Page 8 of Lady Louisa and the Carriage Clock (The Rogue’s Alliance #3)

“Y ou could have knocked me over with a feather!” Louisa shook her head in wonder. “Lord Wycliffe wanted our advice.”

“Nathaniel won’t believe it,” Edith replied.

Mrs. Thorne exited her back office and came to stand near the seating area. The tall, pinch-faced woman was the opposite in both appearance and manner of her short, bespectacled husband. “Good afternoon, ladies.”

They responded in kind, both women stunned.

“And the normally dour Mrs. Thorne is being nice,” she said after the woman had moved away. “What is the world coming to?”

“Perhaps becoming a grandmother has softened her somewhat.” Edith let out a sigh. “I wish we could visit the registry, although Diana did say Lord Wycliffe and Bones are keeping an eye on the enterprise.”

"When Lord Wycliffe finally vanquishes the RA, you can resume volunteering at the registry." Louisa placed the periodical resting on her lap on the table in front of her. “I may have to buy Charlotte’s babe a gift myself. I am hopeless at handicrafts.”

“Alas, your talents do not lie in needlework,” Edith replied with a chuckle. “You are adept at designing projects, just not creating them.”

“I do not have the patience to sit still for long.”

“As you are the best dancer in London, I would not worry about your lack of embroidery skills.”

Louisa smiled and replied, “Thank you, Edith. You always know how to make me feel better.”

And it was true. Edith always knew the right thing to say.

“How fares your father and Lady Sandhurst?” Last season, Edith’s father had formed a tendre with a widow.

“They are as close as ever, although he says they will not wed. The lady has been widowed twice and does not wish to marry again as she enjoys her independence. My father tells me he is content to squire her to the entertainments of the ton for the time being.”

“Is that a relief?” she asked carefully. Edith had lost her mother at a young age and was an only child. It had been just her and her father for many years.

“I admit it is,” Edith replied. “I have told my father he is always welcome to reside with Nathaniel and myself if he gets lonely in that townhouse. Goodness knows we have enough room.”

That was true, as Nathaniel owned one of the largest mansions in London.

Her own family’s home, Carstairs, was crowded with five siblings under one roof. Louisa's brothers appeared to have no desire to leave the nest, and her mother wasn’t concerned with their marital status, although the lady did want her daughter to find a spouse.

“My dear,” her mother had informed her, “It’s normal for men to sow their wild oats and marry later in life, while after a few seasons, a young woman may be labeled a spinster.”

Louisa hardly thought she could be characterized as on the shelf at the ripe old age of nineteen.

“Tonight is the musicale?” she asked her friend, determined to think of something other than her mother’s desire to see her wed. “And Alicia will perform?”

Edith nodded. “I had nearly forgotten. I will send a missive to your mother asking if Nathaniel and I may escort you to the musicale.”

“I’m sure she will agree. It is Wednesday, there are no Parliamentary sessions, and it is the day of the week my parents desire the house to themselves for an evening.”

“Nathaniel and I will be happy to have your company.”

She chuckled in reply. “Leopold will be thrilled not to attend the musicale. Although we all dance remarkably well, we are a family that does not appreciate music. I cannot play an instrument, but my mother did insist on dancing lessons. She truly believes a spouse is more easily found on the dancefloor.”

“Alas, my only talent is playing the pianoforte,” Edith replied, not looking concerned in the slightest.

“You have a husband. I do not. My mother has become relentless now that you and Charlotte are married.” She groaned. “Edith, none of the current crop of bucks are remotely appealing.”

Edith rolled her eyes. “None?”

She was afraid her friend was thinking of the only interesting bachelor this season: Lord Wycliffe. He was by far the most fascinating and exasperating man she’d ever met. The fact that he also had impeccable taste in clothing was a boon. His arrogant behavior was not.

“None that I deem are husband material.”

Edith didn’t reply, which was rather depressing. If Edith thought there was no hope that the viscount would ever marry, then she should have none.

Not that she liked the man.

“Let us return home so you can send a note to my mother before you forget.” Louisa rose to her feet. “I need to write a letter to Charlotte and tell her about the clock I won at auction.”

The thought of relaying her triumph over Lord Wycliffe in a letter to her friend cheered Louisa considerably.

* * * * *

C ecil considered visiting Angelo’s Fencing Academy to speak with Nathaniel before remembering Leopold also frequented the establishment. For once, he wasn’t in the mood for a confrontation.

Seated in his drawing room with a glass of brandy at his elbow, Bones entered the room.

“Lady Louisa has returned home. She is to attend a musicale this evening in the company of Lord and Lady Harbury.”

That is a fortuitous turn of events, he thought to himself. A plan formed in his mind, he would send a missive to Nathaniel to apprise him of his scheme.

The former smuggler continued, “If I need to monitor Lady Louisa’s movements so closely, that clock must be terribly important to you."

Cecil determined he could trust the man with some additional information. “I can’t explain how, but that clock is a possible threat to a member of the RA.”

“I’ve heard no chatter that Lady Louisa is in danger.” Bones frowned, shifting from one foot to the other.

“I’m not sure many people know that the clock has a connection to the RA.” He paused. “I plan on stealing it tonight while Lady Louisa is at the musicale.”

Boned whistled. “It will be no easy task to get into Carstairs without being seen. In addition to a house full of servants, the lady has four brothers.”

“And the lady keeps the clock in her bedchamber,” he replied.

“Her window looks out onto the mews behind the house.” Bones paused. “At that time of night, there may only be a stableboy on duty. To enter through the mews unseen, you must find a way to distract the boy.”

Cecil didn’t comment on the fact that Bones knew where the lady’s bedchamber was in the house.

“Do you know whether the rest of the household will be home this evening?” he asked.

“Lord and Lady Chatham will be staying in. A housemaid told me it is the one night of the week when they wish for the house to themselves.”

Could one ever truly be alone with servants in the house? He hadn’t imagined a married couple with five grown children would still want to be alone together.

“The lady’s parents should be preoccupied, and perhaps some of the servants will have a half day for the occasion.” He would admit the idea of stealing the clock from Louisa was not one he was proud of. Cecil would only hear Nathaniel’s opinion on the plan after he possessed the clock.

After a moment of silence, Bones asked, “Was there anything else, my lord?”

“Tell me exactly where Lady Louisa’s bedchamber is located in Carstairs.”

* * * * *

L ouisa felt nauseated . Perhaps she’d had too many prawns at supper. The last thing she wanted to do was ruin the evening for her parents. One day a week, they requested an evening free from their numerous offspring, and most of the servants had a half day. She was dressed for an evening out and had already dismissed Lucy.

“I won’t need you tonight,” she’d told the maid, feigning wellness. If she acted in any way indisposed, Lucy would alert Louisa's mother.

She entered Nathaniel’s coach soon after. There was plenty of light in the conveyance. The carriage curtains were open, allowing the glow from the outside coach lanterns to light up the interior.

“Louisa!” Edith looked concerned when her friend sat on the squabs across from her. “You look ill.”

“I feel a bit queasy,” she replied softly.

“You must stay home this evening,” Nathaniel said with a frown. “Your parents will understand.”

“I’ve thought of a way to do that.” She paused to take a deep breath. “Take the carriage around to the mews. I will tell the stableboy I am in for the evening but do not wish to disturb my parents. I’m sure he will keep my secret.”

“If you’re sure you don’t want to tell your parents you are unwell.” Edith reached out and squeezed one of Louisa’s gloved hands.

She shook her head. “It is a mild stomach complaint- with some rest, I’m sure I will feel well very soon.”

Nathaniel’s driver pulled the carriage around to the mews behind the house, where Edith insisted they remain until Louisa had spoken with the stableboy.

“It is all settled,” Louisa informed her friends through the open coach door.

“Are you sure you don’t need someone to look after you?” Edith asked.

She shook her head. “I merely ate too much. It has happened before. I will feel better in a few hours.”

As the coach rolled away, Louisa made her way to the back garden gate separating their tiny garden from the alleyway mews behind the house.

The stableboy nodded to her as she passed and then returned to the coach house.

There was enough light coming from inside the house for Louisa to see her way through the garden and to the terrace doors. Having made sure the French doors were unlocked before she left the house for the musicale, she opened one and slipped into the darkened room.

Louisa cracked open the drawing room door and listened. Hearing nothing, she opened the door further and crept into the dimly lit corridor. She moved slowly, listening for any sound. Louisa reached the servants’ staircase without encountering anyone, climbed the stairs to the landing outside her bedchamber, and entered her room. With the curtains drawn, the space was dark.

After her eyes adjusted to the low light, she opened the curtains on both windows, settled on her bed, and propped the pillows behind her head so she could sit up a bit. Her stomach didn’t bother her as much if she didn’t lie down.

Although bored and not remotely tired, she stayed where she was and did not light her lamp or a candle.

She didn’t know how long she’d been reclining on her bed when she heard her bedchamber door open. It was hard to tell who slipped into the room, but due to the person’s height, she was sure it was a male, probably one of her brothers. What would they want in her bedchamber?

Louisa lay still until the man walked to the side of the bed, and she could make out his profile. The smell of a familiar spicy cologne enveloped her. It wasn’t one of her brothers in the room. It was Lord Wycliffe!

“Oh my!”

The viscount quickly leaned in and placed a hand lightly over her mouth.

“Lady Louisa,” he whispered. “Do not be alarmed. I am not here to harm you.”

She went still, disconcerted by his nearness, feeling her limbs grow warm. She should be angry, not swooning at his touch. Upset with her reaction to his presence, Louisa tried unsuccessfully to bite his hand.

“If you promise not to scream, I will explain all.”

Louisa nodded her agreement, and Lord Wycliffe removed his hand.

“Shall I light a candle?” she asked in a low voice.

“Please do.” He stood up and away from the bed.

Louisa sat up and lit the candle on her night table. When done, she turned, startled to see the viscount still standing near her bed. He was far too close. He must have realized it and took a step back. She nodded to the nearby stuffed chair.

“You know I can still scream at any time,” she said as he took a seat.

“Then you will never discover the true importance of your clock,” he replied calmly, folding his hands in his lap, appearing as relaxed as if they were having tea together in a drawing room. “Your carriage clock has ties to the Rogue’s Alliance.”

If the clock did have a connection to the RA, it would explain his interest in it. She could think of no reason he would lie about the timepiece.

“So you are in my bedchamber to steal the clock?” she felt her cheeks heat when she said 'bedchamber.'

He hesitated before replying with a shrug, “I am.”

“And you see no problem with sneaking into Carstairs?” She raised her chin and crossed her arms over her chest.

“You weren’t supposed to be home,” he answered blandly.

“So you’re spying on me as well.” She shook her head. “Your audacity knows no bounds.”

He merely replied, “I will do anything necessary to bring about the downfall of the Rogue’s Alliance.”

Lord Wycliffe said the words starkly, and she believed him. As it appeared the viscount wasn’t going to apologize for his actions, she asked, “How is my clock connected to the RA?”

Her gaze remained on his handsome face. It was an excuse to look at the viscount as long as she wanted. Of course, she was merely studying him closely to see if she could tell if he spoke the truth.

“The riddle of the clocks, when solved, lead to the founders of the Rogue’s Alliance.”

She gulped. “You’re serious?”

“Would I jest about the RA?” he asked with a raised brow.

“I believe I know you well enough to know you wouldn’t.”

She felt heat on her cheeks again and hoped it was too dark in the room for him to notice.

“For now, the RA doesn’t appear in any hurry to acquire your clock. Perhaps they deem it useless without its companion. I need to examine the clock, so here I am.”

“And you couldn’t be prevailed upon to tell me the truth.” It wasn’t a question but a statement.

“Nathaniel and I wanted to protect you.”

“ Does Edith know about the significance of the clock?”

He shook his head. “Her husband is still deciding how much to tell her. We didn’t want you ladies to be in any danger. The less you both know about the clock, the better.”

The viscount cared about her and Edith’s safety. She imagined if something were to happen to her, it would be inconvenient for his investigation of the Rogue’s Alliance.

“And what can this clock tell you? Edith and I already examined it. There is no inscription, no note hidden behind the hinged door. I can’t see that it would tell anyone anything about that organization.”

He replied softly, “A dying man told me it was the key to bringing down the Rogue’s Alliance.”

“A dying man?” she asked, frowning.

“My brother.”