A Dark and Distant Shore by Reay Tannahill

Author:Reay Tannahill [Tannahill, Reay]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction
ISBN: 9781781859025
Google: NmvlAgAAQBAJ
Amazon: 1781859035
Publisher: Head of Zeus
Published: 2014-07-04T16:00:00+00:00

4

At first he couldn’t discover where Theo had gone. The butler had no idea. All he could say was that Mr Lauriston had driven off in a hackney. Theo’s valet had no idea, either, but he was so wooden about it that Gideon became suspicious and went off in search of Sorley.

‘Don’t pretend you don’t know, Sorley. You know everything that goes on in this household. I assume he’s found some little ladybird – why be so secretive about it? I must find him, and soon. It’s important.’

Sorley, who had just come in, said with a faintly satirical look in his eye, ‘I would not go chasing after him if I wass you, Gideon. He will not like it at aal.’

‘I don’t care whether he likes it or not! Mother wants him in a hurry.’ But Sorley just smiled. ‘Look!’ Gideon exclaimed irritably. ‘You’re bound to find out sooner or later. Drew’s eloped with the youngest Glenbraddan girl – Shona Randall, you know? – and mother’s in a dreadful state. God knows why, but she wants Theo to rush off on the Mail and try and prevent them from getting married.’ And that, he noted with a certain satisfaction, had wiped the smile off Sorley’s face. ‘In my own opinion, it’s too late already, but perhaps Theo will see things differently. So where is he, Sorley?’

‘He hass gone to Theresa Berkley’s – Mistress Berkley’s. It iss at 28 Charlotte Street.’

The address didn’t mean anything to Gideon, although when he found a hackney its jarvey cast him an unpleasantly knowing look.

The moment he crossed the threshold, Gideon recognized why. There could be no doubt what Mrs Berkley’s profession was. His stomach turning slightly at the blast of warm and perfumed air that met him, Gideon addressed himself to the porter, an ex-bruiser if ever he’d seen one. And not so ex, either. He’d be the bully-back as well, as happy to throw some of Madame’s customers out as to welcome others in.

Gideon knew enough not to say he’d coming looking for his brother. Instead doing his best to look like an embarrassed greenhorn – which he wasn’t, quite – he murmured tentatively, ‘I wonder if I might see Mistress Berkley? Just to discuss what – er – services she can offer. If you know what I mean?’

The porter knew precisely what the young gentleman meant; better, as Gideon later discovered, than he did himself. ‘Busy right now,’ he said, shaking his head. ‘Mebbe one of the other young ladies could help you?’

Gideon swallowed his relief. ‘I’d – er – prefer Mistress Berkley herself, I think. I’ve been told that she’s very – um – very understanding.’

The porter didn’t say anything, but just stared at him thoughtfully.

Gideon would have preferred to wait in the hall and catch Theo on the way out, but Theo had left a message that he wouldn’t be in to dinner and Gideon couldn’t risk having to stay here for hours. There had to be a waiting room

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