For although Murry had assured him there was no cause for concern when it came to Miss Carmichael, Adrian had to be sure she would accept him the way he was, that she would stand by him when his darker side chose to rise from its slumber.That she would still care for him even if the blood of his sister’s killer stained his hands.
A life at his side was not for the weak.It required strength.Whether or not Miss Carmichael had enough remained to be seen.
And yet, despite all this he chose to have hope as he swung himself into his saddle and trotted toward Hyde Park.In all the years he’d spent navigating one social season after the next, she was the first woman who’d made him stop to think of his future.Surely that had to mean something.
He gripped the reins and steered his mount onto Park Street.The morning light was slightly hazy today, the temperature already pleasant despite the early hour.It wasn’t yet nine, which suggested Miss Carmichael must be an early riser.Her home was a good half hour away without any significant traffic, yet her invitation had reached his home before eight.
Choosing to take the quieter route, Adrian rode onto Green Street and was nearing Park Lane when a group of people milling about up ahead caught his notice.He slowed his horse when he spotted Kendrick.
The chief constable chatted with one of his Runners, the grave look in his eyes putting Adrian on alert.He dismounted and walked his horse through the small crowd of people who’d gathered near the entrance to an alley.Another Runner kept them back, but he couldn’t silence their comments about the woman someone had found.
Throat dry, he walked straight up to the Runner while equal parts dread and hope raked his skin.He had no wish to look at another victim – feared he might not be able to do so without seeing Evie – but knew that the chance of finding the killer increased every time a new victim was found.
Eventually, he’d leave behind more useful clues than the ones Adrian had discovered thus far.
“What’s going on?”he asked the first Runner he reached.
“That’s not for me to say.”
Impatient, Adrian started to push his way past him, but the Runner was quicker than he’d expected and blocked him with his arm.“You’ve got to stay back, sir.We can’t have all of London interfering in our crime scene.”
Adrian glared at the fellow even though he was only doing his job.“Get out of my way.”
“Can’t do that, I’m afraid.Now take a step back or—”
“Kendrick!”Adrian didn’t even bother with looking toward the chief constable while he shouted his name.Instead, his cool gaze remained on the man who blocked him.
“It’s all right, Jackson.Let him through.”
Adrian offered Jackson his reins.“Hold these, will you?”
“That’s not my job,” Jackson protested.
“Shall we see about that?”Adrian challenged.
Jackson scowled at him but took the reins, allowing Adrian to cross to where Kendrick stood.The chief constable jerked his head at the Runner with whom he’d been chatting, sending him away.
Crossing his arms, he gave his attention to Adrian.“I suppose you want to know what’s happened.”
Adrian held his gaze with steely resolve.“One of the onlookers said that a woman was found.Murdered, I’m guessing?”
“Same as the previous victims,” Kendrick confirmed.He glanced toward the alleyway.A frown puckered his brow.“It’s slightly different this time though.”
“How so?”
“The woman’s bodice was pulled down, leaving her more exposed than the others.”
Adrian swallowed past the increasing aridness in his throat as he too glanced toward the alley.“Do you know who she is?”
“I’ve never seen her before, but her clothes are quality and her hands without calluses.She has to be upper class.”
“Mind if I take a look?See if I can identify her?”
“It’s not an easy sight, Mr.Croft.”Kendrick looked genuinely reluctant to push him.“Considering your sister, I imagine you’d rather avoid the scene.”
“Not if it helps us track down the villain.”Adrian turned, his long and even strides taking him into the alley before he could second guess his decision.
It didn’t take long for him to spot the body, bile filling his throat the moment he did so.She lay on her side, a rumpled discarded mess pressed into the wall of the building that stood to Adrian’s left.Her blank eyes stared straight through him, and the blood…
