Betrayal (12 page)

“He suggested we use you as bait.”

“It’s a valid option.”

His jaw ticked and he wrapped his arm around her waist. “I do not like it.”

“Nor I.” She struggled to catch her breath.

“Am I interrupting?” The cultured and soothing voice of Emily Barns broke through their conversation. Her customary bun swept her brown hair from her face with not one strand daring to disobey.

Elizabeth pushed away and he released her. She shook off her embarrassment, pushed her wildly disobedient hair off her forehead, rushed over, and hugged Emily. “Doctor, so nice to see you.”

“Elizabeth, you look wonderful.” She turned to Reece. “You are looking very fine as well, Reece.”

His grin made Elizabeth’s stomach bubble with anticipation. He took the doctor’s hand in both of his. “I am feeling stronger thanks to you and Miss Smyth, Doctor.”

“So you are both feeling fine. Then what brings the two of you here today?”

She still shook from the encounter with Reece. “Perhaps we might sit down and talk.”

“Of course.” They followed the doctor to a grouping of chairs.

“We are looking for the women who were part of the sacrifice on the same night as me. It seems the master is not quite through with me yet, and we wondered what had become of the rest.”

“Oh dear, that doesn’t sound good at all.”

Reece’s frown smoldered just as much as his smile.

Her heart fluttered.

He shook his head. “It is not good, but Elizabeth is strong, and I have no intention of letting the demons have her again. She has more capable friends now.”

Was he talking to the doctor or to her? Whichever, warmth settled around her when he spoke.

“I’m sure you will both be careful. I can help with the two older women. The oldest was a seamstress, Mrs. Karen Sweeney. She died not long ago. While she did return to her husband and her work, she never really moved on from the incident in the old church. She thought God had abandoned her. I saw her as often as I could. About a month ago her husband told me she took her own life.”

Her chest ached. “What a shame.”

“That is regrettable. I do not wish to seem insensitive, but we are in a bit of a time crunch, Doctor. Can you tell us anything about the other two women?”

“The working woman, Colletta, was admitted to bedlam a week ago due to claims of monsters trying to take her away.”

“That claim does not make her crazy,” Reece said.

Dr. Barns nodded. “She has been quite hysterical. After the death of Mrs. Sweeney, I didn’t want to take a chance on losing her too. I had her committed as a precaution. I realize her claims may well be true, and after what you’ve said, I fear it’s likely.”

“What of the African woman?” When Elizabeth rested in the hospital, Tally was the only one of her fellow victims able to talk. They had a brief friendship.

“She is alive as far as I know. She has been working in the kitchens of Lord and Lady Browntrout.”

Reece stood. “I’m not encouraged by Mrs. Sweeney’s death. You say she took her own life, but after the demons’ attempts to reclaim Lizzy, I wonder if that is really what happened.”

Stomach in knots, she made an effort to steady her voice. “We may never know the answer to that question. I think we should go and see Tally at the Browntrout’s home. At least we can warn her to be on her guard. Then we can go and speak to Carlotta. Perhaps she can tell us exactly what she has seen.”

Emily Barns dusted off her skirts and stood up. “I’ll get you the address for Mr. Sweeney and write you a note so you may visit Carlotta. I wish I could be of more assistance.”

Elizabeth hugged her. “You have done more than your part. Thank you for your time, Doctor.”

“Indeed. Lizzy is correct. We might not be here if not for you.”

They waited for the note and address, said their good-byes, and stepped out of the hospital.

Thor waited with the carriage door held open for them.

Reece gave the driver the direction of the townhouse where Tally’s employer lived, and a few moments later, they were underway.

“Are you still angry with me, Lizzy?” His bright blue eyes bore into her. She longed to touch the sharp planes of his cheek and jaw.

“No, I cannot seem to remain angry with you.”

“Perhaps you should give up trying.”

“Yet you vex me on a regular basis.”

He laughed. “I suspect I shall do so for the rest of our lives, my dear.”

His idea of the future did things to her that were not at all ladylike. “However long that may be.”

A deep frown pulled at his lips. He took her hand, placed it in his palm and traced each finger with his other hand. “Shall we talk of something else?”

His simple touch sent a vibration through her. “What happened that day at Fatum?”

Sorrow filled his eyes, and he clutched her hand tighter. “That is a story which will take longer than the short ride across town.”

“You do not wish to tell me. I understand.”

He closed his eyes for a long moment. When he opened them, he pulled her closer. “I will tell you anything you wish to hear. I promise to keep no secrets from you. The events of Fatum are horrible and painful, but I will share them with you. I would only ask that we be at home with the proper amount of time to relay the full story.”

“As you wish.” She had no idea how she had managed even three words. Her heart leaped in her throat.

“Shall I tell you about my childhood? That will not take long.”

She laughed. “The story of your entire childhood can be told in the short drive across town?”

His grin was worth any subject change. “Oh, indeed. I can tell you everything about my youth in just a few minutes.”

“I’m listening.”

“My father wanted me to take the family name to a new high. He, himself, had failed in this endeavor, so he put all his hope in me.”

“What height is that?”

“Mr. Foxjohn wanted to be titled. He wanted it very badly. In fact, he wanted it so much he had me schooled with every possible advantage. By the time I was ten, I disliked my father so intensely I could not stand the sight of him. My mother tried to show me some affection, and while I would not say she succeeded, I appreciated the effort. When I came home from university, they had picked out a rich bride for me. By marrying her, I could eventually obtain her father’s title of earl. She, like them, was a cold, unpleasant woman. I refused to have that kind of life. I promised myself, if I ever married and had children, there would be love in my home. My children will know who I am, and they will most definitely know my love for them.”

Her heart broke. “Your parents must have been displeased.”

“To say the least.”

“What did they do?”

He crossed one leg over the other and his arms over his chest. “After a very heated debate, my father told me he would buy me a commission. You see, he still had hope that if I distinguished myself in battle, I might be knighted at least. Perhaps more if my deeds warranted it.”

“And did you go into the army?”

“No. Before the commission was purchased, I ran into Drake Cullum. He fought some horrifying creatures in the street. I assisted him. Afterward, we had a brandy together, and he offered me a place in The Company.”

“What did your father say when you told him?”

“I wrote him a letter. Cowardly, I know, but at the time, it seemed cleaner. He wrote back and indicated his displeasure. I never returned home, though he does allow me to use the townhouse in London and the gesture is appreciated.”

“That is the saddest story I’ve ever heard.”

“I doubt that. Even I can offer sadder.”

The carriage rolled to a stop. If she’d had more time, she would have told him of the little boy she pictured him as. All the boy had wanted was love from his parents, and his parents demanded more from him. Too sad to put into words. How many tears had he shed, waiting for the love he would never have? Her chest ached with the notion.

Rather than knock on the front door and create a scene, Thor went around to the servant’s entrance and inquired. He returned a few minutes later with a plump maid. Her gaze darted down the street and back at the house and she stood stiff as a lamppost. Mousy brown hair escaped from under her cap, and she bit her nails.

Elizabeth stepped down from the carriage with Reece behind her. “What’s happened?”

Thor shook his head. “Miss Tally has gone missing. Lass, tell them what you told me.”

The girl tucked a stray hair under her cap and kept her eyes lowered. “Tally was a good maid and a good girl. The house was well pleased with her. She was a good girl.”

“I know. I was her friend. What is your name?”

“Susan, miss.”

“When did Tally go missing, Susan?”

“Eve before last. She’d been real nervous, like for a day or so. Said someone followed her home from running the lady’s errands. I told her she was being silly. I shouldn’t have said that.” Susan brushed tears from her cheeks.

Reece crouched down so he stooped eye level with the girl. “You have done nothing wrong. Where had Tally gone when she did not return?”

“She ran to pick up a hen. The cook’s assistant should have gone, but she was feeling poorly, so Tally said she would go.”

“What time was that?” Elizabeth asked.

“Not past three, miss. She would have been back before dark but she never came.” More tears followed.

Elizabeth wished she could shed a few tears herself. They had let poor Tally down.

Reece’s voice rang with confidence. “We will find her. Do not worry, Susan. We will find her and bring her back.”

“Will you, sir?”

“I have said so.”

Susan looked at Elizabeth.

What could she do? She nodded and smiled.

A few moments later, they were on the road again and heading to Bedlam. Perhaps she should commit herself there too.

Much of the building was condemned a few years earlier. They planned a new hospital south of the Thames. The place looked to be falling down around itself. The entrance required a great deal of force to breach, and once inside, not a single wall or floor stood straight or level. It wreaked of neglect and should have been a freak show act rather than a hospital. Cries filtered down the stairs, and puddles from the leaky roof dotted the floor. How could anyone survive such a place?

Reece stepped away to make the inquiry. Thor stepped closer, and she was grateful for his protectiveness. She could handle a few demons, but this place struck fear like hell on earth. When Reece returned, he wore a grim expression. He said nothing, grabbed her hand, and the three of them made their way up the steps. Her fingers itched to hold her ears and block out the screams and cries of terrorized patients.

Reece hesitated with his hand on the doorknob.

She squeezed his other hand, hoping it would lend support.

He pushed the door open.

The sight was too much. Elizabeth screamed and ran to the side of Carlotta’s bed. Strapped down with leather bindings around her legs, chest, and throat, she stared in wide-eyed terror. “Dr. Barns cannot know about this.”

Brown matter had splattered the white walls of the eight-foot square room. Feces and vomit wafted out of an abandoned bedpan. Carlotta’s skin was blotchy, and her lips cracked.

“Perhaps they clean her up when they know the doctor is coming.” Reece pushed the hair back from Carlotta’s face and examined her empty eyes.

With shaking hands, Elizabeth worked the buckle free from her neck.

Reece tugged loose the other two while Thor removed his long coat. They wrapped Carlotta in it, and Thor carried her out of the asylum.

A nurse chased after them. “You cannot take that woman. She’s a patient. I will contact the authorities.”

Reece spun back. “You may call on the devil himself. The conditions here are an abomination. No human should be subject to such a state of horror.”

The nurse put a fist on her skinny hip and pointed with the other hand. “They don’t care. That woman you’re stealing is insane. What difference does the building make?”

Grabbing his arm, Elizabeth worried for the nurse’s safety. “She is not a demon, Reece. She only seems like one.”

His muscles relaxed under her hand. “Indeed.”

They turned and climbed into the carriage.

Carlotta wept but did not speak. She held onto Thor as if he were an angel pulling her from the depths of hades.

Elizabeth had to pry her hands free so they could place her inside the carriage. “Come, Carlotta, we will take care of you. You won’t go back to that place again. You’re safe now.”

The words had the desired effect, and she released Thor and latched onto Elizabeth for the ride to Reece’s townhouse. Bathed and dressed in a fresh nightgown, as soon as her head touched the soft, clean bed, Carlotta slept perhaps for the first time in weeks.

Reece assigned a maid to sit with her, and Elizabeth went to her own room to wash and change.

She found Reece drinking brandy in his study. “I’ve sent a note to Dr. Barns, letting her know we have brought Carlotta here.”

“I hope you were not too harsh.”

He downed the liquid in his glass. “I was truthful.”

“Then we shall be hearing from the doctor quite soon.” She sat and watched him pace the room.

“I had no idea the state of Bedlam had come to what we saw today.”

“I was also surprised. I had no notion. Will the new hospital in St. George’s Field be better?”

“I should hope so. We shall be sure and look into it.” He collapsed on the couch next to her and threaded his fingers through hers.

Her fingers still trembled, and he kissed them. “I have never seen anything as terrible as what we witnessed today. Not even when I was strapped to the altar can compare. That was the work of demons. The idea men would be so cruel to their own breaks my heart.”

After pulling her close, he kissed the top of her hair. “It is an abomination.”

“Thank you for allowing her to stay here for now.”

“We could not leave her in that state.”

“Some men might not care about the fate of a woman of ill repute.”

“By my recount, she has suffered more than her share. We will try to find a better life for her.”