Page 64 of Death of a Courtesan
‘I imagine Riley has just finished a long day’s work and would appreciate something a little stronger.’
‘That he would.’
Jake poured whiskey for them both, while Parker went off to organise tea for Olivia.
‘It was a nasty business with Ashton,’ Jake said, referring to the murder in the aristocrat’s house that Riley had solved in the summer. ‘Can’t have been easy for you.’
‘There was a lot of pressure brought to bear to sweep matters under the nearest Turkish rug,’ Riley conceded. ‘I was damned if I did and damned if I didn’t. So in the end I decided to get to the truth and let the pieces fall where they may.’
‘I heard Ashton’s son is to be committed to an asylum,’ Olivia said. ‘I’m not sure if that’s better or worse than hanging.’
‘Worse, I would imagine,’ Jake said, not sounding the least bit sympathetic.
‘You were lucky to be away from London and out of it all. It wasn’t pleasant.’
‘Can’t say I’m sorry to see Ashton’s fall from grace,’ Jake said. ‘Personally, I couldn’t abide the man.’
‘You’re not alone,’ Riley replied. ‘You should hear my mother on the subject.’
‘I can well imagine,’ Olivia said, smiling. ‘How is she?’
‘As healthy as a horse and just as stubborn.’
‘Your niece is in London with her, I gather. I met her yesterday and was charmed by her unaffected character.’
‘Cabbage?’
Olivia smiled. ‘She said that was what you called her, and seems to enjoy the name simply because you gave it to her.’
‘Cabbage enjoys everything she does. She quite restores one’s faith.’
‘You can do no wrong in her eyes.’
‘I am inordinately fond of her. Where did you see her?’
‘Oh, I called on Amelia Cosgrove and she was there as well. They were playing the harp. Rather well, as it happens.’
‘Amelia has been giving her lessons. I heard her play the other evening and was impressed.’
‘I had Carolyn with me. It’s the first time that she and your niece have met, but they seemed to hit it off. Your niece’s enthusiasm must be infectious, because our daughter came away declaring that she too would like to play the harp. She said that it’s a good opportunity to show off the slope of one’s shoulders, whatever that might mean.’
‘Good heavens!’ Riley laughed. ‘I hope Cabbage’s influence isn’t too detrimental. She has yet to reach the age of discretion. Mind you, I doubt that she ever will. She is pretty much a law unto herself and speaks as she finds in such a charming fashion that no one can possibly take offence.’
Jake laughed too. ‘Carolyn has more immediate concerns that getting to grips with sensual musical instruments.’
‘Your daughter must be seventeen now. Does she come out this season?’
‘Don’t remind me,’ Jake said with a shudder.
‘Take no notice of Jake,’ Olivia said with a tender smile for her husband. ‘He dotes on his daughter and will shock society by accepting every invitation that comes our way this season, if only to show her off.’
‘Never have children, Riley,’ Jake advised with no conviction in his tone. ‘Your life will never be your own again.’
‘And yet you appear to thrive on fatherhood.’
‘Precisely so.’ Olivia gave a satisfied nod. ‘Our son is up at Oxford, Carolyn is about to come out and Tom is starting to make a name for himself as a barrister.’
‘I understand Tom, or should I say Isaac, was approached by Ashton with a view to representing his son,’ Riley said.
