back of the shop. As she drew nearer, a curtain was pulled aside from behind to show an older man, probably the apothecary.

---