You're a very review story bunch are you? Hmm, usually I have atleast one review after the first chapter, but now I've got five. Wow. Thanks to the reviewers, Mintiflower, Addicted 2 daydreaming, Mbali97 and Chelra.

Read and enjoy.

ACT ONE
In which Cat attempts to discover the truth...

Scene Two
Another Cat

Yes I think it was strange that when I walked down the street with Frank I was bombarded with girls.

"Hide," whispered Frank as he saw them coming.

We jumped into a side alley and out of sight, few of the girls ventured in after us because of all the rubbish around. It smelt very bad to be honest. I had to hold my nose to stand it. I wondered how long the girl's would wait for the illustrious Earl of Avon.

"You know I don't see what they see in you," I remarked.

"Neither do I," replied Frank. "Neither do I."

"Hmm," I muttered. "I think we can go now."

The girl's had moved on, most of them were high society, never used to wandering the dirtier streets of London. A small mercy in y opinion, but a mercy nonetheless. I however didn't smell so good. I hate to admit it reader, but I for one smelt worse than ever.

We made it back to the Avons house without a repeat incident, but I was rather surprised to bump into a certain freeman when I got there.

"Pedro," I exclaimed running to him and throwing my arms around him. "How did you get here?"

When I had left Pedro he had been on San Domingo fighting with the rebellion who in y opinion were in the right although the slaveowners did not believe this and the island had become a warzone.

"It's a long story," he replied.

"Then by all means tell us over a cup of tea," jested Frank pompously.

He and Pedro laughed, but I could not.

"I'm afraid we don't have time for tea," I sighed. "We need to find out who killed Nick and get Syd off that boat and free again, because that's what he should be."

"I see," nodded Pedro. "I suppose my story can wait."

I walked back along the street on my own because Pedro had decided to go with Frank and ask around the richer circles.

Out of nowhere a black cat jumped down onto the pavement in front of me. It was sleek, but still had the appearance of street cat who had most likely been abandoned or else lived on the streets it's entire life.

It was fine and funnily enough it had landed on it's feet.

There were numerous buildings around that the cat could have come from, but I guessed it had probably jumped off one of the roofs.

I hesitated a moment before approaching the cat silently with my hand outstretched in a non threatening way. I had always been good with cats and any other animals for that matter. The cat allowed me to approach. It licked my hand.

I almost hopped back in surprise, but stopped myself in time, I didn't want to frighten the cat with sudden movements.

"Hello there," I muttered stroking it under it's chin. It purred. "Who are you then?"

If I had expected a reply I would've been disappointed so it was lucky I didn't.

I checked around it's neck for any sign of a collar or some sort of identification. There was none, just rather soft fur. I wondered how long the cat had been on the streets if it's fur was that soft.

"Come on then," I said picking it up as gently as I could manage, gladly it did not resist. "Let's get you back home to..." I paused, where exactly was my home. "To the Avons' I guess."

I walked along the street with the cat in my arms, I had temporarily forgotten about Syd until I knocked on the door of the Avons' house in Grosvenor Square.

"Any luck?" asked Joseph. "You're back quite early."

"What are you talk...?" I started as I remembered. "Oh!"

I was torn between setting Syd free and looking after my new little companion.

"Take Midnight," I instructed handing over the cat.

Joseph raised a single eyebrow which believe me reader is an extremely hard thing to do, I've tried...and failed. I then gave him instructions for my cat to be washed and dried and a nice comfy pillow in my room to sleep on. Joseph took it all down as mental notes he told me.

"Who on earth are you talking to Joseph?" inquired the Duchess in her loud overpowering manner.

She appeared in the hallway wearing one of her more extravagant dresses. It was blue and green with peacock feathers on one shoulder. She wore an equally imposing hat to match.

"Cat!" she exclaimed. "Come on in."

"I can't," I said putting my hands up to protest.

"I insist," she replied.

"No really I can't!" I exclaimed.

"Nonsense," replied the Duchess. "I can't have you freezing your stockings of on my doorstep. You'll catch your death of cold if you stay out any longer," she peered outside. "And those nasty grey clouds don't look too promising, unless you want a downpour."

I was uttered inside despite my protests. Finally I gave in and took Midnight from Joseph.

"Thanks," I muttered to him as I was led to the dining room where a sumptuous supper was laid out for me and the family.

"Cat!" exclaimed Frank and Pedro, both clearly surprised. "I thought you were out investigating."

"I was," I muttered.

"What's that?" asked Pedro eyeing the black bundle of fur in my arms.

"This is Midnight," I said holding up the black cat. "I found her when I was out investigating. What do you think?"

So for all the people who bother to read the author notes, I would like to tell you that I have started a roleplay forum for Cat Royal. If you don't know how to get to it look at the top right above the story list and click, it is the second one.

That is all.