Page 18 of The Viscount of Shadows

“As if they are going to do anything about it. Very well, it is on Pottery Lane. It is a shack, more of a lean-to, next to the Black Moon pub.”

“Are there opium dens in this Piggery area?” Oliver asked.

“They are in decline, even in the East End, but I assume there are dens in most sections of London. Most are by the dock area to service sailors. Anyway, allow me to give you more of my report. I peered through the windows in the rear of the house, and all I could see was half-eaten food and dishes everywhere, along with empty liquor bottles. A woman stopped in on the third day. I thought it might be another prostitute, but I observed her taking rubbish to the outside bin. They must have someone coming in to clean now and then.”

“So, not living in complete filth, there’s a mercy,” Oliver murmured sarcastically.

“I have taken a few photographs during the day when there is light. But most of their activities are nocturnal. Do you wish me to continue with this surveillance, my lord?”

Dalton entered with the tea tray, setting it on the desk between them. There was also a plate of iced sugar biscuits. Dalton served the tea and then left them alone. Claudia poured milk into her tea, took the cup and saucer, and sat back. She sipped, watching him closely over the rim of the cup.

“Yes. Continue for now. My family wishes a thorough report over several days and perhaps a few weeks.”

“Is this what is referred to as sowing those wild oats? Did you not do the same in your twenties, my lord?” The tug of a teasing smile pulled at the corner of her lovely lips.

“I am still in my twenties, Miss Ellingford. And no, I do not indulge in excessive immoralities. I live a more regulated life.”

“I can well imagine,” she murmured as she sipped her tea. “It is my experience that young men of means eventually run afoul of the law or, worse, the criminal element within slum areas.”

“Precisely what I—and the family—wish to avoid. I assume there are gangs of thieves in this Notting Dale?”

Claudia reached for a biscuit. “Yes, my lord. And a ruthless rookery boss. Pottery Lane is not referred to as Cut-throat Lane for nothing.” After consuming two biscuits, she flipped open her notebook to a fresh page, pencil in hand. “Now, tell me about your brother and your family. Do you have any siblings?”

“What has this to do with the case?”

She eyed him askance. “So I can ascertain your brother’s character, calculate his next move, and how he will respond to certain circumstances.”

“Fine. I am the oldest. Next comes two sisters, Lorene and Judith, and Bryan is the youngest. Yes, he is spoiled. My parents are the first to admit it. He has been mischievous his entire life, always getting into trouble. But mildly so, nothing like this. We are close-knit to a fault. I grew up surrounded by aunts, uncles, grandparents, great-grandparents, and multiple levels of cousins, as we all live within a three-to-ten-mile radius. We love and respect each other. To me, family is everything. That is why I and others in the family are concerned about Bryan.”

* * *

Claudia felt that pesky emotional lump forming in her throat again. She knew little of what Tensbridge spoke of, at least, the extensive, loving family aspect of it. She and her late mother were close; all they had was each other. But this? Claudia experienced a twinge of envy.

She pointed to the black armband. “I am sorry for your loss, my lord.”

“Thank you. I lost my grandfather, the earl, and great-granduncle within ten days. Both of whom I admired greatly. They were the pillars of the family. I was particularly close to my grandfather. He was, in essence, my hero.” Tensbridge’s countenance softened, and she could see the sadness in those beautiful greenish-gray eyes of his. His heartfelt declaration also caused her heart to squeeze with empathy. And touch her in an unknown place.

Blast the man for making me feel.

“Is your brother attending university?” Claudia asked, wishing to change the subject.

“No. Bryan completed his studies this past spring. He has a common law degree from Cambridge, and the next step is to take his Postgraduate Certificate in Law. We had expected he would find work at a law firm as an apprentice before completing his studies, but he has not done so as yet. My brother is intelligent enough. He finished 10th in his class.”

“Impressive. So not a dunderhead when it comes to education. However, lacking in basic common sense, am I correct?” Claudia observed.

“You have the right of it. My brother stopped by at ten this morning,” Tensbridge continued gravely. “I told him that if he still wished to receive his allowance, he must check in every Friday. He looked the worse for wear, but I decided not to lecture him. Not at this juncture. Continue with the case, and when next we meet, I will require a layout of every place Bryan visited and any names of shady characters he has contact with on a continual basis.”

Claudia bit back an exhalation. This would mean an extended period in The Piggeries. There was one man she loathed to cross paths with and the main reason she wore an elaborate disguise. A cruel criminal who placed his sticky fingers in every vice in the slum. A man who, for a short period, had taken up with her mother. Her mother had lived in fear, never knowing when his foul temper would explode. Her mother, Aileen, entered the relationship for monetary reasons only to keep a roof over their head (such as it was) and the wolf from the door. And as a sort of protection.

Jedidiah Danaher.

In reality, Jedi Danaher was worse than any hungry wolf. He stood as a beast in a class all his own. There was still a large Irish contingent in Notting Dale. Was Danaher still the rookery boss? Did he still own the Black Moon Pub? If there were any justice, Danaher would be dead already. How old would he be now, early to mid-forties? It was always hard to gauge his age, and Danaher never spoke of it. Chances are, he wasn’t aware of his exact age anyway.

“Miss Ellingford?”

Claudia was pulled from her disturbing thoughts. “Sorry. Yes, I will try to discover any people your brother comes in contact with.”

“Do not put yourself in danger. If there is not a safe way to collect these names, then by all means, dismiss the request.”