Page 58 of Lady Louisa and the Carriage Clock
She wrinkled her nose. “In their fifties. The riddle originated sometime around 1790.”
“That was some time ago.” Her father moved his knight. “Check.”
She castled to delay the inevitable.
“There are supposedly members of the ton known as Cupid and Venus. The riddle is driving Edith to distraction.”
“Checkmate.”
She sighed. “Another game?”
“I don’t think you’re really in a chess-playing mood.” Her father paused. “A neighbor of mine was known as Cupid when I was a child in Kent. She was forever trying to match our widowed vicar with a woman. Any woman.”
“How interesting.” Louisa asked casually, “And who was this neighbor?” She’d grown up at the same estate and couldn’t remember anyone in the area being called Cupid.
“She is still known as a notorious matchmaker, but when I was young, my parents called her Cupid.”
“You don’t mean...?”
Her father chuckled. “Why yes. Our own Lady Cairs.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Despite the recent turmoil in his home, the rooms at Curzon Street were now in order, and Cecil had acquired a valet.
Henry quickly restored Cecil’s garments to their proper place and cleaned some of them. The man laid out clothes for Cecil the night before and announced he would visit the market stalls in the morning for foodstuffs.
Cecil had given Henry a few guineas, not concerned if the man ran off with the funds. His hard work so far had surely earned him that much.
The fire was dying in the grate, but his bedchamber was warm enough. The water in the pitcher Cecil splashed on his face was not.
“Blast!”
Once dressed, he descended the staircase to see Nathaniel waiting for him in the entry hall.
“Good morning! You look well rested despite the upheaval around here. Bones just went out.”
“Coffee. I need coffee.” Cecil walked down the corridor to the kitchen, happy to find a pot of something on the kitchen table with cups nearby.
The pot held lukewarm coffee and he drank a cup of the fragrant brew greedily.
Nathaniel perched on one of the stools.
Cecil sat on the other stool after pouring another cup of coffee. “And to what do I owe the honor of your presence?”
“I’m here to deliver a note from Lady Louisa. Not a proper note, mind you, but some information she unearthed about Daventry.”
He took the proffered vellum and read it.
“So we have our connection to the Diana clock. Perhaps Louisa can next decipher the Cupid clock.”
“In secret without putting herself in danger,” Nathaniel replied shortly.
“Of course.” Cecil could hear the doorknocker being utilized at his front door. He rose from his stool. “Excuse me.”
Cecil opened the door to see a young, well-dressed man on his stoop.
“Lord Wycliffe?” The man stood very straight.
