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Twenty-Nine

The following days were interminable. No one had heard from Simon at all.

Mr. Dunn had dropped them off at the Leigh town house and gone back to Whitechapel to investigate what had happened.

He’d returned with very little information except that no one had found Simon, including Brody.

Then he’d refused to stay and had gone back to Montague Club to work and wait for Simon to send word.

Eliza had been forced to explain Simon’s duplicity to Lord Leigh when she showed up on his doorstep with a child and a nursemaid.

There had been no getting around it, not when she needed his help to keep Daisy safe.

He hadn’t been angry, not that she could tell.

He’d appeared more thoughtful and considering.

He’d then sprung into action and ordered up extra protection for the house and the club.

August and her husband the duke came over the morning after their arrival, and they all did everything they could to help with Daisy and Henrietta and finding Simon.

Violet had accepted the disruption in stride.

She had immediately made room for them by giving each of them a bedchamber.

Daisy had made it very clear that she wasn’t quite willing to give up sleeping next to Heni, but she delighted in the adjoining room she had been given, even if she did slip into Heni’s room at night to sleep.

The lace curtains and canopy over the bed thrilled her.

Even more, Daisy had a new playmate that she enjoyed immensely.

Violet and Lord Leigh had a daughter, Rosie, who was about a year younger.

Rosie was equally enamored of Daisy. They played together despite the age difference and were nearly inseparable except to sleep.

Eliza’s hours were well filled. Henrietta needed a new wardrobe, as did Daisy, so they had seamstresses in and out of the house.

There was no talk about the future, because so much was uncertain, but she had talked to Violet privately about helping the girl attend school when she was able.

Then there was the matter of finding toys for Daisy and figuring out both of their favorite foods—Henrietta enjoyed scones with strawberry jam while Daisy preferred nothing at all as an accompaniment to her jam.

It would have been a peaceful time, but a pall hung over them.

Simon wasn’t there and she didn’t know if he was safe.

She had taken to tucking Daisy in every night so that Henrietta could stay downstairs and play cards with Violet, Jenny, and Fanny.

Her mother and sister came over every day to visit and had brushed off any concerns for their safety.

They didn’t believe that anyone would be foolish enough to invade a Mayfair home, and they were probably right.

She hadn’t seen the need to worry Devonworth and Cora while they were on their trip, so no one had sent word to them.

There wasn’t anything they could do from afar, and news of trouble would send them running home.

Every night without fail, Daisy asked if she would see her papa in the morning. It broke Eliza’s heart.

“Daisy is a very bright child to have spent her whole life locked away in an attic.” Violet held her coffee cup while she watched the children play outside the breakfast room window.

A sunny room with windows on two sides that was at the back of the house, it had a view of the beautiful walled garden where Daisy and Rosie were playing with Rosie’s nanny.

“She is very bright.” Eliza couldn’t help but smile as she watched them.

Daisy jumped off the edge of the low brick wall of a planter and giggled after she landed on her feet.

Rosie and Nanny applauded her efforts. In her new clothes, Daisy looked very much like the cosseted daughter of a caring family.

It was no less than she deserved. “Henrietta says they were allowed to go out a few times a week while Brody’s knave lurked nearby. ”

Her words took on a bitter twist that got Violet’s attention. “We haven’t had much time to speak of it with so much going on, but given this turn of events and the way you two were at the wedding breakfast…well…what are your thoughts for the future?”

“I’d need to speak with Simon, but I hope he’s in my future.”

Violet’s smile broadened. “I don’t mean to push you toward a decision—”

“No, you didn’t,” Eliza hurried to reassure her. “I love him. I don’t doubt that at all.”

Violet nodded and thankfully did not ask how she had spent enough time with him to know this.

Eliza didn’t want to explain everything that had happened over the summer.

“I only ask because there has been some chatter already. Our servants are faithful, but information can only be contained for so long. It seems that some people know that we have a child and her nanny staying with us. No one knows her identity and I would never tell anyone. However…it is also speculated that you are staying here.”

Eliza sighed and sat back in her chair. “Is that all there is for people to do in this town? Gossip about everyone else?”

Violet laughed and set down her cup. “I’m afraid there’s a fair lot of that.

It’s worked in our favor that Parliament is on break and most families have returned to the country.

It should keep the speculation from spreading like wildfire, more of a controlled burn, but we do need to come up with something if you plan to… well…Mainwaring will return soon.”

“Oh no, I’m not marrying him anymore. I’ve already decided.” That thought had solidified in the days since the brawl. She had nothing but time to think at night as she tossed and turned in bed, worried out of her mind for Simon. She’d send word to Mr. Hathaway once things with Simon were settled.

“Why don’t we take things one step at a time? Mainwaring hasn’t returned yet, so we don’t need to do anything on that front, but you should speak with your mother about him.”

“I suppose you’re right. I should begin arranging everything so that when Simon—”

A maid appeared at the threshold of the room. “My lady, a wire has come for his lordship.” She held a small, folded piece of paper in her hand.

Lord Leigh was already out for the day, likely seeing to things at Montague Club.

Apparently, the club was abuzz with chatter about Simon and his whereabouts.

No one had told them about his identity as the Duke, but according to Rothschild and Leigh, speculation ran rampant from the rumor that he worked in some sort of secret service to the Queen to the one that he might be a criminal on the run.

She had no idea how those rumors got started, but they made her laugh.

“Thank you, Beatrice, give it to me,” Violet said, and held out her hand.

Beatrice handed it over and gave a short curtsy before leaving them alone. Violet seemed almost bored. This must be a very common occurrence. Lord Leigh had contacts and business dealings far and wide. Still, Eliza couldn’t shake the idea that this one was meant for her .

Violet scanned the words on the page. Her lips tipped upward at the corners and there was a devilish sparkle in her eyes when they met Eliza’s across the table. “It seems that our estate in Scotland had a visitor arrive last night.”

Everything inside her stilled. “Is it him?”

“I knew he would turn up.” Violet handed over the telegram. It was from the estate manager, a short two lines advising of an unexpected visitor, a man who had visited last summer, and asking for advice on how to proceed.

“It must be Simon,” she said, crushing the paper to her breast as if it were Simon himself.

“I have to go.” She came to her feet, her mind racing with all the things she’d need to do, but then she realized she wouldn’t need to do anything except pack a change of clothes and buy a train ticket.

If her calculations were correct, she could be there by very late that evening. “What about Daisy? Should I take her?”

“No, it’s best to leave her here since we don’t know that he won’t be found by Mr. Brody.

I’ll see that she and Henrietta are taken care of.

” Violet rose at a much slower pace due to her pregnancy.

“I’ll talk to Christian and Mr. Dunn. Someone will need to go with you.

Perhaps you should see your mother before you leave. ”

Eliza didn’t want to do any of that. She wanted to leave as soon as possible, but there was one other thing she needed to add to her to-do list. Now that she had found Simon, she needed to officially end things with Mainwaring, which meant she’d have to wire Devonworth for advice.

He’d helped arrange the contract and had signed it along with Mr. Hathaway.

He’d advise her on how to proceed. She changed course for the writing desk in Violet’s office where she picked up a piece of parchment from the basket and a pen.

I have decided I cannot marry Mainwaring. I love another. Please advise. She wrote it with a flourish and made a little swirl beneath it, not that it would translate well in a telegram. She might not look as much like their mother as Jenny did, but she had inherited her flair for drama.

“Can you see that this gets sent today?” Eliza asked Violet, who had come to stand in the doorway.

“Of course,” Violet answered.

“Thank you, Violet.” Eliza hugged her. “I don’t know what I would do without your help.”

Violet shook her head. “Thankfully, you won’t have to do without it. August is looking into a tutor for Henrietta, and they’re supposed to be stopping by this afternoon. Daisy has a fun day planned with Rosie. You go to Blythkirk. We’ll both be here to take care of everything until you return.”

Eliza hurried up the stairs. She would see Simon before the night was over.

—

The next hour was a mad dash to get to the train station.

Eliza wanted to leave immediately, but it made more sense to plan.

She knew that, but she had trouble waiting that long.

She had already told Daisy and Henrietta about the quick trip, though she hadn’t told them Simon was definitely there, since she didn’t know.

Now she paced the entryway until Violet came to bid her goodbye.

Violet said, “I sent a footman to tell your mother. She wants you to stop by before you leave.”

Perfect. More delay.

“Also, Mr. Dunn will be traveling with you. He’ll be bringing some of Simon’s clothing and personal effects.”

Eliza nearly groaned at how much longer this would take, even as she understood the need. Simon would appreciate having his own clothes.

“Also, there’s this.” Violet put a small leather satchel in Eliza’s hand. It felt as if there was a glass jar inside. “Don’t take it out here,” Violet whispered, and glanced to a footman who hovered nearby.

Curious, Eliza opened the satchel and peered inside. The faint tinge of vinegar met her nose. The jar was full of contraceptive sponges.

“Do you know what those are?” Violet asked.

Eliza found herself blushing, but she nodded. “Yes, my mother explained them to me.”

“Good.” Violet’s brow unfurled in relief. “We needn’t speak of it, but I wanted you to have them.”

“Thank you, Violet. I appreciate everything you’ve done.”

“You’re very welcome. Now go, and I expect my husband will be close behind you.”

They hugged and Eliza hurried out the door to the waiting carriage. The servants had already loaded her small trunk onto the back.

It took them only a few minutes to reach Cora’s house. Eliza took off like a charged wire as soon as the carriage door opened, and hurried up the steps. Jenny greeted her the moment she stepped inside.

“Do you think it’s him? Is he the visitor?” her sister asked.

“I think so.” They danced in a happy circle in the entryway.

“Good, you’re here. I thought I heard you.” Her mother appeared at the top of the stairs dressed in a deep green traveling costume that made Eliza very suspicious.

“Why are you dressed that way?” Eliza asked as Fanny descended the stairs.

“Because we’re coming with you,” she answered.

Eliza glanced at Jenny, only just now noticing that her sister was dressed for travel. “But why?”

“Because you need us,” Jenny said. “Surely, you have room for one more trunk? We economized.” She indicated the trunk that had been set by the front door.

This really wasn’t what Eliza had imagined when she’d decided to go north to Simon. “What about your social commitments?”

“What commitments?” Fanny asked. “It’s the dead of summer. Scotland will be fun.”

Eliza decided they would waste more time arguing and stormed out the front door. Jenny fell into step right beside her and said, “I believe her Scotsman, Lord Ballachulish, has returned home. Perhaps she hopes to make a detour afterward.”

Eliza found herself laughing as they all climbed into the carriage. Their trunk was loaded quickly, and from there they traveled on to acquire Mr. Dunn. Thankfully, he was waiting near the door and came running out the moment the carriage stopped at Montague Club.

“Oh, good morning, ladies.” His eyes widened in surprise to find all of them in the carriage. After a few exchanged pleasantries and another trunk loaded, they headed off to King’s Cross.