She cleared her throat. “I’d like to speak with the Duke of Westcliffe please.”
“Do you have a card?” the man asked.
“Oh…um…I’m afraid not, but I’m sure he’ll agree to meet with me if you tell him Miss Quinn has stopped by with his delivery.”
The butler’s gaze swept the length of her body before returning to her face. “The duke is not at home right now. I’m happy to accept the delivery on his behalf.”
“Thank you, but I really must insist on handing it to him in person. Just to be sure he’s pleased with the binding.”
The butler gave her a curious look. “As I said, he’s not at home. I’ll be sure to let him know you called.”
Ada considered the butler’s words. If Anthony wasn’t at home, then why had he not come to see her? An awful possibility occurred to her. “Is he in the hospital by any chance?”
“I really can’t say where he is at the moment although—”
Someone descended the stairs behind the butler. Ada attempted to get a better look at who it might be – hopefully someone more willing to help.
“Is everything all right, Mathis?” The question was posed by a young woman who, Ada saw when Mathis turned just enough to glance in her direction, wore a very solemn expression.
“Yes, my lady. I was just—”
“Are you Westcliffe’s sister?” Ada asked, undeterred by the scowl she received from the butler.
“I’m Lady Penelope,” said the woman as she came to join the butler in the doorway. “And you are?”
“Miss Quinn. An acquaintance of your brother’s. That is…my uncle owns the bookshop he frequents. He’s placed several orders with us. As you can see, I’ve brought the latest one with me but…” Ada took a deep breath and quickly added, “He and I had an appointment yesterday but he didn’t show up, so I worried something might have occurred. I just want to be sure he’s all right. And to give him his order, of course.”
Lady Penelope’s eyebrows rose. She gave Ada the same sort of assessing look the butler had given before saying, “It’s all right, Mathis. Please, Miss Quinn, step inside if you will so we may speak for a moment.”
Relieved to have made some progress, Ada crossed the threshold and the front door was promptly shut behind her.
Mathis extended his hand. “May I take your bonnet, Miss Quinn?”
“I’m afraid that won’t be necessary,” Lady Penelope told him. “I’m sorry, Miss Quinn but I am on my way out so this cannot take long. I merely wished to ease your concerns. My brother sprained his ankle the night before last and is mostly confined to his bed where he’s presently resting.”
“Oh. I’m so sorry to hear it.” Ada glanced toward the stairs and wished she could climb them without any risk of the butler tackling her to the ground. Judging from the lack of recognition upon his face when she’d mentioned her name, however, she was a stranger to him and wouldn’t even have been admitted had it not been for Anthony’s sister.
“He has been advised to rest a few days,” Lady Penelope added.
“I wonder why he didn’t send word,” Ada said, thinking out loud. She shook her head and tried not to feel too neglected. “No matter. I’m just glad to know he’s all right.”
“If you leave the order with me, I’ll be sure he gets it,” Lady Penelope assured her.
Ada blinked. “Oh…um…” Wary of revealing her deception, she handed over the parcel containing Original Poems for Infant Minds by several young persons, and wondered what Anthony might make of it.
Lady Penelope glanced at the hallway clock. “I really must be off.”
“Of course. I shan’t take more of your time.” The front door was opened and Ada turned, prepared to depart, only to pause with a sudden need for further clarification. She turned to Lady Penelope. “I heard your brother might be planning to marry. Is that true?”
“News certainly travels fast, Miss Quinn. I didn’t think he’d told anyone besides my sister.” She looked a little put out, having apparently heard the news second hand. “But yes. It’s true, though I do hope I can count on your discretion. From what I gather, it’s all a bit hush-hush at the moment.”
It felt like the ground had opened beneath Ada’s feet and she was falling. She grabbed the doorjamb and held on tightly while attempting to steady herself. Her head was spinning and her stomach was now turning over. She felt distinctly unwell and feared she might be sick all over the front step if she didn’t manage to pull herself together.
“Miss Quinn,” said Mathis. “Are you all right?”
“Perhaps she ought to lie down for a bit in the parlor,” Lady Penelope said. “You can show her out when she’s feeling better.”
“No,” Ada shook her head and gulped down a breath. “I’m fine. Truly. Thank you for your time, my lady. I wish you a pleasant day.”
