I knew precisely what Mr. Brodie thought of that, but did not say it. After all, she was well into her second pregnancy and had lamented about being quite uncomfortable.
Although the prospect of the evening reception at St. James's Palace seemed to have lifted her spirits.
The clothes were sent to the office by way of her housekeeper, who had never been to the office on the Strand. She arrived by way of the lift after Mr. Cavendish announced her arrival, the garments well wrapped in cloth against any stains or dirt and carried over in her arms.
She was a tall, stout woman I had previously met when calling on my sister. A Godsend, Linnie had announced, who managed their household, allowing both Linnie and James to spend time with their small but growing family, as well as the demands of James’s publishing company.
Through Mrs. Evers they had also acquired a nanny who was a perfect match for young Charlotte’s energy and precocious nature.
“Mrs. Warren has included ladies’ delicate wear as well,” Mrs. Evers announced. “And sent a note.” She handed me an envelope, then slowly approached the chalkboard.
“Oh, my. How very exciting. She did explain that you are presently on a new inquiry case with Mr. Brodie?”
Her comment was obviously an attempt at further information which I did not share.
“How do you do it?” she then inquired.
Carefully, I thought, but didn’t say it.
“Most of the experience is with my husband. He was once with the Metropolitan Police.”
“Oh, yes. Of course. Mrs. Warren did mention that.”
And to avoid further questions, I took the garments from her, then laid them across the side chair in the adjoining room. Iclosed the door behind me as I returned to the outer office, the bed still somewhat rumpled. In fact, quite rumpled.
“Thank you so very much, Mrs. Evers.”
“Yes, of course,” she replied. “And I must be on my way as well.”
When she had gone, I read Linnie’s note. The gown she had sent for me had been ordered when she was first pregnant with Charlotte.
‘I grew enormously with her and was never able to wear it. And admittedly it is not my color, although Aunt Antonia was quite adamant at the time. James insists that I must have had a momentary lapse when I had Madame make it for me. Therefore, you now have a new gown.
‘I am so looking forward to this evening. It will undoubtedly be my last public appearance until after the baby arrives.’
Oh, dear. I had no way of knowing what to expect if Aunt Antonia had been ‘quite adamant’ about it when Linnie had it made.
I unwrapped the first neatly wrapped bundle that contained a man’s black tailcoat, quite elegant, and neatly flat-ironed. I hung it in the wardrobe that had been added to our room, then reached for the second bundle that emitted the faint sound of starched petticoats.
I slowly unwrapped it, almost afraid of what I would find. I needn’t have worried, and almost burst out laughing.
It was quite stylish, except for the lace and bows, including one enormous bow on the bodice, the cloth a glorious shade of deep purple reminiscent of the color of her driving costume.
Bravo, Aunt Antonia!
Fourteen
Brodie was unusuallyquiet as he patiently stood while I tied the cravat that my brother-in-law had included with the tailcoat he had sent for him to wear to the reception at St. James's Palace.
There was none of the usual grumbling as I folded one end over the other, made the knot, then widened the satin fabric at his neck and tucked the tails into his shirt.
Nor had there been grumbling earlier when he had returned from meeting with Sir Avery at the Agency Office at the Tower.
He had informed me that allremedies, as he called them, had been put in place. Mr. Conner was to accompany Alex to the reception dressed in servant’s clothes, along with several other agents selected by Sir Avery, who would be discreet as they moved about the guests in attendance.
Mr. Dooley had been in attendance at the meeting as well to coordinate with men from the MET who might be needed, which was pure ‘conjecture,’ as Sir Avery had replied when Brodie informed him what we had discovered.
He had demanded to know the source of the information, which Brodie had refused to provide.
