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Part 2. Outside Jackson replaced the padlock. "What we going to do now Sir?" he asked. Edward seemed lost in his own thoughts and Jackson looked at him, waiting patiently. Gradually Edward became aware of the presence of the other man. "I think that our work is over for tonight," he said quietly, "Tomorrow we have to resume our search for this Raphael." "You think he's a foreigner, don't you?" asked Jackson. Edward smiled. "Raphael is hardly your usual English Christian name", he replied, "But he may simply have immigrate parents. Your dockland enquiries have revealed nothing?" Jackson nodded to affirm this. "In that case we will have to widen our search. The main problem is that Justin had become a little, way-ward, prior to meeting this Raphael. Even his close friends were concerned with the company he was keeping. Unfortunately they seem unable, or unwilling, to impart any useful information to us." Edward paused, deep in thought. "So what should I do now sir?" asked Jackson. "I suggest you do what I intend to do," replied Edward, "Go home and get some sleep. Tonight we will start trawling the rather tawdry areas of this fair city." "Good night then sir," murmured Jackson, starting to walk off. "God go with you," called Edward to Jackson's disappearing back. Jackson turned and smiled; pulling at his neck he held up the silver crucifix that he always wore. "I make sure of that sir," Jackson called back. Returning to his house, the sound of his footsteps in the hallway brought forth his butler. "Good morning sir," welcomed Giles, as he aided him in the removal of his overcoat, "Lady Vanessa's waiting for you in the morning room." "Lady Vanessa," repeated Edward in surprise, "How long has she been here?" "About fifteen minutes," replied Giles, "She insisted on waiting sir." "That's fine Giles," said Edward dismissively, walking towards the morning room, "Oh Giles." "Yes sir." "You had better bring us some morning tea," ordered Edward. Good morning Vanessa," he greeted the fashionably dressed, attractive, brunette. She was seated on a small, yellow sofa, reading the morning paper, but on hearing his voice her head instinctively turned towards him. "At last Edward," she stood up and allowed him to take her hand. "You have become a very difficult man to get hold of," she chided him, "And I was determine to ensure your presence at Louisa's coming out party tonight." "Tonight?" Edward said in surprise. "You were sent an invitation," she informed him. "But in the circumstances I will forgive you," she continued softly. "Where have you been at this hour of the day?" she questioned, deciding that a change of subject was required. "Family business," he replied. Vanessa decided not to pursue that topic. "You will come, will you not?" she urged, "Louisa will be so disappointed if you fail to attend." She turned slightly as if she was admiring the flowers displayed on the side table, the reality was she was afraid that her eyes would reveal that it would not only be Louisa that would be disappointed by Edward's absence. "It is difficult to believe that little Louisa is old enough for a coming out party," Edward told her. "Time is marching on for all of us," remarked Vanessa, "Julian Featherstone proposed to me yesterday." "Did you accept?" asked Edward. Vanessa felt disappointed that her news failed to prompt any sign of jealousy in Edward. "No, of course not. No one accepts a proposal on a Wednesday," she informed him gravely. "They do not," he said with amusement. "I must remember that." "You must come tonight," she implored, "I want to introduce you to Raphael and his sister Maria." Edward felt a chill go through him at the mention of Raphael's name. "Raphael?" he queried. "Oh! He's this wonderful, exotic count, from South America, or somewhere, who is capturing the hearts of half of the ladies in London society," she told him, delighted that Edward seemed to respond to Raphael's name. "Not yours I hope?" he asked sternly. Vanessa felt colour flood her face, she returned her gaze to the flowers. "Of course not. Although I do believe Louisa's slightly smitten," she confided. Edward was unsure of whether to be grateful that fate had pushed Raphael into his path so swiftly, or whether fate was playing a dangerous game with the lives of his close friends. "Of course I will come to Louisa's party," he told Vanessa, smiling at her. |