“Many,” Samantha replied. Her eyes went to Warwick, who had picked Merry up and was talking to her. As if sensing she was staring at him, he turned, and their gazes collided. She looked away.
This odd tension inside her when he was near was disturbing, and she hoped it passed soon.
“Did you tell each other what you were wearing today?” Samantha asked. Because they were both in pale peach with chipped bonnets and matching ribbons.
“No. It just happened again,” Somer said.
They often dressed the same without first discussing it with the other.
“We are meeting Ellen tomorrow,” Dorrie said.
“Oh that’s wonderful. I was hoping to see her soon. She wrote to me often in Ireland. I fear Ellen is still extremely worried over her father’s affairs,” Samantha said.
“Yes, but she is engaged now, so that should alleviate her fears over whatever her father has done to the family’s finances. Plus, she has her uncle and his wife to support her now, as they are back from their travels,” Somer said.
“I would not wish to wed a man the age of her fiancé.” Dorrie’s nose wrinkled.
“No, we are the lucky ones,” Somer said. “We shall visit a tea shop and sit and gossip with Ellen and for a while take her mind off her problems.”
“Sounds lovely,” Samantha said. “If I can get out of the house without a bodyguard.”
Somer winked, which Samantha had no idea how to interpret but thought perhaps it meant the twins had a plan.
“Tomorrow,” Dorrie whispered. “We are going to see Mrs. Dilly and question her on a case we have after the tea shop.”
“I liked Mrs. Dilly very much and would love to see her again,” Samantha said.
Dorrie’s eyes went to the family. “I’m not sure that is wise or will be allowed to happen, but—”
“We won’t be telling anyone where we are going, so maybe Samantha could come?” Somer said. “But no one must know.”
“I do love it when we do something our families aren’t aware of,” Dorrie added.
“So, if we can organize it, you can come with us, but only if you behave and walk between us,” Somer said.
“I doubt very much it’s me who will misbehave,” Samantha said.
“True.”
“I think if you are with Dorrie and I, it will be fine,” Somer said. “However, we will not mention the impending visit to a brothel. They get a bit testy about that after the last time.”
The last time they’d visited Mrs. Dilly, Somer was abducted, and that was after a fistfight, which Samantha partook in.
“Perhaps a maid or two accompanying us will help? We can then leave them in the carriage and visit the brothel,” Somer added.
“That could work. We’ll pay them for their silence with tea and cream cakes first. Penny was wonderful at holding my secrets, yet she is still laid low with her arm.”
“How is she?” Dorrie asked.
“Improving but still sore. Essie, as you know, is a miracle worker. Lilly also went to see her, just to check, and aided her healing a bit.”
Lilly was the only one of them who could heal with her hands, but when she did, it took a toll physically on her. Especially if the person needing to be helped was extremely sick or injured.
“I shall be pleased to do something to aid your investigation. I so miss my time working with you.”
“Then as soon as Mr. Tillby departs, we will reemploy you and pay you in pies,” Somer said.
“Is he leaving then?” Samantha asked.
