Nelly released her, then gave her a shove, sending Edwina into a sprawl.Her palms and the side of her face pressed into the floor.When she looked up next, the woman was at the door.It opened, allowing a brief glimpse of freedom as Nelly departed.
Panting for breath, Edwina pushed herself into a kneeling position, then crawled to the nearest chair and proceeded to haul herself back up and onto her feet.
She’d almost succeeded when the door swung open once more, admitting the man she knew as Mr.Havilland.Another man followed him in.Nelly stood a few paces behind them.
“Oh, dear,” said Mr.Havilland.He padded toward her as though he had all the time in the world.“I was hoping you’d be more compliant, but it seems you’ve terrified poor Nelly.”
Edwina looked to the man she did not recognize.“Are you Mr.Grover?”
“Goodness no,” said Havilland.“I’mMr.Grover.Remember?”
“No…I…” She didn’t understand what was happening.“I just want to go home.”
“But you ran away from home,” Mr.Grover said, his voice like honey.“Don’t you recall?You wished to escape your brother’s wrath.Indeed, you said you feared him.”
“No.That can’t be true.”Sebastian could be harsh and might well be feared by others, but he was her family.He loved her, protected her, and wanted only the best for her.
“It’s all right, though,” Mr.Grover said.“There’s no need to fret since you’re here now, with us, safe and secure.I’ll make sure you’re valued and appreciated for your worth.”
“Please let me go,” Edwina begged, her voice breaking beneath the tears that burned in her eyes.
“I’m afraid my conscience will not allow that.”Mr.Grover stuck his hand in his pocket and retrieved the familiar pipe along with a tinderbox.“While this isn’t how I planned on presenting you later, it will help ease your distress.”
Edwina shrank back, away from him, while clenching her jaw and shaking her head.As much as she craved the effect the smoke would have upon her, she knew it would steal her ability to think and to move.
Don’t inhale.Just pretend.
Yet the scent of the smoke alone, as Mr.Grover lit the pipe, was like a drug in itself.It tempted her, lured her, reminded her of the bliss it provided.
So when he held the pipe to her lips, encouraging her to inhale, she couldn’t resist.The teasing tendrils of ecstasy slipped down her throat and into her lungs, divesting her of every concern as she slid into peaceful surrender.
15
James Murry had spent the better part of the day working on how to gain access to The Albion Hotel and, more importantly, the auction itself, without anyone raising an eyebrow.Even if he wore a mask, as suggested in the invitation, the name he provided upon entry would likely be checked against a list.
Although, to be fair, he doubted anyone would stand in his way if he claimed to be there on Croft’s behalf.He could say that his master had learned of the auction and had sent James to participate.Not entirely implausible, given Croft’s current family situation.
However, such a move posed the risk of additional questioning and suspicion, since it was now widely known that Mr.Croft wasn’t as willing to turn a blind eye toward criminal activity as his father had been.In addition, some of the people due to participate in this evening’s event might have heard that Croft was looking for Lady Edwina.
Mr.Henshaw, for instance, could have mentioned his meeting with Croft while visiting his club.
In other words, James could not use Mr.Croft’s name in this context.He would have to get in some other way, then put on his mask once he got past the checkpoint, and pretend he’d been invited.
To this end, he took a hackney to Bond Street, where he visited Mr.Croft’s favorite tailor, who was more than happy to sell him a ready-made outfit that only required minor adjustments.James stopped by the barber shop next, after which he visited Maison Beaumont, which he knew to be the most sought-after cake shop in London.
Before returning to the new room he’d rented at Mivart’s, he stopped by Berry Brothers and Rudd on St.James’s Street in order to pick up three bottles of their most expensive champagne.Thankfully, none of these places questioned the purchases and happily added them all to Mr.Croft’s line of credit.
It was nearing five in the afternoon when James returned to Mivart’s.One of the footmen in the foyer helped him bring all his purchases up to his room.James thanked him and gave him a pound for the effort before seeing him out.
He closed the door and locked it securely, then blew out a breath.It was time to prepare.
One hour later, attired in clothes that equaled half a year’s worth of his salary, James left the hotel together with Kip, who helped him carry the cake and champagne.
“Core, you look like a different person,” Kip had exclaimed when James came to meet him downstairs.“Like one of ’em toffs who lives on Grosvenor Square.”
Perfect.
They headed directly to Leichester Street, around the corner from Lisle, where The Albion’s front entrance was located.Here they alighted, paid the driver, and walked past the spot where deliveries were made to the hotel.
