Victoria sat upon the edge of the bed and reached for the two thin pillows Mrs. Holland had provided them when Victoria and Cassandra initially let the room. She maneuvered them to where she could lean back against them. She was precariously close to the edge of the bed,but there was no means to scoot over without waking the child, who had closed his eyes once more. Therefore, she adjusted the babe in her arms and closed her own eyes. She should not sleep in her dress, but when she returned to the drapery shop this evening, she would take the dress with her and use the iron there to take out some of the wrinkles. As both she and the child drifted to sleep, she murmured, “I am your Aunt Victoria, little one. When your mother returns, I shall learn your name and determine her plans for the future.”
Thompson turned whenhe heard someone on the steps. He claimed his gun from where he had left it on the table beside the bed and cocked it. “It is I,” a familiar voice said, and Benjamin uncocked the gun. They had all been taking turns watching Amgen House for several weeks, but Lord Honfleur had continued his charade, committing only a few minor mistakes.
“You are early,” Benjamin told Marksman. “I am surprised Duncan permitted your abandonment.”
“Neither Duncan nor Theodora was in attendance at this evening’s entertainment,” Marksman said with an odd inflection in his tone.
Even so, Benjamin could not resist ribbing his brother a bit. “The lady’s monthlies or Count Almano?”
Marksman simply shrugged before taking a seat in a nearby chair.
Since Alexander had volunteered to be one of the two men wooing Honfleur’s daughter and niece, Theodora had been accepting another gentleman caller. Benjamin assumed Alexander was not happy with his choices.
When Marksman avoided a response about Theodora, Benjamin asked about the man they had all been following all over London. “Tell me, was Honfleur at the entertainment you attended?”
“Not at the ball, but he was at the theater, sitting with Lady Winston and her son. It appears Honfleur means to court her ladyship,” Marksman said as he stretched out his legs.
“Really?” Benjamin said in surprise. “With young Mr. Winston courting Honfleur’s daughter? He has been busy sniffing around her a great deal of late. Always in her entourage.”
Marksman explained, “I do not think the girl ‘has taken,’ as they say in society’s circles. Fewer and fewer gentlemen seek her hand at balls. The only ones hanging on are younger sons or those whose estates are deeply in debt. They all assume Honfleur has money, and the girl will inherit.”
Benjamin turned to watch the house once more, but he continued to converse with Marksman. “Lord Ward says Honfleur does not even employ a proper butler. Ward has called upon Lady Caroline several times, and with each call, he was greeted by a woman he assumes is Honfleur’s housekeeper. All very ‘provincial,’ as Ward declared. His lordship also spoke of the lack of what he termed ‘cleanliness’ in the house. There was reportedly a patina of dust on the furniture that one would never discover in the finer houses. When Beaufort has called on the chit, he escorts her to the nearby park. He has only been inside twice and only to the foyer.”
Marksman observed, “If all is true, evidently, Lady Caroline chooses not to demonstrate her ability to manage a proper household. All the woman’s suitors—those who truly hope for a connection—should take note.”
Though it was not often an exchange typical between him and Marksman, nevertheless, for several minutes, they continued to berate Honfleur and Lady Caroline and those from society who could not see the writing on the wall. Benjamin sensed that Marksman required a distraction from whatever it was that had Alexander so pensive.
At length, Marksman asked, “Has anyone observed Miss Moreau?”Obviously, Alexander was supposed to be pursuing the girl, but there was something in his brother’s tone that caught Benjamin’s attention.
With a mental note to learn more, he said, “Lionel has spotted her a few times at a window on the top floor, which must surely be the attic or drying room. She sat in the garden for a quarter hour yesterday and the same two days prior. I do not understand why she is not permitted more freedom. I assume you already know the lady has appeared briefly at the corner window on the left-hand side of the building on several occasions. Do you possess an inkling as to why Honfleur brought her along on the venture?”
Marksman shrugged, but he appeared more than a bit frustrated. “In truth, very little Honfleur does makes sense, at least to those of us who constantly observe his comings and goings.”
