Read Online Death in the Dark Walk by Deryn Lake - Free Book Online

de Blond. ‘When it comes to choice I have a particular request to make, if you’d be so obliging, Ma’am.’
    â€˜Oh yes?’ she answered, all smiles.
    â€˜My cousin spoke highly of one of your young ladies, Elizabeth Harper. I’d like mightily to make her acquaintance.’
    A shadow crossed the woman’s face but she recovered herself quickly. ‘Elizabeth does not work here any more. I believe she was taken under the protection of a gentleman of substance. But I have another girl very like her, one Diana Linacre. I believe she is free at the moment. Shall I fetch her for you?’
    â€˜Has Diana been here long?’ asked Samuel, speaking for the first time.
    Madame de Blond stared at him in some surprise. ‘A twelve-month. Why?’
    He looked cunning. ‘Because then you’ll have trained her well, Ma’am, if you understand me.’
    â€˜The old dog!’ thought John in admiration.
    Light dawned on the Madame’s face. ‘Ah, you would like to share her. Is that it?’
    The friends stared at one another in consternation, not quite sure what to answer. ‘Yes,’ said Samuel as ‘No,’ chorused John.
    Madame de Blond smiled archly, the make-up on her face cracking lightly as she did so. ‘Well, gentlemen, I’ll leave you to make your minds up in private. Your punch will be served in the coffee house.’
    With those words she was gone as some new customers came through the front door.
    â€˜What do we do?’ asked Samuel frantically.
    â€˜I’ll speak to Diana alone. She’s bound to have known Elizabeth if she’s been here that long. It was clever of you to ask.’
    â€˜Thank you. What happens to me in the meantime?’
    â€˜Pick someone else and try to find out all you can. I’m sure you’ll manage.’ And John could not help but laugh at the expression on his friend’s face, fear and delight mixed so obviously in equal quantities.
    Yet, tease Samuel as he might, no-one could have been more nervous than he when Diana Linacre, a comely young woman of about nineteen years of age, approached the table at which they sat.
    â€˜I hear you wanted me, Sir,’ she said, displaying a set of small white seed pearl teeth.
    John summoned up his courage. ‘I really asked for Lizzie Harper, her reputation being so highly spoken of. But the Madame told me she had gone and that you were as fine in every way.’
    â€˜That is true, Sir.’
    â€˜None the less I would like to quiz you about her if I may.’
    â€˜Certainly,’ Diana replied, then added firmly, ‘but we would be far more comfortable talking in my apartment.’ This said she put her hand under John’s arm, eased him to his feet, and led him towards the curving staircase. Turning to look over his shoulder, he saw that a very beautiful black girl, obviously a runaway servant, had approached their table and taken his vacated seat.
    â€˜Good luck, old friend,’ the Apothecary muttered silently, and continued up the stairs.
    Diana’s room, from the bed to the curtains, was furnished throughout in red, one wall completely taken up by a mirror.
    â€˜Now, Sir,’ she said, unbuttoning her shift, ‘what can I do to please you? Is it Lizzie’s tricks you’re after?’
    â€˜No!’ answered John urgently and, as she gaped at him, amazed himself with his own ability to deceive by saying, ‘Damme, my cousin will never forgive me if I don’t find out more about the girl. He’s quite head-over-heels in love with her.’
    Diana stared at him narrow-eyed. ‘Your cousin?’
    â€˜Yes, let me explain. We’re a country family, from Twickenham you know. My cousin, when he was last in town, came here and met Elizabeth Harper. Most taken with her, he was. I believe he’s thinking of putting her under his protection.’
    â€˜A bit late for that,’ answered Diana,