City of Scoundrels by Victoria Thompson

Author:Victoria Thompson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2019-11-04T16:00:00+00:00

* * *

—

Saturday was usually quiet at the offices of Devoss and Van Aken. The attorneys only worked a half day, if at all, and the clerks usually left by noon as well. Smith stayed until he had shown Fred and Delia Preston into the conference room, where Elizabeth, Gideon and the Old Man were waiting.

Elizabeth found Delia Preston a revelation. Gideon had hinted she was attractive, and while she wasn’t conventionally beautiful, she was a striking woman who made the most of her natural advantages. Her buxom figure was encased in a perfectly fitted navy blue walking suit that Elizabeth wouldn’t have minded owning herself. Her raven locks were glossy and carefully arranged beneath her very pretty hat. Her dark eyes seemed to take in all of them at once, leaving nothing unnoticed.

Gideon greeted the Prestons and introduced Delia to Miss Hirsch and Mr. Lange, who had also risen when she entered. The Old Man wore a wig of salt-and-pepper hair cut in a haphazard style, an impressive mustache, and gold-rimmed spectacles. His suit was cheap and ill-fitting, and he somehow managed to even look a bit shorter than he was.

Delia greeted Elizabeth in German, and Elizabeth recoiled in horror. “English, please. The League is everywhere, and someone might hear us.”

Delia said something else in German, probably pointing out they were not in public, but Elizabeth shook her head. “I’m being watched. I cannot take any chances.”

“She’s right,” the Old Man said. “The government has had someone following her ever since her father was arrested. I don’t know what they think she is going to do, but we cannot do anything suspicious. Besides, if we speak German, Mr. Bates will not understand us.”

“And neither will I,” Fred said with just a touch of irritation.

“Very well, then,” Delia said, although her expression reflected her annoyance as well. “As you wish.”

Gideon invited them to take the empty seats at the table. Gideon sat at the head, with Elizabeth and the Old Man on one side. Fred and Delia sat across from them. Delia had not taken her eyes off Elizabeth since they’d entered the room, but if she was hoping to disconcert her, she was failing.

Elizabeth smiled politely. “I’m a little confused as to why you are here, Mrs. Preston. Are you going to be a partner with Mr. Preston in purchasing my father’s business?”

“Not at all,” Delia said. “I have no interest in your factory.”

“Why did you wish to meet with me, Mrs. Preston?”

“I . . . I am acquainted with your father.”

Even though she’d been expecting something like that, Elizabeth’s nerves tingled. How well did she know him? And did she know his family? She wondered how Gideon was reacting, but she dared not look to see. “Is that so? How do you know him?”

“We . . . I don’t know him well. I don’t get to the city very often, but we met once or twice at social functions, I believe.”

She was lying, although Elizabeth couldn’t imagine why. “I don’t believe he ever mentioned you.

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