“I’ll see about the footmen then,” Murry told him.
“Thank you.That will be all for now.”Murry left and Adrian finished undressing before stepping into his bath.As usual, there was much for him to accomplish today.Those who depended upon his father’s good graces had to be kept in check.
With this in mind, he bathed quickly and toweled off, his thoughts returning to Miss Irvine and the two other victims who’d come before.The notion of someone preying on innocent women made his blood boil.Whoever this murderous bastard was, he had to be stopped so Evie could be safe.
As was too often the case, Bow Street didn’t appear to be making progress in that regard.The first victim, Miss Fairchild, was murdered two months ago, yet the killer had yet to be captured.
Adrian muttered a curse and snatched up the shirt that had been laid on his bed then proceeded to dress.After donning his trousers and waistcoat, he called for Murry to assist him with his cravat.
Once ready, he went to locate his sister, who was now in the dining room enjoying her breakfast.
“I wanted to wish you a pleasant day before heading out,” he informed her.
“You’re not eating?”She slid her gaze toward him, abandoning the paper she’d been reading.A hint of a smile tugged at her lips.
“I did so before my ride.”
“Of course.”Disappointment filled her dark gaze.“I suppose I’ll see you later then?”
“Tonight,” he confirmed.“At supper.Until then, there are matters I need to attend to.In the meantime, I’d like to ask that you don’t go out.”
“A bit hypocritical of you, wouldn’t you say?”She arched her brows before turning her attention to her tea and taking a sip.“I’ve a scheduled meeting with Rose and Louise.We’re to go shopping together.”
“Call it off.”He doubted the women she spoke of were genuine friends of hers anyway.Most people, he’d learned from his father, hoped to gain an advantage from the connections they made.Experience had taught him that this was true, with only a few rare exceptions.
“Whatever for?”
Adrian gripped the doorframe.“There’s a murderer on the loose.It isn’t safe.”
She raised her chin.“According to the articles I have read on the matter, all three women were killed in the evening while on their own.It’s daytime now and I shan’t be alone.There’s no need for you to worry.”
“Easy for you to say,” he muttered.Unlike him, she’d been spared from dealing with villains and cutthroats – men who’d sell their own daughters into a life of whoring if they stood to gain from such a transaction.He’d seen the bleak side of London, the shadowy corners where crime thrived and death prevailed.There was no escaping it in his line of work, but he supposed his sister did make a reasonable point.Nevertheless, he felt inclined to tell her, “I’ll not argue further if one of our footmen goes with you.”
Her gaze snapped to his and held for a second before she finally answered.“Fine.”
Expelling the breath he’d been holding, he eased his grip on the doorframe and wished her a pleasant day before stopping by his father’s study on the way out.
“I’m off to speak with Macintyre and Goldie,” he told him from the doorway.
Papa glanced up briefly from the ledger in which he was writing.Of stocky build, George Croftstill conveyed an intimidating amount of strength and power, despite having reached his seventieth year.His features, however, had slackened a little with age, and the hair that had once been black had faded to grey.
“Let’s get some results this time, shall we?”Papa’s quill scratched the paper as he made a note.“Your men’s last effort was laughable at best.”
Adrian gritted his teeth.“I’ll handle it myself this time.Rest assured, I know what needs to be done.”
Papa’s steely blue gaze returned to him once more, and this time it held.“I should bloody well hope so.”
Without adding anything further, Adrian took a step back and shut the door.He then went to let Murry know about Evie’s plans to go out, before setting off for the gaming hell Macintyre ran.
The place had been transformed from a filthy, dimly lit dump only those who lacked class and pride would frequent, to an elegant place of business where several upper-class gentlemen now chose to risk their fortunes.All at the Croft family’s expense.
With several weapons concealed on his person, including a long narrow blade tucked into a specially crafted channel located in the sleeve of his jacket, Adrian alit from the carriage when it pulled up in front of The Devil’s Den.Keeping all senses on full alert, he moved toward the front door with swift strides and, finding it locked, proceeded to knock.
A sleepy-eyed woman answered his call.Dressed in a red satin robe, she looked as though she belonged to the brothel where he would be heading next.Her lips drew into a saucy smile as her gaze swept the length of his body.
“You’re a welcome morning surprise,” she purred, stepping a bit too close for comfort.If only she knew how he loathed the cloying perfume of roses.
He nudged her aside with his shoulder and entered the building, his gaze quickly moving toward the gaming room that stood beyond the foyer.“Where’s Macintyre?”
