The Daring Miss Darcy (Lost Ladies of London #4)(59)

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.”

A pang of guilt hit Vane squarely in the chest. For a second, he had doubted Estelle’s loyalty. “The lady has been out of her depth for eight years, battling one criminal attack after another. If it is any consolation, I did not see it, either.”

They exchanged consolatory smiles.

“She deserves so much more from life,” Mr Erstwhile said. “Do you not think?”

Two weeks ago he would have refuted the claim. Eight years ago, he would have said she deserved a grand house and a prestigious position in society. Now, she deserved the only thing that mattered — love.

“Come.” Vane patted Mr Erstwhile on the back. “Let’s see how she’s faring. And then I shall escort you all home.”



Once back at Whitecombe Street, Vane carried Estelle up to her chamber. Mrs Erstwhile followed and settled her into bed. The effects of the laudanum were wearing off. And so, Mrs Erstwhile agreed to give them a few minutes’ privacy.

Vane dropped into the chair next to the bed. “How are you feeling?”

“The urge to sleep does not feel so great now,” she said. “Doctor Hanson assured me I should feel more like myself tomorrow.”

They stared at each other. So many words filled his head. But where should he start?

“At what point did you suspect Mr Hungerford’s motives?” he said.

Estelle took longer than usual to reply, no doubt her mind was still hazy. “I knew nothing until we arrived at the yard, but by then it was too late.” She sucked in a breath. “While I have found myself in many precarious situations over the years, I am just a naive country girl at heart.”

“You’re not naive, Estelle. Hungerford had everyone fooled.” Thank heaven for Mr Joseph. “Were it not for the fact I hired a man to follow him, you would be on your way to Bath now.” Bile bubbled in his stomach at the thought. “And I—”

“Would have believed I had left you once again.”

He tried to swallow down the lump in his throat. “Yes,” he whispered. “You would have been the devil who betrayed me twice.”

A tear trickled down her nose. “I am too weak to talk at length now. But know that I never betrayed you, Ross. The only person I betrayed was myself.”

He didn’t know what that meant. Despite wanting to ask a myriad of questions, he knew now was not the time to pester her for information. She would tell him when she was ready, and somehow during the last week he’d learnt patience.

Vane captured her cold hand and pressed a kiss on her knuckles. He lingered there for longer than necessary. “Rest now.” He stood and straightened the coverlet. “I shall call again tomorrow to see how you fare.”