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)
‘I would be better if you and my husband were not at odds. What were you doing on Hampstead Heath, anyway, Frank?’
I frown, somewhat confused. She knows what I was doing, and that is why she sent Johnny. ‘I was saving our sis––’
Dalton enters again. ‘The Countess of Somerset.’ And quickly exits, getting himself out of the way of Lady Rose, who marches in swinging an umbrella, her face ravaged.
‘Lady Rose,’ I sing, removing my feet from the desk and standing. I am not looking at Eliza, but I sense her smile, which means she too has read today’s article, in which Lady Rose and her brush with the highwaymen is detailed in full.
‘I demand you remove it from sale!’
Dalton, once again, enters the study. ‘Another visitor, sir,’ he says, his tone droll, as Grant presents himself, removing his hat and bowing to the ladies in the room.
‘You are here with news, I expect,’ I ask him, and he nods.
‘Yes, Mr Melrose. Twenty-two thousand, sir.’
‘Twenty-two, you say?’
‘Twenty-two thousand?’ Papa blurts as he meanders in, his face sporting a satisfying expression of extreme pleasure.
‘Twenty-two?’ Mama breathes, following him.
‘I believe that is what Grant said.’ I look at him, thoroughly enjoying myself, as Lady Rose seethes where she stands, looking about ready to shove that umbrella somewhere I expect it would be most painful.
‘That is correct, sir,’ Grant confirms. ‘Twenty-two and three-hundred, to be precise.’
My grin widens. ‘How delightful.’
‘I’m sure,’ Lady Rose hisses through puckered lips.
‘Delightful indeed!’ Mama sings, clapping her hands.
‘Well, would you believe it?’ Papa breathes.
‘Believe it, Papa,’ I say, daring to approach Lady Rose. ‘Readers are quite enthralled.’ I do believe I would be wise to keep my distance, and just as I think that, she launches at me with her umbrella, at quite some speed for an old dragon, it must be said, and clobbers me on the arm with a solid, accurate swing of it. My injured arm. I grit my teeth, my shoulder flaring with pain.
‘You will go to hell, Frank Melrose.’
‘Now, now, Lady Rose, don’t be like that,’ I say, wishing she’d bugger off. ‘You are but one of many who will fall victim to his charms. There is really no need for all of this embarrassment.’
‘I am not a victim, neither am I embarrassed! I was robbed! Terrified!’
‘As is every member of the ton when they come within a metre of your ravaged face,’ Mama says quietly, and I snigger.
‘What did you say?’
‘Nothing, my lady.’ Mama smiles. ‘Now, if you wouldn’t mind, my family and I have luncheon to eat.’
She huffs, puffs, and whirls round, stomping her way out.
‘What a dreadful woman,’ I breathe, rubbing my throbbing arm.
‘Twenty-two thousand, my boy!’ Papa sings, smacking my shoulder, making me yelp. ‘Oh, bugger it, I do apologise, Frank.’
‘Well done, brother.’ Eliza leans up on her tiptoes and kisses my cheek. ‘I am truly thrilled for you.’
‘For us,’ I say. ‘This is a family business, after all.’ Not that Eliza is financially dependent on us any more, of course, but still. She’ll always be a part of the family business. ‘We may need His Grace to source another machine.’
‘Wonderful. Now, I have a luncheon with Lady Blythe and Lady Tillsbury.’ Mama leaves, and everyone, one by one, follows, leaving me to take a moment.
Twenty-two. Incredible! I smile, but it wavers when I recall the other part of Fleming’s deal. I have no idea how I can make that happen – how I can acquire the identity of the criminal wreaking havoc on the ton.
Dalton enters, looking truly exasperated. ‘Lady Taya, sir,’ he says on the deepest of sighs.
Oh? I feel my back lengthen, my shoulders pushing back. It is as though my body, instinctually, it seems, for I did not instruct it, may be bracing itself for her. ‘I’m popular today, eh, Dalton?’ I say, my busy mind now pondering something else. Why is she here? The last time I saw her, she was not talking to me. Because I ruined her? But she wanted it.
‘Indeed you are, Mr Melrose.’ He moves back and makes way for Taya. ‘Indeed you are.’
She remains on the threshold of the study, appearing reluctant to enter, her eyes low. ‘My lady,’ I say quietly, certain I do not like her disposition.
‘Mr Melrose,’ she says quietly, avoiding my eyes.
‘Are you all right?’
‘I am fine.’ She clears her throat and looks up at me. Her eyes suggest otherwise, for they are glazed with tears that look ready to fall, but knowing Taya Winters, I am certain she will never allow it.
‘Are you really?’
Her chin lifts. ‘I am here to say goodbye.’
My heart drops like a rock into my stomach. ‘Where are you going?’
‘It matters not, only that I am leaving.’
‘Leaving Belmore Square? Leaving London?’
‘England.’
I recoil. It is unstoppable and perturbing. ‘What?’
‘I’m going to Paris.’