She nodded. Yes, youre right. There was a third man, who had a gun aimed at Thisbe and Olivia. They were all walking somewhere.
Where? Could you see where they were?
Anna shook her head. There was a house, and I assume they were going there, but the vision ended before I could see them enter it.
What did it look like?
Two floors tall, but not a big house. Very plain. It was stonea beige sort of coloror maybe just aged and dirty white stone. There was an outbuilding, a shed or small barn, off to one side. There was ivy growing up one wall. ItI had the impression nobody lived in the house.
Why?
Anna shrugged. Im not sure. I It looked untended. The smaller building was very weathered and leaned to one side. There wasnt any garden. The ground was dirt and weeds and such. She closed her eyes for a moment. Oh! And there was a shutter half-off one of the downstairs windows.
Did you have any idea what part of the country it was in?
No. Im sorry. Im afraid this isnt very helpful.
It is. Every scrap of information will help me. Was there anything more you saw? You said there were trees.
Yes, but not right next to the house. There was, um, a very large tree about twenty or thirty feet away. But in the distance I could see thicker trees. Like woods. She paused, thinking. Oh! Right next to the vehicle was a large stump, as if a big tree had been cut down in the past.
Good. Thats terrific, a great help.
I wish I could be of more use.
Dont worry. This is good. Ill be able to recognize the house.
Con stood up and turned to Lilah, who had been watching their exchange with a baffled expression. No doubt she had decided both he and Anna belonged in an asylum. But to his surprise, Lilah said not a word.
Outside, the familys elegant small town carriage awaited them. The coachman stood at the horses head, and he came toward Con now, saying, Theyre in fine fettle, sir. Theyll be wanting to move.
Dont worry, Jenkins, I assure you Ill take care of the team.
Ive no doubt of that, sir. The man smiled.
Youre going to drive the carriage? Lilah asked, staring.
Yes. His smile held a little challenge. Perhaps youd like to ride inside. Or you could
I am not staying here, Lilah replied crisply and went to the front of the carriage. If youd give me a hand up
Con simply took her by the waist and lifted her to the first step. Lilah grabbed the handhold and shot a dark look at him over her shoulder.
The first step is rather high, he pointed out.
Yes, and I am rather tall. Gripping the bar, she lifted her skirt with the other hand and climbed up to the coachmans seat.
Con caught a glimpse of her stockings once againan eye-searing yellow this timeand suppressed a smile as he scrambled up after her. The high seat was comfortable but, being built for one driver, it was not especially wide. Con could feel Lilahs arm against his jacket, the side of her leg touching his.
That was not a thing to be thinking of at a time like this. Taking the reins, Con started forward.
Why are you driving the carriage?
Easier for me to follow that way. He shrugged. I have a better view, and I dont have to yell to the coachman if I want to get down to look at something.
Then why the carriage? Wouldnt a smaller vehicle be easier to handle?
I thought of taking my grandfathers old phaeton, actually. Itd be more maneuverable, lighter. But its been some years since its been drivenFather couldnt quite bring himself to get rid of it, but no one uses it anymore. Its too easy to grab a hansom or a seat on the omnibus.
You travel by omnibus?
Sometimes. He grinned at the astonishment on her face. Too plebian, you think?
No. It just surprises me.
Its more convenient in certain parts of town. More in character sometimes.
Such as when youre dressed as a quack medicine salesman? A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
Careful, you might actually grin.
The blue eyes narrowed, and she snapped her head around to look forward again. Con felt a pang of regret. After a moment, he picked back up their earlier topic of conversation in a conciliatory tone. The carriage is more useful, too. Well need to bring my mother and sisters back.
She cast a quick sideways glance up at him. He suspected the words if we find them were on the tip of Lilahs tongue, but she said nothing. They had reached the site of the abduction, and Con turned onto the street the kidnappers took. At the end of the block, he turned left and joined the jumble of traffic.
Back there, at the house, how did Desmond know what to do? Who should go to the Dearborns and who should go to Alexs prison and so on. Nobody objected or discussed it.
We know each other well. Rafe is the most intimidating. Hes not as large as Theo, but his eyes can get this look that chills ones blood. Having lived through a bloody war, then making a fortune in the Wild West, he has little regard for the niceties of gentlemanly behavior. Especially when Kyrias in danger. Thats why he would be better able to get information from the Dearborns. Stephen is his friendthey were partners in a silver mine after the American Civil War. They understand and trust each other. Stephen will make sure Rafe doesnt get into trouble. Theo and Reed balance each other, as well. Reeds the levelheaded one. Theos more one for action.
Then I really do serve as your counterbalance. She shot him a sideways glance, and this time her smile won the battle.
Surprisingly, Con found he enjoyed having her along. Granted, Lilah questioned everything, but so far she had not been stuffy, and her conversation kept his mind off the worry gnawing inside him.
Why were you chosen to follow the kidnappers? Lilah asked.
Im better at that sort of thing. I can tell north from south. Ive always been good at maps, and Im familiar with the streets of London and the roads out of it. Ive had experience, you see. Thats what my agency doeslocate lost or stolen objects, missing people. Alex often makes that easier, of course, with his ability. But Im the one who tracks down the leads and decides where to go.
I thought you investigated nonsensical thingsghosts and demons and whatnot.
Mmm. Im especially fond of whatnots. His words brought forth a laugh from her. Sadly, though, there arent that many supernatural possibilities to investigate. So Im forced to fall back on something useful and mundane.
As they talked, Con had been weaving in and out of the heavy traffic, bypassing slower vehicles, but he also kept his eyes in motion, looking everywhere.
What are we looking for? Lilah asked.
Any sign that a speeding vehicle might have gone this way.
Which would be? Im not sure, really.
Thats certainly informative.
Im sorry. Its hard to describeyou can see from the way people act, the way things look, if theres been a disturbance. For instance, an angry seller whose cart has been overturned by a speeding vehicle. Or people talking excitedly. I dont imagine Ill find any, as its been a good while since they passed by. But Im hoping my sisters will help me out.