Page 85 of The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins

“And then that horrid man who interrupted our dinner party the other night jumped out at us, blocking our way. And he told Miss Robbins that if she gave him a hundred and fifty pounds sterling she’d never see him again, so I hope Miss Robbins won’t be so stubborn as to hold out. Personally, I think she should give him back the children, but it isn’t for me to say, so I don’t say a thing, one way or another.”

So help me, if I didn’t find someone to replace Mrs. Drake, I’d die trying.

“Miss Robbins, is this true?” Lord Markeley turned back to me. “Were you accosted again this morning?”

“I’m afraid so, but he was not able to lay a hand on me, so all is well.”

“No, all is not well,” Mrs. Drake said. “That filthy man will be after us again, I dare say, the next time we try to walk down the street, unless the constable arrests him and puts him in prison where he belongs.”

“Perhaps you should give him the money,” Lord Markeley said. “It is not so very much, and your safety is certainly worth that, and much more.”

“Perhaps, but I object on principle. It would be as if I were buying the children for a hundred and fifty pounds. Besides, if I give him money, he will only return for more. No, he shall get nothing from me.”

“What is to prevent him from coming here again and disturbing our peace as he did the night of your lovely dinner party?” Mrs. Drake exclaimed.

“He cannot do that again, for Lord Brookhaven has his men watching the house. They will not allow it.”

“Lord Brookhaven has sent men, has he?” Lord Markeley said.

“They are large men, not the kind to back down or be taken advantage of.”

“Oh.” Lord Markeley nodded but looked away as he mumbled, “That is good.”

After ten minutes, I thought Lord Markeley would go, but instead he stayed half an hour longer and seemed reluctant to leave even then. Oh dear. I dreaded what it meant.

Indeed, Lord Markeley called the next two days, then asked if I would accompany him to an afternoon theatrical at Covent Garden. “And Mrs. Drake may come along, of course.”

It would be unseemly if she didn’t, but I didn’t wish to go with him. I cast about desperately in my mind for an excuse. “I really shouldn’t leave my guests,” I said, speaking whatever came to mind. “They have come to London to visit me and for me to show them ... places.”

For a moment, I thought Lord Markeley would invite them to come too, but he opened his mouth and then closed it. “I understand,” he said. But his face was quite downcast. “May we take a walk, then?”

“Of course.” I didn’t have the heart to say no when I could see I’d disappointed him so much about going to Covent Garden.

We ladies gathered our walking things—gloves, bonnets, and shawls—and Lord Markeley escorted us down the street, but the opposite way from the park, which meant we would avoid walking past Lord Brookhaven’s house.

We walked slowly. Lord Markeley had placed himself between me and Millicent, and Millicent asked him about his horse and his estate in Wiltshire.

“Ah yes, I left Marauder at Benton Downs. He had a bit of a problem with his leg, but my stable master knows everything about horses. He’ll have him running about in no time at all. I’m surprised you remembered my horse.” He gave Millicent the slightest smile, but it made her face light up.

“Oh, I remember.”

An uncomfortable look crossed Lord Markeley’s face, and he started to look away from her.

“Millicent brought her favorite horse back with her from Shropshire, and she went for a ride just yesterday,” I said quickly. “I’m no rider at all, myself, so the servant had to go with her, but Millicent is a keen rider and great horsewoman.”

“Is that so?” Lord Markeley smiled and nodded at Millicent but immediately turned back to me. “And why, pray tell, are you no rider, Miss Robbins? If it’s lack of opportunity, I can bring over one of my horses for you and teach you until you are as comfortable on a horse as you could wish to be.”

It was not the response I’d been hoping for. He was supposed to talk to Millicent, to realize he had more in common with her than with me, and to offer to go riding with her.

“I have no real interest in riding. Horses frighten me, and as long as I can walk and ride in a carriage, I see no need to learn to ride.”

He laughed. “Ah, Miss Robbins. If only all ladies were as open and honest as you are.” And then he winked at me.

Dear Lord, how I hated a winking man.

“Oh, look,” Hattie cried. “Someone is giving away kittens.”

We made our way to a woman on the sidewalk with a basket. Inside was a mother cat and four kittens. She immediately started telling us she was “looking for a good home for the lot of ’em. My mistress won’t allow me to keep them, but the mama cat is as good at catching mice as any cat I’ve seen.”