"Perhaps." It appeared the disappearance of Caroline Rosemond was not the only mystery to solve. Somehow, he suspected the more he knew of Mr. Denton, the more he would understand Grace.
Was he bothered enough to pursue the matter?
Damn right he was.
He had made up his mind. Nothing would deter him from his course. He wanted Grace Denton and would do whatever was necessary to achieve his goal.
They returned to the parlour to find Evelyn and Grace huddled next to one another on the sofa. Evelyn had the diary in her lap and was using the tip of her finger as a guide as she scanned the page.
"Look, here's another one." Evelyn's eyes were alight with excitement. "This one says, two … George … and it looks like Jerm."
Grace glanced over Evelyn's shoulder. "So you think she was to meet with George at two o'clock and at a place that sounds like Jerm?"
"Could be Jermyn Street," Elliot said, deciding to sit in the chair opposite and join the conversation.
"Why would she write it in code?" Alexander asked standing in front of them with his hands clasped behind his back. "Why would she have to be so secretive if it's in her personal diary?"
Evelyn shook her head and tutted. "We are reading it. Perhaps she feared someone else might discover it? I'm sure she must have had gentlemen call at her home. She probably thought it was more discreet to record it this way."
"Oh, she didn't worry about being discreet when slandering my character," Elliot scoffed.
Grace raised a brow in censure. "That's just gossip. There is a difference between recording one's own opinion and keeping a record of secret liaisons."
"Here's another one. Only this one is a meeting a few days before her disappearance." Evelyn narrowed her gaze and focused on the script. "It says, twelve … Hodges … forty-two Pic."
Elliot could think of only two possible places. "Well, it's either Pickering Place—"
"There are only two reasons to go to Pickering Place," Alexander said dropping into a chair. "To visit a gaming hell or to pay off a gaming debt."
"Or fight a duel," Elliot added, "Although I've not heard of one fought there in years. The gentlemen tend to venture out of town."
Grace gasped. "You can't think Caroline was involved in either of those things."
Alexander raised a dubious brow. "Perhaps there was an argument over her affections. If we're going to investigate, we'll need to go tomorrow evening. But you should know I'm appallingly bad at cards."
"You're in such a rush to go to a gaming hell," Evelyn chuckled, "that you've missed a vital piece of information. What does the forty-two mean? If it is a door number then it begs the question, is there a forty-two Pickering Place?"
"There's a forty-two Piccadilly," Elliot said. "It's either the apothecary or the bookshop and stationers. It's a few doors away from one of the finest brandy merchants and is also opposite the church."
Alexander coughed into his fist. "I suspect it's a few years since you've squashed into a pew on a Sunday morning."
"More than a few I'd say. But I never shirk my responsibilities when it comes to brandy. I also used to frequent the apothecary. Now my footman has inherited the task. I like their sandalwood shaving soap."
Grace smiled, and his heart swelled. "Well, perhaps I can collect your order. I'm sure it won't hurt if I call by in the morning and browse their wares, see if the proprietor's name is Hodges."
"Oh, I could come with you," Evelyn said. "With your hair hidden in a bonnet, no one will pay you any heed."
While Alexander protested, Elliot watched Grace. She seemed more relaxed, happier even. He liked the way her pretty blue eyes sparkled when she spoke of more pleasant things. He wondered how they'd look if he lavished her with attention. He imagined his nimble fingers rousing a response, knew she would glow, exude radiance in the aftermath of her release.
The throbbing ache in his loins caused him to shift uncomfortably in the chair.
When he refocused his attention, he noticed Alexander was standing. "It is impossible for me to accompany you."
Evelyn patted Grace on the arm. "Alexander suffers from the same affliction as Elliot." When Alexander clenched his jaw and widened his eyes in alarm, she added, "We can trust Grace not to reveal your secret."
Grace appeared almost happy at the news. "On my life, I will no
t speak a word of it," she said, putting her hand to her chest. "In truth, it pleases me to know that Lord Markham is not suffering alone. I imagine it can be quite an isolating condition."