The Telltale Heart Read Online Free PDF

if he can be located. Ombersley’s money helped build this establishment. Now, we must take steps to ensure our style of life does not undergo drastic changes. The woman’s name is Camille Torrington. I wonder if Edmund Torrington is a relative. I met him the other night and gave him one of my cards. I heard he lives in the Nichol? The Nichol is a very dangerous place.”
    Renseley left and returned several hours later with a disreputable man wearing a long black coat, a tall black top hat and high-top riding boots. His shirt was filthy and he smelled of stale human, horse manure and garbage. His name was Augustus Clapperly, his occupation, killer for hire.
    The three of them went into Nugent’s office where Nugent gave him last month’s take from the club and several hundred more pounds. If Clapperly couldn’t do the job, they were done for.
    * * * *
    Cam was beside herself with happiness. She had finally met someone and fallen in love. She’d thought this would never happen, she would remain a single female all of her life. She’d never wished to join her life with that of any man. Her cousin took care of that need with companionship and the masculine support needed in this world run by men. When she thought of Edmund she smiled. He was living in the apartment over her old lab with Tommy. The couple had found happiness together. This was a relief to Cam. She’d never abandon her cousin. They’d been through too much together.
    The door to the lab opened and her beloved duke entered. She walked straight into his arms and they shared a warm embrace. She’d never liked to be touched, but found herself craving his caresses and deeply enjoying his tender kisses.
    â€œA dress, my love?”
    Cam was arrayed in a black and gold gown of the finest silk. The skirt was flat in the front and gathered over a high bustle in the back. It was only a small bustle. She would never be able to tolerate, much less walk, in one any bigger. There would be too much fabric plus the metal cage to maneuver around and she hadn’t learned the trick. A black lace bodice was tightly laced in the back and cut low in the front to reveal creamy white skin.
    â€œFor our wedding, of course.”
    â€œYou look divine. Shall we go? The Archbishop of Canterbury himself is officiating. We shall be married in style even though it is only a quiet ceremony.”
    â€œIs Edmund meeting us there?”
    â€œYes, only he and his friend Tommy will be in attendance. I thought that best.”
    â€œHe can give me away.” She smiled into his eyes and he kissed her. As they left the laboratory hand in hand, Cam thought her heart would explode it was so filled with love and happiness.
    When they arrived at St. Paul’s Cathedral, they found Edmund waiting there without Tommy. Cam was surprised. Edmund and Tommy had seemed to be happy together. When they alighted from the carriage, she discovered why Tommy was not in attendance. Edmund rushed to greet her, his face tear-stained, his blue eyes filled with fresh tears. He took both of her hands in his. “You can’t marry Cam. The Duke’s horrible nephew has taken Tommy and is holding him hostage in the club. He’s threatening to kill him if I allow you to marry the Duke.”
    â€œSurely he must know you can’t stop me.”
    Drex put his arm around her shoulders. “If Nugent has Tommy, we must rescue him immediately.”
    â€œHe’s threatened to kill him in three hours if the wedding is not stopped,” Edmund said to Drex. “He wants you to come to the club and exchange yourself for Tommy. He has given us a time limit of those three hours to make this exchange.”
    Cam straightened her shoulders and stared into Edmund’s eyes. “I will not allow him to take my Drex away from me. This is what we have been preparing for all of our lives, Edmund. We have the training. We have invented the newest, most modern