‘No,’ he admitted. ‘But I told you how Miss Wadlow reacted when she found us together in the library. Admittedly, I don’t know what transpired between you afterwards, but there’s a chance she may not wish to speak with you.’
‘I know.’ She flinched at the admission. ‘But I still have to try. She’s the only one who can explain about the message. If I’m telling the truth and she sent me to speak with you, then she must have had a reason for denying it afterwards, and if I’m lying then I need to hear it from her own mouth. And surely it’s better to visit her in London than travel all the way to Cumberland?’
‘Shall I discuss that idea with my coachman or will you?’
‘All I’m saying is that London would be easier.’ She dropped her gaze and her voice at the same time. ‘It’s not that I don’t believe what you told me. I just wonder if there was some important detail that you missed. And you said that a group of people found us in the library, didn’t you? If Amabel won’t see me then maybe I could talk to some of the others, see if they noticed anything unusual, something that might offer a different explanation.’
He swilled the wine in his glass. ‘So you intend to traipse around London, visiting peers of the realm, asking them for their recollections of a ball over a month ago?’
‘If necessary, yes. You don’t have to come with me, and I don’t need to bring a maid or anyone else, but I need to do this.’ She paused, clenching her jaw before adding, ‘With your permission, that is.’
Leo leaned back in his chair, considering the idea while their soup dishes were cleared away and two plates of salmon were placed in front of them. Maybe a return to Londonwouldjolt her memory. She seemed so anguished, how could he deny her that? And once the other witnesses corroborated his story, she would have no choice but to stop protesting her innocence. Given the circumstances, he wouldn’t get a great deal of pleasure from saying,I told you so, but some was better than none.
Considering her condition, however, he couldn’t in all conscience let her travel alone. And although he had absolutely no desire to mingle with thetonagain, having provided quite enough gossip for one season, so long as they avoided any social events, he had no personal objection. It would get him away from Rainton, which was always a good thing, and if they only went for a few days, just the two of them, it would be a good excuse to stay with his sister rather than open up his own townhouse again. Unlike him, Cassandra was genuinely warm-hearted. She would be able to help Florence deal with whatever emotional turmoil she was currently experiencing. It was certainly a better scenario than his attempting to do it.
‘Very well.’ He nodded at last. ‘If you really want to go that badly, we’ll go. On condition that—’
‘Thank you!’ She broke into a relieved-looking smile.
‘You’re welcome. However—’
‘Tomorrow?’ Her eyes widened.
‘Nottomorrow.’ He held a hand up to pre-empt any more interruptions, though her enthusiasm was strangely endearing. ‘And only if Dr Pritchard approves the plan. I’ll speak with him when he visits in the morning.’
‘Oh.’ She sounded as if she was about to argue some more before changing her mind. ‘Very well.’
‘In which case, you might wish to eat something.’ He looked pointedly at her untouched dinner. ‘You wouldn’t want him to think that you’ve lost your appetite.’
‘You’re right.’ She grabbed at her cutlery.
‘And no matter what happens in London, we’ll need to be back in time for the summer fair at the start of August.’
‘Of course.’ She nodded vigorously. ‘That’s plenty of time.’
‘Good. My London house is currently shut up, so if we go, we’ll stay with my sister and her family, if you have no objection?’
‘None at all.’ She paused with her fork in mid-air. ‘Do I know your sister? Have we met?’
‘Briefly.’ A wry smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. ‘And if it’s information you’re after, Cassie’s certainly the right person to speak to.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘You’ll see.’ He turned his attention back to his plate. ‘In the meantime, let’s enjoy our dinner.’
Chapter Seven
Mayfair! Florence caught her breath as the carriage in which she and Leo had been trapped for what felt like an eternity turned a corner and she caught a glimpse of familiar territory. A wave of relief and excitement swept through her as she wriggled forward to the edge of her seat. Dr Pritchard had made her wait five days before finally dismissing the nurse and letting her attempt the journey to London, but here she was at last, amidst streets and buildings she remembered. There was Hyde Park, then Oxford Street, followed by New Bond Street, then Grafton Street, all leading to Albemarle Street, where Leo’s older sister, Cassandra, lived with her young family. It felt so good to know where she was again!
‘I sent a messenger ahead to say we’d be arriving early, so they’ll be expecting us,’ Leo commented from the other side of the bench.
‘I hope your sister won’t mind the intrusion.’ She sat back again, smoothing her hands over the soft leather seat. The carriage was surprisingly comfortable; well-sprung, with a sizeable footwell, silk-lined walls and velvet cushions finer than the ones in her parents’ parlour at home. It was a good thing, since they’d travelled faster than even the coachman had anticipated, neither of them wanting to stop more often, nor be confined in each other’s company for any longer than necessary. Judging by the speed of their journey, a casual observer mighthave assumed they were eloping to Gretna Green, not travelling to London in the hope of finding a way to end their marriage.
‘She won’t.’ He sounded confident. ‘Cassandra’s always saying she doesn’t see enough of me.’
‘Are you close?’
‘We are, but she married George the summer she turned eighteen and they spend most of their time on his estate in Kent or in London.’ He shrugged. ‘Growing up, I was either at home or school or Oxford and then…’ He paused and then shook his head. ‘I always seem to be in a different part of the country, that’s all.’
