“Yes, the flesh trade. But there’s more, isn’t there?” Eli held Rob’s eyes.
“I brought that to Viscount Rockford when I returned to Horse Guards yesterday.” Rob’s employer had eyes in every corner of the United Kingdom, and ears as well, trolling for information. “He wasn’t surprised.”
Eli’s eyes widened. “He knew about Edwards?”
“Specifically, no. He has had an investigation occurring in various cities, one I knew nothing about. Involving young girls being abducted off the street. Poor, unprotected ones generally, but lately there have been a series that matched Fanny’s situation.”
“Her birth?” That puzzled Eli. It wasn’t as if illegitimacy could be stamped on her brow.
“No—family member with gambling debts. It appears the criminal, or group of criminals, has been combining their enterprises, using threat of stealing daughters to get fathers, brothers, or stepfathers to pay. There haven’t been many, but they’ve made certain the debtors hear about the other incidents. Five in Manchester. Two in London.” Rob let that sink in before going on grimly, “As Holliday suggested, they are being sold along the Barbary Coast.”
“Slavery?” Eli swallowed. Hard. He had feared forced brothel labor, but Rob had mentioned the Barbary Coast in Manchester. “You think today is connected? What good would a woman do them if they pushed her to her death?”
Rob shrugged. “More intimidation. Evidence to other victims that they won’t give up. Or perhaps today really was an accident. We can’t be certain.”
Eli glanced at the three former soldiers watching them. “What part do you have for me to play?” He met his brother’s eyes. They both knew Eli had none of the skills of Rob’s men.
“Stay close to Fanny. I presume that is no hardship?” Rob grinned.
Eli ignored the implication. “I have a few errands to run for Clarion, but I’ll manage it. I’ll take her to the bank with me if I have to.”
“You need to brush up on your courtship skills, little brother, if you think she’ll enjoy that,” Rob said.
“I’m not courting the woman. I’m doing what I was hired to do—auditing accounts.” Eli glared at him.
“If you say so.” Rob’s cheeky grin disappeared. “Whatever your feelings about Fanny Hancock, it is our responsibility to keep her safe.”
Eli nodded and sat to listen to Rob organize his men to protect his house and outline his plans to hire more, there being, Rob said, plenty of their former soldiers who could use the work.
The brothers joined the ladies.
“Our apologies, ladies. Shall we go in to dinner?” Rob offered his arm to Lucy.
“Let’s hope the cook hasn’t succumbed to apoplexy,” Lucy responded tartly, taking his arm and going into the dining room.
Eli hovered near Fanny, her spicy apple scent filling his senses, swelling his heart, and feeding his fears for her. “I’m sorry for the delay,” he said.
Her tremulous smile tore at him. “It is a great deal of fuss over nothing.”
He forced a smile. “Probably. You will allow us to be protective, however.”
“Lucy said you would insist.” Fanny did not appear unhappy, and when he offered his arm, she took it.
Eli hated being pushed aside from the action, but hovering close to Fanny would be no hardship. The thought brought a smile to his lips. When she returned it, his world righted and one thing became clear. He would not be relegated to pushing papers, not where Fanny was concerned.
*
Lucy assured Fannyshe knew nothing. Whatever the Benson brothers spoke about, her husband refused to confide in her. He called it “a project for Rockford.”
“Why would Eli be involved in a project for Viscount Rockford?” Fanny asked.
“I can’t imagine a reason, but Rob took him to Horse Guards this morning,” Lucy said with a shrug.
Maddy sent word she felt queasy that morning and would not join them. When Fanny expressed concern, Lucy smiled slyly and said, “I expect she will be fine in due time.”
“Do you think she’s—” Fanny stumbled over the word.
“Expecting?” Lucy grinned. “Yes, I do. She’ll tell us when she’s ready.” Basking in the glow of new motherhood, Lucy apparently found the idea wonderful. Fanny had a twinge of envy.
