Page 57 of Lady Louisa and the Carriage Clock
Her father shook his head. “That is a dashed affront. And in such a nice part of London.”
Leopold added, “They were looking for a clock, by all accounts. There are rumors Lord Wycliffe possesses the matching clock to Louisa’s.”
Every gaze at the table was now on her.
“I thought the other clock was missing?” her mother asked.
“It was, Mother, but Lord Wycliffe recently acquired it,” Louisa replied lightly.
“And will someone break into our home to acquire your infamous clock?” her father asked Louisa grimly.
“I no longer have the clock,” she replied calmly. “I gave it to Lord Wycliffe.”
“I paid twenty pounds for that clock.” Leopold frowned darkly.
“I thought it best the clock no longer remain at Carstairs,” she responded, meeting her brother’s gaze.
“Someone broke into Lord Wycliffe’s home to steal his clock? Our safety is worth more than twenty pounds,” her mother said quietly.
Louisa nodded and replied, “I can give you my pin money, Leopold.”
Her brother grimaced as he replied, “So after being robbed, Lord Wycliffe thought it wise to acquire your clock.”
“I believe he meant to get rid of them.” She cleared her throat. “Or destroy them.”
Her brother narrowed his gaze on her face. “Those clocks have something to do with the Rogue’s Alliance. The viscount is obsessed with that organization.”
“The Rogue’s Alliance?” Her father frowned. “Lord Wycliffe came to call on you twice, Louisa, has he not?”
“I think he was merely interested in my clock,” she replied faintly, knowing she told the truth.
“Now that you no longer have the clock, I see no reason for the man to be admitted to our home again. The RA may be considered fiction by some, but I believe the organization to be real. And very dangerous. If Lord Wycliffe is attempting to bring down the RA, you stay clear of the man, Louisa.”
Louisa didn’t know what to say. She couldn’t tell her father she was in love with Lord Wycliffe. It didn’t matter. The viscount would never return those feelings.
“Yes, Father,” she replied obediently, stunned by the turn of events.
Dinner was a silent affair after that. When the meal was over, her brothers nearly fled the room for their evening entertainments.
Wanting a moment alone with her father, Louisa suggested a game of chess.
“If you’re up to it.” She smiled. “I wouldn’t want to take advantage of your weakened state.”
“My funny girl. I could best you while in a delirious fit.”
She did not doubt it. Her father would never let her win. Louisa had to beat him fair and square.
Seated in the drawing room at a mahogany chess table, she tried to think of a way to approach the subject of whether anyone in society was known as Venus and Cupid.
Her father took her queen after only three moves. “You’re not attending, my dear.”
“Pardon me, Father. I’m still thinking about a riddle Edith brought to me.”
“A riddle? I love riddles.” He sat forward in his chair, placing an elbow on the gilt brass and hardwood chess table.
“If I remember correctly, it has something to do with Cupid and Venus and the ton. Is anyone of your age known as Cupid or Venus?”
“Of my age?” Her father raised a brow.
