“Please, will you both come out?” the voice repeated. “I have urgent news from Lord Rowntree.”

Jasper frowned and cast another look at Ephraim. There was no way to escape the room without passing the cloaked figure. Solely from the voice, it being low and husky, one could hardly figure out the identity or the gender of the person talking. A fact that only added to the uncertainty of the moment...Jasper hesitantly assumed the cloaked figure was a man.

If it was one of the Runners, they would have moved to arrest them by now. And, considering the fellow said he had news from Lord Rowntree, Jasper doubted he had anything to do with the authorities.

He swallowed, making a decision. “Who are you?”

“That is of no consequence, Jasper,” the figure replied. “It is you, is it not?”

“It is.”

“Good, then I have not happened upon the wrong individuals.”

“What news do you bring?” Jasper continued. He was determined not to move until he could be certain they were in no danger. Otherwise, they were going to have to fight their way out of this mess.

“I received a message from him a short while ago. I was ordered to watch you, to ensure you completed your task,” the voice explained. “However, I have come to you now as he no longer requires you to perform this task. He has asked that you cease and desist with immediate effect.”

Jasper lowered his voice. “Is he bluffing?”

Ephraim shrugged slowly. “I cannot tell.”

“Can we trust his word?”

“I do not know,” Ephraim replied, before turning his attention back to the figure. “How do we know this is not a ruse to get us to fail in our mission? I understand the consequences of any failure that may occur here. Lord Rowntree made them very clear.”

The figure chuckled softly. “He apologizes for that. The consequences no longer stand, and nor does the task. He has asked that you return to your homes and do not fear any retribution on his part. Your duty to him is done. I have a second note here, addressed to you both, if you would care to look?”

“It sounds as though he is telling the truth,” Jasper whispered.

Ephraim nodded. “That is what concerns me.”

“We should very much like to see the note,” Jasper raised his voice again. “Is it signed?”

“It is,” the figure answered.

“Then…we are coming out.” Jasper stood from his hiding place and made his way back through the cramped storage room. He greeted the cloaked figure with a wary caution, still unable to make out the face beneath the hood. Evidently, this fellow was very good at keeping his identity hidden. Just the sort of man I should expect Lord Rowntree to hire.

“May we see this note?” Ephraim asked.

“Certainly.” The figure turned the letter over to Ephraim and Jasper, who huddled together to read the words. A dim light from the hallway beyond cast an anemic glow into the room, allowing them some illumination to read by.

Your Grace (and assistant),

I hope this letter finds you in time, for I no longer require the task that I requested of you. Circumstances have somewhat altered, and my desire for the object in question has waned. It was cruel of me to toy with your loyalty, when you have proven yourself to be a worthy attendant in such matters. As such, it is my pleasure to inform you that your duties towards me have come to an end. I am satisfied with your work, and the things you have done for me. As such, you shall not hear from me again. Our business relationship will be terminated, upon your receipt of this note.

As for consequences, I know you will have concerns regarding them. Please, do not. I am a fair man, and you have completed the contract that was laid down between us. Your daughter is in no danger. Although, I would ask that you keep her from the claws of that devil, the Duke of Bradford. There will be no retribution if you do not heed my warning, I simply wished to give my thoughts upon the situation. I hear they are engaged, and it would be a travesty to see her fall into his clutches. She is far more worthy than that. I am sure you are already aware of this, but I felt I ought to reiterate the fact of his foul character.

Please, return to your homes and do not continue with this venture that I have set you upon. I thank you for the work you have done, and I shall offer a small reward as compensation for your willingness to undertake this current endeavor. Consider it an apology, and an incentive to prevent the marriage between your daughter and the Duke of Bradford. Although, I would ask that you do not breathe a word of my distaste to the Duke himself. If you were to do so, then I might be forced to intervene in a vengeful manner. If you do not, then consider our bonds broken.

With Regards,

Lord R.

The signature underneath proved its validity, the wax seal with Rowntree’s imprint; another sure sign that this was a legitimate document. Jasper read it over again, wondering what could have caused such a sudden change of heart in the ruthless gentleman. In all his life, Jasper would never have thought Lord Rowntree capable of such an apology.

“At least the man has some scruples,” Ephraim mused.

“With regards to Lady Adelaide?”

Ephraim nodded. “Perhaps, his feelings towards her are less selfishly inclined than I first thought. It almost sounds as though he wishes to defend her, though I imagine he continues to see himself as a suitable replacement.”

“You would not have him in the Duke’s stead?” Jasper gaped at him.

“No, of course not. I would not see Adelaide avoid the snapping jaws of one wolf, only to end up in the jaws of another.”

The cloaked figure snorted. “You realize I am still here, don’t you?”

“Lord Rowntree is already aware of my feelings on the matter,” Ephraim retorted. “If he wishes to see Adelaide happy, for whatever curious reason he has happened upon, then he will not seek to take the place of the Duke of Bradford. You may tell him that. Adelaide must be free to make her own decisions on the subject… no matter what the outcome may be.” Jasper heard the catch in Ephraim’s throat, the gulp of regret. Clearly, he blamed himself for this situation.

“Very well,” the figure replied. “Now, may I suggest you depart before someone else discovers you hiding in here?”

“A fine idea,” Jasper mumbled, skirting past the figure. In the low light, he caught a glimpse of a female face. Shocked by the sight, he did not know what to say. Not that it mattered—she was gone before he could utter another word.

With that, Ephraim and Jasper hurried back out the way they had come, heading for the horses. Nobody paid them any heed as they exited. To everyone else, they looked like two ordinary members of the upper class, leaving parliament after a long day of discussion. No one could know what they had been about to do, and for that Jasper was grateful.

As they rode, his mind turned towards thoughts of Adelaide. The unexpected discussion he had endured with Ephraim had made him wonder. He had admired Adelaide his entire life, and it was quite true that he had never found another young lady with whom he could share his innermost secrets. Nobody made him laugh the way she did, nobody made him feel as at-ease as she did, and nobody could chide him the way she could.

Can Ephraim be right? Has my perfect lady been standing in front of me this whole time? Is Adelaide everything I have been looking for, only I have been too foolish and afraid to see it? Part of him wondered if he ought to ask her about her feelings—if she had ever thought of him in a romantic way, throughout the course of their friendship? If she had thought of me that way, would it change anything? He wasn’t sure.

Half an hour later, they rode up to the familiar square that they called home. It was eerily silent in the gloom of evening, with not a soul lingering in the darkness. A fog rolled across the park in the center, whilst owls hooted their dusk chorus.

And yet, as Jasper dismounted and had the household ostler return the horse to the stables on the edge of Belgravia, he had the unsettling feeling that they were being watched. He could only hope that it was Lord Rowntree, ensuring that they had not gone ahead with the task. However, he could not shake the feeling that there was something altogether more evil at work out there in the fog.