“Mr. Patterson thought I had lost my way,” the young woman declared, “when he found me in the passageway or, more likely,” she added with a large smile, “thought I was set on thievery.”
Victoria was a bit surprised by the woman’s good humor, but pleasantly so. She cleared her throat. “I must apologize. Mr. Betts’s revelations explained some of my family’s shame. I told Lord Thompson earlier today that if any of you wish to leave my and Mr. Sustar’s employment, I would see you paid a week’s wages in addition to any other money you are owed.”
Mrs. Karnes said, “My Charlotte and I agreed that we all have some sort of chaos in our families. We admire you for not walking away from an innocent child and for earning Lord Thompson’s loyalty. All in the neighborhood admire how he does not turn his back on Cheapside. He means to improve our lot beyond our working in the various warehouses.”
Mrs. Geoffrey said, “His lordship was an immovable force. The way he slammed young Mr. Betts into the floor to save you was avision to behold. We have all heard tales of Lord Duncan’s sons, but it must be something to be a part of their family.”
Victoria worded her response carefully. “I am thankful for my tenuous connections to his lordship. He has been excessively kind to me and the boy.”
“Do you not think he will extend his hand in marriage?” Miss Adolph questioned in apparent shock.
“How could he?” Victoria responded with as much composure as she could muster. “He is an earl, and, though he is not so top lofty as many of the aristocracy, his lordship holds an obligation to his family name and the earldom.”
When Benjamin arrivedhome at midday, he asked Patterson, “Is that not Graham’s coach out front?”
“Yes, my lord. His lordship keeps company with Miss Whitchurch and the other ladies,” Patterson informed him with a bit of a frown that Benjamin’s forehead matched.
“Obviously, I will be in the other house,” Benjamin responded as he handed off his hat and gloves. He made his way to the connecting door only to be brought up short by the sound of laughter. He opened the door slowly to listen to the various voices on the other side where all within spoke over each other.
Finally stepping inside, he followed the song of laughter.
“My lord,” Mrs. Geoffrey called when he entered the room, “Lord Graham and Miss Whitchurch were just discussing when you would arrive.”
“And that was a source of amusement?” he asked before he could swallow his words.
Everyone grew quiet, which made the silence louder. Graham struggled to his feet to say, “You know it was not. You asked for my assistance. I have come to render it.”
Benjamin knew he was acting as an arse, and, though he recognized the need to apologize, jealousy still nipped at his reason. Even so, he managed to say, “It has been a trying day already. Mr. Froschele had bad news about one of the houses I have been considering. Please accept my apology for my testiness.”
Graham nodded his understanding, and Benjamin made himself smile upon their little gathering. His brother said, “If you have the time, could we speak in your study?”
Benjamin immediately wondered how Graham could have found information so quickly, but he knew his brother truly did have his thumb on the heartbeat of London. Miss Whitchurch gave them both an odd look, but she said nothing except, “I shall see you a bit later, my lord.”
When they returned to Benjamin’s side of the house, Graham said softly, “If you do not mind, I will explain things in my carriage. I told Mrs. Dove-Lyon that we would call upon her at two on the clock. I wish to confirm some details with the lady before we speak to Miss Whitchurch regarding her sister.”
“Is it bad?” Benjamin asked as he followed Graham through the house to reclaim his hat and gloves from the bench where Patterson placed them.
“If what I have been told proves correct, then the lady will be in mourning, but I would like to start at the beginning by having Mrs. Dove-Lyon confirm that the image in Miss Whitchurch’s sketch and the woman who was employed by her are one and the same. It seems there were several ‘Cassandras’ that have gone missing of late. I have already spoken to a parish clergyman about a pauper’s grave holding an unnamed woman that he believes is the woman in the sketch. I did not want to bring this to Miss Whitchurch’s notice until we wereconfident. It will be hard enough on the lady, but there is no reason to have her thinking her sister is dead unless we know it with some certainty.”
Though Benjamin had always expected death was the fate of Miss Whitchurch’s sister, he had hoped for another outcome. He simply nodded his understanding and let his brother take the lead.
A half hour later, they stepped down before the Lyon’s Den. Every time Benjamin came close to the place, images of the night of Duncan’s shooting flashed before his eyes. He was surprised to hear Graham say softly, “I have come to despise this place or perhaps it is my own incompetence I despise. I felt worthless when all of you had sprung into action, and all I could do was keep the crowds from standing around and gawking at Duncan’s prostrate body.”
“You said a powerful prayer,” Benjamin remarked as they approached the entrance door to encounter Titan. “I am a believer in the power of prayer.”
“As am I,” Graham admitted as they came to a halt.
“Gentlemen,” Titan said with a smile. “It is a pleasure to see you again. I understand from the mistress that you have a meeting. Thank you for being prompt.” Titan gestured them inside. “I heard of Lord Marksman being shot. Hopefully, he is on his way to recovery. I know Mrs. Dove-Lyon and the staff are assuredly happy to be rid of Lord Honfleur’s manipulations. Though, Lord Beaufort says we should continue to screen for forged notes, hopefully there will not be as many in the future, but it was good to learn how to be best vigilant in such matters.”
“Marksman is on the mend,” Benjamin informed Titan. “Otherwise, I would still be tending him, just as I did with Lord Duncan. He and Lady Theodora have set a wedding date.”
“That means a future. Wonderful news.”
They had climbed the steps to Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s office. Titan had slowed his steps to make it easier on Graham, but Graham had learnedlong ago how to compensate for his limp.
A few minutes later, Titan tapped on Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s office door, and they were admitted with the word, “Come.”
Benjamin and Graham both bowed to the Lyon’s Den’s mistress. “Thank you for agreeing to see us, ma’am,” Graham said. “We promise not to take up too much of your time.”
