Stalking Jack: The Hunt Begins... (Madeline Donovan Mysteries Book 1) by Madison Kent
Authors: Madison Kent
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said as he carried her parcels into the George.
“Yes, it is, Mum. The sun is almost visible, and there is not much fog today. I would say that is a good London day, best we can hope for.”
She stopped at the concierge and found that Hugh had left her a message:
Madeline,
I am happy you have chosen to accept my invitation to dine this evening. I will call for you at approximately eight.
Your friend,
Hugh
She would wear black again tonight with her white lace shawl, but soon her new friends would see her wearing something other than that. She reconciled that it was time to repeal some of the strident rules she had given to herself. Perhaps having some color around her face would help with the pervasive depression that sought her out.
She welcomed the comfort of her room and seeing her family’s picture by her bedside. Soaking in her hot bath, she thought of Polly, Hugh, and Jonathan. These people were having the most profound effect on her thought process and possibly how her road forward would go. She would take a nap before her rendezvous with Hugh, and for the first time since the event, she would try to present herself as being among the living.
Clinton had brought her a centerpiece of gardenias from the local florist; she had requested them because the scent from these flowers gave her a feeling of serenity. They were so aromatic; it filled the main room of her suite. She placed one of the flowers in her hair, believing the velvety white leaves were becoming, and the fragrance was like cologne. She wore a diamond broach bequeathed to her by her grandmother that sparkled on the lapel of the maroon waistcoat she wore over her black dress. It was the first time in many months that when she faced the mirror, she saw something of the woman who once was.
Clinton knocked on her door and informed her that Hugh was waiting in the foyer for her. It was a good day, and she would have her new friend to share it with.
“Madeline, you look lovely—the gardenia has a most pleasant aroma,” said Hugh.
“Thank you—you flatter me.”
“I have taken the liberty of choosing The Horseback Inn to dine. They have fine steaks there and some American fare. I hope you will like it.”
“I’m sure I will; besides it has been a day of surprises, and I am looking forward to speaking to you about it.”
“Wonderful, let us go.”
The Horseback Inn was a small inn, but because of its fine food and excellent service, nearly every table was occupied. The candle light’s glow was soothing in its shadowy stance, for it made all things softer and more invisible.
“So tell me, what is this news you seem so anxious to speak about?” asked Hugh.
“It’s Polly; she has come home.”
“No, I don’t believe it. What luck! The aunts must be overjoyed. I say, that’s remarkable to find anything good could come out of that cesspool. It’s remarkable, I had the thought that even if Polly should hear word that her aunts wanted to see her that she might be resistant to returning to normal life again. It gets a hold of you, the addictions, both physical and mental. I’ve known people that have had the opportunity to leave, and they don’t, as strange as that may sound.”
“There is a downside. You are right that it is remarkable that she came home. She does not look well. The doctor has been called to come in this evening. Working with my father, who is a physician, I have seen the ravages of drug addiction. If it is opium, she will have a hard time in her recovery. If she starts to go through withdrawal, she will need sedation and observation. I am worried about that part of it, but at least now she has a chance, a real chance for survival. I have bought her some new apparel. I hope that might bring some joy to her.”
Madeline thought he looked handsome tonight. He put her at ease more than anyone else that she had met. Phillip was once again responsible for bringing her some peace.
“I still want to persist in looking
“Yes, it is, Mum. The sun is almost visible, and there is not much fog today. I would say that is a good London day, best we can hope for.”
She stopped at the concierge and found that Hugh had left her a message:
Madeline,
I am happy you have chosen to accept my invitation to dine this evening. I will call for you at approximately eight.
Your friend,
Hugh
She would wear black again tonight with her white lace shawl, but soon her new friends would see her wearing something other than that. She reconciled that it was time to repeal some of the strident rules she had given to herself. Perhaps having some color around her face would help with the pervasive depression that sought her out.
She welcomed the comfort of her room and seeing her family’s picture by her bedside. Soaking in her hot bath, she thought of Polly, Hugh, and Jonathan. These people were having the most profound effect on her thought process and possibly how her road forward would go. She would take a nap before her rendezvous with Hugh, and for the first time since the event, she would try to present herself as being among the living.
Clinton had brought her a centerpiece of gardenias from the local florist; she had requested them because the scent from these flowers gave her a feeling of serenity. They were so aromatic; it filled the main room of her suite. She placed one of the flowers in her hair, believing the velvety white leaves were becoming, and the fragrance was like cologne. She wore a diamond broach bequeathed to her by her grandmother that sparkled on the lapel of the maroon waistcoat she wore over her black dress. It was the first time in many months that when she faced the mirror, she saw something of the woman who once was.
Clinton knocked on her door and informed her that Hugh was waiting in the foyer for her. It was a good day, and she would have her new friend to share it with.
“Madeline, you look lovely—the gardenia has a most pleasant aroma,” said Hugh.
“Thank you—you flatter me.”
“I have taken the liberty of choosing The Horseback Inn to dine. They have fine steaks there and some American fare. I hope you will like it.”
“I’m sure I will; besides it has been a day of surprises, and I am looking forward to speaking to you about it.”
“Wonderful, let us go.”
The Horseback Inn was a small inn, but because of its fine food and excellent service, nearly every table was occupied. The candle light’s glow was soothing in its shadowy stance, for it made all things softer and more invisible.
“So tell me, what is this news you seem so anxious to speak about?” asked Hugh.
“It’s Polly; she has come home.”
“No, I don’t believe it. What luck! The aunts must be overjoyed. I say, that’s remarkable to find anything good could come out of that cesspool. It’s remarkable, I had the thought that even if Polly should hear word that her aunts wanted to see her that she might be resistant to returning to normal life again. It gets a hold of you, the addictions, both physical and mental. I’ve known people that have had the opportunity to leave, and they don’t, as strange as that may sound.”
“There is a downside. You are right that it is remarkable that she came home. She does not look well. The doctor has been called to come in this evening. Working with my father, who is a physician, I have seen the ravages of drug addiction. If it is opium, she will have a hard time in her recovery. If she starts to go through withdrawal, she will need sedation and observation. I am worried about that part of it, but at least now she has a chance, a real chance for survival. I have bought her some new apparel. I hope that might bring some joy to her.”
Madeline thought he looked handsome tonight. He put her at ease more than anyone else that she had met. Phillip was once again responsible for bringing her some peace.
“I still want to persist in looking
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