“How many drinks have you had today?”
“As many’s was needed. To numb the head.” He slumped back into his seat.
Edward collected the oil lamp and turned it up. “You don’t even have a fire in here to warm you. I’ll ask one of the maids to—”
“Don’t ya bloody dare.”
Edward froze on his way to the bell-pull. He turned to Adrian, whose face was now visible thanks to the added light. Despite his intoxicated state, he still had that dangerous look about him that threatened to unleash infinite fury on anyone daring enough to thwart him.
And yet, Edward saw it for what it truly was in this moment. Pure terror.
The only way to vanquish it was to get Samantha back, and to do that, Adrian would have to be saved first.
Edward took a breath. “Foregoing comfort won’t help.”
“How the ’ell would you know?”
“Because this is not an environment conducive to forging plans. And drinking yourself into oblivion won’t provide the mental faculty required to find a solution.”
“You think I’ve done nothin’ but sit here on my arse?” Adrian’s voice rose as he pushed himself back on his feet. He snatched up his tumbler and started rounding the desk with a heavy tread. “I’ve been out there, Edward.” He jabbed his finger toward the window. “Huntin’ the streets. Askin’ for…for help. I’ve sent people off to…to search. But she’s gone. So by all means, Edward, tell me what to do. Tell me where to look if you’re so damn clever. ’Cause I’ve no bloody clue.”
“Have you brought the matter to Bow Street’s attention?”
Adrian gave him a what’s-wrong-with-you look and swung toward the sideboard on unsteady feet.
“Adrian. You have to stop drinking.” When Adrian ignored him and proceeded to refill his glass, Edward crossed to where he stood and took hold of his arm. “Enough.”
Perhaps he ought to have known where the interference would lead, yet the upward jab of Adrian’s elbow still caught him off guard. He stumbled back a couple of steps. By the time he’d regained his balance, Adrian’s fist was flying toward him so fast he barely managed to dodge it.
“You think you have the right?” Adrian asked, choosing this time to catch Edward’s lapels in his fisted hand. “To come here and issue instructions when you didn’t even have what it takes to avenge my sister.”
Edward knew the words were part of an outburst that had very little to do with him, yet they still stung. “I’m not like you, Adrian. You know this.”
Adrian shoved him against the wall and leaned in, his face twisted in fury. A sneer curled his lips. “You’re weak and you’ve made me weak by association.”
“Don’t say that.”
“Afraid of the truth?” Adrian snorted. “Let’s see if you have the stomach for it, shall we? In case you’re wondrin’, Clive Newton died at my hand. I’m no sorrier for it than I am for killing Benjamin Lawrence or Doctor Ashburry. The number of lives I’ve taken would horrify you, but only one of them matters right now and that’s Finn Bloody O’Leary. He’s the reason Samantha was taken. Because I killed his father, Edward. I did this to her, you see. Me. The monster she married.”
None of what Adrian said surprised him. Although this side of his friend had always been kept in the dark, Edward had known. He wasn’t sure how, but he had, and he’d never once thought it reason enough for him to end their association.
Perhaps because of who Adrian was as a person.
“You would never take a life without good reason. That tells me O’Leary’s father deserved it.”
“Should that make me feel better?” Adrian released his hold on Edward’s lapels. He turned away, leaving Edward to straighten his jacket. “Just leave me be.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Why the hell not?”
“Because you’re my friend. As such, I’m not about to abandon you when you need me the most.”
“Trust me when I tell you, you don’t want any part of this.” Thankfully, Adrian appeared to have forgotten about refilling his glass. He returned to his chair and had almost reclaimed his seat when a maid arrived.
She brought a tray filled with coffee things and prepared to place it on the desk when Adrian said, “We’ve no need for that since Marsdale is leaving. Please take it away.”
“Ignore him,” said Edward. “I mean to enjoy a cup of coffee and one of those tasty looking sandwiches before I depart.”
