Capturing the Devil (Stalking Jack the Ripper #4)(67)
She harrumphed. “My father was granted a title of raja. He lent money to Englishmen of the East India Company. We had much influence over
commerce.” She shook her head. “My granddaughter will inherit all my property once I’m gone, boy. She may not hold the title of marchioness, but her dowry could purchase your father’s precious title a thousand times over. I simply requested Her Majesty’s blessing on your engagement. To my granddaughter. ”
“And?” I prompted, knowing there was more. There always was with Grandmama.
“I might have suggested a new wing dedicated to the queen would be nice at Oxford. Victoria can’t resist such things. Now, off with you”—she motioned for us to leave, eyes sparkling with triumph—“I need some peace in this house.”
Ignoring her wishes, I kissed each of her cheeks. “Thank you, Grandmama.”
Thomas and I were not free to marry yet, but she’d done all that she could to assist our endeavor. Now it was up to Thomas’s father and the queen. I didn’t have much faith in either of them, but it was certainly the best we could hope for, given the circumstances. Now we’d simply need to wait and see. But we’d wait and see from an undisclosed location, hopefully too far for the duke to find us.
“Be brave.” Grandmama cupped my cheek lovingly. “Now, go, save the world and that devilish prince of yours.”
These violent delights have violent ends And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which as they kiss consume.
—ROMEO AND JULIET, ACT 2, SCENE 6
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Map of Chicago, circa 1900
TWENTY-NINE
THE SECOND CITY
THE CENTRAL DEPOT
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
10 FEBRUARY 1889
I’d read all sorts of unpleasant things in the newspapers about Chicago—how it smelled of slaughtered hog, smoke, and excrement. Some said the streets ran red with blood and black with ash. And it wasn’t at all uncommon to come across a severed head or limb on the tracks—a daily danger to those who stood too near the rail cars. It was a city to be feared and avoided.
While some of those things were true, I found Chicago rather enchanting despite the tang of smoke in the air. There was an essence of grit mixed with hope that slipped into a person and made them believe they, too, might become whoever they wished to be. Anything was possible. Here was a city that had experienced destruction—it had burned to ash and had risen much like the mythological phoenix. It seemed to toss its arms wide, both challenging and welcoming. Come forth and enter if you dare. Come and live freely.
Welcome to Chicago.
I stood outside the train station, eyes wide, taking in buildings that reached toward the sky. They gleamed like blades in the setting sun. Chicago. I swore the city inhaled and exhaled in time to the trains chugging into and out of it. It was like a mechanical nervous system, the lines of tracks a constant movement of life. Wind whipped playfully at my hair despite it being an icy breeze that set my teeth chattering. Young women hurried along the streets, holding small leather cases, dressed smartly in long dark skirts. It hit me at once. They were alone. I
blinked, completely and utterly taken with the notion of women traveling, without a chaperone, to work. I leaned on my cane, gaping. Surely this had to be a dream.
Thomas stepped beside me, taking in my expression and then the view. His mouth inched up on one side. “It’s hard to be certain, but you appear almost as excited about the city as I was with that chocolate cake with espresso frosting.”
“Don’t be ridiculous; that cake was not of this world.” I playfully nudged him with my elbow. “Look”—I spun slowly—“can you imagine? Living in a place where you needn’t require an escort to go anywhere?”
Thomas looked at me a bit sadly, and I realized he did know what that felt like. He wasn’t required to have someone watch his every move when he left his home.
A man ringing a bell scowled at people exiting the train station. “Sinners!
This city is home to the devil. Wicked, wicked creatures running amok. Begone from whence you came! Flee back to the safety of your homes or you’ll be taken by the demons stalking these streets!” He turned in my direction, his eyes as wild as untamed fire. “You! Go home to your mother, girl. Save yourself!”
My excitement and smile evaporated. I stared at him, all warmth gone from my features and my tone. “My mother is dead, sir.”
“Come.” Thomas gently guided me to the far end of the sidewalk. We waited, in silence, taking in the street noise while Uncle arranged for our trunks and medical equipment to be brought to our temporary home. The man continued his tirade. I ground my teeth together.
“Why is that man shouting about sinners and demons?” I asked, watching him ring his bell at a young woman who hurried past him, her face purposely turned away. “He’s not referring to women, is he?”
“I imagine he is.” Thomas inspected him. “Not everyone believes Chicago’s such a magical, progressive place. I read an article that described it as a city where decency came to perish. It’s a city under siege—wickedness is replacing morals. At least according to some.” He nodded toward another young woman walking alone. “Men are keen on blaming women for the rise in sin. It’s been something plaguing humanity since the Bible first accused Eve of tempting Adam. As if he had no mind to taste that forbidden fruit before she offered it to him. Everyone seems to forget God told Adam the fruit was forbidden. He created Eve later.”