The name didn’t sound familiar to me, so I shrugged. “I wouldn’t know.”
My mother narrowed her eyes, and only then did I recall her intense dislike of shrugging.
Use your words, was her frequent refrain.You aren’t a common bricklayer.
I almost smiled at the memory, but doubted she would find that quite so amusing.
“She was very keen for you to call on her,” my mother continued. “I believe she is at home on Wednesday afternoons, which is convenient. I told her you would be there tomorrow.”
“I’m a bit occupied at the moment, Mother,” I gritted out, irritated by her high-handedness.
She actually had the gall to look confused. “With what?”
“I am trying to solve a murder,” I said, making no attempt to hide my exasperation.
“But surely you can do both,” she insisted. “And besides. It is more important than ever for us to keep up appearances right now.”
That sounded just like something Jack would say. I bit back a sigh. “I won’t have time this week. I’ll have to go next Wednesday.”
My mother clearly didn’t like this, but I would not be moved. “Then at least send her a note. Her card is in the hall.”
“I will.” That was something I could manage.
“Good,” she said with a nod. Then her eyes widened. “Oh! I nearly forgot.” She pulled something out of her pocket and handed it to me. “This came for you. From Lord Linden.”
I ignored the knowing look she shot me as I took the envelope. “It’s about Mr. Pearson’s funeral, I’m sure,” I said as I opened it.
My mother balked. “You can’t go to that. Think of how it will look.” Then she leaned forward and lowered her voice, even though we were very much alone. “There are rumors going around that he was married to anactress.”
I pursed my lips. “Mother, if you were so concerned with Delia’s friendship with Mr. Pearson, whyever did you let her associate with him in the first place?
“I didn’t know aboutthat,” she insisted. “Otherwise, I never would have let her go near him!”
“Surely it can’t be that scandalous for a gentleman to be connected to an actress,” I said drolly. “He’s hardly the first.”
My mother did not look amused by my cavalier tone. “Associating is one thing,” she said crisply. “Marrying is another.”
“Well, regardless, I am going to this funeral.” Especially now that I knew Mr. Dorian would be there. I couldn’t let him find out anything before I did.
My mother sighed, as though I was being quite tedious. “Fine. Just don’t tell Delia. When is it anyway?”
I scanned the note. “Friday at eleven at St. Mark’s.”
She nodded. “I’ll make sure she has something to keep her occupied.”
“Surely that isn’t necessary.”
“Let me take care of your sister, Minnie,” she said with a frown. “And I will leave you to this murder business.”
Fair enough.
I decided then that it was time for me to leave as this conversation had leftmein need of a nap.
“Tell Delia I stopped by. When I arrived, she had already gone upstairs to have a lie-down.”
My mother frowned again. This time in concern. “She’s been napping every afternoon. That’s not like her.”
“She probably isn’t sleeping well at night,” I said, praying that was enough to convince my mother.
