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He shook his head sadly. “Are you sure it’s a good idea for them to have lunch together if the relationship is doomed to fail?”
“Where is your sense of romance, Mr. Hobart? Lovers with the odds stacked against them is what great literary classics are made of.”
“You’re right. And if the couple are perfect for one another, then they ought to be together.”
“Well, for more than a few minutes at a time, at least. We’ll have a better idea after today whether theirs is a relationship worth fighting for.” I smiled at him. “I must say, you seem very cheerful. Have you some good news to share of your own?”
“I’m just pleased for my brother. Harry is taking him out to lunch today, but it won’t be just the two of them. Stephen doesn’t know, but Harry has organized for his friends from Scotland Yard to be there. It will be a proper and fitting farewell from the police force.”
“And nothing less than what he deserves. I’m so pleased for him. Have you heard how his former superiors reacted to the arrest of Lady Treloar and the subsequent downfall of the Bunburys?”
“Apparently it did not go down particularly well, but there was nothing they could do about it. Lady Treloar admitted guilt and the Bunburys were caught in the crossfire. I’m just glad Stephen had nothing to do with it.”
I merely smiled and didn’t set him straight. Although I hadn’t spoken to Harry about it, I knew he was directly involved in the discovery of the painting in Lady Treloar’s gallery and that his father either helped or took that information to his colleague at Scotland Yard. He was very much involved in her arrest, but he would never receive any accolades. Nor would Harry, which was a great shame. The publicity would have been good for his business.
The front door opened and Aunt Lilian and Flossy breezed into the hotel. They’d been to the dressmakers this morning to be measured for new outfits. I hadn’t expected them back before I left for lunch so had declined to join them.
My aunt had never looked so happy. She was positively glowing. It wasn’t until she drew closer that I saw the telltale shake of her hands and the tired eyes. She wasn’t under the influence of her tonic, but something had cheered her.
Flossy couldn’t contain herself any longer. She rushed up to me and grasped both my hands. “Cleo, guess what we’ve just heard! Oh, it’s the most wonderful news! No, don’t guess. I simply have to tell you immediately or I’ll burst. Lord and Lady Bunbury are leaving London.”
“But the social season has just begun. How long will they be gone?”
“Forever! They’ve sold their London house and are moving permanently back to the country.”
“Hush, Child,” Aunt Lilian scolded. “We are saddened by their departure. Remember?”
Flossy grinned. “Oh yes. Very sad indeed. They will be missed.” She winked at me.
“Poor Lady Bunbury,” Aunt Lilian said without a hint of sympathy in her tone. “She hates the country. I once heard her refer to it as ‘that backwater where nothing happens and no one goes.’ I shall think of her from time to time and wonder how she fares.”
“Particularly after a ball or party,” Flossy added.
The lift door opened and Aunt Lilian smiled as Miss Hessing stepped out. “Good afternoon, Miss Hessing. May I say how well you look. Lavender suits you.”
They exchanged pleasantries then we set off for lunch in one of the hotel carriages. The teashop was an informal venue, suitable for ladies to dine in alone or with a gentleman friend.
I tried to be as invisible as possible throughout. Although the couple needed some help getting the conversation started, they were soon speaking without blushing and tripping over their words. By the time we finished eating, I sensed they wanted to be left alone. They asked me to join them for a walk in the park, but I made up an excuse and sent them on their way.
With a satisfied sigh, I walked in the opposite direction. I had no plans for the afternoon so wandered around, looking in shop windows and enjoying the spring sunshine. Unfortunately, my mind also wandered, back to seeing Jonathon leaving Uncle Ronald’s office.
He could only be in there for one reason—to stir up trouble for me.
Clouds scudded in front of the sun for a brief moment, and when they moved away, I found myself squinting up at the tall figure of Harry Armitage standing on the pavement ahead. He looked very dashing in a charcoal gray suit with his hair neatly combed back.
I strode up to him, but he was looking the other way and didn’t see me. “I thought you were at your father’s farewell luncheon today.”
He swung around, his lips parted with his silent gasp. “Cleo!” He quickly looked past me. “What are you doing here?”
“Nothing in particular. I’ve just had lunch with Miss Hessing and her friend and now I’m filling in time, avoiding returning to the hotel.” I considered telling him about Jonathon and my uncle but decided against it. It was likely Jonathon’s complaint involved Harry and I didn’t want to burden him. “And you? Has your father’s lunch finished?”
“Not yet. I left him there with his former colleagues, reminiscing over beers.”
“I imagine they have some interesting stories to tell. It seems like the sort of thing you’d want to hear.”
He gave me a flat smile.
An awkward silence followed. Why was it that whenever Harry and I worked together on an investigation, we got along as though we were old friends? Silences were usually thoughtful rather than tense, our conversations free-flowing and filled with banter. But when we met up outside of an investigation, we couldn’t think of much to say.
