Sweet Poison by David Roberts

Author:David Roberts
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781841194028
Publisher: Constable & Robinson
Published: 2011-12-19T17:14:24+00:00

9

Edward’s Monday

After Verity had left him in the pub to go and see Lord Weaver, Edward found himself at a loose end. Thinking about Weaver made him think about Hermione. He decided he would swallow his pride and go round to Eaton Place to see if she was there and, if she were, whether she had any explanation for her behaviour of the previous Tuesday. He had telephoned the house two or three times but on each occasion he had got no further than a servant who had informed him that Miss Weaver was out. He had had to content himself with leaving messages which had not been returned. It seemed to him pretty clear that Hermione had got over her crush on him. He hailed a cab and had soon left the hustle and bustle of Fleet Street for the genteel tranquillity of that area between Hyde Park Corner and Elizabeth Street where the very rich lived. Their substantial houses presented a cold front to the stranger. Windows were curtained or even shuttered and there were no open front doors to facilitate gossip, the life blood of any neighbourhood and what made living in shabbier London boroughs tolerable and even to be preferred to the icy respectability of SW1.

Deposited on the doorstep of Lord Weaver’s mansion, even Edward was momentarily daunted by its air of not welcoming casual visitors. There were shutters on the windows and he noticed the servants had forgotten to water the geraniums in the window boxes. It almost seemed as though the house was in mourning, but that could not be true if Lord Weaver was working a normal day at the New Gazette. Telling himself not to be a fool, he rang the electric bell. A superior-looking manservant answered the door and Edward handed him his card. ‘Would you inquire if Miss Weaver can see me? She’s not expecting me, but as I was passing I thought I would see if she was at home.’

Edward was a little annoyed with himself. He sounded as if he were apologizing. However, it was said.

The servant read the card carefully and was obviously reassured. He unbent a little and directed at Edward a wintry smile. ‘My lord, I am afraid Miss Weaver is not at home. Would you wish me to see if Lady Weaver is engaged?’

Edward was just about to say that he had no wish to disturb Lady Weaver when he heard her voice in the hall. ‘Who is it, Wilkins?’

The butler stood back, opening the door wide. ‘It is Lord Edward Corinth, my lady.’

‘Lord Edward, is that really you? Please do come in. Were you looking for Hermione? I am afraid she is not here.’

‘Oh, I’m sorry, Lady Weaver. I apologize for disturbing you. I was just passing and I thought I would see if Hermione was here. We parted rather abruptly after . . . after I had taken her to the Savoy last week and I had no opportunity of . . .

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