Chapter Six
"Enter." Adam commanded to whomever was knocking at his study door.
"M'lord, you have a visitor. I believe it is the man you hired. The Bow Street runner," his butler, Jamison, announced. Adam looked up from the London Gazette which he had been perusing. "Very well. Send him in."
"Very good, m'lord." Jamison nodded and signaled for the visitor to enter.
Adam stood up as the young man entered. Actually, the man was more of a boy--a very timid, young man. "Good morning. Please have a seat and I can explain my business to you."
The young man nodded, clenching his cap in his hand, nervously fidgeting with the brim. A smashed carnation peeked from his lapel and the suit he was wearing was at least two sizes too big. "Would you care for a refreshment?" Adam asked, walking around to the other side of desk. "No, m'lord. Thank you, m'lord," the man squeaked.
Adam smiled a small smile. Why ever was the boy so nervous? This is the kind of boy that was trained to protect and approach people? "Very well. I shall explain what I would require your services for. I have sufffered an unfortunate malady during the course of the war with Napoleon. You see, " Adam continued, " I have lost my memory. I remember nothing from before the war. " He reached inside his jacket pocket, found a cheroot and lit it before saying more. The young man relaxed a bit and his gray eyes softened a bit with of pity.
"And how may I be of assistance? " the boy asked, his voice stronger now. " I need you to locate someone who I feel may have the key to my past."
The young man nodded enthusiastically. "Not a problem, m'lord. Just let me have what you know of the chap I will have him found in a sennight at most." "First of all, the chap is a she. I would like for you to locate a young girl by the name of Victoria." The young man looked incredulous. "Victoria? That is all you know?"
"I'm afraid so." He had not wanted to intrude and frighten the girl by following her home when he saw her in the park the other day. Then she might not have cooperated. "'Tis not much to go on, m'lord."
"Yes, I apologize for that. But it is all I know."
"A description perhaps?" the man requested.
"Of course. She has the most beautiful flaxen hair, green eyes and I know she is unmarried. Probably around eighteen or nineteen years of age." "Well, that will help me a bit, m'lord. "
"Do you know if she resides in London? Is she aristocracy?"
"I think so, yes. If I remember correctly, her father is a Lord Lane."
The young man smiled. "That should be sufficient, m'lord. I will not disappoint you."
"I hope not. " Adam said and stood up as the young man stood to take his leave. "You may contact me here should you find it necessary. I wish you to use the most discretion possible."
"Certainly, m'lord, certainly." the young man placed his cap back on his head and ducked out of the study, whistling.