“If they live anywhere at all, they live in the workhouse or in St. Giles,” Evelyn said. “Laurence might know. He tried to kill him once.”
“His butler tried to kill him?” the duke asked. “What the devil was he thinking to hire the man to run his household?”
“Doesn’t matter,” Lord Tristan said. “I’ll have another chat with him.”
Evelyn came to her feet. “I’m going with you.”
As she walked with Tristan and the duke—who had insisted upon coming as well—to the house next door, she knew that Rafe wouldn’t fancy his brothers learning the truth about the life he’d led while they’d been away. But if he was in trouble they might be in a position to help him, and that was all that mattered now. Finding him, ensuring he was safe.
She didn’t know why she cared so much. Yes, she did. It was that little irritating fact that she loved him, in spite of his gruffness, his walls, and his distance. He was a better man than he gave himself credit for. She’d caught glimpses of that man.
She didn’t bother to knock when they arrived, but simply walked in as though the residence was hers. Laurence emerged from a doorway, stumbled to a stop, and smiled. “Miss Chambers, you’ve returned. The master will be relieved. I’ll send word round to the club.”
“He’s not there,” Tristan said. “He left his club three nights ago. When I was here earlier, you told me you hadn’t seen him in three days.”
“Yes, that’s correct. He’s not been here, but then for him that’s not unusual. Before Miss Chambers arrived here, he might go a month or two without popping by.”
“So if he isn’t at his club or here,” the duke began, “where might he be?”
Laurence shook his head. “There is nowhere else. Except for St. Giles. But he wouldn’t stay there for any length of time. He quite abhors the place.”
“Where should we begin looking?”
Laurence hesitated, no doubt from long association with a man who harbored secrets.
Evelyn gave him an encouraging smile. “Laurence, you should answer the duke. He and Lord Tristan are Mr. Easton’s brothers.”
“Ah, yes, I can see the similarities.”
“Tell him what you know.”
“He could be anywhere in St. Giles. I’ll send the servants out to see what they can uncover.”
“No need,” the duke said. “We’re off for there now.”
“With all due respect, Your Grace, are you familiar with St. Giles?”
“I’ve been through there, yes.”
“We all have lived there. If something is amiss, we can ferret it out.”
“All of you are from St. Giles?” Evelyn asked, not surprised to discover that Rafe had taken them in.
“Indeed, miss. If I might so bold, I suggest that you also have a word with Mick at the club. He remains a bit closer to the unsavory element than I.”
“Thank you, Laurence, for your advice,” Evelyn said. “We’ll heed it.”
“Let’s head to his club,” the duke said, turning to the door.
Evelyn spun on her heel to follow him.
“Miss?”
She turned back to Laurence.
“He spent a good deal of his life surviving those streets. One doesn’t do that without making some enemies, but he’s not one to go down easily.”
“You agree with Lord Tristan, you think he’s in trouble?”
