Page 68 of Lady Louisa and the Carriage Clock
Nathaniel replied gruffly, “My wife has promised not to involve herself further with the riddle. I will see you home and then seek Cecil out. Alone.”
She could do nothing but agree. Her behavior had been reckless. When Alicia’s aria ended, Louisa rose to her feet.
“Edith, I feel a migraine coming on. Your husband has offered to see me home.”
“That is terrible.” Alicia rushed to her. “Might I do anything to help?”
“I think I merely need some rest,” she replied softly.
“There is something important I must discuss with Cecil.” Nathaniel stood up, walked to where his wife was seated, and bent down to kiss her cheek. “After I see Louisa home, I will depart straightaway for Curzon Street.”
Edith nodded her understanding. “Goodnight, Louisa, do take care.”
* * * * *
When Cecil returned from his stroll around the edges of Mayfair, Bones greeted him in the entry hall of the house.
“What now?” he asked grimly.
“I thought you would like to know the coachman and groom have decided to stay on. And Henry wondered if you would be interested in supper. He will have your meal ready in a few minutes.”
“Supper sounds splendid. Tell him I will proceed to the dining room after I wash off the dust of Town.”
Having a meal in his own home would be a nice change. When he finished his ablutions, Cecil found a covered platter full of food on the dining room table with one place set. A decanter of port and a glass of small beer were at his place. Henry did know how to cater to the needs of a bachelor gentleman.
Cecil ate heartily of roast, carrots, and potatoes. Henry entered the room carrying a plate of cheese, fruit, and a few pieces of shortbread.
“This was an excellent meal,” Cecil told the man. “And your shortbread is the best I’ve ever tasted.”
“It was always Eliza’s favorite. I need to get around to Grosvenor Square and visit her. She worked for Lord Daventry in Northamptonshire when I left for the continent. I haven’t seen her in an age.”
“Eliza was employed by Lord Daventry?” Cecil asked, a chill running down his spine.
The other man nodded. “Until he passed. Eliza became something of a nurse to him in his last few days.”
Eliza was in Nathaniel’s household. In all likelihood, if the girl had worked for Daventry, she was in league with the RA.
And Bones had vouched for her.
Daventry and Cecil’s cook had been poisoned. Poison was usually a woman’s weapon. Even if Eliza poisoned the cook, she couldn’t have moved him out to the mews on her own. The men who ransacked Cecil’s home must have moved the body.
He jumped to his feet.
“My lord?”
“I have to go out.” He would say no more. Both Bones and Henry could be involved with the RA. Bones had seemed rather eager to dispatch the RA member he’d knifed in the stables on Swallow Street, and the timing of Henry coming to work for Cecil was suspect.
Cecil heard a disturbance in the corridor outside the dining room before Nathaniel barged into the room.
“Come with me, Cecil. Now.”
He followed his friend without question out to the street and into Nathaniel’s carriage. “Where are we headed?”
“Kettering House. Lady Kettering is your Venus.” The coach lurched forward.
“That can wait.” Cecil struck the coach ceiling with his walking stick, and the carriage halted. “Grosvenor Square!”
“What is the difficulty?” Nathaniel asked.
