“I need to tell you both something,” Jamie said, dragging Anthony from his thoughts. “Two nights ago, a young lady by the name of Molly Allsopp went missing. Now, normally I would not be aware of something like this, but she is my housekeeper’s niece, so my butler brought it to my attention. When I spoke to her, she told me her niece was the third woman to go missing in the area where the family live. There have been two from Brawley, and one from the next village.”
“Three?” Toby said slowly. “That is cause for alarm surely?”
“Greville has an estate five miles away from Brawley,” Jamie added.
The words were chilling to all three men. Greville, Cavendish, and Calthorpe were at Blackwood when they were there, and took their lead from the Housemaster, who had been a man to whom cruelty was a sport.
“We believed that Blackwood Hall concealed something more sinister than just the beatings and the hell we endured. Six women went missing there over the time we were at school. Only one of them was ever found, floating in a nearby river, dead,” Jamie said.
“What are you saying?” Anthony asked.
His friend ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t know, but I know that my housekeeper’s family are distraught, just as I know something is not right when three girls go missing without a trace.”
“It could be a coincidence that Greville has an estate nearby,” Anthony said. “Everything that happened at Blackwood Hall was many years ago.”
“I know, but there is one more thing,” Jamie said. “A local farmer found a young man with his horse and cart when he was checking his stock. He was naked, with a red satanic symbol on his chest. The farmer said he appeared drunk and was rambling. He took him back to Brawley. The lad was the nephew of the tavern owner there.”
“What kind of symbol?” Toby shot Anthony a look.
“I don’t know.”
The vision slid into his head even as he battled to keep it at bay. His hands bound and being forced to drink something vile.
“Anthony?” Jamie said.
“I’m all right.” But his hand was shaking under the table. His friends had found him in his bed one morning, with a red symbol painted on his chest. They’d said his speech was slurred.
“I am going to visit Brawley,” Jamie said.
“We will come with you,” Toby said.
After that they finished the meal in silence, all lost in the past. His friends left. Twenty minutes later, Anthony put on his hat and coat and did the same. He knew only one way to rid himself of his demons.
*
“I believe aseat has come free, Lord Hamilton, if you will follow me,” a servant said as he entered the gaming room of Hugh’s.
Searching the gloom, he found Mr. Renee and was soon seated at the table next to his, and facing the Frenchman, which would allow him to observe the man…if he was a man.
He then played hand after hand and watched the Frenchman. He won more than he lost, much to the annoyance of those seated with him, but like Anthony, he didn’t interact with anyone.
Could she really be that foolish or desperate?He observed as Renee touched his wig. It was a gesture many women did each night, securing a pin. In this light the disguise was a good one but would not withstand scrutiny in daylight hours.
A commotion broke out at a table and Anthony watched two staff members approach. At the same time, Mr. Renee got out of his chair. Bowing, he walked from the room. Anthony rose and did the same.
He caught up with the Frenchman as he waited for his things to be retrieved. He was leaning his weight on his right leg, and the left boot was resting on the right one.
If he needed further confirmation that this was Miss Evangeline Spencer, he had it. But he would not approach her here, where anyone could overhear their conversation.
She left, buttoning up the too large overcoat. Outside, he watched as she hurried away from the club, then when she was a few feet in front of him, he followed. Only when he was sure they were alone did he speak. “Miss Spencer.”
She spun to look at him. Then realizing her mistake, she turned back and kept walking.
“Too late,” Anthony said, moving closer. He then grabbed her arm. “I can’t work out if you are a fool or to be commended for your audacity.”
“Unhand me,” she demanded in French.
“The game is up, Miss Spencer. I saw the two brown marks on your neck here last time, and then at the Bailey ball. I know it is you under that wig and beard.”
