“Won’t Redcliff know?” asked Beth, amused by the direction she couldsee the conversation taking.
“Nah,” said the boy positively. “It’s a small street and quitenew.”
Beth looked at him and smiled. “You think perhaps you should be ourguide?”
“Might be best, milady,” said Robin innocently.
Beth turned to the man. “Mr. Granger, would you mind if I took Robinaway from his duties for a while? He can guide me to where I wish togo.”
The man frowned. “The coachman’s available, milady. He knows Londonlike the back of his hand.”
“I wish to walk,” said Beth with amiable firmness.
“One of the footmen would be more suitable than Sparra, milady.”
Beth raised her chin and stared at the man again. “I prefer to takeRobin, Granger. The marquess also wishes the boy to be addressed by hisproper name.”
“Yes, milady,” said the man quickly, and in a few minutes they were ontheir way with Robin, as smart as possible in a sturdy woolen jacket,walking a few paces behind.
Once they were in the street and heading in the right direction, Bethsaid, “I don’t see how you can lead us from the rear, Robin. Why don’t youwalk ahead.”
Robin was very willing to do this and sauntered along whistling whileBeth and Redcliff walked composedly behind. None of them noticed asharp-featured individual who gave up supporting the iron railings aroundthe center of the square and began to follow them.
This time a sensible-looking young maid opened the door of number 8,Scarborough Lane. Her eyes opened wide, however, when Beth gave her card,and it almost seemed as if she would shut the door in their faces. Perhapsthe de Vaux look was becoming a part of her, thought Beth, for the maidgave in and admitted them, directing them to the parlor, before totteringaway, muttering. With a wink, Robin followed her.
In a few moments the White Dove entered. “You’ve given poor Agnes aturn, my lady.” She glanced at Redcliff who had finally put two and twotogether and looked outraged. “And your maid, too, I’ll go odds. Why don’tyou send her to the kitchen where she and Agnes can support one anotherover hot, sweet tea.”
Beth agreed, and it was clear Redcliff was only too pleased to escapethe presence of such a notorious creature.
As the two women took seats, Blanche said, “I should offer yourefreshment, Lady Arden, but to be honest, I’m not sure anything potablewill come out of the kitchen for the next little while. This is a somewhatunusual situation,” she added with a twinkle.
“Scandalous,” agreed Beth amiably. “You should have seen the trouble Ihad getting out of Belcraven House and to here without turning everyone ontheir ear.”
“Lucien often found the same thing,” said Blanche, and then stopped,looking conscious.
Though the words did give her a slight pang, Beth said, “I don’tsuppose we’ll get anywhere if we ban his name from conversation, will we,Mrs. Hardcastle? I must make it clear, however,” she added amiably, “thatif I find you still have designs on my husband, I’m likely to put a bulletthrough your heart.”
Blanche grinned. “Good for you! Is it possible you’ll go so far as tocall me Blanche, your ladyship? My real name’s Maggie Duggins, you know,and I should tell you I’m a butcher’s daughter from one of the lessdesirable parts of Manchester.” She paused for a moment to give Beth theopportunity for comment. When none came, she smiled and continued, “I’mwell-used to Blanche by now, but Mrs. Hardcastle never sounds like me atall.”
“I will,” said Beth, “as long as you don’t ‘your ladyship’ me. I findthat equally strange. In private, please call me Beth.”
“I doubt we’re ever likely to meet in public, Beth,” said Blanchewryly. “You’ve come to see Miss Greystone?”
Beth nodded.
“She’s in her room, and I’ll call her in a minute. I’d like to talk toyou first, though. That girl is in a very awkward situation. Do you haveany plan for her?”
“No. I wanted to talk to her again and see if she has any ideas. I alsowanted to warn her and you that her parents and Lord Deveril have starteda full-scale search. I had hopes they would be more discreet for fear ofscandal.”
“Money on one side and lust on the other leaves little room fordiscretion,” remarked Blanche. “Miss Greystone did ask if I could trainher for the theater, but aside from the fact that it would be improperit’s hardly a place to hide.”
“She could become a teacher or governess, though I’m not sure she isreally suited to the profession,” said Beth thoughtfully, “but how itwould be achieved, I don’t know.”
“Perhaps you could fake references for her,” said Blanche casually.
“What?” asked Beth in horror.
Blanche shrugged. “If she went after some provincial position withreferences from the Marchioness of Arden, it would doubtless work.”
