“I don’t like people mucking around in my investigation.”
Gabriel tipped his cap and turned. “I leave it to you to solve.”
“Noble, I will catch up with you eventually.”
“I’m sure you will.”
Gabriel led her out of the house and beyond the curious eyes of the boarders.
She clasped his arm. “We need to warn the other women in the pictures. The ones who are still alive.”
He pursed his lips, narrowed his eyes.
“Should we circulate their pictures? How will we find them? Especially the lady in the veil?”
He turned away from her, looking down the street. “The sketches are in Dresden’s hands. It will be his job to find them. The man is stubborn, but he is usually thorough when given a credible lead.”
“But—”
He started moving and she hurried to follow. “No buts. We will continue trying to find Jacob Worley. Leave the women to Dresden. Getting your brother released is our concern, those women are not.”
His stride lengthened and she fell behind. “But—”
“Miss Winters? Marietta Winters?”
Marietta missed a step. Her body tried to freeze but her mind screamed at her to keep moving.
“Marietta Winters?” A hand grabbed her arm and she was spun to face the narrowed, gleeful eyes of Felicity Tercake. Her perfect bonnet shadowed her face from the sun, giving her an unimpeded view of Marietta. “Itisyou.”
“Quite.” She kept herself from gripping her shop girl skirt.
“Oh, this istoogood,” Felicity crowed. “You’ve turned to trade, dear cousin? Walking to the poor-house, are you? Saying a final prayer for that brother of yours?”
“If you are quite finished.”
“Not for at least a quarter hour more.” She smirked. “What you’ve missed. You are the talk of the ton, my dear. You and your brothers. Nasty little business there.”
“I see you are reveling in it.”
“Oh, indeed. Never did like the lot of you. Hanging on Mother, begging for an invite to all the right functions. It is so freeing to be able to tell you how happy I am to see you cut loose.”
“Your beneficence will surely be rewarded.”
“Benton will be declaring for me any day now, so I’m sure it shall be,” she said blithely, flicking the edge of her bonnet.
Unless things had changed drastically in the past few weeks, Marietta doubted it. “Lord Benton will hardly choose you. He could have a diamond, and you are anything but.”
Felicity’s eyes narrowed but she continued to smile. “As if you’d know a diamond from paste. How many offers have you had, Marietta? Oh, and how many invitations have graced your door of late?”
“None,” Marietta said with a calm she didn’t feel. “As you are well aware.”
“I am,” she purred. “Have you read the papers lately? They say you’ve turned to whoring.” She looked her over. “I will be happy to confirm it.”
“Such a nasty word for aladyto use.”
Marietta jumped. She had temporarily forgotten Gabriel. He had been steps ahead of her when she’d been grabbed. Felicity startled as well, turning her bonneted head to see who had addressed her.
Felicity’s mouth dropped an inch and Marietta watched the cogs turn as her lips pulled into a brilliant smile. Gabriel was the most…well, just themostman she’d ever met. She had little doubt the same was true for Felicity. “Goodness. My apologies, sir. You are most correct. My acquaintance here does tend to bring out the worst in me.”
