By the timeDrake returned to the townhouse with Amos it was well into mid-afternoon. He hadn’t known the severity of the situation the messenger had passed along, or how long the errand to the other side of the city might take, but he knew he should have sent word to Fleur. He hadn’t meant to be gone so long. She was likely worried by now—or furious.
He scrubbed a hand down his face and attempted to prepare himself for her wrath. Most women didn’t take too kindly to being loved and then thoroughly deserted. It might not have been so devastating should Fleur be one of his former paramours who knew the interlude was temporary, but it was different with her. They both knew this relationship held more meaning, but neither were willing to put a firm name to the attraction.
He hadn’t intended to leave before dawn that morning, but when Amos had found him and told him what news he’d received, Drake had no choice but to investigate. Supposedly one of his residences had caught fire and while Drake had received threats like this many times before with nothing to back up the claim other than the opportunity to try to catch him out in the open, this time the information had proved true.
Before the hackney had made it, the sky had turned a dangerous shade of orange to rival that of the early dawn. Dark clouds had plumed into the air, mixing with the rest of the chimney smoke of London, and as they finally reached their destination, they saw several men trying uselessly to combat the angry flames.
Drake and Amos had immediately gone into action to offer their assistance. A blaze this large could easily affect more than just one residence. Several houses were in threat of turning to rubble if it couldn’t be contained. Old wood and close confines were a recipe for disaster in the East End.
Tirelessly they worked, packing buckets drawn from the water pumps scattered about the area. It wasn’t enough to combat the scorching inferno, and soon Drake’s house was reduced to ash, as well as the lodging houses on either side of it. People were standing about staring at the ruinous scene with a mixture of horror and desolation. Drake couldn’t allow these families to be displaced, so he offered the address of another residence and decided it would be put to better use by someone who needed it more than he did. It wasn’t as though he didn’t have more to utilize at a moment’s notice.
After the worst had died down, Drake collapsed to the ground, his lungs heaving with the combination of his efforts and the dangerous vapor he’d just inhaled. Sweat poured down his face and mixed with the stains from the fire. He swiped a hand across his forehead to keep the worst out of his eyes and looked at Amos. “Something tells me this wasn’t the work of Miss Wilson. If she wanted me dead, she knows where I live. The same goes for Avalon.”
Amos narrowed his visible blue eye. “It could have been intended as a warning.”
“Possibly,” Drake returned with a mumble. “But I don’t think so. You know I don’t believe in coincidence or fate. This was a murder attempt. But from a new foe or one of the many friends I’ve gained over the past I have yet to ascertain.”
Amos snorted. “It would be easier to make a list of who doesn’t want to see you six feet underground.”
Drake echoed his statement with a curt nod. “I need to find out the cause. That will help to narrow things down a bit.” Having recovered his equilibrium, he got back to his feet. “It will be a good idea to check in on the rest of my residences to see if they have been compromised and add additional security to Chelsea. Right now, it’s the safest place because of its proximity. The powers of London won’t take too kindly to some of their notable residents being in jeopardy. It turns out I won’t have to bring on extra protection because it will be provided once rumor gets around.” He absently rubbed his jawline. “I have other uses for Avalon should he decide he’s still on my side.”
“And if not?” Amos prompted.
Drake’s gaze was hard. “I have never tolerated betrayal in any form from anyone. He is no exception.”
Amos got up and for the first time there was concern in his focus. “Are you sure it’s wise to test the loyalty of the Blue Boys?”
“I won’t be testing anything but his word,” Drake countered.
After that, other than the house he’d dedicated to the lost family in the street, the rest of Drake’s residences around the city seemed secure enough. However, Amos promised that he would send someone around each day to see if that might change so this disaster wouldn’t happen again.
Standing in the middle of the foyer in Chelsea, the housekeeper rounded a corner and stopped short when she spied them. “Oh, my.” Immediately she set to work ordering that respective baths were to be prepared. Drake would be grateful for the chance to clean up but first he needed to ensure that Fleur was well.
When he asked about her, Mrs. Honeywell replied, “I haven’t seen her since this morning, but she hasn’t left the house to my knowledge.”
An instant charge of warning shot up Drake’s spine, but he told himself not to arrive at any conclusions until he’d had a chance to ask the rest of the staff.
Erin, her maid, was the next to be questioned. The slight frown bothered him further. “She didn’t touch her lunch but then, I don’t recall seeing her since this morning either.”
Drake’s mind was racing by this point, but he managed to keep his composure intact. The exhaustion that had swamped him earlier vanished as he rushed from room to room looking for any sign of her. It wasn’t until he reached the studio that he could feel the fine hairs rising on the back of his neck.
“What is it?” Amos asked at his side.
“I’m not sure…” Drake moved to the wall and looked closely at the fixture there. It had changed since the last time he’d been in the room. “Devil take it,” he grumbled under his breath as he opened the door to the secret passage. There was nothing on the other side, but he knew where it led. Turning to Amos, he instructed, “The blasted woman is too intuitive for her own good. Stay here in case she finds a way to return.”
With that, he disappeared on the other side.
CHAPTER13
She couldn’t see her hand in front of her face. It didn’t matter if her eyes were open or closed, it was the same sensation. It was both disorienting and terrifying, but without knowing how to get back into the room behind her, Fleur knew she had no other choice but to move forward and hope it led to more light.
Putting her hand against the wall, she slid it along, moving her feet slowly and cautiously lest she encounter any steps along the way and tumble to her death. It was not a pleasant image, to be certain. At nearly the same time that image was fresh in her mind, she hit a step. Thankfully, it led upward, so she started the ascent.
Fleur kept telling herself that this would bring her closer to solving the mystery surrounding Mr. Drake Porter. She wondered if he would ever truly open himself up to her, so she was going to have to find a way to understand him on her own.
Perhaps the answers she sought could be found at the end of this labyrinth.
Inching her way along, Fleur concentrated on steadying her breathing and not giving into the panic that was hovering just below the surface.Right foot, left foot. Eventually the stairs ended and she was back on level footing once more.
