I looked up to find her watching me. Not unkindly but with obvious curiosity.
I thanked her for the coffee and biscuits.
“There is someone I need to meet with.” I thought of Sir McQuarrie. Even though the situation had changed, I needed to meet with him as I had no intention of leaving Edinburgh until I had found the person who killed Dory.
“If you will let me know what I owe for the night?”
That smile again that she shared with her brother.
“It’s my understanding that ye might want to remain for some time. Ye are welcome to stay here...if it suits ye. We can discuss the rest of it later.”
I had not expected that. Still, it answered the question where I might stay while I remained in Edinburgh.
I assured her that I had funds I could pay from an arrangement I had made with the bank before leaving London, then thanked her.
“Dinna fash,” she replied.
I thanked her again, then turned toward room to collect my coat and travel bag. I paused as I passed the desk in the parlour.
A deck of Tarot cards was there, laid out in a familiar way from Lady Montgomery’s weekly gatherings with her ladies at Sussex Square.
“Such fun,” she had told me. “You should have seen Constance Ralston’s reaction to a pattern that she selected from the deck when Madame Celene was last here. Most amusing in what it revealed. Of course, Constance denied everything.”
An amusement, she called it.
“Are you familiar with Tarot?” Elizabeth asked, as she obviously saw the direction of my curiosity.
“I know of it,” I replied.
There were also those on the street who offered readings for a penny, as well as Madame Celene, who provided private readings for clients, such as Lady Montgomery, for entertainment purposes at parties or in private settings.
“It can be most enlightening,” Elizabeth commented, then added, “If one believes in such things.”
I did not. There was very little I did believe in. The past had taught me that.
“I don’t know when I will return,” I said as I reached the room. “I do not want to trouble you.”
“It is no trouble, my dear. However, Mr. Lyle, the building manager will be able to let you in if you return when I’m gone. I will let him know that you will be here for a while. Dinna pay any attention to his manner. His bark is worse than his bite.”
I thanked her once more then retrieved my coat and travel bag.
I was able to find a driver at the High Street and gave him the location of Sir McQuarrie’s office at Charlotte Square in the New Town.
I had madearrangements to meet with Sir McQuarrie before leaving London.
The six-story grey stone building at Charlotte Square filled one side of the square, with a half-dozen entrances along the stone walkway, labelled with brass nameplates for each company or firm.
I found the office for the attorney and gave the clerk in the front office my name.
“He has been expecting you, Miss Montgomery.” He asked me to wait while he announced my arrival.
He quickly returned, escorting me to Sir McQuarrie’s office.
We had not met before, but he was a man of some reputation, considering the reaction of Inspection Landry.
Sir McQuarrie rose from behind his desk as the clerk announced my arrival.
“A dreadful situation, the loss of an acquaintance.”
