“Perhaps, or he might want to discover their intent for attending the ball,” Simone mused.
“They clearly do not perceive us as a threat,” Caleb said. “Which will work in our favor. Although, I can’t help but wonder how Juliette knew my name. I suspect Mr. Barnard might have blown my cover.”
“We will need to proceed with caution if that is the case,” Simone said. “Who knows what else Mr. Barnard told Juliette and Victor?”
Simone shifted her gaze towards the street vendors who were trying to hawk their goods on the pavement, and she was about to turn away, when she saw a familiar face in the crowd.Lucy. Her late mother’s lady’s maid.
Lucy was dressed in a worn blue gown and her silver hair was tucked neatly under a bonnet. She was standing by a cart that was selling loaves of bread.
“Lucy!” Simone shouted, hoping to get her attention.
Lucy turned her head, and their eyes met. Widening with surprise, her eyes took on a hint of panic. She promptly averted her gaze, ducking her head, and briskly walked away without bothering to glance back.
Caleb had followed her gaze and asked, “Who is Lucy?”
“She was my mother’s lady’s maid,” Simone replied as she watched Lucy disappear into the crowd. “After my mother’s death, she quit and no one has heard from her since.”
“It doesn’t appear she was pleased to see you,” Caleb said.
“No, which is odd,” Simone responded. “Lucy was almost like a second mother to me. She was my mother’s lady’s maid for as long as I can remember.”
“Would you like us to stop the carriage so you can go after her?” Caleb asked.
Simone shook her head. “No, she is gone. I do not believe she wanted to be found.”
Shifting in his seat, Caleb asked, “Are you going to let that stop you?”
Her lips twitched. “You know me so well.”
“I am starting to,” Caleb responded.
Simone didn’t understand why Lucy had such a reaction to her, but she was going to find out. She had never understood why Lucy had quit so abruptly. It was so unexpected of her that it had taken Simone by surprise. But a part of her needed to see Lucy again. She needed closure.
Caleb sat in the corner of White’s as he relished the time alone. He was biding his time until he needed to meet with Kendrick, but until then, he just wanted a drink and to retreat into his own thoughts.
He was pleased that they had found the French spies, but that meant his time with Simone was coming to an end. And he wasn’t quite sure how he felt about that. On one hand, he wouldn’t have to work so hard to gain someone’s approval, but she had softened towards him. He was sure of that. He could see it in her smile and hear it in her laugh. If he didn’t know any better, he’d say she might actually enjoy his company.
But he did know better. Simone was anxious to get rid of him. She preferred to work alone and had told him as much. He just hoped that they could remain friends, even after their assignment was completed.
He couldn’t quite explain it but having Simone in his life made it that much better.
As he brought his drink to his lips, he saw Roswell and Fredrick approaching the table with obnoxious smiles on their faces.
“Good afternoon,” Roswell greeted as he pulled out a chair. “I didn’t think we would find you here, considering you have been spending all of your time with Miss Delacourt.” The mirth in his voice was undeniable and rather vexing.
Caleb placed his drink onto the table. “You know precisely why we are spendingso much time together.”
“I didn’t realize that your assignment included having dinner with the lovely Miss Delacourt,” Fredrick joked.
“That was not by choice,” Caleb argued. “My mother is attempting to play matchmaker.”
Roswell nodded. “I can confirm that fact,” he said. “Lady Oxley has turned all of her time and energy on ensuring Caleb is wed.”
Fredrick shrugged. “That wouldn’t be the worst thing.”
Caleb looked heavenward. “You are only saying that because you are getting married soon.”
“I am, and I am counting down each day in anticipation,” Fredrick said. “I cannot wait until Emilia and I can be alone in the same room.”
