The Missing Lady

Chapter One

Saoirse Kingsley sat in the garden of her cousin's London house. It wasn't very large,but she enjoyed the peace that it brought to her.
Having only lived in London for six months now,she still found all of the sights and sounds tiresome.

She was brought to London to live with her cousin Henry after her parents had died of a sickness seven months before. She didn't even know she had any relatives living until she received a letter from Henry telling her that he was her mother's oldest brother's son,and that after finding out about her and the death of her parent's he wanted her to come and live with him in London.

It was a shock to her to find out that her parent's had ran away together and married after their families disapproved of the match. Her father was a younger son of a minor family of standing while her mother was the daughter of Lord Henshlaw. After he had passed away his oldest son lost most of the families standing and wealth in the gambling halls. Leaving her cousin great debt and a small,meager fund to live on.

Henry didn't let that stop him. He had a passion for helping his friend's and other members of society. He handled mostly blackmailers but every once in a while something bigger came about. Her cousin was able to handle everything quickly and quietly and was quickly becoming the most popular detective to come to.

"Lady Saoirse" a man's voice came from across the garden. "Your cousin would like for you to join him in the library."

Saoirse looked up from her sketch to see her brother's butler walking towards her. "Thank you Conley. I'll be there shortly." Standing up she began gathering all of her supplies into her basket to bring back with her.

"I will take those in for you my lady." Conley said, reaching out a hand.

"Thank you." Saoirse handed over her basket and made her way towards the house. Opening the door she made her way over to the stairs and followed them up. At the top she made her way to the library, knocking softly on the door. She pushed it open at her cousin's muffled words, telling her to enter.
To her surprise he wasn't alone. Another man stood with him when she entered the room. He was taller then her cousin by a couple of inches. He had dark brown hair and piercing blue eyes.

"Saoirse, may I introduce Lord Devon. " Henry said, as Lord Devon took Saoirse's offered hand and a placed a kiss on the back of it.

"Lord Devon." She said, with a slight curtsy. "You wished to see me cousin?" She asked, looking up at Henry.

"Yes,please sit down Saoirse." Henry said,waving his hand toward one of the chairs placed in front of his desk. "Lord Devon has come to me with the request to help a friend. His friend's sister disappeared a week ago and left nothing saying where she was going and she took nothing with her. We need your help. There may be rumors going around in the ladies salons and since we can't be in the at all times,we need you to be my ears."

"I can't!" Saoirse said,shocked by her cousin's request. "I've only been in London a few months and I've never been invited to any balls."

"Lady Saoirse," Lord Devon said,looking at her. "At most of the balls you will be with me as a guest. We need to find my friend's sister as soon as possible."

Saoirse looked up at both men. Her eyes wide with surprise. They wouldn't possibly learn anything if she was to enter the balls of society on the arm of Lord Devon. All talk and gossip would be about her. She opened her mouth to say so when Lord Devon spoke again.

"At first,all talk may be about you and myself, but I know the ladies that attend. It will quickly die down to the gossip of my friend's sister's disappearance. She is from a very well known family,in very high standing.Once you say yes,we will tell you all you need to know."

Saoirse looked up at Henry. "Do you really think I can help?"

"Yes Saoirse I do. I have watched you observe many things. You can study something for a while, come home and several hours later draw it and have every single detail exact. I need you to do that for me in the ballrooms and salons."

Saoirse studied him for a moment. Taking a deep breathe she gave him get answer. "Alright Henry,I'll help you."