Page 21 of Lady Louisa and the Carriage Clock
“I’ve heard no chatter that Lady Louisa is in danger.” Bones frowned, shifting from one foot to the other.
“I’m not sure many people know that the clock has a connection to the RA.” He paused. “I plan on stealing it tonight while Lady Louisa is at the musicale.”
Boned whistled. “It will be no easy task to get into Carstairs without being seen. In addition to a house full of servants, the lady has four brothers.”
“And the lady keeps the clock in her bedchamber,” he replied.
“Her window looks out onto the mews behind the house.” Bones paused. “At that time of night, there may only be a stableboy on duty. To enter through the mews unseen, you must find a way to distract the boy.”
Cecil didn’t comment on the fact that Bones knew where the lady’s bedchamber was in the house.
“Do you know whether the rest of the household will be home this evening?” he asked.
“Lord and Lady Chatham will be staying in. A housemaid told me it is the one night of the week when they wish for the house to themselves.”
Could one ever truly be alone with servants in the house? He hadn’t imagined a married couple with five grown children would still want to be alone together.
“The lady’s parents should be preoccupied, and perhaps some of the servants will have a half day for the occasion.” He would admit the idea of stealing the clock from Louisa was not one he was proud of. Cecil would only hear Nathaniel’s opinion on the plan after he possessed the clock.
After a moment of silence, Bones asked, “Was there anything else, my lord?”
“Tell me exactly where Lady Louisa’s bedchamber is located in Carstairs.”
* * * * *
Louisa felt nauseated. Perhaps she’d had too many prawns at supper. The last thing she wanted to do was ruin the evening for her parents. One day a week, they requested an evening free from their numerous offspring, and most of the servants had a half day. She was dressed for an evening out and had already dismissed Lucy.
“I won’t need you tonight,” she’d told the maid, feigning wellness. If she acted in any way indisposed, Lucy would alert Louisa's mother.
She entered Nathaniel’s coach soon after. There was plenty of light in the conveyance. The carriage curtains were open, allowing the glow from the outside coach lanterns to light up the interior.
“Louisa!” Edith looked concerned when her friend sat on the squabs across from her. “You look ill.”
“I feel a bit queasy,” she replied softly.
“You must stay home this evening,” Nathaniel said with a frown. “Your parents will understand.”
“I’ve thought of a way to do that.” She paused to take a deep breath. “Take the carriage around to the mews. I will tell the stableboy I am in for the evening but do not wish to disturb my parents. I’m sure he will keep my secret.”
“If you’re sure you don’t want to tell your parents you are unwell.” Edith reached out and squeezed one of Louisa’s gloved hands.
She shook her head. “It is a mild stomach complaint- with some rest, I’m sure I will feel well very soon.”
Nathaniel’s driver pulled the carriage around to the mews behind the house, where Edith insisted they remain until Louisa had spoken with the stableboy.
“It is all settled,” Louisa informed her friends through the open coach door.
“Are you sure you don’t need someone to look after you?” Edith asked.
She shook her head. “I merely ate too much. It has happened before. I will feel better in a few hours.”
As the coach rolled away, Louisa made her way to the back garden gate separating their tiny garden from the alleyway mews behind the house.
The stableboy nodded to her as she passed and then returned to the coach house.
There was enough light coming from inside the house for Louisa to see her way through the garden and to the terrace doors. Having made sure the French doors were unlocked before she left the house for the musicale, she opened one and slipped into the darkened room.
Louisa cracked open the drawing room door and listened. Hearing nothing, she opened the door further and crept into the dimly lit corridor. She moved slowly, listening for any sound. Louisa reached the servants’ staircase without encountering anyone, climbed the stairs to the landing outside her bedchamber, and entered her room. With the curtains drawn, the space was dark.
