"Yes, I understand you must guard your health preciously."
She looked down at her hands. "That has been the case until recently. I hope the good health I have enjoyed as of late remains."
"As do I, Mrs. Waddley, as do I. Randolph tells me you were not sickly in youth, so perhaps it was only the strain of your husband's death which injured your good health."
"That is a thought I share."
"I do hope Lady Meriton will be well enough to attend our play on Sunday."
"As do we," Cecilia said honestly.
"Speaking of Randolph, did you know his house was broken into last night?" Elsdon said lightly.
Cecilia's head flew up, her eyes wide. "What?"
"Yes, someone broke into the house. Don't know how they got in, but they escaped by lowering themselves out a window."
"I'm shocked! Did—did they catch the person?"
"No. Randolph came home drunk and scared them off."
"Them? There was more than one?"
"Reggie says he saw two running down the streets, but as he was nearly as foxed as Randolph, he may have been seeing double."
"Was—was anything taken?"
"Not much, some papers and a few trinkets. They probably surprised them by coming in early. They came in before midnight, you see."
"Excuse me, Mrs. Waddley, but the Honorable Mr. Reginald Rippy is below. Shall I send him up?" Loudon asked from the doorway. By his frosty manner, Cecilia could tell the butler was on his high ropes. She wondered if his anger was directed toward her for seeing gentlemen unchaperoned or toward the gentlemen who were calling. Remembering his laxity with Branstoke, she decided the latter.
"You may send him up, Loudon."
"I knew having you to myself was too good to be true for long."
Cecilia laughed. "And are you a greedy man, Sir Harry?"
"Very," he replied curtly, much to her surprise. Then he flashed her a broad smile that lit his face, and she thought she must be mistaken. He rose from his chair. "But Rippy is my friend, and I know he feels to a disadvantage, so I will say my goodbyes and gracefully give him the field."
She made a moue of dissatisfaction. He laughed and chucked her under the chin as the door opened to admit Mr. Rippy.
"I knew it," moaned that unfortunate gentleman. "I'm to be cut out again."
Cecilia laughed and rose to her feet. "Nonsense, sir. I believe I am merely learning what it is to be an outrageous flirt."
"Never say so, ma'am," protested Mr. Rippy.
Cecilia and Sir Harry laughed, then Elsdon turned, executed an elegant bow, and bid them both good day. "And do not be more of a fool that you can help, my friend," he counseled Rippy, patting him heartily on the back as he passed.
Mr. Rippy's lips twisted downward into a pout. Observing his discomfort, Cecilia stifled a laugh and urged him to take the seat vacated by Elsdon. Her glance fell to the bouquet in his hand. "Are those for me?"
"0—oh, yes," he stumbled, handing them to her with a blush surging to his hairline. "And—and I met some grubby little boy outside who was staring up at the house. He asked I give you this." He pulled a smudged and dirty cream bond envelope from his pocket and handed it to her.
"To me?" She turned it over. It was addressed to her with no other mark or seal upon it. "Did you know who it was or who sent him?"
"Nay, for as soon as it went from his hand to mine, he was off like the law were at his heels. And by the look of the grubby little brat, I'll wager the law's often after him, too. Please, don't stand on points with me. You'd better read it now. Might be important."
Cecilia shot him a look of warm thanks. He bristled and beamed in return. Quickly she opened the message. The message was short, without salutation or signature, and written with a well-formed hand:
