Coupled Betrayal

Chapter 13

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August 23, 1879

But not for long.

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Sneaking to the stables was easier said than done. Clad in a comfortable riding habit, I considered climbing out my window. Bad idea. With one leg out and two arms on the window panes, I realized that I was very afraid of heights and falling. It seemed I'd have to go down the staircase to the stables

I took off my boots and held them in my hand while my other hand held a small bag with some clothes, money, and a cloak. The knit socks help pad my footsteps as I made my way to the staircase.

Everything was dark.

With a hand on the railing, I slowly, but surely, made my way down the grand stairs, wondering why they were so long and big. Afterwards, I felt my way to the stables and before I stepped outside, I put my boots back and checked my pocket watch.

1:47

I took my time getting a mare, trying to make as little noise as possible. The horse whinnied, freezing me in my step. But thankfully, it didn't happen again. After saddling the horse, I rode to the entrance of the manor and stepped outside. I dismounted and let the dark mare rest as I put on my cloak to shield me from the brisk winds of the night.

Looking back, I hoped my mother wouldn't be in too much distress. A note rested on top of my vanity explaining my absence without giving too much away and pillows mimicked a human shape under the covers.

At 2:18, the gallops of a horse approached and I climbed my horse, ready to go. Claude halted the horse once in front of me and walked it to be beside me.

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

A swift nod answered his question, "But if you don't want to go, that's perfectly fine."

"Angelica," he said. "I want to help you. I'm not going to let you do this alone."

With absolute certainty that we were both going to Chester, we rode to the town at an easy canter.

As we rode, Claude asked, "Do you have a plan?"

I'd come up with the etchings of a plan in my time of just laying in bed.

"Well, I planned to start at a pub... a place of ill repute and many drunkards. They might know something about a brothel that sells women, and I'm sure they wouldn't mind speaking for a few shillings. We also need to tell the police. I doubt the policemen I told actually sent a letter to Chester."

"And you planned to do this by yourself, without any help?"

"When I said I was going to go myself, I had no plan."

He chuckled, "Starting at a pub sounds good, especially at this time of night. But, I should do the talking. I make a more convincing story."

I agreed. A woman asking for a brothel that sells girls just screamed trouble. A man asking made more sense.

After riding for around an hour and a half, the big town came into view. As only drunk men and harlots wandered the dark streets, no one questioned two strangers on horses. Claude managed to convince me that we should find an inn to stay in for the night, and then he'd look for information alone. He reasoned it would blow his cover if I accompanied him and that he'd be much more at ease if he knew I was safe and in bed.

There was no arguing with him as I insisted that I could find the inn myself while he looked for unsuspecting drunk men, but he wouldn't listen to a word I said. He wanted me to be safe.