A fight for dominance and nobility

Chapter twenty-three: angel of the night

'Quiet!' I shouted at drunken men who were busy singing drinking songs. Why would she even come to a place like this? To be surrounded by drunk men that will waste no time taking advantage of her or even worse. This place reeks of strong drinks. I know pubs, most men never go home to their wives and continuously drink till dawn.

Everyone stared at me as I examined each one of them. Every drunk man halted their drinking routine lending me their ears. It does not matter if they did so kindly or because I am the most feared man in London.

'Have you seen a lady last night?' I questioned as I walked around the pub. No one replied but instead, they stared at me like a strange being. I turned to look at the innkeeper. 'I suppose you know every person that walks through that door, am I correct?' he nodded. 'Now, do tell me, have you seen a lass walk through that door last night?'

'Oh, Mr Blanchet I remember!' one of the gentlemen called out. His strident voice immediately caught my attention. 'She was mauled. She had four shots of bub.'

I am going to murder her with my bare hands. Who was she with when she drank four shots of bub that rendered her drunk? I can imagine what she was like. I am sure she spilled the beans or maybe she is not that type of drunkard.

'Really? I thought she was a Drury Lane vestal.' Another man added.

'A Drury Lane vestal!' one exclaimed in his drunken state. 'Tis' that troublemaker Zadie. She was with a lad who looked utterly pleased to see her out of her wits.'

A lad? Who? 'Who was she with?' I asked.

'She was with Murray, son of the late Lord Timberton.' The innkeeper continued wiping his glasses.

Why was she, Murray? I bet he is the one who freed her but what could he possibly know about Zadie that I don't? I have never had a real conversation with Zadie as to why she acts an unusual way from most ladies but that is a conversation for another day. What I desire though is to have her by my side and figure out how I break the curse. She cannot die because of my foolishness.

'I heard there is an event at the old Timberton Manor. Aye, you were invited as well, isn't it?' a drunk fellow asked, pointing at me. 'I saw the list outside, people who are invited are on the list.' He pulled out a folded paper in his pocket and stumbled towards me.

I took it from him and opened it. I slowly read the list. He was telling the truth. Most noblemen were invited. Lords and Ladies. Marchionne and Marchioness. My name was somewhere in the middle written in bold letters. This was not a mistake; he wants me there but under what motives? He always has an agenda and has a challenging time letting go of things of the past.

'How long have they been in this pub?'

The innkeeper stopped wiping his glasses and sighed. 'They were in here for an hour or two. The lass was too drunk to walk back where they came from. He had to carry her and send a message to his guardsman for help.'

I nodded before leaving the pub. I must make sure that fool did not touch her in any way. Who knows he is holding her captive and refusing to let her go?

Evening came by quicker than expected. I have not yet prepared for the so-called events because I know it might result in something deadly. Murray has never invited me to any of his extravagant unnecessary events. I stared at the full moon, leaning against my balcony, and trying my best to find out what he could possibly want.

'The event starts in an hour. You need to have someone by your side. A female.' Gerard informed and I nodded.

'I don't need a female companion.' I protested.