If he won’t procure a meeting with Anna, then I shall use his ineptitude to convince Uncle Lachlan his ties with the beau monde are useless in this investigation.
Especially if the housekeeper was a suspect. The peerage might have suspicions about speaking to a commoner, but the reverse was true for the serving class. They were far more likely to speak with Clio than the scowling Lieutenant General Grey.
‘You’ve no idea what I can accomplish, Miss Blair.’ His rough voice and hard gaze did something strange to Clio’s blood, warming it and creating an aching pulse through her system.
‘Well, I’m quite certain I know whatIcan accomplish.’ Cynthia smiled.
Lieutenant General Grey turned to his sister. His furrowed brow conveyed concern. This worried Clio.
‘What are you thinking, Cynthia? You only tap your finger on your chin like that when you’re hatching plans.’
‘Don’t you think a small house party with some of Lady Langley’s most intimate friends is exactly what she needs to find strength in such difficulty?’
‘No. I don’t.’ Her brother’s implacable tone didn’t dissuade Cynthia in the slightest.
‘Pish, Thomas. How would you know? As her friend, it’s my duty to lend support to Her Grace during this time of mourning. A visit will break up the tedium of such grey months in the dreary country.’
Alarm bells rang in Clio’s head. Sir Robin, who had been eyeing the cakes hopefully, clacked his beak. She picked one up, broke it in half, and held it flat on her palm for the bird, who delicatelyplucked it from her hand. How could a house party help them speak with Anna?
‘She has always expressed an interest in getting to know you better, Thomas.’ That statement had his Hessian tapping madly on the tile floor. ‘And I know she would happily welcome a new friend into the group. A far-flung cousin of ours from the north. I shall write to her today.’
‘Cynthia! You can’t just invite yourself to a duchess’s country estate.’
While Clio generally disagreed with Lieutenant General Grey, in this instance, she was wholeheartedly of the same mind.
Lady Burrows tipped her head back and laughed. ‘Of course I’m not inviting myself. I’m inviting all of us. She’ll be thrilled for the company.’
‘Party!’ Sir Robin’s gaze stayed on the remaining cake.
Oh. Dear. Goddess.
Lady Burrows was suggesting Clio leave London and join her in the country for a house party. In the home of a duchess. With Lieutenant General Grey. It was a terrible idea. She wanted to spend less time with the infuriating man beside her, not more.
Ideally, I’d like to spendnotime with him.
And she could hardly leave Sir Robin. Or the coven. But Lady Cynthia Burrows had one thing in common with her brother: bull-headed determination. The wheels had been set in motion, and Clio feared nothing could stop them from moving forward. Still, she had to try.
‘I can’t imagine your friend wants a stranger in her house when they are grieving their murdered brother. And I couldn’t possibly leave Sir Robin for two weeks. He wouldn’t know what to do without me.’ More importantly, Clio wouldn’t know what to do without the comfort of her familiar, but she wasn’t about to admit that.
The woman waved away Clio’s very valid points. ‘Don’t be silly. Lady Langley never liked her brother, though she is devoted to her niece. I’d bet all my pin money she is already chafing at the constraints of mourning. Company will thrill her, and she’ll love your darling Sir Robin.’
The raven in question fluffed his feathers at such praise and softly cooed at Cynthia.
Marvellous. My familiar is flirting with Lieutenant General Grey’s sister.
Cynthia ran a gloved finger over Sir Robin’s head as he preened. ‘My husband abhors the country, but I doubt he’ll care if I am gone for a week or two. This will be such a lark!’
Investigating a peer’s murder was hardly what Clio would call a lark. But this did mean she would get to speak with Beachley’s daughter. Sometimes, sacrifices had to be made. Aunt Rowan wasn’t going to be happy, but it couldn’t be helped.
Standing from the table, her tea still steaming, the marchioness effectively ended the discussion before Clio or Lieutenant General Grey could convince her to alter course. It was a skilful strategy that Clio planned to steal.
‘I can’t simply abscond to the country for a fortnight, Cynthia.’ Lieutenant General Grey rose, no doubt his manners forcing him to stand as his sister prepared to depart.
Clio followed suit, regretfully abandoning her hot chocolate. She could hardly stay alone with Lieutenant General Grey after his sister left.
‘Why? What pressing social events must you attend in London?’ Lady Burrows’ scathing comment filled Clio with even greater admiration for the woman.
The glare Lieutenant General Grey sent his sister would wither most, but she just nodded her head at him. ‘I thought so. I shallsend the letter today and let you know as soon as I hear word from the duchess. Miss Blair, how can I reach you?’
