Page 13 of Crimes, Conspiracies, and Courtship (Paddy’s Peelers Mystery #1)

CHAPTER 12

Mid-November

Gracechurch Street

T he clan was gathered for Sunday dinner. They crowded into the parlor, laughing and talking over each other. It was like this every week. The patriarch handed out whisky to his sons while Maggie and Nora sipped sherry.

Walters looked around at his six siblings.

“Ye outdid yerself, my dear,” Paddy called to his wife. “Yer stew always puts me back in Dublin, to be sure.”

“’Tis why I make it,” she said, beaming. “Nora, play us a song.”

Honora took her seat at the harp, stretching her arms out and flexing her long, slender fingers. She pushed her mass of red hair over one shoulder and slid her hands up the strings, plucking a soft melody.

Walters watched his family as they discussed the past week. He wanted to share the information he gleaned, tell Sampson what he’d learned, but now wasn’t the time. Maggie’s glare would shoot daggers at him if he brought up work after the Sunday meal.

Earlier in the month, he had followed two other men leaving the brothel after Colvin had gone home. When he’d followed them and realized one was Robert Dunn, a well-known thief who was as slippery as a greased pig, he’d heard them talking about a shipment. It had sounded as if they were stealing liquor from one brothel to sell it to another.

He had called in his brother, Gus Rutland, to accompany him on several clandestine outings, trailing the men to find out what they were up to. They learned Dunn had begun his criminal career at sixteen with an insurance scheme. Now, among other activities, he was making a profit from selling young boys. They had surveilled several flash houses, known for providing such services. It turned out Colvin had also become a patron of some of those same flash houses. Dunn was still working with a Spencean man, and Walters had seen both of them with Colvin in an alley behind one of the businesses.

He glanced at Gus, the second oldest, leaning against the mantel, as tall as Paddy but even brawnier. His hair was unfashionably long and tied back with a strip of leather. His dark-brown doe eyes were glued to Nora. It was a well-known secret that Gus fancied himself in love with Nora, who only loved him as a brother. The big blunderhead insisted she would see reason one day. To Nora’s credit, she never gave him any hope that would happen.

Walters called out, “Nora, switch to the fiddle, and we’ll sing a round of ‘The Good-fellow’s Resolution.’” This produced a chorus of approval.

Nora left the harp and, with the fiddle beneath her chin and a wide grin, laid the bow to the strings. Paddy belted out the first lines, tickling his wife beneath her chin.

Here in this Ballad you may see,

The vain-ness of bad Husbandry:

Good Advice here is to be found,

The which may save you many a Pound.

The others bellowed out the next line, Aonarach joining with a long howl:

Drink t'other Bowl, I'le follow thee.

With a grin, Paddy continued,

I Have been a bad Husband this full fifteen year,

And have spent many pounds in good Ale, & strong beer

I have Ranted in Ale-houses day after day,

And wasted my time and my Money away:

But now i'le beware, and have a great care,

Left at the last Poverty falls to my share:

For now I will lay up my Money in store,

And I never will play the bad Husband no more.

As the rest of the men continued the verses, Paddy pulled his wife to her feet and swung her around the room in a lusty reel. He was surprisingly graceful, considering his size, and the couple moved as one. When the song finished, the audience of seven clapped heartily.

Maggie sat down, her hand on her heart, her chest rising and falling with the exertion. “Oh my, Paddy luv, ye keep me young.”

“Da longer to love ye, lass,” he said, placing a loud kiss on her mouth.

Nora, Eli, and Ben groaned. Clayton and Sampson shook their heads.

“I t’ink I’m done for da night,” announced Maggie. “It’s been a wonderful evening, as always, but dere’s work to be done tomorrow.”

Ben, Eli, and Clayton decided it was also time to call it a night. The three, plus Sampson, had their own lodgings. Walters, Gus, and Nora still lived with the O’Briens. He supposed it was because the others had gone to university or another type of formal education and were used to living on their own. Eli had recently found his grandmother and now lived with her. Walters assumed they would all leave once they were caught in the parson’s trap.

After everyone said their goodbyes to Maggie, Paddy turned to Walters. “Harry, ye’ve looked close to burstin’ all night, so out with it.”

Walters relayed the new information about Robert Dunn. “So, we can link Dunn to Sampson’s parents, but we can also connect him to Colvin.”

They all turned to Sam, whose neck had turned red, his face twisted in anger. “I don’t care what we charge Dunn with, as long as we get him.”

“And because Dunn was with one of the Spenceans, we may be able to link Colvin to the radicals.” Paddy rubbed his pale-red stubble, the scritch loud in the silence as they all took in this information.

“From a legal perspective,” offered Benjamin, the solicitor, “it’s circumstantial but persuasive. We need a witness or statement to make it more concrete.”

Eli, still working as a Runner, added, “If there is anything you need, let me know. I can pull information from Bow Street.”

Walters nodded. “Gus has been helping since he finished his last case. I’ll call in more help as needed.” He paused, then let out a heavy sigh. “I may need Nora to play the strumpet.”

Her smirk was contagious, and her brothers mirrored her expression. She looked at Paddy. “I’m not telling Ma. That’s your job, Da.”

“Aye, right. She won’t like it, but I know yer brothers will keep ye safe,” he said with a martyred expression. “And don’t be looking so happy about playing a doxie.”

Nora jumped up and hugged Paddy. “I promise not to like it too much, Da.”

Paddy yawned. “I’m headed to bed myself. I’ll leave da late nights to da young folk.”

As soon as Paddy had taken the stairs, Nora turned to her brothers, her blue eyes bright. “Harry, what will you need me to do? Which part of Town so I know how garish to dress.”

“I’ll know more in a week. But I’m guessing it will be a flash house in the Dials. They’ve been taking the lads from White Chapel or Spitalfields and reselling them there,” answered Walters. “We’ll need you to melt into the crowd and find out where they’re keeping the boys.”

“I imagine they’re chimney sweeps who grew too big and then sold to the highest bidder.” Nora shook her head, glancing at Gus. “As if their lives weren’t bad enough.”

Gus patted her shoulder, a feral shine in his eyes. “Don’t worry. We’ll find them.”

Walters hoped so. It was one of the wickedest trades in the city as his brother knew firsthand. Anything so lucrative was always hard to shut down.

* * *

Late November

Hanover Square

“My old friend Pendleton is coming to Town, and he has a sister your age,” announced Nicholas at breakfast. “Mother, you remember the Pendletons?”

“Of course,” his mother said. “I knew both his parents. How long will they be staying?”

“He’ll only stay through mid-December or so. He wants to return to his wife as soon as possible.” Nicholas turned to his sister. “I think you’ll like Hannah. She’ll be staying through the Season with a chaperone.”

“It’s not her mother?” asked Lady Darby.

He shook his head. “I’m not sure if she’s ill or what the situation is, but someone else has been found. I thought it would be nice for Mattie to have a friend to whisper and giggle with at the balls and soirees.”

“I do not whisper and giggle,” Mattie retorted. “But I’m happy to meet her.”

“Excellent. I’m sure he’ll leave his card as soon as he arrives. His townhouse is in Berkeley.”

“Perhaps he already has,” said Lady Darby, sifting through the cards on the silver tray near her elbow. She took a sip of tea from her china cup, then handed a card to her son. “Here you are.”

“Shall we have them for tea this week?” asked Mattie. If this were any of the ladies who had known her as a girl, she wouldn’t be so excited. But here would be a chance for her to start with a clean slate, and she would do her best to make a new friend.

“That’s a splendid idea,” agreed her brother. “Mama, could you send round an invitation?”

“Of course.”

* * *

Two days later, Mattie waited in the parlor for their guests. She pulled back the heavy curtain to see a gleaming black carriage with a gold crest on the side. The matching pair of bays snorted puffs of white into the chilly air as the tiger jumped from the back to open the door.

Rushing over to a wingback leather chair near the hearth, Mattie grabbed a book and plopped down as if she’d been there all morning. She stood as the butler announced the guests, smoothing the skirt of her pale-yellow wool skirt. A handsome man with brown hair streaked with gold entered, a plump older woman on his arm, and a beautiful young lady with dark honey-colored ringlets and amber eyes.

She wore a modest pale-rose day dress that did nothing to hide her generous figure. Puce Vandyke points of lace edged the square neckline and repeated in a double row at the calf and again along the hem. A satin ribbon matching the lace adorned the waist, with a redingote of the same color over the dress.

Mattie had a moment of panic when they locked eyes.

She’s stunning. What will she think of me?

Then the girl smiled, and Mattie let out the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. Somehow, she knew they would be the best of friends.

In the hall, she heard Darby giving orders to the butler. “We will expect tea within the half hour. Lady Darby will not be attending us this afternoon. She has the megrim and is requesting chamomile tea in her room.”

Fifteen minutes ago, the news that her mother wouldn’t be there to help her navigate tea with strangers would have been upsetting, to say the least.

Nicholas entered the room. “Pendleton, it’s good to see you,” he said, holding out his hand. The men shook and introductions were made.

Lord Pendleton’s aunt, Lady Roberta, was the newly found sponsor and chaperone for Miss Hannah Pendleton. Mattie could see mischief in the older woman’s eyes.

“It is a pleasure to meet any friends of my brother.” Mattie was pleased to hear her voice sounded neither shy nor overly confident. “I apologize for my mother’s absence.” She gripped her book, spied her white knuckles clutching the spine, and loosened her hold.

“Is this by Maria Edgeworth?” asked Miss Pendleton, nodding at the book in Mattie’s hand. “Have you read many of her books? I so enjoyed her novel, Leanora .”

“Oh, yes. That’s why I purchased Castle Rackrent . Have you read it?” Her mood brightened, and she smiled at her new friend.

“No, I haven’t. Perhaps I could borrow it when you finish?”

“Oh, yes. Do you read any biographies?”

“Egad! Please don’t tell me we have two bluestockings on our hands,” Lord Pendleton said with a laugh.

“My sister has her nose in a book most of the time.” Darby grinned. “She’s indiscriminate and will read anything from a scientific journal to a romantic novel.”

Mattie studied her brother as he spoke, watching his dimple deepen. He likes her, she thought. He seemed more animated than usual. His laugh not quite as deep as if he was?—

Nervous! Nicky was flustered in front of Miss Pendleton?

She glanced at Lady Roberta, whose eyes were darting between her niece and Mattie’s brother. She and Lady Roberta locked eyes. The older woman grinned, then winked at her. Mattie grinned back.

“Lud! This will be a delicious Season,” said the matron. “Let’s sit down and get to know one another, shall we?”

As Mattie served tea, they discussed upcoming public events and invitations that might be received in the future. Lady Roberta was in London often and kept in touch with many of those who enjoyed entertaining, listing those from whom she expected to receive calls and invites. “We will, of course, have several dinner parties at our townhouse.” She took a sip of tea and added more cream. “I assume Lady Darby will also be arranging teas or possibly a ball? Your home is larger than ours, and I’ve seen the size of the ballroom upstairs.”

“My mother spoke of planning a monthly event. I believe a musicale for February, a dinner for March, and perhaps a ball in April.” Mattie offered the plate of small, crustless sandwiches and biscuits. “I must admit my nerves can get the better of me at times, though my mother assures me I will blend in with the others.”

“Why would you want to do that?” asked Miss Pendleton. “I cannot wait for my first waltz. I’ve only been able to practice with my brother”—she gave Lord Pendleton an apologetic look—“and I can imagine what it’s like…” Her voice drifted off as she focused on choosing a treat from the plate.

Mattie watched Nicholas’s smile widen at the girl’s easy distraction. She nibbled at a delicate fairy cake, her tongue darting out to catch the butter icing at the corner of her mouth. He opened his mouth to say something, then closed it. Was he struggling to make conversation?

“I would be honored to have your first waltz, Miss Pendleton,” he said with a huge smile. It only faltered when the lady froze in mid bite at his words.

Miss Pendleton obviously hadn’t expected his offer. She finished chewing and then cleared her throat. “That would be nice, indeed, Lord Darby.”

Nicholas seemed confounded at her tone. Mattie hid her smirk. As a handsome, titled man, he was not used to a lady turning him down—even if only by her tone.

“I am accomplished in the waltz,” he assured her. “I will not step on your toes or allow any mishaps.” He gave her a smile that deepened the dimple on his cheek. When Miss Pendleton blushed, his confidence seemed to return. “It’s settled then.”

Lady Roberta flipped open her fan, her wrist moving back and forth rapidly. “Merciful heavens,” she gushed, “this will be a monstrous good time.”

Oh yes, Mattie decided, she liked these people immensely.