“I wanted to speak with you,” she said to Thea. There was no sense thinking on other matters at the moment. She had much more pressing things to handle. “I believe you might have met a gentleman at the library.”
Thea patted the bed beside her, and Esme edged herself onto the mattress. “I don’t know that I’ve met anyone recently.”
“Perhaps you’ve spoken to him before. It’s quite important, Thea. Think,” Esme said, trying not to lose her patience.
“You seem most grave,” Thea said. She picked at the nails on her right hand. “I speak to plenty of people at the library.” She shrugged. “You know me; I am rather social.”
“Yes, I know.” Esme squeezed Thea’s shoulder. “There’s nothing for you to worry about; I only need to know about one gentleman in particular. A tall man with graying hair and nice-looking features. He would, no doubt, have been very friendly and charming.” When Thea still hadn’t said anything, Esme added, “Perhaps he mentioned me?”
Thea’s pale blue eyes brightened with recognition. “Oh, yes, there was that handsome fellow. You know, I don’t guess I actually got his name.” She frowned. “But we have spoken on several occasions. In fact, earlier this week we had a lovely conversation. And you’re right, he is exceedingly charming. I had actually thought to introduce the two of you at some point.”
Esme’s stomach tightened. “And he asked about me?”
“He didn’t precisely ask about you. No, more or less, he knew things about you. I fancied him as an admirer of yours. He said he’d heard of your studies surrounding Pandora’s box from two other scholars whom you correspond with.”
Esme fought to keep her breathing steady. She did not want to frighten Thea, though fear was certainly coursing through her own body. Somehow the Raven knew about Mr. Nichols and Mr. Brown, and that meant the two of them were in danger as well. She needed to contact them as soon as possible to alert them to take all precautions necessary to protect themselves.
Thea continued to peel at her nails. Esme stilled the older woman’s hands. “Thea, I need for you to cease visiting the library for the time being. Please restrict yourself to the marquess’s library while we are staying here. He has a grand collection; I’m sure it will suffice.”
“Esme, what are you hiding from me?” Thea frowned, her bright cherub face creasing. “Are you in some sort of trouble?”
“Nothing like before—I can assure you I am finished with scandals.” Esme laughed, hoping it would sooth Thea’s worries. She might indeed be done with scandals, but curses were another matter entirely. “But that gentleman you’ve spoken to is certainly attempting to cause trouble for me. It is most important that you stay away from him. Charming though he might be, he is not a nice man.”
Her face relaxed. “Oh, poppycock; that man is too kind and handsome to cause any harm. Perhaps it is another man you are referring to?”
“I don’t think so. Promise me you’ll stay away from the library?”
“I promise.” Thea nodded. “And you stick close to that Mr. Grey. Allow him to watch over you, my dear.”
Esme had turned to Fielding last night, and her body still hummed with the pleasure he’d given her. His lovemaking had been so passionate, so possessive, she feared she’d lost a bit of herself to him she’d never regain.
“I know you are used to standing on your own,” Thea continued. “But on occasion one needs to lean on someone stronger.”
Ah, but what if that stronger person did not want you leaning on them?
Esme had put aside her anger with him long enough to solicit his help.
“I’m sure both men are perfectly fine,” Fielding said. “I sent a message for Mr. Brown to the Times today; they’ll print it tomorrow. But Mr. Nichols—I need to be certain he’s unharmed.”
When Fielding said nothing, Esme’s shoulders deflated.
“The Raven mentioned them to Thea, and he knows who the men are and my connection with them,” she said.
“I’ll drive you over to see Mr. Nichols. Because I know if I don’t, you’ll simply go without me.” That should have earned him a smile, but instead Esme simply nodded. He longed to touch her again but feared if he did, even just to graze her hand, he’d lose control and make love to her again. He wanted to regret last night, even knew he should; yet he felt no remorse.
They had been in the carriage for ten minutes before Esme spoke again. “I’d like to locate a lost love of Thea’s. A man she almost married.”
“What brought this on?” Fielding asked.
“I can’t protect her. I need someone who can,” she said. “If the Raven got to her, I’d never forgive myself.”
“What is the man’s name?”
“Albert Moore. I’d intended to contact him after this business with the curse was completed.”
“He is an old man now,” Fielding said. “Not much protection.”
“Perhaps, but Thea said he was an adventurer. Surely that means he has some experience in dealing with unsavory situations.” She swallowed hard. “Besides, it occurred to me today that this might not end so positively for me. That perhaps I should try to find him sooner. And someone looking after her, regardless of their age, would be better than her being alone.”
