Capturing the Devil (Stalking Jack the Ripper #4)(33)

Uncle tossed his scalpel into a bucket of carbolic acid, careless of what else got splashed with the liquid. “Nothing! It’s as if he’s disappeared.”

I set my cane down and picked up the bucket, fishing the medical tool out.

Uncle’s anger had been simmering for days and was coming to a full, maddening boil. I’d never seen him take his frustration out on his blades before.

“I—” I paused to gather my courage. “I may know of a place we might learn more.”

Uncle’s attention shifted to me. “How?”

I glanced at Thomas, suddenly unsure I wanted to share this fact with Uncle.

My betrothed nodded, giving me his support, but wouldn’t offer an opinion on the matter. This was my secret to reveal and mine alone. It was strange, feeling as if I was about to betray my brother. I couldn’t reconcile my innate urge to protect the person who hadn’t protected others.

“Well?” Uncle asked, losing his already fraying patience.

I steeled myself against any more fits of his rage. “Nathaniel’s journals. They

—they contain quite a lot of information. Regarding the murders.”

I didn’t need to elaborate on which murders.

Uncle’s eyes grew distant, his posture straightening. “Your brother knew nothing worthwhile regarding those murders.”

“I’m quite certain he—”

“He was yet another unfortunate victim, though I know many would find that hard to believe.”

I pressed my lips together, refusing to argue when he was clearly in denial. I knew the feeling all too well and wouldn’t steal his stubborn peace from him, misplaced though it might be.

Whether Uncle wanted to confront his own truth or not, the fact remained: Nathaniel knew more about Jack the Ripper than any of us.





FOURTEEN

COURTING A CRESSWELL

AUDREY ROSE’S ROOMS

FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK CITY

5 FEBRUARY 1889

“Have you decided how you’re wearing your hair tomorrow?” Daciana asked, poking her own updo in the looking glass. “If you style it like this, you can show off that striking neckline of yours.”

“Or you might keep it loose and not give a care about what others think,”

Ileana added, her Romanian accent as lovely as ever. She gave Daciana a pointed look as she combed through her own locks. “Your veil will cover it up anyway.”

“Yes, but after the ceremony she’ll be strutting around without all that fabric nonsense.” Daciana added a flower to her hair. “Perhaps our friend here might prefer to have her hair up and out of the way for post-wedding activities.”

She waggled her brows suggestively and, without even glancing over my shoulder, I was quite certain Aunt Amelia was about to fall over, crossing herself furiously on the way down.

“Miss Cresswell!” My aunt snatched a fan off the dresser, frantically waving it before her reddening face. A vein in her forehead throbbed in the most troublesome manner. “Language, please.”

“Apologies, Lady Clarence. Miss Cresswell is fond of the truth.” Ileana heaved a sigh, almost coaxing a smile to my lips despite my best efforts. She alone knew what it was like to court a Cresswell and live to tell the indecent tale of it.

“They’ll be married soon enough,” Daciana said. “I imagine they’ll do more

than hold hands in bed. The way they stare at each other when they think no one is looking could impregnate her on the spot. Now, that’s downright indecent, especially over the soup course.”

The entire room seemed to suck in a breath at once. Daciana lifted a shoulder and went back to inspecting her own hair as if she’d not hinted at such private matters and nearly caused an embolism in my aunt. Mentioning anything close to pregnancy or the science behind how such a thing happens was simply not done in polite company.

Ileana rolled her eyes skyward, as if silently communicating that teaching subtlety to a Cresswell was a lost cause.

“Here. This will be perfect.” Liza had opened a fashion magazine, pointing out an illustration of a complicated hairstyle to distract everyone. “See how loose waves fall naturally over her shoulder, yet the top half is braided into a coronet? It’s so decorative and fun. I’m certain we can weave orange blossoms in your braids and then set jewels into it, too. You’ll look like you’re wearing a crown made of flowers and precious stones.”

I inspected the hairstyle, biting my lip. It might be deemed high fashion, but it reminded me of a rather messy sparrow’s nest. All that was missing were some twigs and dried leaves. I said a silent prayer of thanks the wedding hadn’t been scheduled for the fall, else I might’ve ended up with those very embellishments stuck into my hair. Thomas would fall off the altar from laughing so hard. Which might almost be worth it.

Realizing Liza was waiting on a response, I stumbled over the best compliment I could offer. “It’s very… interesting.”

Daciana and Ileana snorted, but a swift glare from my cousin had each of them holding their hands against their mouths, doing a terrible job stifling their giggles. I flashed them my most pleading look; all of the plucking and primping was beginning to set my teeth on edge.

“If you’ll excuse us.” Daciana gracefully hopped to her feet. “I’m going to check on my brother, then retire for the evening.” She took both of my hands in hers and kissed my cheeks. “Good night, Audrey Rose. Sleep well. Tomorrow we shall officially become sisters! I cannot express how happy I am to have you as part of my family. I’m not sure if Thomas or I am more thrilled!”