He felt he, himself, had crossed over that rubric. As if, somehow, he was older. He could only hope that meant he was wiser.
He would carry on with what he now knew to be right. The chasing of Miss Dell would end, he would expose Sir John, and he would retreat to the countryside to become better acquainted with this new person he was becoming. Perhaps he might ask Burke for some tips. Perhaps he might even go to stay with Burke. Certainly, he knew of no other gentleman who might guide him as well. That is, if Burke would still have him as a friend.
But first, he must expose Sir John. He had to get that appointment book out of Sir John’s house.
*
Kitty had doneher very best throughout the evening to concentrate on what she was supposed to be doing. She did not think she was entirely successful and suspected most of her partners had found her distracted.
She was far too taken up with considering how she might discover the truth about Lord Grayson. Was he Veritas? Were they all only being mocked?
Her thoughts had gone round and round and her scientific mind knew she did not have enough facts to form a rational hypothesis. She needed more information and Lord Burke just might have it.
She did not think Lord Burke, as one of Lord Grayson’s friends, would give up the information so easily. Kitty decided the only way to confirm what she suspected was to pretend she already knew it as fact. She would have ample time to come to a conclusion over supper.
“Lord Burke,” she said, after they’d gone through the usual pleasantries, “I know very well that Lord Grayson is not painted vain or as Louis XIV. I know very well the V is not for vanity,vainthough he might be. I know what the V really stands for.”
Lord Burke appeared thoughtful and stared at his fork as if it were a fascinating thing.
After a long pause, he said, “I wish you had not been made aware. A shocking bit of business, I am sorry you should know it.”
“I think everybody ought to know it,” Kitty said. “It will not be right to fail to expose who Lord Grayson really is.”
Lord Burke looked alarmed and Kitty supposed he did not wish to be a part of exposing Lord Grayson as Veritas. She did not know why he should mind it, it was only his friend being exposed as a ridiculous prankster and had nothing to do with him, she was sure.
“Miss Dell,” he said seriously, “this is an unsavory subject for a young lady and I dearly hope you stay well clear of it.”
Lord Burke made the pronouncement with particular gravity. Kitty wondered why it was so, until it occurred to her that at some moment in time, the ruse would be exposed. All those intellectuals who had fallen for it would be mocked, perhaps even in the newspapers.
The lord did not wish her to be among those who were ridiculed.
Neither did she, for that matter. However, the truth must come out. They could not all go on searching for a villain who did not exist. They may have fallen for the hoax, but the longer they went on with it, the more foolish they would seem.
She must find a way to put a stop to it.
*
Giles had risenearly, determined to carry out his duty. As the only thing he had in mind was to get hold of Sir John’s appointment book, he had thoroughly briefed LaRue on the plan.
LaRue, upon hearing he was to have dealings with a charwoman, was just as offended as Giles had thought he would be.
“C’est en dessous de LaRue!”
Giles might have wondered at the meaning, if LaRue was not always complaining that something was below him or otherwise offending his dignity. He had the career of a valet and the pride of a king.
“What do you think you sold my coats for?” Giles said. “You understood the plan from the beginning so there’s no use complaining about it. In any case, I pay you to serve me and so you should not complain at all. I’m sure other valets do not carry on as you do.”
LaRue had straightened himself to his full height, which was not much of a height at all. “Youpayme? Mon Dieu, I suffer amnesia! When did this happen?”
Of course, he had not paid LaRue in quite some time. “All right, you’ve made your point. Iwillpay you, at some later date. In any case,Icannot approach a charwoman and suggest she steal from the house. It has to be you.”
“Of course,” LaRue said. “And you, my wonderful employer, will wave to me as I swing from the gallows.”
“I will not let you down, if it comes to that.”
LaRue had continued to complain all the way to Sir John’s neighborhood. They had arrived just as the sun was coming over the rooftops. It was Giles’ plan that they watch the house for their opportunity. They must see Sir John leaveand thenspot the charwoman. If that good lady arrived while her employer remained in doors, they would have to take their chance another day.
They found a bench on the sidewalk, alongside a bricked garden wall, almost a block from the house. If they leaned forward, they could see the comings and goings of the house. Giles pretended to be taking in the day at his leisure, while occasionally craning his neck to see if there could be any movement spotted.
