Page 34 of The Marquess of Secrets

Downing the last of his pint of bitter and wiping his mouth on the napkin, Robins then reached for his hat.

“I’ll be off then, gentlemen. I wish to get started right away.”

“And your fee?” Harrison asked.

“Let us say ten pounds to start off the investigation. Business is brisk, and I have hired two younger men, also ex-coppers. With their assistance, we should have news for you in a matter of days, my lord.”

Good thing Harrison brought extra money with him. He slid pound notes across the table, and Robins swiftly snatched them up and tucked them away in his side coat pocket. The older man stood reaching for a cane he must have had resting next to him on the bench seat.

“I will contact Samuel when I have news?”

Harrison nodded. “Yes. We will set up another meeting such as this. Lunch is on me.”

Robins touched his forelock, giving a brief, sly smile. “I assumed it would be. Good day, my lord. Samuel.”

The man limped off and exited the pub.

“He’s a good man,” Sam said.

“How did he obtain the limp?”

“From a bullet in the leg during a confrontation with thieves in a rookery. I treated him; it’s how we met. Unfortunately, the injury prematurely ended his career with the Metropolitan Police. Mind you, I do not believe he would complain. He confided in me he’s making more money than he ever had as a copper.”

Sam cut into the last of his pie. “If anyone can ascertain information in a timely matter, it’s William.” He popped a forkful in his mouth and swallowed. “So, your house guest is a nurse? There is a certain symmetry to that.”

Yes. It’s as if fate pushed the woman into his path. There he was, thinking of fate again. This morning he awoke early, visited the terminus, and tended several patients. Then he dropped off a bundle of used garments with his housekeeper for Lydia to try on before heading to The Red Lion.

Again, his thoughts drifted to the previous night and the heated awareness between them.

Why not explore the attraction?

If nothing came of it, he would continue on with his search for a bride without losing a stride in his step. Tremain’s words echoed in his mind like a benediction. “All I am saying is give it a chance. If you walk away, you will regret it for the rest of your days. Be open to new experiences.”

Give it a chance.

Yes, he would.

If Lydia was receptive to his attentions. Perhaps not, seeing she was in a desperate situation while recovering from a serious illness. The way she kissed his palm bespoke of a passionate woman. A lonely one.

Harrison recognized loneliness all too well, for he suffered with it too. Loneliness: a malady that overpowered even the laughter and company a pub like this offered. Loneliness. Would this disease for which he had no cure ever leave him? Glumly, he tossed back the last of his bitter and thought, give it a chance.

What could it hurt?

Just everything he had planned for years.

And it could hurt his vulnerable heart.

Chapter 11

Lydia spent the afternoon trying on the clothes Harrison had dropped by. The pile consisted of used wool skirts and white blouses, but the garments were clean and tidy. A little large, but they would serve the purpose. With the clothes were petticoats, three chemises, and one corset.

By the time she’d tried on everything and selected the ones that fit, she was exhausted.

One of the maids brought afternoon tea, and Lydia climbed into bed and accepted the tray. Oh, how she could get used to this. After drinking her tea and eating the biscuits and fruit, she napped.

A maid woke her at seven, stating the marquess was awaiting her presence in the dining room.

Rubbing her eyes, she sat upright. Dining room? A different maid, one called Mariah, assisted her in dressing and fixed her hair into an upswept style. Then Mariah led her down two sets of stairs.