It was market day in Salisbury when Marcus arrived in town. The streets were busy with horses, buggys, and vendors selling their wares. Ladies were promanading through the small town's adjacent park to be seen, while nannys chased after rambunctious children. Men walked about to socialize or conduct business, and servants shopped for the household goods. Maybe, Marcus thought to himself, he would get lucky and either see the girl here, or at the very least find someone who knows her.
He decided the best place to start would probably be the seamstress shop. After all women needed dresses didn't they? The local dressmaker would know whose who, and undoubtedly would know all the town gossip.
Marcus removed his hat and opened the door to the establishment. The bell above his head jingled as he walked in. Bolts of fabric lined the walls and a curtain separated the workroom from the front interior. A tall, buxum woman with hideous orange hair greeted him. Her French accent was even more atrocious. Frankly he wasn't sure which was worse, the hair or the accent.
"Good day Monsieur, what may I help you with? A gift for your wife perhaps? She asked while gazing at the ring on his left hand.
"I might be interested in purchasing something, mademoiselle. However, I am really here to ask you a few questions if I may?"
Mademoiselle Antoinette, Aka., Jenny Pruit from London, eyed the gentleman warily. She didnt care much for strangers, especially ones asking questions. However, If the price was right, and Jenny always had a price, she might be persuaded to answer a few. After all, business was business and she had bills that needed paying as well.
"Perhaps you would care to peruse our lovely fabrics while you are asking them sir? She hinted. I will surely try to help you with whatever I can."
Marcus understood her meaning. "Of course," he said while he made a mild effort to look through the bolts of fabric. It was a small price to pay for information if it led to answers. The duke had given him an expense account just for that purpose alone. Money was no object he had said, as long as he could find the girl. Besides he thought, his Jane could use a few new dresses with the fabric he purchased.
"Well you see Madame, a client of mine is looking for a young girl about seventeen, maybe 18 years of age....."
Mademoiselle gasped! cutting Marcus off before he could finish his question. "Monsieur what type of establishment do you think I am running here?"
"You must to leave at once before I call the constable!" she screamed.
Marcus raised his hands and stepped back. He began apologizing for his choice of words. This wasnt going very well he thought. He needed to take a different approach.
"Madame, I mean no disrespect, I swear to you," he said with as much charm he could muster, holding his hat over his heart. "My client, you see is simply looking for a girl he saved in London. She ran away before he could catch her name, or direction. He only wants to assure himself that she is well. I promise you he is most concerned for her safety. He means no ill intent"
Mademoiselle visably relaxed, so Marcus continued on. "The young lady I am looking for is described as being quite beautiful. She has long, pale blonde hair, and bright blue eyes. According to my client she is a lady, as she was dressed as one befitting a ladies station. We believe she may live in or around Salisbury. Do you know of anyone who might fit this description?"
Mademoiselle thought to herself for a moment, she did know of someone. In fact, he was the second man this month who had been inquiring about their Arabella. This man, however looked much kinder and not as shifty as the first one. She cleared her throat to speak.
"I might know of someone who would be fitting your description sir. Who is it, might I inquire is wanting to know?"
Marcus wasn't surprised by the cockney accent that replaced the French one. He had her pegged for an East end Londoner at first glance. He was also prepared for this question. The Duke had given him permission to reveal his identity if needed.
"The Duke of Pemberton," he answered, "Lord Asterley to be percise. He is my client madame."
Mademoiselle's eyes lit up at the mention of the titled gentleman. No doubt seeing dollar signs for her assistance, she was suddenly more than happy to help now.
"Do I have your word that you mean her no harm?" asked Antonette.
"Absolutely Madame, you have my word as a gentleman. If I may, however, I would also ask that you to keep this conversation just between us. The Duke himself feels that she may be in some type of danger. That is why he wishes to find her."
"Yes, certainly sir if you really mean to be of assistance to her. The young lady you seek is a dear friend of mine, I wouldn't want her to come to any harm you see."
Marcus nodded his agreement to her request. After all, they both wanted the same thing. She then proceeded to tell him all she knew, and where he might find the Dukes mystery girl.
Marcus purchased a bolt of robins egg blue muslin, and thanked the poprietess for her help. After verifying it was in fact the right girl, he would leave immediately to inform the Duke.
Madame Antoinette also told him a little about the girl named Arabella. She informed him that a suspicious looking man was asking questions about her a couple of weeks ago. She claimed she hadn't revealed anything about Arabella to the other man though. Marcus was sure that this Arabella was the Dukes young lady, and now he as well was concerned for her safety.
He left the shop and headed for the Abbey the seamtress told him about. He needed visual confirmation before heading to Asterley.