Page 51 of A Wicked Business

Chapter 15

Dear Charlie,

Of course I’ll come. My Lady is coming too though, so bring Mr Knight along with you, there’s a dear fellow.

Doris x

―Excerpt of a letter from Miss Doris Bodrott to Mr Charles Kirby.

6th August 1850, Keston House, Grosvenor Square, London.

Belinda slept late the next morning, exhausted by the events of the previous days and all the accompanying turmoil. It was almost noon when she finally woke, roused by the delicious scent of hot chocolate and freshly baked rolls.

“Here we are, my pet. You get that down you and you’ll be right as ninepence,” Doris said cheerfully, settling the tray on Belinda’s lap before hurrying to open the curtains and let in a dazzling summer’s morning. “The sun has even come out for you today and it’s lovely and warm, though I reckon we’ll be melting in an hour or two. You’ll be able to wear that lovely new gown that arrived last week, though. Poor Mr Knight won’t see anything of the museum, for he won’t be able to keep his eyes from you.”

“Museum?” Belinda asked sleepily, lifting the chocolate to her lips and taking a cautious sip.

“Oh, beg pardon, my lady, I forgot I hadn’t told you. Charlie asked me to go to the British Museum with him. He said I’d like it,” she added doubtfully. “But I ain’t—I have never been to a museum before, so I’ll have to take his word for it. Anyhow, he’s bringing Mr Knight, so I’m bringing you. We can meet up, accidentally on purpose, like,” she said, grinning.

Belinda smothered a yawn. “That sounds splendid, and Mr Kirby is quite right. There are all sorts of fascinating things in the museum. Have you truly never been before? Surely I’ve taken you?”

Doris shook her head. “If you remember, I was ill when you took that trip with Lady Kilbane last year so I couldn’t come. Hard done by, that’s me,” she added with a laugh.

Belinda smiled, thrilling with a little shiver of anticipation at the realisation she would see Felix today. Suddenly awake, she reached for a roll and tore it in two, buttering it lavishly before adding a good dollop of jam. She was ravenous and so eager for the day ahead that she ate as if she was half starved and cleared the tray of every scrap.

Energised and full of expectation for the coming outing, Belinda hurried through her toilette, making no protests when Doris selected a green gown with a matching redingote that was beautifully cut and highlighted her narrow waist. Belinda thought Doris looked charming too, wearing her best gown in a deep rose colour that emphasised the golden lustre of her lovely skin.

“Well, we look fine as fivepence if you ask me,” Doris said, giving herself a critical once over in the mirror before flashing Belinda a quick grin.

“We certainly do,” Belinda replied, smiling. “Come along, then. I’ve already slept half the day away, let’s not waste any longer by being late.”

6th August 1850, The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London.

The grand Greek Revival style building on Great Russell Street impressed Doris. This new and vast structure had replaced the smaller previous building. The work on the new museum had begun in the 1820s but was not quite complete. The elegant colonnaded portico that would welcome visitors to the museum was still hidden under scaffolding, but the grand opening was rumoured to be set for the following year.

Upon entering the gates, they found a quadrangle on one side and the main building to the north. They passed a marble statue of Shakespeare and a gilt figure of Gaudma, a Burmese idol, giving both only cursory glances as they hurried to find the Elgin Saloon.

The museum was busy, with crowds eager to enter the cool gloom inside on a day that had become sultry, the city sweltering as the sun returned with unusual force.

Doris and Belinda hurried inside, excited to find their beaus, though it was Doris who spotted them first, her greater height giving her an advantage over Belinda.

“There’s my Charlie!” she exclaimed, tugging Belinda’s hand excitedly.

Thankfully, she refrained from shouting his name to gain his attention and Belinda congratulated herself that Doris was making great strides in proper behaviour and etiquette.

Her own heart skipped as she saw Felix. He turned, their eyes met, and a pleasurable shiver ran down her spine as she saw his expression warm. His gaze travelled over her, an anticipatory quality to it that made her feel hot and quivery with anticipation.

The men came to greet them, and Belinda didn’t notice whether or not Doris continued to behave as she ought, for her attention was entirely captured by the man before her.

“My lady,” Felix said, bowing over her hand. “How lovely you look in green, as fresh and lovely as the spring on this stifling day.”

Belinda smiled, pleased by his charming comment. “I chose it to compliment your pretty eyes, sir,” she replied, taking his arm and wondering at the odd fluttering sensation in her belly. Was this what falling in love felt like?

He laughed at that. “I’m not sure pretty is the correct word in the circumstances. Men are not generally pretty.”

“Some are,” she countered. “And I refuse to have my words modified. Your eyes are pretty, and I will not allow it to be otherwise.”

“Spoiling for a fight already, sweet Belle? What a cantankerous female you are,” he replied with a sad shake of his head.