“I think, since neither of us considers it wise, we should take precautions.”
“I agree. Although it may already be too late.”
“When will you know?”
She mentally calculated. She had had her period just the week prior to becoming sexually involved with Dale. That had been about a week ago.
“In a couple of weeks, I think. Although I’ve always been irregular with my periods. A slight delay may be normal.”
“Let’s hope there’s no delay this time, for both our peace of mind.”
“Yes, let’s hope.”
That night, they made passionate love as usual. Dale took his time stoking her flames and driving her into a frenzy, and stayed with her until her shattering culmination. But then he withdrew before spilling his pleasure.
It was the wise thing to do. Why, then, did it feel like such a loss?
CHAPTER 49 - A matter of property
THE NEXT MORNING, THEYset off for Bedford Street. They were on a quest to find the mysterious Monsieur Dubois and find out whether there was any significance to his letters to Ninette. Coincidentally, Dale was familiar with Bedford street, even though it was a small and lesser known street around Covent Garden. He had frequented it often enough in his youth, for it was where a certain actress with whom he had carried out an affair used to live.
They had expected finding Dubois would require some time, if they could find him at all, but finding him proved to be surprisingly easy. Bedford street was a busy little passage between two larger thoroughfares, containing a mix of private homes and businesses. Midway through the street, Livvy spotted a sign hung over a door that read: ‘Monsieur Paul Dubois. Agent Immobilière’. She pointed it out to Dale. They looked at each other for a moment before walking towards it with purposeful steps.
The door was opened by a young clerk, who looked a little flustered at the sight of such distinguished visitors. After having a look at Dale’s calling card, he became downright awestruck. He promptly ushered them into a receiving room while he went in search of his employer.
He came back a moment later and led them to his employer’s office. Mr Dubois stood behind his desk, just slightly less flustered than his clerk. He was a somewhat heavyset man who looked to be about sixty with balding white hair and bushy sideburns. One look at him and both Olivia and Dale dismissed the idea that he could have been Eloise’s lover. But the question remained of his connection to the maid.
“Your Graces.” he said, executing a bow that strained the buttons of his waistcoat. “Please be seated. To what do I owe the honor of your visit?”
Dale decided to be direct. The man obviously wanted to ingratiate himself to him, and that might make him more open. “Monsieur Dubois, thank you for receiving us. Our reason for seeking you out is that we are trying to locate a person you may know, as it seems you corresponded with her a few years ago.”
“Oh, I’ll be glad to be of service. What is the name of this person? I correspond with many people because of my business. If she was a client, I may have a record of her.”
“Her name is Ninette DeGault.”
“Ninette. The name rings a bell. How long ago was this correspondence I had with her?”
