An Honorable Affair by Karla Hocker

Author:Karla Hocker
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781626815704
Publisher: Diversion Books
Published: 2014-12-04T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

There was no reason to feel uneasy, Penelope told herself. No reason why she should think of Samuel Abel and immediately remember that the thief must have had a key or an accomplice inside each house he had robbed…

“Spring ’em, Julian!” Penelope demanded imperiously. “There is something I wish to ask Dawson.”

“And,” Julian pointed out, “we must take another look at that list of suspects we made.”

The bays picked up speed, and shortly the curricle rattled at a spanking clip down brightly lit Piccadilly, causing one dowager, whose lozenged carriage they overtook, to lower her window and shout, “Where’s the fire?”

Julian chuckled and with barely a check swept around the slower-moving vehicle and into Berkeley Square. He feathered the corner into the square, then pulled up with a flourish before Belmont House. As Julian sprang to the ground, the front door was opened by Arthur. Soft light spilled from the wall sconces in the foyer down the marble steps.

“Please take Mr. Rutherford’s curricle into the mews, Arthur,” said Penelope, hurrying up the stairs. “Where’s Dawson?”

“H’in the dining salon, Miss Penelope. Miriam be takin’ ’er first lessons layin’ the table.” Arthur marched off to take the bays to the stables in the mews.

Penelope stood in the entrance hall, undecided whether to interrupt Dawson in his exacting task or change out of her undoubtedly soiled gown, when the old butler’s shuffling steps approached from the rear of the hallway and, at the same time, Julian came running up the front steps.

“Miss Penelope,” said Dawson, a martial gleam in his eyes. “You shouldn’t have gone out without your pelisse. Her ladyship was that worried when she heard you’d rushed off with Mr. Rutherford and no more than a muslin gown to protect you from the treacherous night air.”

“And who was the feather head to tell my aunt?” Penelope said crossly. “As you see for yourself, Mr. Rutherford took excellent care of me.”

Slipping Julian’s coat off her shoulders, she handed it to the affronted butler. “Have it brushed and pressed, Dawson. And also have a place set for Mr. Rutherford. He will stay to dine.”

Julian looked at her in some amusement. “On your high ropes, Penny? But no more will I stay to dine than you planned to invite me. You know very well that I cannot sit down at the dinner table in all my dirt—and boots. Lady Belmont would think me a very loose fish indeed.”

Although Penelope suspected that Julian would not at all pay attention to what her aunt, or, for that matter, anyone, might think of him, his refusal had an astonishing effect on Dawson’s attitude. The butler mellowed quite visibly.

“Her ladyship is not one to stand on ceremony, Mr. Rutherford,” Dawson said in a fatherly manner. “And as to your boots, if you wouldn’t mind stepping belowstairs for a minute or two, we’ll have them bright and glossy in no time at all. But as for you, Miss Penelope,” he continued, casting a baleful look at the hem of her gown, “you had best make haste and change afore her ladyship lays eyes on you.

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