I have discovered information on Stephen’s whereabouts. Please meet me in the garden
Angelford
Why hadn’t he just approached her directly? The man was strange and proving to be as secretive as she. The word "please" in the note was unexpected. She shrugged and excused herself from the group. Deirdre was occupied with a charming young man and appeared to be having a grand time, so Calliope signaled that she would return and then headed for the gardens.
A chill hung in the spring air. Calliope shivered and peered into the darkness. Couples were engaged in all sorts of licentious behavior on the terrace. She restrained a blush at one enthusiastic duo and searched for Angelford’s all-black attire.
The moon was dim, and she debated the wisdom of heading into the maze of hedges. The lingering unease grew as she looked into the shadowy foliage. Better to stick to the populated areas.
Calliope stepped to the left edge of the terrace. There was no sign of Angelford. She turned to walk back toward the entry when she spied him making his way through the doors.
She waved an arm to flag him, but he looked straight ahead and strode into the hedges. Her brows furrowed in frustration. She sighed and headed into the maze. She caught sight of him, the dim light glinting off his jet-black hair. Calliope opened her mouth to announce her presence when he veered left. What was be doing?
She clenched her jaw, irritated, and quickened her step. She reached the fork and turned left, but there was another branch and no sign of him. She looked down both paths to no avail, and then examined the ground. Fresh footfalls led to the right, so she followed them. She approached another fork some twenty steps in and threw up her hands. He could damn well talk to her in the ballroom.
Calliope smelled ale and dirty clothes a second before a callused hand was clamped over her mouth. An arm encircled her waist and arms, imprisoning her.
"Where is it?" a rough voice demanded.
Calliope struggled against her attacker. His arms were too strong to break free. She kicked backward into his shin with her slipper and bit hard into his hand, causing him to loosen the grip on her mouth.
"Help!" She managed the start of a scream but he quickly clamped his hand back over her mouth using her chin and nose to force her teeth together.
"You’ll pay for that," he snarled.
His grip on her nose made Calliope’s vision swim. She could not seem to form a coherent thought. Everything dimmed.
She felt a whoosh of air and suddenly the pressure encasing her was gone. She sank to the ground. Must run. She awkwardly pushed upward off the rough pebbles. Which way? She was unable to distinguish shapes. Firm but gentle hands slid under her arms and lifted her to her feet. A scream rose in her throat.
"Take a deep breath." The soothing tones of Angelford’s voice calmed her. "I’m here. Everything will soon be better."
Shadows became shapes, which in turn became objects, and she was finally able to focus on his handsome face. Calliope looked down at the motionless form on the ground and leaned into Angelford, shivering. He tensed, then relaxed.
"Thank you. He appeared from nowhere."
She felt him tense again. "What in hell were you doing out here?"
She pulled away, surprise giving way to anger. "Meeting you."
He scowled. "Meeting me? I’m flattered, but l followed when you left the ballroom."
She frowned and pulled the paper, now crumpled, from her pocket. "I received your message."
He took the note and squinted in the dim moonlight. "I didn’t write this."
The attacker stirred and Angelford reached down and thumped him on the head. The man slumped back. A harsh light played on Angelford’s face. "I’ll see you to your coach. Finn said your servants are back. Make sure you lock your doors tonight. I’ll take care of this."
Calliope was too stunned to argue. The excitement of the masquerade was over, and the realization of what might have occurred set in.
He held on to her arm as they re-entered the ballroom and steered her to the stairs.
"Wait, my lord, I need to get my, uh, friend."
But Calliope needn’t have worried. Deirdre must have observed their progress across the floor and interpreted that there was a problem because she immediately excused herself from her group of admirers amid heavy protests.
"Gentlemen, it has been a lovely time, but I am wanted elsewhere. I bid you adieu."
Deirdre blew kisses to her court and hurried to Calliope.
She sent a questioning look but said nothing. Without a word, Angelford offered an arm to each lady.
It seemed to take an eternity to reach the coach and Calliope tried to steady her shaking hand, which was still draped on Angelford’s arm.
He handed them into the carriage. "Have a pleasant night, ladies. I will speak with you soon. " His smooth brandy voice washed over Calliope. He bowed and motioned to the driver.
Deirdre sent her another questioning glance, but kept silent as the coach began moving. They encountered no traffic; the majority of guests had elected to remain until the unveiling.
"What’s wrong, Callie? What were you doing with Angelford?"
Calliope shook her head. "I don’t know, Dee. I don’t know. I need to think for a minute."
She looked out the window and saw the black-garbed figure standing on the steps watching the carriage leave. She watched him until they turned the corner and he passed from her vision. A shiver coursed through her.
" Dee, do you think you could stay with me tonight?"
Deirdre looked concerned. "Yes, of course, I will send a note so our parents won’t be worried."
Calliope nodded and nestled into the cushions, trying to relax.
Who was the man in the maze? Why had he accosted her? Where was Stephen?
Angelford had saved her from the attacker. She remembered leaning into his warm chest. Her traitorous body had accepted his help. She was beholden to him.
Questions swirled through her mind and collided with intense emotions.
The following morning Deirdre was still attempting to coax answers from her.
"Callie, come home with me. I don’t know why you won’t tell me what happened last night, but something is obviously wrong." Deirdre looked tired and concerned. "I’m worried about you. And why didn’t Stephen show up? I’m going to give him a piece of my mind next time I see him."
"He must have been detained. Dee, I promise to come by later. There are a few things I need to tend first."
She nudged Deirdre out the door after promising to drop by the family’s house. Less than fifteen minutes after Deirdre left, there was a knock at the front door. Calliope looked up as Grimmond walked in.
"Miss, there is a note for you. It was left willy-nilly on the front stoop." A stickler for convention, disapproval laced his voice.
Calliope opened the card as Grimmond walked back out. Sweat broke across her brow and a cold pulse emanated up her body, halting her heart for a beat.
If you wish your family to remain unharmed, you will deliver the item we seek, the Adelphi is such a lovely theater. It would be a shame, Callie, dear…
The letter was unsigned.
Calliope scrawled on a piece of Stephen’s stationery, pocketed the threatening note, threw on her pelisse and ran out the door and into the street.
It took a few precious minutes, but she finally managed to catch a hackney. She needed answers and needed them quickly. Only one person seemed to know more about the situation than she. She gave the driver the address and sped off toward the devil’s den.
The short trip seemed to take an hour. The driver pulled in front of the huge estate on St. James’s Street. She paid the fare and hopped to the ground. She grimaced as she landed on her bad leg. Too late for a cane now.
The hackney took off down the street and she regretted not asking the driver to wait. She looked at the imposing Palladian structure. It epitomized everything she despised. She was alone.