“Charwood, has the Summerworth staff arrived?”
“Yes, madam, and Cook says she will have a cold collation in the dining room whenever you wish.”
“Have a footman take Mr. Martin to a guest room to rest, and tell Cook we will have lunch now. Mr. Martin, please go with Charwood.”
Lewis exchanged glances with James; however, he followed Charwood out of the room.
“Now, Miss Rangaswamy, we must find you other clothes to wear, and,” she said, looking down at Rani’s feet, “shoes.”
“I am sorry I wear your dress! Mrs. Dunstan, she say—”
Cecilia waved her hand airily, interrupting her. “Wearing my dress is what I would have expected. But that color does nothing for you. Come, Sarah should have my clothes unpacked by now, and we will find something better suited to you. Afterward, I will have Sarah go out to buy you shoes.”
“I have money!” Rani protested.
“Yes, that is good. What we don’t have is time,” Cecilia said. “All our thoughts and energies need to be centered on finding the boy.”
“I need to send word to Soothcoor. As it is, it will take several days for him to get here.” James said.
“I sent an express to him first thing this morning,” David said, “And I told him I had taken Miss Rangaswamy to your home and would have the boy brought here, too, when he is found.”
“Well done, Mr. Thornbridge,” Cecilia enthused, beaming at him.
“Thank you, my lady,” David said, bowing.
“Come, Miss Rangaswamy,” Cecilia said as she stood up, “let’s get you better outfitted. We have much to do this day.”
7
“Ah, there you are, Mr. Martin.” James studied the man as he descended the stairs into the hall, where everyone gathered. “You look better.”
His hair was damp. He ran a hand through his blond curls. “I feel better. Thank you, sir, and thank you, Lady Branstoke, for your insistence,” he said, bowing in her direction.
Cecilia smiled at the runner as she put her bonnet on her head and tied the ribbons.
“And did you get anything to eat?”
“Yes, my lady, your footman brought me food and a clean shirt and cravat. It is amazing how much better a fellow can feel with an hour’s nap and in a clean shirt.” His lips twisted into an odd half smile.
“Indeed, it is. I’ve had occasion to experience that myself,” James drawled.
Cecilia exchanged meaningful looks with her husband as they remembered that night in May when they found the stolen government subsidies in the Western Heights tunnels.
“I’ve had the carriage ordered. With five, we will be tight.”
“I shall ride atop with your coachman,” said Lewis. “I’m not fond of confined spaces.”
James looked at him speculatively but nodded. “Very well. Shall we go?”
In the carriage, Cecilia drew Rani to sit next to her when she would have sat with her back to the driver. Lady Branstoke had Rani dressed in a turkey-red pelisse with a zigzag thunderbolt design woven into the nap of the material. Her bonnet was straw with turkey-red ribbons and bows. On her feet were stout black boots that Sarah had found for her. The dark red looked rich against her darker hair and eyes. When Cecilia and Sarah selected the dress for her, Cecilia mused the vibrant dress and pelisse ensemble would look far better on Rani than they had ever looked on her. She was pleased with how easily and quickly they’d attired her. Luckily, they were similar in size. Tiny!
As Cecilia looked at Rani attired in red, she wondered why she even ordered the outfit for herself. She conceded it was the raised lightning design that caught her attention, and the modiste had done a masterful job of using the design on the bodice panels in contrasting bias directions. Perhaps the same dress and pelisse pattern done up in a pale blue or pink instead?
At the docks, Rani was the last to step down from the carriage. She hesitated before taking Mr. Thornbridge’s hand as memories flooded her mind of the day before. The weight returned to her chest, fear rising suddenly, threatening to take over her mind. It was the rising fear that, determinedly, shook her out of the memories. She had no time for fear. She took his hand and stepped down.
At least this day, though colder, was clear and bright. She would take that as an omen for their success.
Only Lewis and James noticed her hesitation and saw the brief shadow of fear cross her expression before she straightened and smiled at Mr. Thornbridge as he helped her down.
