He scrutinized her. “Who says I wantto be rid of you?”
“You’ve made it quiteplain.”
“I shall take you all theway to Ireland. Right to your cousin’s front door. Have nofear.”
“You will?”
“I just said I would,Erina.”
“But you don’t wantto.”
“Do I want to go toIreland? Not particularly. Do I want to see you safely to yourdestination? Yes, indeed I do.”
“Why?”
He narrowed his eyes at her. “You havea low opinion of me, don’t you?”
“No, of course not. It’sjust that you’ve never said you would take me to Ireland, so Iassumed…”
“Please stop assuming. Andstop worrying.” He reached across and stilled her hand as shearranged the cruet set in the exact center of the table. “I ratherfancy a sea voyage.”
She didn’t believe that for a moment,but she grinned. “At least you don’t have to do it on horseback.But what will you do with the curricle and the horses?”
“A groom will be awaitingus at Holyhead.”
“You knew all along….” Shefixed him with an incensed stare. “You wanted me tosuffer.”
“No, I hoped you’d changeyour mind and allow me to take you home.”
She didn’t know whether to hit him orhug him. But he was taking her all the way to Cathleen’s, so shesmiled instead. “Thank you, Harry,” she said quietly.
“No need to thank me,Erina.” He turned to the door. “Where is our meal? The service herehas been better.”
“You’ve been herebefore?”
“Yes. Once ortwice.”
“Then… the proprietor knowsyou?”
“I suppose he might haverecognized me. A good innkeeper remembers faces if notnames.”
She released a long breath. She’d beenlucky so far not to have come across anyone who knew her father, orthe whole of England would learn about this before long.
Chapter Eleven
The next morning, Jack walked throughGrosvenor Square under the dripping branches of trees which hungover the ornate green iron railing, the smell of wet earthpermeating the air. He paused for a carriage to pass along the widestreet, then crossed to Butterstone’s home, one of the mostimpressive in the Square with six monolithic columns decorating thefacade.
He climbed the few steps and knockedat the front door set in the rusticated arcade. The footman whoanswered informed him the butler had been taken ill. “It was thenews of the master’s death,” he said. “We are all shocked,sir.”
Jack nodded in commiseration andhanded him his card. “Would you inform Mr. Thacker I am here to seehim on a matter concerning his lordship.”
Several minutes later, the majordomo,Thacker, responded to the footman’s summons. A stocky man, hisbrown hair arranged in an artful Brutus, he took his time crossingthe marble floor, as if filled with a keen sense of his ownimportance plus a devout need to be elsewhere. Jack could see howhe would annoy other members of the staff, especially the butlerwho was usually the top of the tree among householdservants.
He offered Jack a frozen smile. “Ihardly see how I can be of help, Captain Ryder, when his lordshipdied in the country.”
“Nevertheless, I shouldlike to ask you a few questions.”
“Very well. Please comethis way,” Thacker said curtly.
