Kingsley's Bride

Chapter 12: Underneath the Facade

I sat in Edward Hughes' shabby office, the air thick with the musty scent of old paper and dust. The detective's chambers were cluttered with files and loose documents, each pile teetering precariously on the edge of the worn wooden desk. A single, dim lamp cast a feeble glow over the room, barely illuminating the chaos.

Mr. Ralph stood beside me, his presence a reassuring anchor in this unsettling environment.

Edward Hughes, a grizzled man with sharp, darting eyes, rifled through a stack of papers, muttering to himself. His movements were jittery, and I could sense the underlying anxiety that seemed to permeate the very walls of his office.

"Lady Scarlett," he finally addressed me, his voice a gravelly rumble. "I've reviewed the information you provided. It's a challenging case, but I believe I can help."

I handed him a bag of coins, watching as his eyes lit up with greedy anticipation. He eagerly counted the money, his fingers moving with practiced speed. His avarice was evident, and it irked me, but I reminded myself of my purpose here.

"Please, Mr. Hughes," I began, my voice steady despite my nerves. "Tell me what you've discovered about my sister, Meredith."

He glanced up, his expression momentarily distracted by the coins.

"Ah, yes. Meredith. I've made some progress, Lady Scarlett. It appears she was last seen in a small village near the coast, in the company of a man. Someone she seemed to trust."

My heart skipped a beat at the news. "Do you know where she is now?" I asked, my voice trembling with anticipation. Edward Hughes shook his head, his focus returning to the papers before him.

"Not yet, but it's a promising lead. I'll need more time to track her down precisely." As he spoke, the door to the office creaked open, and a young clerk entered, handing Edward a fresh stack of documents. The detective barely acknowledged the clerk's presence, absorbed in his own world of investigation. I glanced at Mr. Ralph, who remained composed, his eyes taking in every detail of the room. There was a silent understanding between us, a shared recognition of Edward Hughes' peculiar behavior.

"Mr. Hughes," Mr. Ralph interjected, his tone firm but polite, "Lady Scarlett has come to you in good faith. We expect a thorough and diligent investigation."

Edward nodded, a hint of apprehension flickering in his eyes. "Of course, of course. I assure you, I will do my utmost to find Meredith."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing thoughts. "Thank you, Mr. Hughes. Please keep me informed of any developments."

As we stood to leave, Edward's hand trembled slightly as he reached for another stack of papers. "Lady Scarlett," he said hesitantly, "May I ask... who is your husband?" I paused, exchanging a glance with Mr. Ralph before replying. "Darius Kingsley."

The reaction was immediate and startling. Edward's face paled, and he knocked over the coins on his desk in his haste to stand. Panic overtook him as he began to rummage through his office, throwing papers and books aside in a frantic search for something. His actions were erratic, and his fear was palpable.

"Please, Mr. Hughes, what is wrong?" I asked, bewildered by his sudden change. He stopped, turning to face me with wild eyes. "Lady Scarlett, I... I cannot help you. Not with him involved."

I was taken aback. "What do you mean? Why does my husband's name frighten you so?"

Mr. Hughes collapsed to his knees, his hands trembling as he clutched at my skirts.

"Please, forgive me. I didn't know he was your husband. Darius Kingsley... he's not a man to be trifled with."

Mr. Ralph stepped forward, his expression unchanging. "Mr. Hughes, Lady Scarlett has come to you in good faith. You will assist her, as agreed."