Claiming Mister Kemp
October 6th, 1808
London
Lieutenant Thomas Matlock trod briskly up the steps of Albany Chambers and rapped on the door to Lucas Kemp’s rooms. The moon shone cold and bright overhead and an icy breeze fingered its way between the folds of his military greatcoat.
His knock sounded loudly—and was followed by silence.
Tom knocked a second time, less hopefully, and then dug in his pocket for the key. He unlocked the door and let himself in to the entrance hall. “Lucas?”
The set of rooms was dark and silent.
He called out again, this time for Lucas’s manservant, “Smollet?” and was met with more silence.
Tom sighed, and hefted the bottle in his hand, and debated what to do. Did he want to traipse all over London looking for Lucas? He wasn’t dressed for the clubs; he s
