Page 32 of A Rogue to Forget

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“Miss Hannah, youhave a visitor. You’ve slept in.” Marta opened the curtains, brightening the room. “Should I ask that they return later?”

“Who?” Hannah sat up and looked around. “Where is the dog?”

Marta gave her a stern look. “The animal is downstairs making herself right at home. She’s been bathed and fed.”

“Oh good.” Hannah smiled, knowing Marta, like her, had a heart for animals. “Who is downstairs?”

“A detective. Sent by Mister Macleod.”

Flinging back the blankets, Hannah slipped from the bed. “Serve him tea. I will be down momentarily. Do not let him leave.”

Moments later, she hurried into the parlor to find an older bearded man drinking tea. The man stood. “Garrett Baxter, Miss.”

“Good morning,” Hannah said and sat down. “I am glad to see you.”

“Unfortunately, I do not bring an uplifting report. I found the man, Jules Brown. He lives alone in a rather questionable section of town and seems to keep unsuitable company.”

When Marta came to the doorway, Hannah motioned for her to join them. “What can you tell me about him?”

“What I informed Mister Macleod is that Mister Jules Brown has taken over Horace Brown’s business. Which is the ownership of several gambling dens.”

Marta gasped. “Most unholy of places.”

“Indeed,” Mister Baxter agreed. “From what I could find out, he is not in need of money and does not seem to be ailing.”

“How old is he?” Hannah asked.

The detective thought about it. “Ah yes, I failed to describe him. Mister Brown is twenty-three, has brown hair and eyes. He is of medium build and about my height.”

“I see,” Hannah said, considering that Jules Brown was two years older than her. “I will need his address.”

The man seemed uncomfortable at disclosing the information. “Mister Macleod asked that I tell you he plans to pay Jules Brown a visit.”

“The address, sir,” Hannah insisted. “This is my family. I have reason to believe Jules Brown is my half-brother.”

“What are you going to do?” Marta asked once the detective left.

“I am going to pay Jules Brown a visit this very afternoon.” Hannah turned to the door. “Now let me see my little dog. I shall have to name her.”

In the kitchen while Hannah sat on the floor to play with the pup, Marta fretted in the background.

Hannah studied the brown-speckled pup. “I know. You will be called Betty.”

The dog licked her hand, seeming to like the name.

“Miss Hannah, you should speak to Mister Macleod about this. Or perhaps Mister Henry.”

“Mister Henry will not be visiting any longer. From what I hear, he has other issues to see about.” Hannah looked to the woman and smiled. “I have to learn to fend for myself. I have no family to help.”

“The man sounds dangerous.”

Knocks sounded and both looked to the doorway. Marta hurried to answer the door while Hannah attempted to catch the pup. It slipped from her grasp, raced to the front door, and barked. The dog’s high-pitched barks would not scare anyone away.

Marta turned to look at her and held out a note.

“Thank you,” Hannah said, taking the note with her to the parlor. Upon sitting, she opened it. It was from Felicity asking that she not do anything impetuous. She further informed that both Evan and Lord Johnstone would be paying Jules Brown a visit.

There was no word as to when. Hannah surmised it would not be for a day or two. The men liked to preplan everything.

With a long sigh, she folded the note and turned to the view of the garden. She could not continue to wait. The sooner everything was resolved, the faster she could move on with her life.

Hannah went out of the parlor, down the corridor, and up the stairs. While perusing the clothes in the chifforobe, she considered that she wasn’t exactly sure what one wore to visit a rather unpleasant side of town.