Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 95222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
And my intrigue and interest just multiplied. As has my worry. Without Fleming’s support, I could be on the verge of financial ruin myself. Lord above, I have machines to be paid for, salaries to pay, and now I’m faced with the prospect of these highwaymen ruining that?
I must find them and stop them so that Fleming’s reputation can be reinstated, his boats repaired, and our business arrangement does not go down the pan. I must also tread very carefully. I knew Fleming was a shifty sort, but to try and trick me? My incentives have changed. My determination has grown.
I need to rethink my plan.
And I definitely need to get Ruby away from that heathen.
Chapter 22
The next morning, Papa is singing his way around the house while Mama laughs and follows, asking whatever has got into him. ‘Life, Flo, life! Life has got into me.’ He seizes her and starts to twirl her around the dining room while Clara and I watch, me worried and guilty, Clara frowning.
‘No, really,’ Clara says, leaning towards me. ‘What has got into him?’
‘He is happy. Let him be.’ I set my coffee cup down and stand. ‘I must be going,’ I declare. ‘To collect my new coat and deal with business.’ Although how exactly I am dealing with it I do not yet know.
‘Have a good day, my darling,’ Mama calls mid-twirl.
‘I will.’ I leave and step out into Belmore Square, taking in a new day. It is rather dull and quite cloudy, not dissimilar to my mood, Ruby’s news hitting hard. Between that and the knowledge that Taya has left, I’m feeling thoroughly dejected.
I take the steps down to the cobbles and wander towards the gardens to cut through, and when I arrive at the Winters residence, I knock once and stand back, waiting for Hercules to answer my call. When he does, I am certain I see him sag, as if my arrival is a burden. ‘I am here to see Her Grace the Duchess of Chester,’ I declare, in case Hercules may have assumed I was here for someone other than my sister, because, of course, I am not. Because she’s left the country.
‘Please,’ he says, standing back and letting me pass. The door closes behind me and I take in the impressive, expansive hallway once again. ‘This way, sir.’ Hercules passes me and leads on towards the dining room. ‘I have just set out some fresh coffee.’
‘What are you doing here?’
I stop and look up the stairs, seeing Sampson descending, fixing the buttons of his tailored jacket. I could ask the same question. Wasn’t he leaving? With Taya? ‘I am here to visit with the Duchess.’
‘Her Grace is in bed,’ Sampson says.
Worry grabs me. ‘Why, what is wrong with her?’
He makes it to the bottom of the stairs and rakes a hand through his wavy hair. ‘She isn’t coping all too well with this first stage.’
‘Do not worry.’ Wisteria appears at the top of the stairs, too, smiling softly as she pushes a pin into her hair. ‘The doctor has visited this morning and assured us it is merely her body adjusting to pregnancy. She is exhausted and queasy. I know the feeling well. You children present challenges from the moment we discover you are growing inside our bellies.’
‘Lady Wisteria,’ I say, bowing my head as she floats down the stairs.
‘Good morning, Mr Melrose.’ She collects her hat and shawl from Hercules and passes them to Sampson to help her. ‘I am to meet with you mother for luncheon with Lady Tillsbury and Lady Blythe.’
‘How lovely.’
‘It is. Lady Blythe should like our opinions on her new story. Something heart-breaking, I expect, as all love stories are.’ She looks at me in a way I am uncertain of.
‘All?’ I ask, feeling as though she is saying something without saying something.
‘Well, most. Eliza has asked for you to go up to their room for she is without the energy she needs to join you in the dining room. Come, Sampson, you can escort me.’ Hercules opens the door for her, and she nods her goodbye before floating out with Sampson trailing her, standing tall, as if guarding his mother.
‘May I?’ I ask, motioning up the stairs.
Hercules nods, and I climb the steps, running over Lady Wisteria’s words, or more the way she was looking at me as she spoke those words.
Heart-breaking, like all love stories are.
Is Lady Wisteria alluding to her daughter? Is she heartbroken? I reach up and press my fist into my chest, scowling at the persistent, downright annoying ache, as my nose is invaded by the sweet scent of honeysuckle. She’s still here? I try vehemently to shut off all of my senses, hurrying along the corridor to where I know Eliza’s room to be. I knock and pray for a speedy permission to enter.