Page 22 of The Viscount of Shadows

Colin stepped aside, and Lily, the brothel’s cook, smiled. “Look at you! I thought you were off on a new adventure?”

“I am in disguise.”

“Well, it’s convincing. That is quite the hook on that nose.”

Claudia swept aside the tangled locks to show the full force of a convincing cosmetic scar. “I am following someone. Will Pan see me?”

“I’m sure he will. Colin, take Mary to his office, through the back way. I have to attend to my meat pies. It is for a private party.”

No doubt the men she had followed will be attending.

“Ta, Lily. You are a dear.”

Colin took her through the behind-the-wall walkway to Pan’s office. “Stay here. Don’t wander about,” Colin grumbled.

“Aye.”

The only one who knew of her real name was Pan. Even when she told her friends of her new opportunity—without revealing many details—she never mentioned her actual name or past. To their credit, they didn’t ask. Claudia wanted to make a clean break from life on the streets and her Mary O’Toole persona. How ironic that she wound up back here.

Pan entered the room, showing no surprise at her appearance. No doubt Colin had already told him. “Claudia. Wonderful to see you. On a case?”

“I am,” she answered, using her own voice. “I followed Shinwell and his party here. One of the men is my subject of interest. The eager puppy with the wavy brown hair.”

Pan swept his arm toward the chair before his desk, inviting her to sit. “Shinwell and guests have been situated in one of the salons upstairs. I imagine the activities are already underway. And the eager puppy is with the group. Practically shaking with anticipation.”

“I can well imagine. Is there any way to observe the goings on?” Pan had various voyeur rooms and strategic peek holes to ensure safety and observe the clientele to make sure they did not get out of hand with the sex workers in any way.

“Well, that would violate my customers’ privacy, but Colin will watch the eager puppy, and I will send you a report to Cleveland Street. Will that suffice? They will be here all night, so there is no use hanging about for hours. I doubt they will go anywhere from here except home.”

“Perhaps you have the right of it.”

Pan clasped his hands and placed them on the desk. “Are you settling in? Your girls have been asking about you.”

“They are hardly my girls,” Claudia dismissed.

“Oh? Not from what they have told me. You were their protector, their guardian angel. You collected the money and saw that they were fed and had a roof over their heads most nights. And you kept none of the earnings for yourself. You stood up to any men who threatened them. Even cut a few.”

“It was more than a few. I was, in essence, the ladies’ procurer, their flesh peddler, their pimp. Let’s not gloss it over. When I found myself alone at 16 years old, I soon learned there was strength in numbers. I surrounded myself with others in my situation. We managed to survive.”

“And here you are within another group of women. The lady detectives. Are you protecting them, or are they protecting you?”

Pan hit a little too close to home. He always was an astute study of human character, its strengths and frailties. It is why he was an efficient manager in running successful brothels. As to his question, Claudia did not know the answer. That may be why she agreed to work for the investigative agency. In reality, she did move from one protective circle into another. Strength in numbers? Or maybe she needed the company of others more than she believed. To feel safe. Shielded.

What complete hogwash.

Claudia stood abruptly. “I must be off. I appreciate that you’re sending me a report. Let me know if the eager puppy returns anytime, with others or alone.”

“Bryan Wollstonecraft? Of course. I ask for names and references from all my customers. Shinwell claims the young man just joined the Rakes of St. Regent’s Park.”

“As far as I know, Wollstonecraft is not a part of the group unless that is a recent development.”

“Interesting. I will look into that. As an aside, Colin informs me that a fancy carriage with no insignia on the door is parked on the street. It may be related to your case.” Pan stood and came around the desk to face her. He gently clasped her hand. “Believe it or not, I care what happens to you. Make a friend of Olivia. You have much in common. Both of you could use a good friend.”

Claudia laid her hand on top of Pan’s, genuinely touched by his concern. “Olivia has already made overtures. We went shopping a few days ago and had tea at Lyon’s. I am attending an afternoon tea at her house next week.”

“Good. I’m delighted to hear that. Drop by and visit us when you are not on a case. Come for tea some afternoon and see how your girls are. You will be proud of them.”

“I will.” Then, Claudia did the strangest thing. She leaned in and kissed Pan on the cheek.

“Well. That I did not expect. A show of affection? You never cease to astonish me. Go through the rear entrance. The carriage is not far. Be careful.”

Claudia released Pan’s hand and made her way back to the rear of the building. Once in the kitchen, she came up to Lily. “Let the girls know I will visit soon, some afternoon for tea. Pan already made the invitation.”

“Oh, they will be pleased to hear that, Mary. It’s been a while since I made afternoon tea. Do let us know.”

Claudia moved toward the door, then halted. “My real name is Claudia.” She disappeared into the dark alley.

Peeking out onto the street, she located the carriage Pan had mentioned. It looked vaguely familiar. It was a landau often used by the well-to-do, a luxury carriage with a folding top. Like the one Oliver Wollstonecraft had arrived in for his meeting at Cleveland Street. It was black with silver trim and scrollwork, like this one. Standing in the shadows, she glanced up at the carriage driver. All in black, and his face remained in shadow. Claudia would lay coin Oliver Wollstonecraft sat inside.

Looking both ways on the empty street, she sprinted across the cobbles, grabbed the handle, opened the door, and slipped inside, sitting on the empty bench. Across from her and half hidden in the dark sat a well-dressed man in a long gray coat.

“Honestly, my lord, why even hire me to follow your brother if you will do the job yourself? Unless you are here to join the festivities at The Velvet Vine.”