Page 53 of Lady Louisa and the Carriage Clock
“What’s done is done.” Cecil nodded to his employee. “You might have saved my life.”
“How are we to tell if these are the men who ransacked your house?” Nathaniel asked, looking down at the bodies before him.
“Acker said one was dressed like a dockworker, and the other had a red waistcoat like the runners wear.” He bent down and turned the younger man over. The dead man did have a red waistcoat under his gray overcoat, and Cecil riffled through the pockets of both pieces of clothing. While the man wasn’t wearing expensive clothes, his clothing was in good repair and of better quality than his companion’s.
One jacket pocket held a pair of flexible handcuffs, the other, several guineas, and an RA snuffbox. Nathaniel searched the other man.
Cecil held up his finds as Nathaniel said, “All he has on him is a few guineas and one of the organization’s snuffboxes.”
“They were probably meant to leave London,” Bones replied. “Rumors are that the alliance is killing fewer of their deputies to draw less attention to the operation.”
They stood silently for a few moments before Cecil said, “I’m going to take you home, Nathaniel, and after I return to Curzon Street, Bones can tip off the runners as to the dead bodies here.”
Bones nodded. “Of course, my lord.”
The sky had darkened even further as they made their way back to the waiting carriage. Rain threatened but held off until Cecil arrived home.
“Would you like supper, my lord?” Bones said after they’d entered the townhouse.
He shook his head. “I’m sure I can sort it myself.” He handed the dead man’s guineas to Bones. “Take my carriage, and after you visit the runners, you can find your own supper or return here.”
Bones turned on his heel and exited the house while Cecil ambled down the corridor to the kitchen. He wasn’t particularly hungry, but perhaps there was some bread and butter in the kitchen to accompany a pot of tea.
When Cecil entered the kitchen, it was to find a cold grate, and he realized he’d never made tea for himself. Some of the newer and larger homes in London had stoves, whereas he was faced with an open hearth.
Bottles of small beer rested on the center table, along with a crock of butter and what looked to be a stale loaf of bread. Cecil was alone in the house, and as he stood staring at the pitiful makings of his dinner, he felt discouraged by recent events.
Two more members of the RA were dead, and he’d gained no useful intelligence. He had no idea how to solve the riddle of the second clock, and after the burglary, his house no longer felt like a refuge.
He would leave a note for Bones and hail a hackney to the Clarendon Hotel. The thought of a meal cooked by an excellent chef lightened his mood.
As Cecil stepped out of his house, the golden hour was upon London. The skies had cleared, and the new gas lamps along Curzon Street glowed in the waning daylight.
Tomorrow brought another opportunity to see Lady Louisa again and put his plan for the clocks into action. Thoughts of the stylish debutante made him smile, and he began to whistle as he walked.
Chapter Nineteen
By prior arrangement, Cecil met Lady Edith at her home the next day, and they proceeded to Carstairs. He boldly carried his ebony box with him for all the world to see.
Edith had gasped when she’d seen him standing in the entry hall. “Cecil! Is that the box you store your clock in?”
“It is time I disposed of the mythology clocks,” he replied loudly for any hovering servants.
He’d outlined his plan to Nathaniel before depositing him in Grosvenor Square yesterday afternoon. He was to tell Edith; Louisa would not know about the plan. Louisa was a clever woman and he had no doubt she would catch on quickly to what he was up to.
He and Edith were settled in the drawing room when Louisa entered, leaving the door open.
“Edith! Lord Wycliffe!”
They were seated in the same places as the day before.
The lady eyed the box. “To what do I owe this visit?”
“I’ve come to collect the other clock,” he replied loudly.
He opened the ebony box to show her it contained two tiny clocks and a gold-plated cup. “You may not have heard yet, but my rooms in Curzon Street were ransacked yesterday, and two of my servants were bound while the house was tossed. I believe the culprits were looking for my clock. If they want yours, it is only a matter of time until they break into your home. We should dispose of the clocks at once.”
Louisa replied theatrically, “Oh goodness! That is a terrible thing to have happened. I can find no clues to the mythical riddle on my clock, and I'm glad to be rid of it if it puts me and my family in harm’s way. I’ll fetch my clock and the ebony box from my bedchamber.”
