Page 51 of Lady Louisa and the Carriage Clock
Nodding off in a stuffed chair in her father’s bedchamber, she heard a chuckle.
“My nurse is sleeping?”
“Father!” She yawned and sat up in the chair. “How are you feeling?”
“More like myself. I’m famished. Ring for a tray, Louisa.”
She picked up the bell from his night table and rang it. A maid appeared soon after and was dispatched to the kitchens.
“You look sad, my dear.”
“I am irritated with Leopold,” she replied softly.
“When is that not the case?” he asked, shaking his head.
She couldn’t help but smile. “True.”
“It’s because you are more alike than you will admit.” He raised a hand when she protested. “You are both perfectionists. Both convinced you are always right and know what is best for others.”
She rolled her eyes. “Pfft.”
“You get those traits from your mother.”
They both laughed until they couldn’t breathe. The tray arrived with only broth and tea.
Her father accepted the tray on his lap with a frown. “I should be glad there isn’t barley water as well.”
When the maid had departed, Louisa said, “I will go downstairs and pilfer something more filling from the kitchen.”
“Before you go, was there something else you wanted to speak with me about?” Her father lifted a spoon of broth to his mouth and drank it.
“I care for someone.” She paused. “But he is beyond my reach.”
“Is he married? Betrothed? Heaven forbid a cit?”
She shook her head. “He is a viscount and unmarried.”
“Then not truly out of your reach. Louisa, if this man will make you happy, then I’m sure you will find a way to marry him.”
“Father...”
He raised his hand again. “No. It is as simple as that. If it is a love match you seek, that could be a further difficulty, but if the man is unattached, there is always hope.”
A love match with Lord Wycliffe? At that moment, she realized she would accept no less whomever she married. She couldn’t help but feel better. Her father’s no-nonsense approach to her problem lifted her spirits.
“Now hurry downstairs and bring me some meat and cheese before I perish from hunger.”
Louisa stood up and leaned in to kiss her father on the cheek. “Yes, Father. I’ll return soon.”
Chapter Eighteen
In the end, Cecil didn’t argue with Nathaniel accompanying him to Swallow Street. He did insist they continue on to Grosvenor Square and locate Bones. They quickly found him as Bones was walking the square.
Cecil opened the carriage door and asked his employee, “Do you have a weapon?”
“Aye,” Bones replied with a grin. “I could do with a change of scenery, my lord. Watching over a lady in Mayfair isn’t that exciting.”
“The men who tied up Acker and Eliza might be hiding in a building on Swallow Street. If so, there could be other Rogue’s Alliance members there.” He paused. “Confronting the men may be dangerous.”
