Page 67 of Lady Louisa and the Carriage Clock
Louisa was weary of the RA. Tired of knowing what they had foisted on society. She knew too much of their murders and thievery. How much went on in the organization that she didn’t know about? In addition to his brother, the RA had stolen three years of Lord Wycliffe’s life.
She was sure Lady Kettering had befriended Alicia merely to find out what the girl might know about Lord Wycliffe’s movements.
There was a short silence. Nathaniel had an expression of confusion on his face while Edith looked slightly alarmed.
“Have you attended the Wilkie exhibition at Dulwich?” Edith asked Lady Kettering.
“Miss Alicia and I viewed the collection last week.” The lady exchanged a smile with Alicia. A smile Louisa realized did not reach her eyes.
“Edith and I visited Dulwich yesterday,” she replied and would have continued if Alicia hadn’t interrupted.
“Such a strange building. It looks like squares haphazardly put together. The skylights are quite different. I’ve never seen anything like them before.”
“I believe you are a devotee of Wilkie, are you not, Lady Louisa?” Nathaniel asked, jumping into the fray.
“Oh yes! Although I was struck by the magnificence of a painting without attribution.” She looked squarely at Lady Kettering. “Perhaps you know it well? It’s a work known as Venus and Adonis.”
The lady’s gaze flitted over Louisa’s face before she looked away. “I’m sorry, I'm not familiar with that work.”
The course was removed, and while the footmen placed the next course before them, Edith kicked her under the table. Her friend was right. She was playing with fire. The rest of the meal continued with increasingly aimless conversation until Edith rose to her feet, a signal that dinner was over.
Lady Kettering stood up as well and put a hand to her temple. “I’m suddenly feeling a bit faint.”
Lord Kettering rushed around the table to his wife.
“You do look a bit peaked,” Nathaniel said worriedly.
“I’ll get her home.” Lord Kettering smiled weakly at Edith. “Thank you for a lovely meal. I hope we haven’t ruined your evening.”
The gentleman whisked his wife away from the house as the rest of the party trouped into the drawing room.
“Poor dear,” Alicia said after she sat next to Edith on a settee. “Lady Kettering usually has such a strong constitution. She is a dear friend, and her marriage is one I hope to emulate one day. The Kettering’s have been married for many years. It was Lady Cairs who introduced them, you know.”
Both Louisa and Edith let out a sound of disbelief.
“The lady looked uncomfortable during most of the meal,” Nathaniel replied with a probing look at his wife and Louisa.
The baron knew something was amiss and didn’t look too pleased by the realization.
“Alicia, if we repair to the music room, do you think you’re up to entertaining us with an aria?” Edith asked into the strained silence. “I will accompany you.”
“Of course! I would never turn down an opportunity to perform.”
They all moved to the music room next door; Edith was seated at the pianoforte, and Alicia stood beside her.
Once the music had started and Alicia began to sing, Nathaniel said from his place beside Louisa, “I know something is going on. You were needling Lord and Lady Kettering about the RA and a painting. You must explain yourself.”
The baron frowned as she formulated a reply.
“Lady Kettering is our Venus. I’m sure Edith has told you about Cupid and Venus being the clues to the riddle of the second clock.”
“She has.” He paused. “How do you know Lady Kettering is Venus?”
“I overheard her call her husband Adonis as we went into dinner. Cupid is Lady Cairs. It all fits.”
“Your behavior at dinner was careless. If Lady Kettering is Venus, it was not a good idea to taunt her like that.” Nathaniel shook his head. “You should feign sickness and allow me to escort you home. Do not go out. Once you are home, I will locate Cecil and tell him of your suspicions.”
“Edith has also guessed that Lady Kettering is Venus.”
