Curse of the Poppy (Penny Green Series Book 5) by Emily Organ

Author:Emily Organ [Organ, Emily]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-08-13T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 36

“That didn’t go terribly well, did it?” said Francis as he escorted me home in a hansom cab.

It was a warm evening and the gas lamps along Oxford Street twinkled as we passed. Although the seat was small we managed to sit at a respectful distance from one another.

“Not well at all,” I replied. “Mr Fox-Stirling seems to resent any assistance with his search whatsoever.”

“I used to be in awe of the chap,” said Francis, “and I have enjoyed reading his books, but he was rather rude this evening, wasn’t he?”

“He was, and there was no call for it, especially when you’re bearing much of the cost! The man is far too arrogant for his own good. I wish someone else could look for Father instead.”

“There aren’t many men who would undertake the task,” replied Francis. “It’s frustrating as I so wish for you and your dear sister to find out once and for all what has happened to your father, and Mr Fox-Stirling isn’t especially helpful. He’s so insistent on doing things his own way.”

“Which I don’t believe is necessarily the best way,” I said.

“Though he does have a lot of experience.”

“Yes, but does he really possess the skills needed to find Father?”

“I had to hide my laughter when you commented quite directly that he had failed in his last mission.”

“It had to be said, didn’t it? There he was sitting there convinced that his way was the correct one, yet he has nothing to back the theory up with! It was rather rude of me, and now I’m worried my comments may have ruined any chance we had of him looking for Father. Eliza will scold me about it when I see her next, I know it. But I struggled to sit there and listen to him being so rude to you, and so convinced of his own methods!”

“I don’t think you’ve ruined anything, Penny. I’m sure he will still carry out the search. The man relies on people to pay his way on these expeditions.”

“In which case you’d think he would be more polite and considerate, wouldn’t you?”

“Yes, you would.”

“I don’t want him out there looking for Father, I really don’t. Ideally, I would go there myself, but I know that travel in such places is considered too dangerous for a woman.”

“And we would all forbid you, Penny. You couldn’t possibly put yourself at risk in such a way.”

“I cannot see it being anyone’s right to forbid me, but I know you, Eliza and James would nag me so much about any attempt to travel there that it would make life quite unbearable.”

Francis laughed. “It’s only because we care about you, Penny, besides which there is no cause for you to travel there. All you need do is find someone more trustworthy to carry out the search.”

“But who exactly? You’ve already mentioned that not many men would be willing to undertake the task.”

“Perhaps we simply need to ask around.”

“We must ensure that Eliza is happy pursuing someone else first.

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