Every night for the next three days Jamie found his way back to that townhouse. And every night when the clock struck twelve and the dark beauties began to walk the grounds; he was left to discover that she had already been bought for the night by a benefactor that chose to take her out into the city, rather than stay in around all the debauchery.
As the sun rose high on the fourth day, Jamie made his way into the dining hall where Jared was busy grumbling over the paper and poor wine choices of his newest client.
"Morning cousin." Jamie announced as he grabbed a croissant and sat next to his cousin.
"Morning indeed." Jared huffed, as he raised his head from the paper. He couldn't help but notice the pale pallor of Jamie's complexion.
"Out again all night I see. Did you visit Madam LaCord's once again?" he questioned, with a hint of satisfaction.
"Aye, can't seem to help myself," Jamie smiled.
"Well my boy, you must be careful out there. Seems like the man eater of paris has once again struck." Jared commented.
"Maneater?" Jamie questioned.
"Aye, oh I know you must have heard the tales. A whore, that makes her wealthy clients fall in love with her then she kills them mercilessly. Seems she has killed again last night. They found an englishman, the Duke of Sandringham his name was... poisoned in his paris townhouse by his maid." He read out loud.
Jamie all but choked on his mouthful of bread. He knew Sandringham intimately unfortunately, as he was once a route of hope to clear his good name.
"Do... do they know who this woman is?" Jamie asked, knowing if Daniea's identity was ever discovered they would do much worse than hang her.
"That's the funny part. No one has any clue it seems, she leaves no trace and she uses no method twice, the paper says."
The whole day Jamie paced up and down the grounds waiting, biding his time till he could return to the brothel to hopefully speak with Daniea once more. Yet as he finally entered, he quickly noticed many of the girls he had never seen before, and many he had become accustomed to over the week have disappeared. When midnight approached and a new grouping of women appeared he finally called one over.
"Monsieur, how may I be of service this evening?" She cooed, tangling her fingers into Jamie's coat collar.
Jamie smiled, grinning a bit awkwardly, "You are new here, are you not?" He questioned.
Her smile grew wider, yes and no. I come and go as I please." She teased, trying to angle for the job.
"Ummm, I mean in this house, I haven't seen you here before, or many of the other women."
"Oui, that is true."
Jamie slowly handed her a few coins.
"I am looking for a woman who use to reside here, do you know where she could have gone."
The woman's smile began to disappear. "I might." she answered.
Jamie once again dug out more coins, "For your help." he stated.
"Madam Elise's, she is Madam LaCord's business partner. We rotate houses to keep you gentlemen happy by having a variety of pleasures to sample.
"Merci," Jamie smiled as he picked up his coat and left.
It was almost three in the morning by the time Jamie arrived at Madam Elise's which was almost a mirror image of the townhouse he just left. As he stepped inside his eyes quickly fell on an all too familiar face. Her cream colored gown draped off of her pale shoulders as she merrily seemed to converse with a stern looking Frenchman that refused to move his hand from Daniea's knee.
Every small touch and flirtation that she demonstrated infuriated Jamie more and more, making him take to sipping the wine that had been brought to his table. As the dawn began to break Jamie sluggishly jerked awake to the feeling of a quick hand rifling through his vest pocket.
Snatching the intruder, he was soon faced with a young boy with curly black hair and dark eyes.
"And what do you think you might be doing lad?" Jamie sneered.
"I was helping you with your…" the french boy began.
"You were helping me relieve myself of some coins. I give you credit lad, I almost didn't notice."
" Monsieur please!"
Jamie looked over the scraggly boy. He could have been no more than twelve years old. Underweight and undernourished.
" What's your name lad?" Jamie ordered.
"Claudel, monsieur."
"Sounds like a girl's name," Jamie huffed, "Where do you live lad?"
He looked around, unwilling to answer.
"Tell me or I shall have to report you. I bet if I look in your pockets I would find trinkets that would make some people very unhappy to know they be missing."
The boy pointed to a small door that laid under the stairwell.
"Do you know who that is?" Jamie asked, casually pointing in Daniea's direction.
"Oui, I know both the Lady and the gentleman."
Jamie thought for awhile. " Lad if you run small errands for me, I promise I won't turn you in, as long as you don't steal another thing I don't ask you too."
The boy thought for a long moment. "Alright monsieur, I promise."
"Good lad," Jamie then handed him over a fist full of coins. " This is your pay for the week, make sure you eat something."
The boy's eyes lit up, " Merci Monsieur!"
"Also, no more Claudel, you need a man's name… Fergus. You'll now be Fergus."
The boy shook his head feverishly.
"Now Fergus, who is that man?"
"Comte St. Germain, my lord."
"And you said you know the lady as well?"
"Oui, that's my lady. She has lived here off and on for a few months. When I see her in the mornings she shares her breakfast with me and sings to me when I can't sleep."
Jamie's heart skipped a beat.
"Well I need you to keep a close eye on your lady Fergus. If anything strange happens with her I need you to tell me immediately."
"I will not let you hurt my lady!" He boasted.
"Calm down lad," Jamie told him, putting a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "I have known her a long time and want to make sure she stays safe."
Fergus nodded in agreement and took the piece of parchment that told him where to find Jamie in case he needed him.
As he glanced over once again, Daniea was standing up to lean in towards St. Germain. Pecking him ever so slightly on the cheek before retiring up the stairs.
Jamie wanted till both had made their way from the area.
"I shall see you soon lad," Jamie told Fergus, ruffling his hair. "And lad, don't tell her that I am here."
Fergus nodded and watched as his new master rode away into the day.
