Page 41 of A Wicked Business

“You aren’t imposing, I offered.” Larkin gave her a swift smile and hurried back to his house, opening the front door and hollering for Barnes. When his faithful valet appeared, he introduced him to Mrs Finchley. “This is Barnes. He’ll help you find some servants, won’t you, Barnes? He’s the fount of all knowledge, Mrs Finchley, I assure you.”

With this, Larkin and Barnes cleared the pavement of the packing cases, depositing them at intervals around the house. Aware of time passing and the pressing nature of his engagement, Larkin then made his goodbyes, hoped Mrs Finchley and her family would be happy in their new abode, and hurried out again.

To his frustration, Larkin was too late when he arrived at Grosvenor Square, for Lady Belinda had gone out again. Cursing his rotten luck, Larkin turned away from the house once more and began walking home when he heard an odd noise.

“Psst!”

Larkin frowned, looking around but seeing nothing. The noise returned as he continued walking.

“Psst!”

He stopped and looked around, somewhat startled to discover a very tall woman standing just out of sight, half hidden by a parked carriage.

She nodded and gestured eagerly to him.

Intrigued, Larkin walked over to her.

“Can I help you, miss?”

“Miss Bodrott, sir. Doris Bodrott, I’m Lady Belinda’s maid.”

“Good day to you, Miss Bodrott. I was hoping to speak to your mistress today.”

“I know, sir, and I beg your pardon for my impertinence, but you are Mr Weston? The Mr Weston from the Sons of Hades?”

Larkin’s eyebrows rose, but he nodded, agreeing that he was indeed that Mr Weston.

“And you’re a friend of Mr Felix Knight?”

“I am, indeed. In fact, that’s why I’m here. Mr Knight did not believe the earl would allow him to set foot in the house so I’m here on his behalf.”

The woman looked suddenly triumphant and reached out, clapping his arm with a surprisingly powerful slap. “I knew it!” she said, grinning. “Doris, I said, that young buck is bound to be friends with Mr Knight, for I’ve read your name and his often enough when that wicked club is in the papers.”

Larkin smiled, rather charmed by Miss Bodrott. “Well, you were right. Am I to take it that our interest might be aligned, in the matter of Mr Knight and Lady Belinda?”

Doris gave him a penetrating look. “If you mean do I think the two of them ought to stop messing about and admit they like each other, yes, we’re aligned all right.”

Larkin gave a bark of laughter and offered Miss Bodrott his arm. “In that case, I shall take you directly to Mr Knight, who is a sorry piece of work this day, I assure you.”

“You best had, and with no time to lose, for that silly chit has just persuaded Lord Ashburton to marry her.”

“Ashburton?” Larkin gaped at her. “You’re not serious?”

Doris nodded despondently. “She got herself in such a silly state, so what must the dreadful girl do but go off and get herself betrothed to a fellow what likes her no more than she likes him. Trouble is, everything is happening too fast because of her wretched pa, but I reckon her and Mr Knight would deal nicely together, but what with her being a mite too forceful and him being a bit too easily scared off, well, they’ve made a mull of it.”

“Miss Bodrott, I could not have said it better myself, but what is to be done? If she is betrothed already—”

“Oh, call me Doris, dear. Everyone does, and don’t you fret, I reckon we can deal with this right enough if we put our heads together.”

“Doris,” Larkin said with a smile. “Thank you, Doris. Well, I’m game if you are. Come along then, let us see if we can untangle this wretched mess before they ruin everything, and we’re stuck with the lot of them lamenting their misfortune.”

“Lead on, Mr Weston,” Doris said cheerfully, and followed Larkin where he led.

5th August 1850, Berwick Street, Soho, London.

Felix stared gloomily out of the window of Larkin’s front parlour before turning away and recommencing his pacing. Barnes had told him Larkin had gone out a few minutes before Felix had arrived but had been happy enough for Felix to wait until his master returned home. Felix sat down and poured himself a glass of ale from the jug Barnes had left him, drained half of it and then got up again, too agitated to sit still.

The sound of the front door opening had surging to his feet. “Bloody hell, Larkin, where have you been? I’ve been—” Felix stopped in surprise as his gaze fell upon Miss Bodrott. For a moment, his heart leapt as he looked around for her mistress, believing that Larkin had been successful in his mission. His hopes crashed to the floor as he realised Belinda was not with her maid. “Miss Bodrott, how good to see you again,” he said politely, trying to gather his wits.