* * *
The opera was a lively place to visit – a venue where spectators watched each other with equal, if not more interest, than what they showed the performers.Theatre glasses were pressed to everyone’s eyes as they sought to discover a new affair, a ghastly choice of attire, or some other detail to gossip about at the next social gathering.
One man, however, sought something different as he took stock of those present, his focus on finding a debutante guilty of wicked behavior.Smiling at those who glanced his way, he kept the dark thoughts that swirled through his mind carefully hidden.
They stood in sinister contrast to the shimmering light provided by hundreds of gilded wall sconces, but they also reminded him of his purpose.A purpose that was becoming increasingly easy for him to fulfill.Hell, his most recent murder had quenched a thirst he’d not even realized he had.The power he’d found in seducing Lady Lavinia right before slitting her throat had been wonderfully thrilling.
He needed to experience that again.
So he kept on scanning the youthful faces of women who prided themselves on being untouched.Somewhere among them were those who were anything but.And sooner or later he would find them.If only to appease his own hunger.
32
It took a good couple of hours for Adrian to return from his unpleasant journey.Elks greeted him and Murry in the foyer before conveying a message.
“Marsdale stopped by an hour ago.He said to tell you he’d be at the Hog Tail Tavern until eleven, if you’d like to join him there for a drink.”
“My bath will have to wait until later then,” Adrian said, walking to the stairs and proceeding to climb them two steps at a time.
He’d been looking forward to washing the filth from his conscience, but Edward was family, so if he wanted company, Adrian would deliver.It had been a while since they’d last spoken.A lot had happened during that time.“Help me freshen up, Murry.I want to be on my way within fifteen minutes.”
It was nearing ten by the time he strode into the noisy alehouse.He surveyed the space, but it was so packed with patrons near the front where the ale was served, he’d have needed to stand on a stool in order to find anyone.
Pushing forward, he squeezed his way past a series of tables until he reached a more open spot.He turned, his gaze catching the bounce of two dice being used in a game of hazard.A roar of laughter erupted behind his left shoulder before someone shouted for one of the barmaids to fetch additional tankards of ale.
He could use a drink of his own to silence the censorious thoughts flooding his brain.The blank-eyed stares of the men he’d killed remained in his mind’s eye, taunting him – reminding him how he had failed in his promise to Evie.
No.He shook off the voice that taunted him.Those men had deserved what they got.He’d not minced words when he’d threatened them in the alley.They’d chosen to ignore him and now they’d paid the price.
Besides, they were no different from the other men he’d killed while enforcing his father’s will.
Perhaps not, but this time, you made the call entirely by yourself.
Clenching his jaw, he rounded a wooden post and was happy to spot his friend’s familiar profile.He stood with a few other people – Lords Glendale, Ottersburg and Midhurst, as well as Mr.Nigel Lawrence.
Adrian stepped forward, swept his hat from his head, and greeted them each in turn – ever conscious of their gazes assessing the bruises on his face.No one commented on it, however.In fact, the only one who showed any interest in his arrival was Edward.Understandable, since they were friends.The rest were, as his father had put it, a potential means to an end.
None of them argued when Adrian proposed he and Edward excuse themselves from the group.Moving away from the others, they found a table in a far corner, and grabbed an extra chair.
“Will you tell me what happened?”Edward asked once they’d settled into their seats.He gestured with his hand to gain a barmaid’s attention.“Looks like your face may have met with a fist.”
The barmaid arrived and Adrian ordered them both a couple of drinks.
“Remember my accident with the low hanging beam?”When Edward nodded, Adrian confessed, “I was actually attacked by a couple of thugs.”
“What?”The question was spoken in anger – anger on Adrian’s behalf.“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Adrian shrugged.“The same men attacked me again today.They were after the files I inherited from my father.”
“And they came after you twice.”Edward stared at him in dismay.“You realize this means they’ll be likely to try again, right?”
“They won’t.”
The barmaid returned.She placed two mugs on the table and took the one Edward was done with before walking off.
“How do you know?”Edward asked, his hard gaze boring straight through Adrian.
“Because I made sure of it.”
