The Daring Miss Darcy (Lost Ladies of London 4)

He didn’t care what happened to Hungerford. If he didn’t pay for his crime today, Vane would see to it that he paid eventually.

“Bring her into the office. There’s a trundle bed I use when waiting for late arrivals.”

Vane carried Estelle to the small wooden building. He was about to cross the threshold when a chorus of cries and high-pitched screams pierced the air. A cacophony of other noises accompanied the din: splintering wood, the squeal of frightened horses, a blood-chilling shriek.

Albert returned. “Mr Drummond, come quickly.” The man couldn’t catch his breath. “The … the carriage ploughed right into him.”

Fear rattled in Vane’s chest.

Don’t let it be Wickett.

Drummond hurried off after his coachman.

Vane kicked the open door and entered Drummond’s office. He placed Estelle down gently on the bed, knelt at her side and clutched her hand.

A boy knocked the door and stepped into the room. “Doctor’s on his way, my lord, said he’d be a few minutes.”

Vane nodded.

He sat staring at Estelle, brushed strands of silky hair off her face and stroked her cheek. Memories of the past surfaced, images that pained him even now. He had been too late to save her from the disaster on The Torrens, too late to save her from eight years of hell. But Fate had blessed him today.

“Ross.” Estelle opened her eyes and looked at him. “Don’t … don’t go. Stay with me.”

Vane forced a smile. “Nothing could tear me away.”

Chapter Sixteen

Doctor Hanson spent thirty minutes examining Estelle. Vane suspected Hungerford had given her an overdose of laudanum and prayed to God he was right, and that no permanent damage was done.

While Vane stood waiting for the results of Hanson’s observations, Wickett returned and explained how Hungerford had darted across the street, dodged one carriage but fell into the path of another. The poor coachman failed to stop in time and now had the death of the foolish fop on his conscience.

The constable spoke to Vane and Mr Drummond, but as Hungerford had already met his end, the only thing left to do was fetch the coroner.

“The constable witnessed the incident himself,” Drummond said as they waited in the courtyard for the doctor to finish tending to Estelle. “He agrees it was an accident though I had to explain why my men were chasing him. One word from you should please the coroner when he arrives. I’d hate for him to think it was a witch hunt.”

“Trust me. Hungerford is the only one guilty of a crime, and I shall inform the coroner of all the facts.” Including details of the assault in the alley by a Frenchman from Spitalfields. Perhaps he might suggest they investigate the recent death of Hungerford’s wife, too.

Vane spent another two hours at Drummond’s yard. The doctor explained it would be beneficial to leave Estelle to rest for a while before moving her. And it gave Vane an opportunity to deal with the coroner.

“Good Lord,” Mrs Erstwhile said, rushing into the courtyard with Mr Erstwhile in tow. Vane had sent Wickett to speak to the couple, knowing they were awaiting Estelle’s return. “Where is she? Please tell me everything is all right. What on earth happened? Your coachman said Mr Hungerford is dead. Is it true? Is he to blame?”

Mr Erstwhile placed a hand on his wife’s arm. “My dear, at least let his lordship answer the first question before you bombard him with the rest.”

“Miss Darcy is sleeping in Mr

Drummond’s office.” Vane gestured to the wooden building. “You may go inside and sit with her. Doctor Hanson said she requires rest but is certain she’ll make a full recovery.”

Mrs Erstwhile scurried off while her husband hung back.

“Wickett said Mr Hungerford drugged her in order to spirit her away.”

“Based on her constricted pupils the doctor believes she has ingested laudanum. And yes, the dose was given by Hungerford to subdue her while he made his escape.” One did not need to be a constable to reach that conclusion.

Mr Erstwhile shook his head. “Estelle avoids taking any medicine and always refuses my offer of a restorative.” Water flooded his eyes, and he inhaled deeply to keep his emotions at bay.

“Along with her slight frame, that might explain why she reacted so badly.” Vane put a reassuring hand on the old man’s shoulder. “You weren’t to know of Hungerford’s intentions.” Indeed, Vane struggled to fathom the fop’s rationale. “The coroner seemed so interested in the case, he decided to speak to the magistrate. When a man is confident enough to abduct a lady, the consensus is he may well have committed a similar crime before.”

Mr Erstwhile closed his eyes briefly. “And to think I left her alone with him, entrusted her to his care. The lady was out of her depth, and I didn’t see it.”