Most Secret by Kathleen Buckley

Author:Kathleen Buckley [Buckley, Kathleen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, historical, Jacobite rebellion
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2018-04-17T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Jane paid a visit to her house. Had anyone asked, she would have said it was because she wished to see how the cleaning was progressing, but no one did. In fact, she was curious to see the Crown and Castle. It was easy to enlist Molly, whose work was far lighter with no one living in the house but the servants, and get a hackney from the nearest hackney stand. To be sure, Mrs. Harrow wanted to know her errand.

“I’ve heard there is a merchant with a shipment of Turkish rugs. The one in my uncle’s study is sadly worn. Even I cannot be sentimental about it. If I can find one of the same size and general appearance, I will replace it.”

That satisfied Mrs. Harrow, who graciously ceded Molly to Jane for the morning.

Her uncle had once mentioned an importer of carpets, and Jane recalled the name. It was perhaps a little odd to request that the coachman take them to the Turkish Emporium by way of Lower Thames Street, but it was not far out of the way. Having inquired of Betty with some particularity for landmarks near the Crown and Castle, she was able to sight it without difficulty. She leaned close to the window to peer at it, wondering what could have taken her brother there. As they passed, the coach came abreast of a gentleman waiting to cross the street. Jane’s eyes widened. In the moment that he recognized her, his ordinarily impassive face took on an arrested expression. And then the coach was past, and Jane sank back on the seat, half glad and half alarmed.

Dear Mr. Lattimer,

I passed the Crown and Castle near the corner of Lower Thames Street and Pudding Lane today in a hackney, on my way to shop for a carpet. You may imagine my surprise to see Mr. Charles Pleasaunce near the public house. I suspect you will find the fact of interest. I am sorry to say he saw me, as I chanced to be looking out the window as he was waiting to cross. I hope I may not have frightened him away.

****

Papa having been irritable since Rupert’s flight to Scotland, Jane had composed a series of menus which included his favorite dishes and told Mrs. Merry to begin preparing scarlet beef, as that would take several days.

However, Wilson sought her out in the housekeeper’s office and cleared his throat before murmuring, “Mistress Jane? The master has returned early from his club and requests that you attend him in his bookroom.”

This could not be good news. She set aside the schedule of draperies to be taken down for thorough shaking and airing in the little back garden. It was a chore which gave some trouble every year, as it must be done in good weather, and without inconveniencing the family: the drawing room must be done on a day when no one was expected to call, the dining room when the family was invited to dine elsewhere, and the project depended on the weather being dry.

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