I held my breath, not moving. The stairs up to the servants’ quarters were in that direction, farther down that hallway. It could be a maid, going to her bed. And if Perrin Manor had a mouse problem, it could also have bats. There were any number of explanations for movement in a darkened hall. But if it was a servant, why were they walking in the dark without a lamp or candle? And why had they stopped moving when I had?
A lick of ice trailed down my spine, and I was suddenly glad Southey was by my side. I glanced down. Except he wasn’t. He was halfway down the hall back to the guest rooms, a jaunty spring in his step, not caring in the least that he was leaving me to… to… well, something untoward. “Oh, for goodness sake.”
“A problem?”
I yelped and spun, glaring at the man who had crept up quietly behind me. “Mr. Ryder, you should wear bells when you walk about. You gave me quite a start.”
He smiled, holding up an amber-shaded oil lamp. I ignored the fact that he had quite a nice smile. For someone who had made it one of his missions in life to close down my club, it should have looked more devilish.
“I heard….” He went to one knee when Southey came trotting back. “Oh, there you are. I thought you might be in trouble, little one.” He rubbed behind the terrier’s ears, earning an approving yip.
Holding my candle aloft, I stepped toward where I’d seen the shadow. With Mr. Ryder and Southey with me, it didn’t seem as frightening.
As well it shouldn’t. There was nothing there. Blowing out a breath, I turned toward my intended destination. “I didn’t realize you were such a dog lover, Mr. Ryder. Southey needs a new master. Perhaps you can keep him in your room for the duration of our stay.”
Ryder rose and followed behind. “It would be a strange creature who doesn’t like dogs. They are faithful and true, unlike many humans.”
I pinched my mouth shut as I descended the stairs to the ground floor.
“What are you doing here at this time of night?” Ryder took the stairs by my side. “It might not be safe to go about alone.”
I refrained from pointing out that he, also, was ‘going about alone,’ as he put it. “I heard the dog barking, as well.” It wasn’t a lie. “And now I’m looking for Jane.” The rooms on the ground floor were all dark so I went to the stairs down to the kitchens.
“With Perrin dead, Southey might be a good companion for you.” Ryder turned the wick up in his lamp, the white hair at his temples shimmering gold in the warm light. “He’s small, but will rouse the household if you were in trouble.”
I snorted. “I can do my own rousing.” A light in the room next to the kitchen drew me there. Voices raised; someone shouted in triumph. When I stepped through the doorway, I had to stop from rolling my eyes.
The table where the servants ate was crowded, but it wasn’t food that was on the table but coin. Jane slowly shuffled a deck of cards, her bent fingers expertly mixing the cards for the next deal. A tidy sum of blunt was before my lady’s maid, but nowhere near as large as that in front of young Marie.
Perrin’s maid was shaking her head. “I’ve said you shouldn’t play casino, Bert. Everyone can read ’ow good your cards are from your face. You should stick to ’azard.”
Ryder loudly cleared his throat. All eyes swung toward us. “I apologize for interrupting your sport,” he said, not sounding sorry at all, “but I was hoping Cook Clem was not yet abed. I find myself still hungry.”
Some tidbit of tonight’s meal did sound good. It had been days since this kitchen had put out anything decent, and this night’s supper only whetted my appetite for more excellent food. And a conversation with the chef wouldn’t go amiss. Pretty soon the carrion birds would be circling, and I wanted to get to him first.
Marie hooked her elbow over the back of her chair. “Oh, Clem went up to bed ’ours ago. Feeling better, ’e is, but still a bit unsteady, if you take my meaning.”
“I understand.” Ryder’s shoulders dropped. He hooked his thumb in the pocket of his waistcoat. “Perhaps it is time for everyone to be abed. It’s a more wholesome alternative than some entertainments.” He looked meaningfully at the table.
I sighed. “Do you go about looking for people amusing themselves in order to ruin their sport? They’re only having a bit of fun.”
He raised his chin and looked down at me. “It has been shown that gambling induces dishonesty, as well as takes money from those who might need it most. I hope The Minerva Club hasn’t added this vice to its many others.”
Inhaling sharply, I planted my hands on my hips.
Jane stood as fast as her arthritic bones would allow. “I have been trotting too hard. Perhaps it is time to call it a night.”
The other servants rose, murmuring their good-nights and departing. With a nod of his head, Mr. Ryder also excused himself. Soon, it was only Jane, Marie, and I.
And Southey.
“Why did you bring that man down?” Jane asked, digging her knuckles into her back.
“I was trying to rid myself of this animal.” I pointed at Southey, who panted happily up at me. “I was looking for you to assist when I ran into Mr. Ryder.”
Jane frowned, the grooves on her forehead deepening to veritable chasms. “I don’t know why that dog upsets you so. Any tear he makes to your gowns you know I can repair.”
I huffed out a laugh. “You?You’verepaired the damage?”
