Page 21 of Lady Louisa and the Carriage Clock (The Rogue’s Alliance #3)

W hen Cecil returned home, it was to find Bones in the drawing room. He was not alone.

“My lord, let me introduce you to another one of my cousins, Henry Bones. He was a batman during the war; his officer died at Waterloo.” He added haltingly, “I saw him at the veterans registry office and thought as he could maybe help you with your ablutions and such.”

The man looked of an age as his cousin. He was clean and his clothes, while worn, were in good repair. “You are registered in Berkeley Square, Henry?”

“Yes, my lord.” The man stood even straighter. “My officer was a major, and his wife wrote me a reference saying how her husband thought the world of my work.”

Knowing the man was registered and had a reference made him a good candidate for employment. “Do you know how to tie a Mail Coach Knot, Henry?”

“I do. I take pride in a well-tied neckcloth, my lord.”

The man spoke well.

“Do you have a family?”

Henry shook his head. “I do not.”

“Has Bones told you about the difficulties you could face working for me?” he asked.

“I must say civilian life has been a tad boring now that I’m no longer needed in the army. This position would be just what I’m looking for, my lord.”

“Well then. We shall try it for a week.” Cecil looked around him. The room was again neat, although a stack of papers was on his desk. He asked Bones, “Have the other rooms been tidied?”

“All except your bedchamber, my lord. I thought it best to wait for direction.”

“Henry, perhaps you could go upstairs and see if my clothes can be salvaged. Bones, please inquire again as to whether anyone in the area has seen my cook.”

Both men exited the room. Cecil poured a measure of port into a glass and went to stand next to his desk. He could ponder the riddle as he sorted his papers.

“Well then. I better begin.”

* * * * *

L ouisa was happy to see her father downstairs for supper. Her mother fussed over him, but he proclaimed himself bored of resting. Cook had made all his favorite dishes, and her father ate with gusto.

“What is new in Town today?” her father asked Leopold.

“There was a burglary on Curzon Street. Someone tossed Lord Wycliffe’s rooms.” Leopold rested his gaze on her.

Her father shook his head. “That is a dashed affront. And in such a nice part of London.”

Leopold added, “They were looking for a clock, by all accounts. There are rumors Lord Wycliffe possesses the matching clock to Louisa’s.”

Every gaze at the table was now on her.

“I thought the other clock was missing?” her mother asked.

“It was, Mother, but Lord Wycliffe recently acquired it,” Louisa replied lightly.

“And will someone break into our home to acquire your infamous clock?” her father asked Louisa grimly.

“I no longer have the clock,” she replied calmly. “I gave it to Lord Wycliffe.”

“I paid twenty pounds for that clock.” Leopold frowned darkly.

“I thought it best the clock no longer remain at Carstairs,” she responded, meeting her brother’s gaze.

“Someone broke into Lord Wycliffe’s home to steal his clock? Our safety is worth more than twenty pounds,” her mother said quietly.

Louisa nodded and replied, “I can give you my pin money, Leopold.”

Her brother grimaced as he replied, “So after being robbed, Lord Wycliffe thought it wise to acquire your clock.”

“I believe he meant to get rid of them.” She cleared her throat. “Or destroy them.”

Her brother narrowed his gaze on her face. “Those clocks have something to do with the Rogue’s Alliance. The viscount is obsessed with that organization.”

“The Rogue’s Alliance?” Her father frowned. “Lord Wycliffe came to call on you twice, Louisa, has he not?”

“I think he was merely interested in my clock,” she replied faintly, knowing she told the truth.

“Now that you no longer have the clock, I see no reason for the man to be admitted to our home again. The RA may be considered fiction by some, but I believe the organization to be real. And very dangerous. If Lord Wycliffe is attempting to bring down the RA, you stay clear of the man, Louisa.”

Louisa didn’t know what to say. She couldn’t tell her father she was in love with Lord Wycliffe. It didn’t matter. The viscount would never return those feelings.

“Yes, Father,” she replied obediently, stunned by the turn of events.

Dinner was a silent affair after that. When the meal was over, her brothers nearly fled the room for their evening entertainments.

Wanting a moment alone with her father, Louisa suggested a game of chess.

“If you’re up to it.” She smiled. “I wouldn’t want to take advantage of your weakened state.”

“My funny girl. I could best you while in a delirious fit.”

She did not doubt it. Her father would never let her win. Louisa had to beat him fair and square.

Seated in the drawing room at a mahogany chess table, she tried to think of a way to approach the subject of whether anyone in society was known as Venus and Cupid.

Her father took her queen after only three moves. “You’re not attending, my dear.”

“Pardon me, Father. I’m still thinking about a riddle Edith brought to me.”

“A riddle? I love riddles.” He sat forward in his chair, placing an elbow on the gilt brass and hardwood chess table.

“If I remember correctly, it has something to do with Cupid and Venus and the ton . Is anyone of your age known as Cupid or Venus?”

“Of my age?” Her father raised a brow.

She wrinkled her nose. “In their fifties. The riddle originated sometime around 1790.”

“That was some time ago.” Her father moved his knight. “Check.”

She castled to delay the inevitable.

“There are supposedly members of the ton known as Cupid and Venus. The riddle is driving Edith to distraction.”

“Checkmate.”

She sighed. “Another game?”

“I don’t think you’re really in a chess-playing mood.” Her father paused. “A neighbor of mine was known as Cupid when I was a child in Kent. She was forever trying to match our widowed vicar with a woman. Any woman.”

“How interesting.” Louisa asked casually, “And who was this neighbor?” She’d grown up at the same estate and couldn’t remember anyone in the area being called Cupid.

“She is still known as a notorious matchmaker, but when I was young, my parents called her Cupid.”

“You don’t mean...?”

Her father chuckled. “Why yes. Our own Lady Cairs.”