The card and another crown were pocketed. “My pleasure to be of service to a true gentleman.” And he thrust Miles’ handkerchief back.
“Why don’t you keep it.”
“But it must have cost a pretty penny! And your valet will bemoan its loss.”
“I’ll tell him I offered it to a damsel in distress.”
A nod and click of heels. “I am ever in your debt.”Which was rich.And he twisted into the apartment, muttering while he compared the white and green handkerchiefs side by side.
Miles shook his head and turned for the stairs.
Webb, he decided, would require watching. And he knew just the man for the job. While Lynch might have grumbled about trailing Miss Seymour around London, Miles had a feeling this would prove a damn sight more interesting.
He descended to the lodgings’ hall and stepped through the front door into weak sunshine whilst mulling on the other disgruntled soldier that he and Lynch had come up with.
But Dempster was proving to be a needle in a haystack of the London hospitals, each ward an ever-changing cast of patients.
And perhaps it would also be sensible to call upon Cousin Jeremy and Aunt Mildred as Miles had been avoiding them since his arrival in London.
Mind you, the Michaelmas Fair was solely three days hence so perhaps he’d defer that reckoning until after.
Solely three days.
Three days until Miss Verity Seymour would be caught on open ground.
Defenceless to his interrogation.
10
HOPE DEFERRED MAKETH THE HEART SICK
“Lydia! Stop chasing that tom!” A smash of china. “You shameless girl! It will all end badly, you know!”
At such a hullabaloo from the hall, Verity paused in packing her satchel on the bed with a vinaigrette, comb, shawl and plenty of shillings and tuppences for the Michaelmas Fair. “Is all well?” she called out.
Aunt popped a harried face around the door. “No need to fret, darling. Just the new cat… I mean one of the in-residence cats who is proving rather headstrong. She came home last night smelling of cologne.” Aunt raised her eyes to the ceiling. “And that was just her clattering into the Gillows side table. With the Spode porcelain spill vase atop.”
“Any damage?”
“No. She’s fine.”
“I meant the vase?”
Aunt chewed her lip. “Nothing that a few staples wouldn’t fix.”
Verity placed hands to hips. “How many cats is that now, Aunt?”
“Six…ish. But I’ve found new homes for three this week. Fanny is now with Mrs Harlow’s theatre on Princess Street and Elizabeth has done so well for herself with a gentleman who’s taking her back to Derbyshire – she had such fine eyes, you see.”
Yes, Verity did indeed see. “Let’s try to keep them to single numbers shall we. I adore them also, Aunt, but that’s the third vase this month. Not to mention all my missing hair ribbons.”
“Of course, Verity darling. The hair ribbons would be Lydia again, I’m afraid.” Aunt slipped into the room and closed the door behind her. “And I… I’d never wish to outstay my welcome here.”
Verity stilled, let the shawl slide from her fingers to the bed, and crossed the room.
“This is your home, Aunt Theo,” she said softly. “Forever. You are family and do not merelystayhere.” She set hands upon Aunt’s shoulders. “You saved me. If not for you…” Her voice wavered. “I… I do not know what would have happened.”
Aunt Theo hugged her close. “It was never in doubt, my darling. I could never have stood by and done nothing. And thank you.”
