Read Ghost of Christmas Past for Free Online Page A

nothing
around here to help him,” Luke muttered with a frown. “The locals
have a description. Even if he has hidden away somewhere, the
locals will deal with him when he surfaces.”
    “ So, let’s head off to London,” Rupert suggested. He was glad
that he was already packed and ready to go. He drained the last
dregs of his ale and dropped his mug on the table, as eager to give
chase as his colleagues were. Although everyone was tired and
hungry, they were all aware that there wasn’t a moment to lose if
it they wanted to stop Fornier from heading back to France with
valuable information.
     
    A week
later, Rupert sat in a booth at the rear of Whites and watched the
assorted patrons as they arrived and left the exclusive gentleman’s
club. He had just left Harry and Marcus at an old abandoned
warehouse in London’s dockland where they were keeping watch for
any sign of Fornier or his contacts, and he now rather wished that
he was there with them.
    The
rather austere property was busy with many of London’s highest
nobility enjoying the plush leather seats and the amiable
atmosphere that was heavily laden with pipe and cigar smoke. At one
time in his life, Rupert had visited Whites frequently and had felt
at ease there. Now though, he felt as though he was in a different
world to the one he had grown accustomed to.
    While
the urge to leave was strong, he also knew that Whites was the last
place Fornier or any of his French colleagues would even consider
venturing into. For the time being at least, it was safe to relax
and enjoy the wonderfully fragrant brandy at his elbow.
    A few
minutes later, he eventually gave in to the yawn that threatened
and, not for the first time, thought about the wonderfully warm and
comfortable bed that awaited him at his lodgings. The only good
thing about staying in London was the plethora of accommodation
that was readily available to the weary traveller and he had spared
no expense in purchasing something that provided him with a few
extra home comforts. When another yawn loomed he pushed away from
the table and made his way to the door with his thoughts firmly
locked on getting some much needed sleep.
    It was
only when he was on the doorstep that he glanced up when he became
aware that someone was blocking his path. His gaze was immediately
captured by John Weatherby’s and his world drew to a stop. He
studied the older man and nodded warily at him when John called a
polite greeting.
    “ Are you coming or going?” Rupert asked quietly as he nodded
to the highly polished doors behind him.
    “ Going,” John replied solemnly.
    When
John made no attempt to extend the conversation, Rupert studied the
road before them. He wanted to turn around and walk away but
something kept him rooted to the spot. His recent conversation with
Jacob lurched into his mind and he silently contemplated what to
do.
    “ How are you?” he asked indifferently. He didn’t really care
how the man was. From the look of the expensive cut of his jacket
and the healthy glow to his cheeks he was in fine
fettle.
    “ Very well, thank you. Yourself?”
    Rupert
nodded and frowned at the passing traffic. He was aware that John
was studying him but neither man broke the silence. At one time in
his life Rupert would have made his excuses and walked way, but the
last four years had changed him almost beyond recognition. He was
now not the kind of man who shied away from anything. So why wasn’t
he saying the words that hovered on his lips?
    “ How is Thea?” His voice deepened huskily. Just saying her
name brought about a fierce ache in his chest that made him suck in
a deep breath to steady himself.
    “ She is fine,” John replied as he studied the many, many
changes that had happened to the man beside him. “You are one of
Sir Hugo’s men now, aren’t you?” The respect in John’s eyes was
plain to see and surprised Rupert a little.
    Rupert
nodded but didn’t expand on his work given that they were