Miss Bolingbroke bit her lower lip before saying, “You should visit her and speak to her. Perhaps she could shed some light on what has happened.”
“I don’t even know where Lady Eugenie is being held,” Enid said.
With a glance at the empty doorway, Miss Bolingbroke lowered her voice. “It was reported she was being held at The Brown Bear, a public house, until the coroner does the inquest. It is across the street from the Bow Street station.”
“I couldn’t possibly go there…” Her voice trailed off. Why couldn’t she? She was already ruined so she didn’t risk jeopardizing her reputation. Besides, it would be a chance to prove to Lady Eugenie that she wasn’t alone at a time like this.
While she mulled over her thoughts, Rosamond shared, “A public house is no place for a lady. I have heard they are terribly dirty and there are more rats than occupants.”
“That may be true, but I think it would be best if I went,” Enid said. “I could hear what happened directly out of Lady Eugenie’s mouth and not rely on what is reported in the newssheets.”
“And if she does admit to killing her lover?” Rosamond asked.
“Then I will know the truth,” Enid replied.
Rosamond glanced at Enid with pursed lips. “Is there any way I can talk you out of this madness?”
“I need to do this,” Enid said.
Miss Bolingbroke interjected, “Would you care for me to accompany you?”
“I do not think that is wise,” Enid responded. “You would be risking your reputation if you set foot near a public house.”
“Who will accompany you, then?” Miss Bolingbroke asked.
“I am a widow and there are some perks to being one,” Enid said.
Miss Bolingbroke’s eyes grew wide. “Please say that you don’t intend to go by yourself?”
Before she could answer, her mother and Lady Oxley stepped into the room, effectively ending their conversation.
Enid knew it was intolerably stupid of her to even consider going to visit Lady Eugenie in a public house but she had to do something to help her friend- even if that meant she went into the most vile of places.
ChapterThree
Greydon sat in the comfortable upholstered armchair at White’s as he stared at the fire in the hearth. He was biding his time until he could speak to the coroner who was over Lady Eugenie’s case. He needed answers, and Sir David Abbott was the only one that could help him.
He had worked with Sir David before on multiple cases, and he considered him to be competent at his job. Sir David was direct in his questions when he interviewed the witnesses, and their names were properly recorded in the coroner’s rolls.
Greydon’s drink remained untouched in front of him as he attempted to appear unaffected by the attention he was garnering. Men would glance his way, some with pity in their eyes, but no one dared to approach him. Which was fine by him. He wasn’t in the mood to converse. He was only at the club until he could get the answers he so desperately sought.
He knew that his time as a Bow Street Runner was coming to a close now that he was an heir to an earldom, but he wouldn’t hang up his red waistcoat until he was sure that Lady Eugenie would pay with her life for killing his brother.
Lord Brentwood’s voice came from behind him. “There you are,” he said as he came to stand by him. “I have been looking for you.”
“For what purpose?” Greydon asked. He had no business with Lord Brentwood so why was he here? And couldn’t the man see that he wanted to be alone?
Lord Brentwood sat in the chair next to him and lowered his voice. “I need to speak to you about a delicate matter.”
“Can we not speak of this later?” Greydon asked.
“Why? Are you busy?” Lord Brentwood asked with a knowing look at his full glass.
Greydon frowned. “What is it that you want, Brentwood?” The faster he got this over with, the sooner he could be alone again.
With a glance over his shoulder, Brentwood said, “I need your help with something.”
“And you naturally thought of me?” he asked gruffly.
