Twenty-Two
A
light tap at the door, and Rory’s head poked around the jamb. “Another note, milord.”
Harlowe grinned, taking the missive. It had been a week since he’d seen or heard from Maeve. All he’d had to do was install a butler, and send a coach complete with footman, and he had two notes in one day. He knew he’d miss her, but he was surprised at how much.
Apparently, he still didn’t rate the higher quality paper. He broke this seal and read. “At least this time she only threatened to lop off my head.” He chuckled. “Huh. She also thanked me for the housekeeper.” He tossed the note on his vanity and finished tying a simple knot in his cravat then followed Rory to the stables where Rory already had their horses saddled.
Once they neared Hyde Park, Harlowe pulled up. “All right, let’s have it. Something’s on your mind.”
“I’ve had some disturbin’ news from an acquaintance of mine. Someone is selling candles.”
Harlowe’s mouth kicked up. He flicked the reins and set his horse in motion.
“They’re laced with arsenic.”
“That’s outrageous.” Harlowe frowned. “What sorts of symptoms does arsenic elicit?”
“Vomitin’, bein’ thirsty, stomach pain, gettin’ dizzy.”
“Sounds similar to laudanum addiction.”
Rory ignored him. “In point of fact, milord, I ’ave reason to believe they migh’ ’ave been used in yer bedchamber. I’ve since replaced ’em.”
That brought him up. He tugged on the reins, stopping his horse again. “What exactly are you saying?”
“Ye need to consult with yer brother-in-law. Let him know what’s about. I’ve no idea the extent of the devilment.” He snorted. “Arsenic laced candles. Such shenanigans are positively medieval.”
Harlowe blew out a pursed breath, unease slithering through him. “You think Lady Alymer may be at risk?”
“McCaskle’s there,” Rory said. “And Ina’s as good as any guard. Though, heard tell, she took home a wayward.”
“A wayward?”
“A miscreant. Female, as I recall.”
“What the devil are you talking about?”
“I din’t get many details. Only person the Lady seems to confide in, is a gel by the name of Agnes.”
“Where did this miscreant come from?”
“Don’ know. Heard the footman telling Lady Kimpton he dropped Lady Alymer home on account o’ some pressin’ issue. They was talkin’ ’bout some pink frock.”
“And where the hell was Niall? I sent a coach over for her use.” Harlowe breathed in through his nose in an attempt to stave off his temper.
“’Parently, she sent Niall home b’fore she was accosted by the scamp.”
Harlowe groaned. He looked out over the night. He was at a crossroads—if they rode straight, he could give in to his desire to see Maeve. A week. Harlowe hadn’t seen Maeve in a week.
A left would take him to Chancé Salon at Haymarket. Something nagged at him regarding the widow’s fashionable gatherings. He glanced over at Rory. “All right. You shall head over to Cavendish Square. For God’s sake, don’t alarm anybody. Just make certain nothing is amiss. I’ll be there as soon as I check something at the widow’s abode. I can’t help thinking it’s important.” Something important hecouldn’t remember.Frustration tore at Harlowe as he watched Rory makin the direction of Cavendish Square. Once he was out of sight, Harlowe rode for Haymarket.
Fifteen minutes later, he handed off his hat and great coat to the Chancé Salon’s butler, whose name Harlowe could not recall, and strolled into the ballroom.
The house was the height of elegance with silk, papered walls of red with gold and white stripes. Multiple seating areas were set up. From intimate settings for two, to two and three settees grouped for more celebratory congregations. Beautiful, yet scantily clad women, were scattered throughout. Most on the arm of a notable gentleman. Harlowe spotted several of his acquaintance, Beaumont, Welton, Shufflebottom, and stopped short. Dorset. Getting soused.
Harlowe stepped back into the shadows. He had no wish to give Dorset any reason for doubting his affections for Maeve. Harlowe’s respect for his future wife knew no bounds. But to claim her for his wife, he wanted his memory back. Hislifeback. And something told him, this place held a few of those elusive answers.
