Any other lady might express curiosity about my thoughts and why I’d let my attention stray from her, but not Lady Breckenridge.
“You have not told me precisely why you need my help,” she said.
I did not know quite how to begin. This was the first investigation in which I’d found a place I could not go, people I could not question. I was generally accepted among Grenville’s circle if not embraced, because my pedigree measured up even to the most snobbish. Additionally, because I took rooms over a bake shop in a genteelly poor section of town, I was able to speak to the denizens of Covent Garden and beyond without awkwardness. But an aristocratic lady’s private rooms were beyond my sphere, and I doubted Lord Clifford would invite me to return his house, in any case.
“Say it all at once, and I shall respond,” Lady Breckenridge said. She sounded in no hurry.
“Lady Clifford’s maid was released, absolved of the crime,” I said. “But I know Pomeroy. He will harass the household until he finds another culprit to take to trial—a footman, another maid, even Mrs. Dale. I’d like to find the true culprit, and the necklace, before that happens. To do so, I will better need to know the layout of the Clifford house and what happened on the day of the theft. Unfortunately, Lord Clifford has made it clear that I am unwelcome, and I have no idea when I will be able to speak to Lady Clifford again.”
“I see,” she said after a thoughtful moment. “And so you thought to ask me to speak to her for you.”
I could not tell whether she were pleased at the prospect or dismayed. Her tone was neutral, her look direct.
“Discreetly,” I said.
“By all means, discreetly. It would have to be. Lady Clifford and I don’t exactly see eye to eye. Not a pleasant task you thought to set me.”
“You see now why I did not want to presume upon our friendship,” I said.
“Indeed. You do this sort of thing often, do you not, speaking to people whose conversations you would never dream to seek in ordinary circumstance. Such as when you played billiards with me at Astley Close while you looked into the Westin affair.”
I gave her a smile. “Touché.”
“You did not like me, but you wanted information. I thought you a vacant-headed toady of Grenville’s, and I sought to teach you a lesson, but I failed in that regard. You intrigued me mightily, you know.”
“I am honored.”
“Cease the Spanish coin, Captain. I will help you, because you are never interested in a thing unless it is worth the interest.” Her eyes took on a mischievous sparkle. “But if I am to do you this favor, Captain, you must do me one in return.”
“Of course,” I said at once. “Tell me what it is, and I am your servant.”
“I highly doubt that. I will ask you when I am finished interrogating Lady Clifford.”
I had to wonder what she had in mind, but I was happy that she was willing to help. “I will be obliged to you,” I said.
“Goodness, you must truly be fascinated by the Clifford problem if you rashly promise that. But do not worry. I will discover what I can—discreetly—and report to you. Lady Clifford loves to talk about herself, in any case. I do not imagine I will have much difficulty.”
“Could you contrive to speak to Mrs. Dale, as well? I very much would like to talk to her, but I’ve never met the woman.”
“I will manage it.” Lady Breckenridge spoke with firm self-confidence. “I believe she is an opium eater.”
I stared. “Mrs. Dale?”
“Very likely in the form of laudanum. She has the look—red-rimmed eyes, rather pasty complexion, trembles a bit but strives to hide it. Such things happen.”
Indeed, some people took laudanum for legitimate ailments, as I did when the pain in my leg proved too great, but then they could not leave off when they felt better. Poets apparently produced works of genius in this state. Grenville had an aversion to laudanum, even a fear.
“Tell me, Lacey,” Lady Breckenridge said. She straightened up and sat neutrally, no artifice. “Why are you so interested in this theft? Aside from making certain your galumphing Runner does not arrest and hang the wrong person, that is. The solution is simple. Lady Clifford sold the necklace to pay her debts, she tried to push the blame on her rival, and her maid inadvertently was arrested instead. The problem is ended.”
“Perhaps,” I said. I rubbed my thumb over my engraved name on the walking stick. “But there seems to be more to it. And truth to tell, when I found Lady Clifford in such misery, I wanted to help her. Doubly after I met her husband.”
“Yes, Clifford is ghastly. You are quite the romantic, Captain Lacey, ever one to assist a lady in distress.”
“Sometimes there is no one else to care,” I said. “If that is romantic, then so be it.”
Lady Breckenridge rose, came to me as I got to my feet, and put her hand over my much larger one. “It is one of the reasons I have decided to call you friend.” She rose on her tiptoes and pressed a light kiss to my cheek. “Now, do go away. I must dress if I am to pay a sympathy call on Lady Clifford.”
**
