Page 56 of Lady Louisa and the Carriage Clock
“Louisa? Is something bothering you? You seem not yourself. Is it something to do with Lord Wycliffe?”
She blew out a breath, “How did you know?”
Edith stopped walking. “When Cecil called on you with the flowers, something changed between you. It was strange, almost as if you weren’t playing a part any longer.”
She chuckled nervously. “Never say you think Lord Wycliffe is the type of man to call on a lady and bring flowers. I can’t see him courting anyone, just ordering them to marry him.”
“And do you want him to order you to marry him?” Edith asked with a wink.
She winced. “Not order, surely. I care for the viscount, Edith. I can’t say it snuck up on me because I think I’ve loved him all this time.”
“Love?” Edith took her hands in her own. “Love, Louisa?”
“What does it mean when you can’t stop thinking of someone day or night?” Louisa asked softly with a crooked smile, “When their presence makes you happy just to be alive?”
Edith squeezed her hands and laughed. “Oh, Louisa! Charlotte said this day would come and she isn’t here to tease you about it. You are my friend and if you can find happiness with Cecil, that is what I wish for you.”
Chapter Twenty
When Cecil returned home, it was to find Bones in the drawing room. He was not alone.
“My lord, let me introduce you to another one of my cousins, Henry Bones. He was a batman during the war; his officer died at Waterloo.” He added haltingly, “I saw him at the veterans registry office and thought as he could maybe help you with your ablutions and such.”
The man looked of an age as his cousin. He was clean and his clothes, while worn, were in good repair. “You are registered in Berkeley Square, Henry?”
“Yes, my lord.” The man stood even straighter. “My officer was a major, and his wife wrote me a reference saying how her husband thought the world of my work.”
Knowing the man was registered and had a reference made him a good candidate for employment. “Do you know how to tie a Mail Coach Knot, Henry?”
“I do. I take pride in a well-tied neckcloth, my lord.”
The man spoke well.
“Do you have a family?”
Henry shook his head. “I do not.”
“Has Bones told you about the difficulties you could face working for me?” he asked.
“I must say civilian life has been a tad boring now that I’m no longer needed in the army. This position would be just what I’m looking for, my lord.”
“Well then. We shall try it for a week.” Cecil looked around him. The room was again neat, although a stack of papers was on his desk. He asked Bones, “Have the other rooms been tidied?”
“All except your bedchamber, my lord. I thought it best to wait for direction.”
“Henry, perhaps you could go upstairs and see if my clothes can be salvaged. Bones, please inquire again as to whether anyone in the area has seen my cook.”
Both men exited the room. Cecil poured a measure of port into a glass and went to stand next to his desk. He could ponder the riddle as he sorted his papers.
“Well then. I better begin.”
* * * * *
Louisa was happy to see her father downstairs for supper. Her mother fussed over him, but he proclaimed himself bored of resting. Cook had made all his favorite dishes, and her father ate with gusto.
“What is new in Town today?” her father asked Leopold.
“There was a burglary on Curzon Street. Someone tossed Lord Wycliffe’s rooms.” Leopold rested his gaze on her.
