Page 49 of Betrayal from Beyond
“Rachel has been looking for someone, a partner with whom she might start another shop, in another part of the city. If Miss Martin continues to impress her, then I will back their enterprise.”
“Have I ever told you that you are a marvel?” he asked, pulling her in for a kiss.
“I believe you have,” she said, smiling against his lips. “But I wouldn’t mind if you took me to bed and told me again.”
*
The next morning,they set out very early to find Preston in his Bridge Street rooms, handily located in Westminster, close to his work.
He looked initially surprised to see them, but surprise turned quickly to gratitude when Niall held up a wrapped box with a covered pot of coffee and a platter of Rachel’s pastries.
“Well, then, come in, seeing as you’ve brought breakfast with you. But I cannot stay long,” he warned. “I must prepare for a meeting with Sir Charles Barry this afternoon.” He set out cups and dishes on a small table and then sipped the hot coffee. “What is this about, then?”
Niall cleared his throat. “First, Kara is worried that you might feel…conflicted about Petra’s death. We wish to offer our condolences, should you need them.”
“We understand that you were raised together,” said Kara. “That means something, no matter how it all turned out. No one could blame you for mourning her.”
Preston heaved a sigh. “I’ve wondered if I should feel something, but honestly, I only feel relieved. I’m happy she cannot stir up any more trouble. It’s a blessing to know that Tom will be free of her. If I can find him, that is.”
“We wanted to speak of him as well,” Niall admitted.
“Tom is in debt,” Preston said bluntly. “I learned that he owes gambling debts that he cannot pay. I hope it means that he is in hiding, and not in worse trouble than even I suspected.”
Niall exchanged glances with Kara. “It’s possible that we might know where he is hiding.” He told the engineer about their suspicions regarding the new footman at Wood Rose Abbey.
Preston just sat staring ahead for a moment before he spoke. “Hard as it is to imagine Tom as a footman, it seems exactly like something he would do—hide himself away from his creditors while doing Petra’s bidding.” He gave a sharp laugh. “Lord, but I wish I could see him bowing and scraping to some haughty butler! But instead, he’s probably sneaking food from the larder, hiding out back to smoke, and crawling up the maids’ skirts.”
“We were hoping youwouldsee him at it, or at least travel down to Wood Rose Abbey to see if Jamie is truly Tom.”
The engineer downed the rest of his coffee. “Yes. Yes, so I will. But not today. As I said, I’ve a meeting with Sir Charles this afternoon and a great deal of work to complete beforehand. But I will make arrangements. I should be able to travel down tomorrow.” Standing, he shrugged into his coat. “Should I come to your estate to report, once I’ve seen him? If it is indeed Tom, I’ll drag him over by the ear.”
“No, we are staying on in Town,” Niall told him. “We have a gala opening to attend tomorrow evening.”
Preston shuddered. “Better you than me.”
Kara grinned. “Are you sure, Mr. Preston? I know we could procure you an invitation!”
“No, thank you, Duchess. I’m a builder, not a dancer. I’d sooner carry on a conversation with a plaster dauber than a debutante.” He shooed them out the door. “I hope you are right and I find Tom down there. I’ll send word, then, once I see your mystery footman.”
Chapter Thirteen
Gyda was abundle of nerves about the opening of the museum. She had left earlier to help with last-minute preparations. Kara was primping, determined to do her friend credit, and to be as duchess-like as possible.
“This color is a triumph on you, ma’am,” Elsie said as she settled the pointed bodice over Kara’s middle. “I don’t know how they achieved such a lovely shade so perfectly between blue and green.”
“They are doing wonders with coal tar and other secondary products for dyes right now.” Kara looked over the gown with a satisfied eye. The low shoulders featured a fall of brilliant white lace. At the top edge of the lace, a line of jeweled flowers meandered across her skin. A matching pattern of embroidery adorned the hem and the edges of the split-front skirt.
“Are you sure you won’t add another crinoline?” Elsie asked, eyebrows raised. “Wider skirts are all the fashion.”
“I need to be able to move, Elsie.” It was an old argument.
Niall, entering from his adjoining room, let out a long, low whistle.
Turning, Kara smiled at the sight of him in a frock coat, frilly linen, and his formal Clan Kerr kilt. “I would say the same of you, if only I could whistle.”
Elsie quietly withdrew, and Niall came to stand beside her. He grinned at their reflections in her mirror. “Don’t we make a fine pair?”
“Yes,” she answered seriously. “We do.” She didn’t mean their appearances.
