Capturing the Devil (Stalking Jack the Ripper, #4)

by Kerri Maniscalco

On this day, one we were supposed to cherish for eternity, I wept on top of Jack the Ripper’s journals. I could not control my sorrow, and I cried until the sun rose, turning the sky a vicious, deep red. Once I’d exhausted myself, I fell unwillingly into a fitful sleep. There, the devil waited, his lips pulled into a sneer. I’d once again fallen into my own personal Hell. This time I couldn’t tell what was worse—my dreams or my reality.

“Grandmama.” I offered my most humble curtsy. I wished to run to her, fold myself into her arms, sit in her lap, and have her smooth each of my worries away. But she wouldn’t tolerate such acts. At least not in front of the others in the room. “What a wonderful surprise.” “You lie like a Wadsworth.”

did not think her sour mood was entirely due to the unpleasant news of a mutilated corpse. I had no doubt she’d been informed of yesterday’s events, and dread filled me. First Miss Whitehall, now Grandmama. If Thomas’s family arrived next, I might turn to religion after all.

Grandmama continued scanning me, her expression impossible to decipher. I straightened under her scrutiny, hoping I appeared less nervous than I was. Her gaze was watchful and sharp like a hawk’s. And I was done feeling like prey.

I dared a glance around the room. Aunt Amelia had the social graces to stare into her cup of tea, pretending nothing was amiss and a wedding hadn’t been ruined and my grandmother wasn’t interrogating me. In this moment, I felt like hugging her.

Grandmama truly missed nothing. Thomas had some competition in the deduction area. I couldn’t decide if it would be interesting or downright terrifying when they finally interacted.

Thomas’s lineage was his story to tell. He’d been careful with what people in London knew, and I didn’t wish to be the one who divulged his secret. I still had much to learn about his family. My aunt meant no malice, but she enjoyed chatting with acquaintances over tea. I did not want her to inadvertently make Thomas the center of more gossip.

Confronting demons was never a pleasant task, especially when they were your own.

“Good morning, Lady Everleigh. I trust you’re well?” “Hmmmph,” she grunted, not bothering to elaborate. “Mind your manners, Jonathan. They’re abysmal.” “Yes, well.” Uncle turned on his heel, letting the door shut behind him. As if my life hadn’t already reached a crescendo in turmoil, things were boiling over everywhere I turned.

It also meant my brother could not have committed that crime.

It was yet more proof that Jack the Ripper lived. Perhaps some monsters were immortal after all.

“You love him very much.” “Yes.” I fiddled with my gloves, unable to meet her eyes for fear I’d start bawling again. “I love him in ways that sometimes frighten me.”

She was proud of you and Nathaniel. You were the brightest stars in her universe. She loved your father without question, but you children were the twinkle in her soul.”

My last ones haunted me. My mother had stayed by my side while I’d burned with fever, several years ago. She’d refused to give the task to someone else, insisting on tending to me personally. Thanks to her tireless nursing, I’d recovered from scarlet fever. She hadn’t. Her already weakened heart couldn’t fight the infection. She’d battled long enough to see me well before she passed away in my arms. Even surrounded by my father and brother, I’d never felt so alone as I did that day. Her death was my main motivating factor for pursuing science and medicine. Sometimes, in my most private moments, I’d wonder who I might be if she’d lived.

But when I do, many moons from now, you will become an heiress. All of this”—she motioned around the room, though I knew she was also speaking of the house—“will be yours. As will the properties in Paris, London, India, and Venice.” My heart rate slowed. “Grandmama… I cannot… that is very generous of you, but—” “But what? Will you have me stuff my pockets on my deathbed and carry my money into the next life?” She sniffed as if injured. “The correct response is ‘thank you.’”

By remaining unmarried, I’d inherit my grandmother’s property in full. I might not marry the love of my existence, but I would be happily wed to my profession and live comfortably, dependent upon no one. I got choked up again for an entirely new reason.

Grandmama grabbed my cane from me and stamped it against the floor imperiously. “You fight. You fight for what you want. You do not wallow or surrender. The lesson is not in lying down and allowing yourself to be stabbed, child. It’s in pushing yourself up and battling back.” Her eyes flashed. “You fell down. So? Will you stay there, weeping over skinned knees? Or will you brush off your skirts, adjust your hair, and carry on? Do not relinquish your grasp on hope. It’s one of the best weapons anyone possesses.”

Grandmama did not enjoy being interrupted, whether it was while reading a good book or choosing her next move in a game of chess. She most certainly despised being woken up at an indecent hour, forced to receive guests she wished to toss into the snow-covered streets.

Thomas flashed his most charming smile. The very same one he’d used on my father to get him to grant me permission to attend the academy in Romania, and then on the train ride there. A feat I was still impressed by, considering Thomas’s reputation as an unfeeling automaton in London society. Because of his refusal to play by their rules, there were rumors early on that he’d been the ruthless killer we sought. Some still whispered his name in connection with the crimes. The idea that Thomas could be the notorious Jack the Ripper was too ludicrous to even consider.

“Nothing would give me greater pleasure.” Thomas held a hand against his heart. “He’s a very tactical man. Any upset in his carefully plotted plan will cause the greatest distress. And that happens to be something my sister and I are quite skilled at.”

“Now let’s see how your father enjoys such hospitality. The rudeness of some men is eclipsed only by their arrogance.

Considering the laboratory work that needed to be done with Uncle, it was hopelessly impractical. It was meant to be worn after my wedding—Daciana had insisted I change for the evening dinner celebration, so it was a dreamy, whimsical thing. Much too pretty for breakfast. Though I agreed it was best to appear as regal as possible while meeting Thomas’s father for the first time. No matter the pain he caused, I wished to make a good impression. If only to make him regret his meddling.

“Before you meet my father, there’s something I’d like you to know.” He didn’t hesitate as he crossed my room this time; confidence was back in each step. He paused before me. “If you’ll still have me, there is nothing in this world, no threat mighty enough, to keep me from you. I want my father to see us, a united front, and know we will not be broken.” “Thomas—” “I’m rejecting Miss Whitehall directly after this meeting with my father. Yesterday, I visited a barrister originally from London and discussed the possibility of forgery. I did not write that letter. I heard from him earlier and I cannot be held accountable, nor does the engagement stand in court.” Thomas took my hand in his. “When we go downstairs, I will be introducing you as my wife-to-be.”

It was my grandmother—who believed leashes were meant for mutts, not people—who spoke first.

Lord Cresswell blinked slowly, realizing he was approaching a trap of some sort, but unable to locate an escape.

Thomas held my hand so tightly I nearly lost feeling in my fingertips. I stole a glance at him, noticing the unencumbered glee on his face. He might have just fallen in love with my grandmother. My father called for another tea service, looking like he wished for brandy instead.

Thomas pulled out the letter he’d received from the barrister, passing it over to his father with smug satisfaction. “Apologies, Father, but I’m afraid you’ll be traveling back to England alone. Unless you’d prefer to stay here. I could always send this information to the House of Lords. I’m sure forgery and blackmail aren’t qualities they openly enjoy in the peerage.”

“Well.” Grandmama stood, waving off Father’s offer of assistance. “That was as delightful as I’d imagined. Your father is as arrogant as you are, my boy, with none of your charm. Edmund, help me fetch my nib and ink. I’ve got correspondence that needs attention.”

“Before we left for Romania, I requested an audience with your father. I knew how much he worried over you, so I included all the reasons why studying abroad would suit you. I wanted—I was unsure of how to sign it once I’d written it out. I didn’t want to sound pompous, but I worried he might not take me seriously as a suitor in the future, should I simplify too much.” He blew his breath out. “I’d never worried about such foolish things before. I must have signed ten different pages, all near the bottom so I could lay my letter on top, getting a good feel for how it would read. In the end, I signed ‘Thomas’ on the letter I sent your father. Who knew my name could cause such trouble?” “It’s been causing trouble for me since we met,” I teased.

Thomas would set fire to the case—and the world—if it meant we could be together. Not out of malice or uncaring, but out of his love and devotion to me. It wouldn’t be easy for him, but he’d do it. No matter how much I wished otherwise, I couldn’t turn my back on it or my family—I’d be turning my back on understanding my brother and on speaking for all of the women who lost their lives. And all the others who were sure to die in the future if we didn’t stop him. Thomas might believe he could walk away from it now, but I knew he’d come to regret it. Just as I would.

“Thomas…” Involving Uncle in this mess was the last thing I wished to do. “Audrey Rose,” he said urgently, “if we can deduce where he’s gone and continue our investigation there, it’ll give us a legitimate reason to delay my departure. We’d have more time to solve the Miss Whitehall issue without ruining your family’s name. Otherwise I have two options. I’ll either be disowned and hunted if I don’t get on that ship tonight, or I will be legally bound to another. Is that something you can honestly live with?”

“Be brave.” Grandmama cupped my cheek lovingly. “Now, go, save the world and that devilish prince of yours.”