Page 52 of Black Widow

“Do not worry. I’ll take care of this,” he interrupted, waving at the stain. “We’re getting rid of the lot—the entire carpet has togo.”

“That’s not what I was going to say,” she protested as Carlotta rinsed her own hands in thewashbasin.

The water turned pink, and Carlotta excused herself with a murmur to empty the basin and refill the pitcher for Amelia’suse.

Gideon waited till Carlotta left the room. “I know, love,” he said softly. “But I think we should put off any discussion until I’m certain the household is secure. Once you’ve dressed, I will have your driver drop you at Lord Worthing’s house. I’m going to ask Clarke to meet you there. He’ll keep watch over you and Carlotta while I deal with an importantmatter.”

He wanted Carlotta to go as well? “I’m not in the habit of taking my maid to call onCrispin.”

“She’s had a fright. I think it would settle her nerves to accompanyyou.”

Amelia suspected he was more concerned with having another set of eyes on her than her maid’s sensibilities but didn’t make an issue of it. “Where will you go? What is this importantmatter?”

Gideon averted his eyes. “I’ll be making a few stops—Bow Street chief amongthem.”

He stopped, his gaze flickering over the stain and the bed beyond. His head shook a fraction as if he was arguing with himself. “I don’t understand how I could have slept through this,” hemuttered.

Gideon turned back to her, putting his arms on her shoulders. “I’m going to hire a few runners to watch the house from the outside. I’ll also enlist their aid to conduct systematic interviews of your staff. One of them must have seen or heardsomething.”

“You will need Adolfo to translate then. Most of them speak English poorly,” she said as Carlotta came backin.

“A sound plan. I’ll go speak to him now,” he replied before kissing her hard and quitting theroom.

Amelia wrapped her arms around herself and stared at the dark stain on her carpet. She pushed it away in hermind.

Gideon is right.The entire carpet needed to be discarded. Carlotta interrupted her reverie with a signal all was inreadiness.

Moving mechanically, she performed her ablutions and dressed. Her mind was quiet and strangely detached, as if she was watching everything from adistance.

When Gideon bundled her and Carlotta into her town coach without breakfast, she didn’t complain. Nor did she utter a single word of reproach when he saw her to the door and then hurried away with a promise that Clarke would be joining them shortly. She was too busy formulating aplan.

Crispin was still indisposed when his butler let her into histownhouse.

“Don’t worry Jefferson. I can hardly expect him to come down on a broken leg. I’ll just show myselfup.”

Leaving Carlotta to visit with her friends in the kitchen, Amelia went up to the second story. She entered Lord Worthing’s bedroom after a perfunctory knock and stoppedshort.

Mr. Clarke was sitting on the bed at Crispin’s side. Their heads were close together, and Crispin’s hand was resting overClarke’s.

Mr. Clarke noticed her first. He broke away, getting to his feetquickly.

“Excuse me, Mrs. Montgomery,” he said beforebowing.

Clarke’s formality betrayed his unease. Just yesterday, he’d been very familiar with her, greeting her with a hug and quick pat on theback.

“Err…I suppose you are surprised to see me here,” he said. “After yesterday’s mishap, I decided to call round early to see ourpatient.”

Ourpatient?

“How kind of you,” she said. “I did expect you, but not so soon. Gideon sent word to your house asking you to comehere.”

Clarke’s expression changed, an alert expression lightening his eyes. “Oh, I see. Then I’ll have a quick word with Lord Worthing’s staff. Gideon’s notes will have been brought round here by mystaff.”

He excused himself with anotherbow.

“Amelia…” Crispin held out his hand. She gave herself a little shake and went to his side, noting his slightblush.

“How are you feeling, dear?” she asked, sitting on thebed.

---