Page 76 of The Redemption of the Shrew

He huffed in self-disgust and eyed the group around the table—Cartway cheerfully drinking gin, Elspeth with her porter, and the valet with his sleeves rolled up and a jug of ale. He seemed a solid sort of fellow, with a serious gaze and a taciturn disposition.

“You must be a damned good valet,” Philippe said, “considering the material you have to work with.”

Mr. Turner’s lip curled slightly. “Yes, sir, I am.”

And confident, too. “A good valet is a rare find,” Philippe said. “I’m in need of one. Think on it, if you please.”

Mr. Turner nodded and thanked him, but he glanced sideways at Elspeth, who frowned.

Philippe said, “Judging by what Elspeth has just told us, we must take immediate advantage of Lady Marianne’s hysteria. Barnham will want to spirit her away as soon as possible, and with any luck, Hythwick will pursue them, forgetting the book in his haste. He may even take you with him, Turner, thereby keeping you free of suspicion.”

Mr. Turner grimaced. “Not so good for the other servants, though.”

“Bad enough when he’s in a good mood, eh?” Cartway snorted.

Mr. Turner grunted his assent. “He’s a right bastard.”

“I’ll hire a couple of actors to serve as decoys,” Philippe went on, “which, if he pursues them, will keep him away from London for at least one night. Meanwhile, Barnham and Lady Marianne may take whichever alternate route they choose.”

“And if Lord Hythwick doesn’t follow them?” Elspeth asked, still frowning. Turner slid his hand under the table, presumably to take hers, and she softened immediately. If only Gloriana were so easy to calm.

“Then we’ll make another plan,” Philippe said. “What we do next, Turner, depends on whether Hythwick takes you and the book with him. If he’s not too hasty to take you, likely he’ll take the book as well.”

“I’ll let you know, sir. Miss Morrison and I have devised a method of passing messages unbeknownst to anyone.” He grinned fondly at Elspeth, and she dimpled back at him.

Philippe tried to imagine such an interchange between himself and Gloriana. Tried to imagine them in sufficient harmony not to dispute with one another. He remembered the brief few weeks five years ago when they’d fallen in love. Somehow, it must be possible to reignite that love, if they both wanted it badly enough. Surely it would be wrong to let all that passion go to waste.

“You’ll go on the High Toby instead?” Cartway’s words jolted Philippe from his thoughts.

“Too risky,” Philippe said.

“Riskier than burglary?” Elspeth asked.

Turner nodded his agreement. “My master travels well-armed.”

“That’s why I like burglary,” Cartway said. “No one’s expecting it.”

Philippe proceeded to give Turner instructions for two eventualities—either only the book left behind, or both Turner and the book. He glanced at his watch. Was there time to attend the rout? He wasn’t dressed for it . . .

“No need to worry, sir,” Elspeth said kindly. “Mr. Bridge will take good care of Miss Glow. He’s been a faithful friend to her for years.”

“I daresay,” he said grumpily. He thanked everyone, made a further assignation with Cartway, paid the serving wench, and left for Covent Garden in search of a decoy or two.

~ ~ ~

Elspeth and Mr. Turner strolled slowly home through the dark streets. She glanced up at him. Seemingly, matters weren’t quite as simple as she’d thought. “You wish to work for Monsooer Philippe?”

“Aye, he’s a good man. Shoots straight and treats me like a human being.” His voice brimmed with enthusiasm. “And he’ll be a pleasure to dress, as well-proportioned as he is, and with good taste, to which I hope to bring a touch of excellence.”

If that was what Mr. Turner wanted, then he should have it. But . . .

He frowned down at her. “You don’t like the notion? I told you right from the start, love, I’m not cut out to be an innkeeper or a tailor. I’ve never wanted to be anything but a valet.”

“Yes, but where does that leave me?” she blurted.

He stopped and pulled her into his arms. “What’s wrong, sweetheart? Won’t you go on working for your Miss Glow, as you always have? For it’s plain as day that they’ll marry, the two of them.”

She sighed. “I surely hope so. They’ve been in love and at odds for years. But . . .”