“The ferry doesn’t stop running for several hours,” he called. “Don’t worry. You will not be stranded here.”
She kept her current pace and disappeared into the dark.
Sebastian dug a few shillings from his pocket to pay for his and Fergus’s admission, then they started down the dimly lit path toward the statue of Handel, the gravel crunching under their boots. The orchestra was playing in the distance and had drawn the crowd away from the Grand South Walk. Reaching their destination, Sebastian dropped the purse he’d filled with pebbles earlier at the base of the statue, and they took up positions among the trees and waited.
“Here comes someone,” Fergus hissed.
Sebastian stole a peek. “It is a couple.” The pair made their way down the walk at an agonizingly slow saunter. The woman’s happy chatter carried on the air and eventually faded as they continued deeper into the gardens.
There were several similar incidents of people passing the statue without a glance, but no sign of anyone behaving suspiciously. After what seemed like an eternity, Sebastian leaned against the rough tree trunk. His legs were tired and his stomach had begun rumbling with hunger. “What time is it?” he asked Fergus. “I misplaced my watch.”
The Scot pulled a watch from his pocket and stepped onto the path to check the time in the glow of a lantern. “Ten till one.”
“The damned extortionist is late.”
Fergus shrugged and returned the watch to his pocket. “I think it is fair to say the lass isna coming.”
Sebastian blew out a breath, stirring the hair on his forehead. “Then we will go to her. I want this settled tonight.”
Twenty-nine
Helena stayed close to Sebastian’s side as they searched the alley behind White’s Butcher Shoppe for a door leading directly to the living quarters abovestairs. Fergus was ahead of them by several steps with a lantern.
Waiting close to an hour for Cora to arrive at the gardens had left Sebastian in a bit of a temper. She wasn’t any happier about the wasted evening, but…
“Perhaps she had a change of heart.”
His gaze cut to her. “Or became spooked and fled. Either way, we will know in a moment.”
Fergus stopped in front of a battered door with peeling green paint and tried the handle. The door swung inward with a loud creak. “I found a staircase.”
He held the door while Sebastian took the lantern and led the way. Helena’s heart pounded as Sebastian knocked on Cora’s door. It was an ungodly hour to disturb anyone, and she didn’t know if Mr. White would be the type to answer with a rifle in his hand.
There was no response. Sebastian knocked again, this time louder.
“You are going to wake the children,” she admonished.
A bump sounded inside then footsteps padded across the wood floors. Locks tumbled and the door flew open. “Thomas, where is your—”
Cora squeaked and slammed the door. The lock tumbled again.
With a sigh, Sebastian drummed his fingers against the door. “Mrs. White, we are not leaving until you speak with us.”
“I—I am not decent, sir.” Her voice was muffled as if she spoke through the crack.
“Cora, let us in so we may put this business behind us,” Helena said.
“But it’s the middle of the night.”
“Cora,” Sebastian said on a growl.
“Very well. Wait a moment.”
Footsteps receded followed by a rattle before Cora returned to the door.
Sebastian urged Helena to stand back and handed Fergus the lantern as the metal clicks of the lock echoed in the small space. Cora ripped the door open and flung a cast-iron skillet above her head. Sebastian’s hand shot out and grabbed the skillet. She flailed as he wrestled it from her hands. Her bare foot shot out and connected with his thigh, almost hitting his groin.
“Take this,” Sebastian barked and thrust the skillet at Fergus.
Cora kicked again. Sebastian twisted to the side, and her foot slammed into his leg.
She released a painful cry and began hopping on her other foot. “Ow! Ow! Ouch! Oh, blast it all!”
Sebastian reached a hand toward her sister.
Cora slapped it away. “Don’t touch me.”