Had she done so because of him? Had he traumatized her? Had his actions sent her running back to the brothel, or... Christ. Had she left London? Could he have finally broken Poppy's indomitable spirit with what transpired between them two night ago, and she'd run to the arms of her family?
"Miss March is a reliable and trustworthy young woman," Perkins was saying. "She would never have let us down this way. I fear something has befallen her. Something that is stopping her from coming to Night Street."
"Good lord, Perkins, how can you know that on such a short acquaintance?" Leo scoffed.
"I know Miss March, and she would not do this, Lord Vereton."
"Does she have anyone she is close to in London, Perkins? Has she discussed visiting anyone?" Jacob asked.
"Just that she was going to visit friends the other night on the way home from work. She did not say who, and I did not pry, as Miss March was not herself lately."
Jacob battled the guilt. He knew why she had not been herself, and was sure he was solely responsible.
"How many friends does she have?" Leo said.
"Two close ones is my understanding, my lord, but she has several acquaintances."
"Good Lord, she really only has two friends here?"
Leo could be arrogant and opinionated. Past experience had allowed him to form a deep mistrust of women, but he also had a gentle, caring streak that he battled to keep hidden. His concern that Poppy had only two friends would be real.
"Yes. Charlie, her friend from Tittleton, the village she was raised in, is usually working at Miss Saffron's brothel, so she does not see a great deal of him, and Miss Nita, who is a seamstress."
"I don't believe I have ever heard you say the word brothel before, Perkins?" Leo looked shocked.
Two flags of red colored Perkins' cheeks.
"Sh-she has been quite open and honest with me, my lords, therefore I know a great deal about Miss March now. She was to come home to visit with Mrs. Perkins soon."
Leo seemed stunned silent by this piece of news, so Jacob spoke.
"So this Charlie in all likelihood got her the position at Miss Saffron's. Although I hardly see that as a sign of friendship."
"She has only two friends?" Leo said again. "Can you imagine that, Jacob?"
He couldn't, and the pain in his chest told him he did not like to think of Poppy in the city of London with only two people at her back.
"Anyone else she could be visiting, Perkins? Any name that may help locate her?" Jacob asked.
"There is the Hardy family, with the unfortunate son."
"Niven. Yes, I met him."
"When, and why is he unfortunate?" Leo asked, but Jacob waved him silent.
"Miss Nita is at present visiting her sister as she is due to have a baby, so Miss March would not be there."
He wasn't sure why, but that he had never heard of this Nita, but Perkins had, annoyed Jacob.
"I fear she has met danger, Lord Hatherton."
"Surely not?" Leo looked from Perkins to Jacob. "You both believe it, don't you?"
Jacob nodded. "We shall drive to Miss March's house at once, Perkins, and if she is not there … ."
"I shall see if I can find the address of the Hardy family, my lord."
Jacob gave Perkins a short nod, then left the office, with Leo on his heels.
"Miss March's house, Hamley, and as fast as you can!"
"Care to tell me what transpired between you and Poppy two nights ago, Jacob?" Leo said once they were seated and the carriage moving.
Jacob sighed. "I've been a fool, Leo."
"Undoubtedly. But are you now a clearheaded fool?"
Was he? Jacob thought about Poppy and nodded. "Yes. I cannot stop thinking about her. She is so different from any other woman of my acquaintance. Except perhaps Charlotte and Grace."
Leo snorted. "What is it with the Lords of Night Street, that they cannot settle for a sweet-natured, boring woman of nobility?"
"God's blood!" The sound exploded from Jacob. His friend just sat silently watching him. "I have made her run, Leo, I am almost sure of that."
"Then we must catch her, Jacob."
"What if we can't?" The thought made him ill.
Leo made a grunting sound. "When have we failed in a mission?"
"I... yes, I take your meaning," Jacob said, inhaling deeply. They would find her, and he would apologize, and tell her.... What would he tell her?
"Does the look of wonderment on your face have anything to do with the realization that you love Miss March?"
"For someone who has the emotions of a piece of ten-day-old bread, you certainly seem quite happy to discuss mine."
"I told you that lately my thoughts have changed." Leo lifted a hand as Jacob opened his mouth. "They have changed toward you, and the others, not toward me or my belief that I will in all likelihood grow old alone."