While making inquiries at the notorious brothel the House of Pleasure regarding a kidnapping, Bow Street Runner Reginald Matthews ends up with more than just the information he seeks from Amorina Vestry, the house's sensual madam. Amorina's manner reveals more than a passing interest in Matthews, which in turn leads to unforeseen consequences for them both.

- - -

“Can you bring it to me now, Mrs. Dove?” Somehow Reginald had managed to keep his voice even. The housekeeper was not the one to blame here. His anger should not be directed at her.

She nodded and scurried from the room.

Three weeks wasted! He stood clenching and unclenching his fists, awaiting the woman’s return.

“Here y’ are, sir,” she said a few minutes later, handing over the bundled-up material. “Will there be anything else, sir?”

“No, Mrs. Dove, thank you.” With his normal stoic composure, he watched her mount the steps on her way out, though inwardly he trembled in anticipation of examining the garment. When the door clicked shut, he shook out the folds of the stained and creased cloak, measured it against his own frame then carefully laid it on his desk.

Mrs. Dove had been right: the cloak belonged to a man. A man even taller than himself, for when held up to his shoulders, the bottom of the garment still brushed the ground. He bent over to examine the hem more closely. A good six inches had been dragged through mud and muck. No, the cloak Lady Katarina had worn had not been her own. Neither had she mentioned acquiring it in her story. That made the garment a good bit more interesting to him.

The cloth itself was a fine black silk, lined with satin, and woven with an intricate design in the fabric. Foreign made. So from whom had she gotten it? And when? And where?

He straightened, considering his options.

A visit to Lady Katarina for more information came first to mind, but he dismissed it immediately. If she hadn’t mentioned it before, she would likely lie about it now. Instead, he would go back and make inquiries at the brothels again, this time merely trying to return property mislaid several weeks ago. Surely something so costly would’ve been noted missing. The patron obviously had expensive tastes; therefore, Reginald would start at the most expensive brothel in London, The House of Pleasure.

Which brought him to his current place outside the brothel’s back door.