Her friend paused and set down her cup, staring into the dark brew.
A touch of alarm spiked in Eloise’s gut, and she stiffened. “Adrienne?”
The modiste chewed her lower lip. “The man who shot Bill Campion was seen earlier, arguing with Robbie Green about a missing boy.”
Eloise couldn’t breathe. “What?”
Adrienne leaned back in her chair. “When you told me you had asked him for help, I knew who to ask. People I know at Campion’s hell.”
Understanding hit. “Lucy.”
“You went in the front. I went in the back. I was not about to leave you in that den of iniquity all alone. Did you know she used to be a seamstress for me?”
“No!”
“She remembered you from your debutante days. Apparently, when Robbie started asking folks about Timothy, word spread quickly into some very dank corners of the Garden. Morgan got wind of it, decided to confront Robbie before anyone found out—”
Eloise pressed down on the table. “That man took Timothy?”
“Hold.” Adrienne gripped Eloise’s forearm. “No one knows if that is what happened. Not yet. What Robbie knows is that Morgan is a... purveyor... of boys to older men who like that sort of thing.”
“Oh, dear God in heaven. Is that what he thinks happened to Timothy? That’s diabolical!”
“Indeed. No one at Campion’s remembers seeing Timothy, but you have been there. The floor is chaotic.”
“I know.” Eloise’s shoulders sagged. “I played whist with Morgan. I had a feeling he knew something.”
“Lucy says Morgan is a wily character. Disgusting but not stupid. Not, that is, until he shot Bill Campion. Even if he did not hang for that, the Garden would draw and quarter him. People there love Bill Campion.”
“So does Robbie.” Eloise finally took another sip of coffee. “But if Morgan was the only connection—”
“Lucy thinks Robbie will find a way to ferret them out. She saw his face when he confronted Morgan. He has the bit between his teeth now.”
“Unfortunately, Robbie is going to have a lot more on his mind than a missing boy.”
Adrienne studied her. “Eloise...?”
“You want to win that wager at White’s?”
Adrienne’s jaw dropped. “Are you cozening me?” When Eloise shook her head, Adrienne clutched her hand. “He cannot! Not if he’s also—” She waved her hand in the general direction of Mayfair.
“A duke’s son?”
“Society will eat him alive! Not to mention what the Duke of Makendon will do to him.”
“I offered to help him.”
Adrienne leaned back in her chair, her mouth a thin line.
“Adrienne?”
“Has seeking ruin always been a hobbyhorse of yours or is this something new you intended to accomplish?”
Eloise looked down at the coffee cup she had clutched between her hands. The question should not hurt. She knew how much Adrienne cared for her—and Adrienne did not know about Timothy. Still, it did hurt, and her eyes stung. She wiped away the wetness quickly, scolding herself. Now was not the time. Eloise took a deep breath and raised her head. “I do believe that die has already been cast.”
“You mean the fact that Robbie took comfort with you in Lucy’s room?”
“Lucy told you?”
