“The butler won’t answer the door to me, is that it?” Too good for Maymie Dobbs, it seemed. Just wait until they heard why she’d come.
“Not this door, I’m afraid. Try at the back, ma’am.”
She straightened her stiff back. “I’m here on business with your master, not his staff, if you’d be kind enough to fetch him. It’s private.” His name ... what was his name? Something with aB. No, it wasC.
The girl’s brow furrowed. “Just go ’round back and they’ll give you summat to eat. Don’t take it hard, they’re very particular about who they let in.”
She took a deep inhale and wasted a small taste of her news on the maid. “Very well then, tell him Maymie Dobbs says ...she’s come back. You tell him that and see what he does. I’ll wait.” Maymie clasped the handles of her clutch and braced herself on that stoop.
After a long wait, she was admitted, with some hesitation, into the small front receiving room. She squinted, trying to make out if it was where they accepted calling cards and let the delivering servants warm themselves, or if she was in a proper drawing room. Long curtains blocked most of the light, and bookshelves flanked the small fireplace that glowed with warmth.
A man’s voice came from behind her. “What is the meaning of this?”
She turned, squinting at the tall figure who’d come in. Rather pleasant chap, with a voice not terribly unkind. Not much different than he’d always been. “Didn’t your maid tell you?”
“Yes.Whois back?” He knew, though. The worry stretched across his face told her so. He only needed to be sure, since he didn’t want to believe it. And for good reason.
She turned to face him head on, the sweetness of her secret exploding flavor in her mouth. “You know who.You know.”
He narrowed his eyes. “You cannot possibly mean who I think.”
She held up one finger, pointing it at his face. “She couldn’t die. She isn’t the sort, and you know it.”
He paled, down to that stiff collar around his neck. The man stepped closer, leaning down toward her as all traces ofcheeriness fell away. “Stop playing games with me, you miserable old crone. She died in the fire, and that’s the last of it. There is no more Delphine Bessette.”
“Right, then.” She shrugged, quite pleased with herself, and spun toward the door. “I suppose them red slippers mean nothing, then.”
A hand clamped on her shoulder, spun her clear off her feet, and she was held up only by his grip on her. “You saw someone dancing in them?”
She fidgeted, pulling at the strings of her cape. “Not exactly, but she had them. In her bag, all tucked in with the skirts.”
He searched her face, his eyes a little wild. “Who? Who had—that is, where can I find her now?”
Her smile returned, spreading with ease. “At Craven, of course. Where she always belonged.”
His face was grim, mouth pressed into a line. “Have you told de Silva yet?”
“If I happened upon him, I would. See him at Craven sometimes, I does. Wouldn’t mind shocking him the way I’ve done you.” She laughed. “Jolly fun.”
He whipped out his pocketbook. “How much? How much will your silence cost me?”
“Oh, it isn’t for sale, Lord Gower.” She finally remembered the man’s name. “I do like shocking people.”
5
Icouldn’t tell Philippe now, of course. Not like this.
My limbs tangled with my layered skirts as I struggled to rise from the floor with at least a scrap of dignity.
He came bounding across the stage, horror streaking his face. “Are you hurt?” He helped me sit, and I shook my head, wriggling free of the harness and ropes. “I suppose I ought to learn what the lever does before I operate it. My humblest apologies—I only meant to help you.”
I offered a smile. “Quite all right. Better down than up.”
His smile was generous. Relieved. “Quite right. Here, let me help you, and we’ll fetch your things.” He took my hand and pulled me up in one smooth move, and I stumbled onto my feet, balancing so I didn’t fall into him. Our faces close at last, mine looking up into his, he studied me, then looked again. The pull of recognition showed in his features, but he said nothing. Yet.
His hand went protectively behind me as he guided me toward the back room for my cloak. “Won’t you tell me what adventures drove you up there?”
I blew the hair off my face, but it fell right back. “The mistaken leap into a new friendship.”
