Page 45 of Lady Louisa and the Carriage Clock
Lord Wycliffe bowed to Louisa. “Good afternoon, my lady. When we need to speak again about the clocks, let us use Edith as our intermediary.”
“Of course.” The viscount’s earlier compliment was forgotten as she remembered the gentleman was only in her home to solve the riddle. “Good afternoon, Edith, Lord Wycliffe.”
* * * * *
Cecil escorted Edith home before climbing into his coach for the drive to Curzon Street. An afternoon of tea and biscuits had left him hungry for a more substantial meal. Perhaps he could convince Eliza to make him some sandwiches.
He’d had the strangest feeling when he entered the drawing room at Carstairs. Having never called on a debutante before, he wasn’t sure of the protocol. Did all debs have as many admirers as Lady Louisa received that day? It was irksome to him. Men buzzing around a young woman like that. Did they have no pride?
Yes, she was pretty, stylish, and intelligent, but really. For a moment Cecil had felt sick to his stomach and wondered if that was what jealousy felt like. No matter. He’d only been playing a part.
When his coach arrived at the townhouse on Curzon Street, it was to find Bones outside on the stoop, waiting for him, his expression grim.
“You’ve been burgled, my lord.”
“Burgled?” He brushed by the other man and opened the door to the house.
“The house has been ransacked,” Bones continued. “Two men tied up Acker and Eliza in the kitchen.”
Cecil stood in the entry hall, and from his vantage point, he could see some of the destruction in the drawing room beyond.
“Are Eliza and Acker well? Where is Cook?”
Bones replied, “Eliza and the butler are a bit shaken up but otherwise unharmed. Cook is nowhere to be seen. Eliza told me he’d gone out right before the thieves arrived.”
“Please see that Acker and Eliza have anything they need. If need be, call a doctor.” He sighed. “I’m going to survey the damage in my drawing room and then I will check on them.”
Cecil strode through the entry to the drawing room next door. The sight that met his eyes was ghastly. There were books and papers strewn throughout the room. Not a drawer or cabinet had been left untouched; any possible hiding place in the room was open, its contents on the hardwood floor.
Thankfully, the dresser where his drinks tray rested had not been moved. The drawers were open, their contents adding to the disarray of the room. The search of the room had been measured and methodical. The liquor decanters were unbroken. The burglar or burglars had taken their time.
He returned to the entry and took the corridor to the back of the house, where the kitchen and a small dining room were located. The dining room held only a small round table and four chairs and was untouched.
When he approached the kitchen, it was to the sound of soft weeping. The kitchen door was open, and the chaos he encountered was worse than the drawing room. Foodstuffs were strewn about, with every pot, pan, and kitchen utensil now residing on the stone floor.
Bones stood to one side while the maid and butler were seated on two stools next to a long kitchen table.
“Can you tell me what happened?” Cecil asked Acker after he’d taken in the state of the room.
Eliza stopped weeping and hiccupped as the butler replied, “There were two men. I’ve never seen them before, my lord. One was a dock worker by the looks of his clothes, while the other wore a red waistcoat like some of the runners do.”
“They tied us up and gagged us.” Eliza let out a shaky breath. “The rougher man searched in here. The other man looked through the rest of the house. I overheard them say they were searching for a clock.”
It was what he’d imagined. “And Cook left right before the men arrived?”
Acker looked at Eliza. “I’m not sure when he left the house.”
“He was gone before the other men came,” Eliza replied with a long, shuddering breath.
“Are you well? Do you need a doctor?”
They both shook their heads as the butler replied, “Eliza and I are made of sterner stuff than that, my lord.”
“I want you both to pack your belongings. I’m going to move you to a safer place.”
“It was just a burglary,” Acker protested. “We’ll not abandon you, my lord.”
He held up a staying hand. “This was the RA’s doing. Now, do as I say. I would like you out of the house as soon as possible.”
