“In the study, ma’am.”
Conniving devil!
“Bardsley caught him rummaging through your desk and told him to leave,” Henry continued, “but Mr Hemming got angry. He said he wasn’t leaving until he’d spoken to you.”
A hard lump formed in her throat. “Please tell me you didn’t give him this address.”
“Hemming won?
??t dare approach my door,” Noah said, confident in his assertion.
Henry shook his head. “Bardsley said you were staying with friends.”
Eva sighed. “Mr Hemming knows I have no friends.”
“Yes, ma’am. He started ranting and raving that an evil schemer had taken advantage of your good nature.” Henry glanced at Noah. “No offence meant, sir. I’m just stating what the man said.”
“None taken. Though I wonder if it occurred to you that Hemming might have followed you here.”
“That’s why I ran, sir. Mr Hemming wrote this note and asked me to deliver it to Miss Dunn.” Henry stepped forward and handed Eva the note. “After seeing Mr Hemming’s wild temper, Bardsley said to wait half an hour before leaving.”
Eva shivered. It was as if Mr Hemming stood behind her, his icy fingers trailing down her spine. “You’re certain he didn’t follow you?”
“He did follow me, ma’am, that’s why I ran. But I lost him in Queen Street by cutting through the warrens around Seven Dials.”
Eva looked to Noah, who seemed unperturbed by the news. She donned her spectacles, broke the seal and took a moment to read the missive. A hollow pit opened in her stomach as she absorbed the words on the page. Good grief! The man had lost his mind. Madness had consumed his spirit and turned him into a blithering idiot.
“Thank you, Henry,” she said, drowning in disbelief.
Noah knew something was amiss and so said to her footman, “Visit the kitchen and Cook will feed you. And have my butler, Kenning, give you the fare for a hackney ride home.”
Henry bowed. “Thank you, sir. And may I ask what I should tell Mr Hemming if he returns?”
“Tell him you will call the constable the next time he forces his way into the house,” Noah replied. “I shall have a man come to stay for a few days until we resolve the matter. You may go.”
Henry bowed and left.
“Well?” Noah said. “What devilment is Hemming spouting now?”
Eva took a moment to compose herself before saying, “Unless I break our betrothal and marry Mr Hemming, he will file papers stating he writes under the pseudonym Cain Dunnavan. He intends to take ownership of my work.”
“But that’s absurd,” Noah said, though he seemed remarkably calm. “It’s just a ploy to get your attention. Once we’ve dealt with your brother tonight, we shall visit Mr Hemming. And when we meet Mr Lydford tomorrow, he will advise you on the best course of action to take.”
Eva wished she had his confidence and composure. But she had experienced Mr Hemming’s manipulative tactics firsthand. The man was obsessed with his own self-importance, felt he had a right of entitlement. He exploited others without conscience or shame.
“You have nothing to fear from Mr Hemming,” Noah said, for he must have sensed her anxiety. He stood and offered his hand. “Come. We’re due in Hart Street in an hour. When it comes to our rendezvous in Temple Gardens, Daventry will want to ensure the plan is flawless.”
Eva slipped her hand into his, but his warm grip did not banish the sense of dread. No matter how much they planned, they could not predict every eventuality.
“Howard is an imbecile,” she said, “but is desperate for funds.” Why else would her brother continue to hide in the shadows? “Bear in mind he is capable of anything.”
Noah brought her hand to his lips and kissed her palm. “Don’t worry about Howard. He won’t hurt you. Besides, I have no intention of letting you out of my sight.”
* * *
They arrived at Fountain Court from different directions long before the stroke of midnight. Eva, Noah and Mr Cole came by carriage and alighted on Bouverie Street, cutting through King’s Bench Walk amid the formidable shadows of buildings occupying the hallowed ground. Mr Sloane and Mr D’Angelo arrived by wherry and had been instructed to pay the waterman to wait. Mr Daventry and Bower arrived via the narrow alley leading from The Strand.
Amid the shady walks and gloomy buildings surrounding Middle Temple, the small fountain burst from the flagged courtyard like an oasis deep in the desert. And yet the constant trickle of water brought no comfort, no lasting relief. Indeed, the eerie atmosphere only added to Eva’s fear of impending danger.