Page 25 of A Lady’s Guide to Murder

CHAPTER 24

A Companionable Evening

A maid beating a rug in the mews behind Marlow House was easily bribed for information for a shilling, but she said Marlow wasn’t home. ‘He’s not like to return ’til the morrow – then he’s off to his manor in Surrey.’

‘He’s travelling to Enberry Abbey tomorrow?’ Henrietta asked.

‘Aye, but it won’t do you no good to seek him out anyway,’ the girl added, with a desolate glance at Henrietta’s stomach. ‘Even if that’s his lordship’s babe, you won’t get nothing from him.’

A loitering groom added his bit free of charge. ‘Aye, his lordship won’t help you, miss. He’s already got a new mistress and he’s with her tonight.’ He nodded towards Theo. ‘You let that fellow do right by you, eh?’

Henrietta opened her mouth to protest the misunderstanding, but, before any words emerged, Theo assured the groom he would.

Then he hired a hackney to return them to the city.

A wave of exhaustion washed over her as she collapsed onto the bench seat inside.

Theo took her hand. ‘You’re tired.’

‘I am,’ she said. ‘But I think it best if we confront Marlow in Surrey. We have several more hours of daylight. Shall we return to the Pickled Dog? It’s no more than two hours on the road.’

‘I propose we stay here tonight,’ Theo said. ‘My rooms are more comfortable than the Pickled Dog, and Mrs Ford’s dinner far better. You take the bed, I’ll sleep on a pallet and we’ll leave at daybreak.’

His plan sounded nearly perfect.

But Henrietta had no intention of letting Theo sleep on the floor.

Theo practically licked his plate clean of the hearty dinner Mrs Ford supplied at a moment’s notice, as if she’d been cooking all afternoon. Henrietta ate with equal enthusiasm, which delighted the landlady no end. Mrs Ford fluttered and fanned herself as they devoured fried beef in morel sauce, spinach with cream and poached eggs, cold jellied eels, and plum cake, stuffed with currants and topped with custard.

Afterwards, the landlady left them with a tea tray. Theo’s gaze lingered on Henrietta as she nestled into his armchair, her hand curled around Mrs Ford’s prized floral cup, wisps of steam playing before her heavy lids. Never had he wished more fervently that no class distinctions lay between them, for he loved the sight of her wearing clothes he’d purchased, in lodgings he’d provided.

This stolen moment was precious, seated together in companionable silence, a breeze dancing through the room, the late afternoon sun mellowing to golden hues.

Theo ran his fingers through his hair.

Lord, but he was in a fine mess. Caught up in a star-crossed love if ever there was one.

‘Dinner left me delightfully drowsy,’ Henrietta said, yawning.

He glanced at his small mantel clock. ‘Not yet six, but we might as well sleep. It’ll be easier to rise early.’

Henrietta drained her tea and rose. ‘May I wash in your basin?’

He leapt to his feet. ‘I’ll fetch hot water.’

Ten minutes later, he’d taken the tea tray to the kitchen and returned with a steaming pitcher, leaving her to wash in his bedroom.

Then he paced, unable to settle.

Concern after concern raced through his mind. His half-brother was a dangerous man. What was worse, he was dangerous and clever. If Marlow was indeed the killer of the Duke of Severn, they’d be hard-pressed to find evidence or obtain a confession. Yet everything from Henrietta’s safety to the wellbeing of Mr Scripp’s employees depended upon their success.

And what if the success came? Yes, Henrietta would be saved, and that was nearly everything, but it wasn’t quite everything, because he’d still lose her. She would return to her world and he to his, and though they might see each other on occasion – he amongst the sight-seeing crowds and she amongst the glittering beau monde – their lives would no longer intersect meaningfully.

Because even in the unlikely circumstance of Henrietta falling in love with a Newgate-born gossip-gleaner, she’d never marry someone so beneath her in status and fortune. Nor would her family – her father, her brothers – permit it.

Theo poured two fingers of gin and tossed it back in one biting swallow. Then he cradled his head on the mantel.

His bedchamber door creaked; he needed to oil the hinge. He looked up and Henrietta stood before him, one hand on the door jamb, wearing the chemise he’d bought her earlier that day. Soft cotton, blue ribbon ties, the prettiest in the shop. Worth every extra shilling.

‘I left some water for you,’ she said, smoothing her freshly combed blonde waves. ‘Come in when you wish.’

She was more beautiful than the sun.

He wanted her to know.

‘Henrietta …’ The words of love stuck in his throat. As did the enquiry if their second partnership still stood.

She took a step in his direction. ‘Yes, Theo?’

‘Er, thank you,’ he said. ‘I’ll be in soon.’ If she asked for him, he wouldn’t bungle matters as he’d done the night before, but he would not initiate the encounter. She knew her own mind now, of that he was confident. If she wanted him, he’d know. Eventually.

She held his gaze and then lifted a shoulder. ‘Whenever you’re ready.’

She glided back into the room, and Theo poured himself another gin as she pulled back the bedcovers and fluffed his pillow. The sunlight streaming through her cotton chemise silhouetted her body. Breasts, hips, bottom.

Theo squeezed his eyes shut and swallowed his gin, controlling his lust lest he develop a ragingly obvious cockstand. Only when the rustles and sighs of her settling on the mattress ceased did he open his eyes again, enter the room with single-minded focus and ready himself for bed.

After completing his ablutions, he met her gaze in the looking glass. Her head was propped against a pillow and his quilt was tucked under her chin.

‘Good night, then,’ Theo said stiffly.

‘Good night? I doubt it will be, if you sleep on a pallet on the floor, for then I shall be cold in this bed.’

His pulse raced. ‘And is there a way I could ensure your warmth, Your Grace?’

Slowly, she slid the covers down, revealing bare shoulders and the tops of her breasts. ‘I foolishly removed my chemise and now I’m shivering. The only way you could warm me is to sleep with me.’

Theo had never undressed so quickly in his life.