They argued, it was evident even from this distance. Seth’s heart ached for Winnifred even more. Not only did they receive such terrible tidings, but now she had to contend with the fact that her sister was the one who endangered their brother’s life. And Rose’s.
“Weston, what were you thinking? Did it not occur to you that this may all end in a disaster?” Mr. Markham asked, clearly exasperated at his former colleague. Mr. Weston stood before him, a picture of misery.
“It wasn’t my decision, you know that. Henderson’s in charge, always has been. And you know how eager he is to catch Elton. So the moment that young lass walked into the station and told us her sibling had been kidnapped, there was no stopping him. He suspected it was Elton right away, and the letter she showed us with the handwriting only confirmed it.”
“I see, so it was the letter? That’s how you put it together?” Mr. Markham said, his arms crossed in front of his chest.
“You’re not the only one capable of running an investigation, Markham. Just because you left didn’t mean everything fell apart. And yes, we realized the lettering on the blackmailing note was the same as another we received some weeks ago. A wealthy Earl received one on account of his keeping a mistress out in Kent. Didn’t want his wife to find out—seeing how she’s the wealthy one. Also didn’t want to pay the money since he didn’t have any. Anyhow, that’s how we put it all together.”
Markham scoffed at this. “And yet, when it came to putting it all together, you failed. I never would’ve run such a haphazard investigation. And who was that laughingstock, anyway, who rushed for the Roamer retrieving a sack?”
“A new fledgling named Mr. Thomas. Henderson is fond of him.”
Markham scoffed. “If you ask me, that guy is not cut out to be a constable, let alone a Bow Street Runner.”
The younger man was about to reply when Seth raised his hands, exasperated. “Gentlemen, I do not care to bear witness to your squabbling. I want to know what the plan is? What are we to do?”
Markham and Weston exchanged a glance, but neither said anything. With dismay, Seth realized that neither the brilliant investigator nor the man involved with the authorities had any clue what to do next.
Of course they do not. None of them planned beyond today. Mr. Markham thought the exchange would happen today. And Weston seems as though he is relatively low on the ladder of hierarchy within the organization, so he is clueless. They don’t know what to do. How utterly useless, the lot of them. And meanwhile, only heaven knows what happens to my sister and Leo. I must take things into my own hands, it seems.
He looked toward Winnifred, who had parted with her sister and made her way toward him. The shock of this afternoon’s events was inscribed all over her face. Her beautiful black hair had come loose from its restraints and partially hung down her shoulders, while her plain gown was wrinkled and gave her an almost disheveled appearance.
There was nothing he wanted more than to rush to her and wrap her in his arms, but he knew that wouldn’t do. Not out here in public. Even if they were already officially courting, such a display of affection was not acceptable.
“How could this all go so wrong?” Winnifred demanded when she stopped beside them, her eyes darting from one man to another.
“It would have all gone off without a hitch,” Weston said with some indignation, “if the gang had not spotted us.”
“It sounds as though it was your incompetence that caused all of this. So, I will ask you once again, what are we to do now? The Runners ruined it all, so how do you intend to set this right?”
The younger man swallowed and shrugged, evidently not at all accustomed to being addressed by a lady.
“I wish I could tell you there was a plan. Elton was supposed to be in our custody right now. Your siblings would have been returned one way or the other. My fellow investigators have searched the area and found neither any members of the gang, nor your siblings. All I can do is return to the magistrate’s office and find out what Henderson plans to do next.”
Winnifred frowned. She’d missed much of the conversation and was thus confused.
“Seth, I do not understand….”
“I shall explain it all,” he said and gently reached for her hand. Even though it was inappropriate, he had reached out to her; he needed her to feel his support as he did hers. Beside them, Markham cleared his throat.
“I will accompany you, Weston. I have a few things I would like to say to Mr. Henderson myself in regards to this investigation.” He pressed his lips together and glanced at Seth. The man looked furious, he was clearly not used to his plans not working out.
“If you would meet me in my office tomorrow, I can let you know what I found out. I will also venture into St. Giles and see what other leads I may uncover this day. It is early yet.”
There was nothing else Seth could do or say, and so he simply nodded. His stomach clenched at the thought of the many hours they’d have to pass between now and tomorrow. There was nothing they could do. No further questions they could ask, no more books to read, no more letters to uncover. They knew the truth. Leo and Rose were blackmailed regarding their secret affair and then kidnapped in order to elicit a ransom. And all of it because Ezekiel Keating could not pay his gambling debt.
He glanced at Winnifred. The sense of gratitude swelled within him at having her by his side. Her presence gave him such comfort it was immeasurable. Without her, he would not be able to make it through this ordeal. And yet, he didn’t know what would become of them both if their siblings met with an unthinkable fate.
* * *
The two men excused themselves to rejoin the investigators while Seth and Winnifred remained at Vauxhall Gardens. They walked along the gravel pathway as he gave her a full report on what he learned. In turn, she informed him of her sister’s involvement. When she concluded, a strained silence fell between them. It wasn’t broken until Winnifred let out a long, desperate sigh and glanced at him.
“Seth, I am so sorry. My sister has ruined everything. She is so reckless. She did not even know Mr. Weston’s proper name when she told me about him.”
He swallowed; there was a part of him that wanted to agree with her. Victoria certainly made a muddle of everything. Without her, the gang would have picked up the sack of money, and if Mr. Markham was correct, their siblings would be with them now.
Yet, at the same time, she was also Winnifred’s sibling. Should anything happen to Leo, Victoria would need Winnifred, and Winnifred would need Victoria. Whether they wanted to admit it or not.
