“Munro is at the office. He said that Lily is gone?”
Sir Laughton rose from the chair beside the table before the hearth. “She asked me to give you this, but not until afterward. She is also my client, and as she is of legal age as far as we know, I was required to honor her wishes.”
Afterward? What did that mean? I tore open the envelope.
Dear Mikaela,
I have received word from Dora, my good friend from the
‘Church,’ to whom I owe my life from before. She is in some
difficulty and frightened, and it is necessary for me to return to
Edinburgh.
I have learned a great many things from you and
Mr. Brodie, and know you would not hesitate to help
someone in need.
Thank you.
Lily
It might have been written by any well-educated, proper young lady.
I looked over at my great-aunt.
“She has returned to Edinburgh. What difficulty? Did she say anything to you?”
“No dear, not that I am surprised. You did not notify me before taking yourself off to Crete on your Greek travels.”
“That is not the same at all,” I replied. “How will she get on when she arrives? Where will she stay? She has no means…”
“Not precisely true,” Sir Laughton replied. “I have to admit that I have concerns from her prior experience in Edinburgh, as a lady’s maid in a house of prostitution. However, she is quite resourceful,” he continued.
“She gave me this and asked if I would hold it against a loan of funds.”
It was a silver engraved medallion the size of a large coin.
“It seems that she brought it with her from Edinburgh, her only possession of any value, found with her as a child on the street when she was taken in by the ladies at the ‘Church.’ It seemed to hold great meaning for her.”
“A loan?”
“She is quite a determined young woman when she sets her mind to it,” he added. “There was no dissuading her, and I will admit that I did extend more than the medallion is worth. However, I could not see her taking herself off with barely a farthing in her pocket.”
I sat down in a nearby chair and stared at the letter.
“This is impossible,” I finally found the words, aware that Brodie and Munro had arrived at Sussex Square as well. Brodie attempted to comfort me, his hand on my shoulder.
“She is not prepared…” I added, as if there was any point in arguing what was already done.
“She has to be found.” I turned to Sir Laughton. “Did she say where she would be staying?”
He shook his head. “She said only that her friend worked at a tavern on the High Street in the Old Town.”
Munro spoke for the first time since returning to Sussex Square.
