Page 80 of A Murder in Trinity Lane
I blinked. “That’s not until November.”
“Like I said—it’s grand. I just hope it doesn’t involve any explosions.”
“No, indeed.” I’d need to have a word with Rosehaven about the twins.
As she finished her recitation, Milford returned, bearing a silver tray with the tea service, a pitcher of punch and glasses, and a generous plate of iced biscuits.
Without a word, he set it down on a small table with his customary elegance, but not before his gaze flicked to Petunia with a glint of fondness before he withdrew.
“Shall we move to a more convenient spot?” I asked my diminutive guest.
She nodded regally.
We settled on the two settees opposite one another. I poured her glass of punch and presented it to her along with two iced biscuits on a plate. I opted for the Earl Grey.
“You didn’t want fairy cakes today?” I remarked.
“We’ll have them at afternoon tea. I don’t want to ruin my appetite.” She promptly added two more biscuits to her plate. “Rosie and Cosmos were meeting someone at Kew Gardens.”
“Oh?”
“Cosmos’s friend—Doctor Vale,” she said.
I stared. “Nathaniel Vale?”
“I believe that’s his name.”
“He’s a friend of your brother’s?”
Petunia gave me a look that doubted my intelligence—precisely the expression one might use on a particularly slow-witted footman. “I just said so.”
So she had.
I sat back, a weight settling in my chest. Nathaniel Vale. I hadn’t expected to hear that name again so soon. I’d assumed Rosalynd had simply accompanied her brother to Kew Gardensfor a bit of fresh air and familial civility. But if Vale had been the destination all along . . .
Damn it.
Of course, she was investigating. It wasn’t a pleasant stroll among orchids and ferns. It was another bloody inquiry. Which meant she was putting herself in danger again. And doing so without me.
She hadn’t told me. She hadn’t shared it with me. Because she didn’t trust me.
“How long have they known each other?”
“He dined with us last week. And again last night.”
I choked on a biscuit.
“Are you all right? Your face is turning red.”
I cleared my throat. “I took a bigger bite than I should have.”
“You should take small ones. Otherwise, you’ll choke to death.”
“I’ll take that under advisement.”
“I think Mr. Vale is sweet on Rosie.” She curled her lip.
And the surprises kept on coming. “How do you manage to learn all these things about your brothers and sisters?”
