Salter swallowed. ‘I don’t know what to say, sir, and that’s a fact. But if I do accept, which I’ll have to if Mrs Salter hears about it, and she will since I never keep anything from her, then I will treat it as a loan and pay you back, no matter how long it takes.’
‘If that’s the only way you will accept, then consider it a loan.’ Riley had no intention of being paid back and would find a way to ensure that Jack didn’t attempt it, even if it meant recruiting Mrs Salter to his cause. She was far too practical to look a gift horse in the mouth. ‘Anyway, let’s not discuss this any further now. There’s no time.’ Riley pulled his half-hunter from his waistcoat pocket. ‘If we hurry, I believe we can reach Alexandra Palace just in time to witness your daughter’s moment of glory.’
‘Oh blimey, I’d clean forgot and if I don’t show my battered face Mrs Salter won’t speak to me for a month.’
Riley chuckled. ‘Heaven forbid!’
The show had already started by the time they arrived. It was more crowded than Riley had anticipated and he noticed a fair number of society’s leading lights among the audience. A raised platform ran down the centre of the section of hall being used for the exhibition. Ladies sat on both sides of it, applauding every time a model walked down it, showing off what appeared to Riley at first glance to be very elaborate headwear. If Salter’s daughter could compete in such exalted company then she must be very talented.
Riley noticed Amelia sitting in the front row with Olivia, his mother, sister and Sophia’s mother Celia, as well as Mrs Salter and one of her daughters. It was too crowded for him and Salter to get anywhere near them, so they leaned against the wall in the company of a few other men who had been dragged along to an otherwise all female event. Salter jerked upright when Maureen’s name was announced and the company was informed that her creation would be modelled by Lady Sophia Rochester.
Sophia stepped onto the dais, wearing a glamorous evening gown that perfectly complemented Maureen’s exotic toque. She brought with her the sunshine reflected in the sparkling tones of a gown that perfectly complimented her personality and the decorations adorning the magnificent headpiece. The audience erupted into applause. Sophia smiled as she walked along in her usual unaffected manner, dipping her head every so often to show off the decorations on the crown of the toque. She saw Riley and waved, causing those with their backs to him to turn and see what had attracted her attention. Amelia was one of them, as was Mrs Salter, and they both smiled when they saw their respective spouses.
‘Looks as though you’re off the hook, Jack,’ Riley said, acknowledging Sophia with a small wave and nod of encouragement.
Several more hats were displayed, but none were greeted with the same enthusiasm as Maureen’s, and to Riley’s untutored and admittedly biased eye they didn’t look nearly so inventive. Riley was delighted when the judges conferred and declared unanimously that Maureen’s design had won. Maureen, looking both nervous and astounded, stepped onto the stage alongside Sophia, who showed no such restraint. She grinned and waved, and then threw her arms impulsively around Maureen.
Riley glanced at Salter, who had tears in his eyes and looked fit to burst with pride. Stylish though Maureen’s creation undoubtedly was, Riley privately thought that Sophia’s unaffected enthusiasm had helped to win the day and was inordinately pleased with her generosity of spirit.
‘Well, Cabbage,’ Riley said afterwards, as refreshments were served and Sophia, still wearing the winning toque, gripped his arm. ‘I hope you enjoyed yourself.’
‘Oh, enormously. Look.’ She pointed. ‘That’s Madame Boise, she is the foremost milliner in all of London. Everyone who is anyone goes to her for their hats and she has a waiting list a mile long. That’s Maureen’s current employer she’s talking to, and a more disagreeable woman it would be hard to imagine. Hopefully Madame Boise will offer Maureen a position so that she can finish her indentures in style. She will have a much nicer time of it, I’m absolutely sure, and her reputation will be established.’
Amelia joined them. ‘I am glad you got here,’ she said, squeezing Riley’s arm as Sophia wandered away to attend her grandmother. ‘It means a lot to Sophia.’
‘You have been overdoing it, what with hats and houses and fabrics and what have you,’ Riley gently scolded. ‘It’s far too crowded and I shall take you home immediately.’
‘Did you catch your murderer?’
‘We did.’
‘Then I shall have your full attention, and am ready to return home to our son.’
Epilogue
Two weeks after solving Ezra’s murder, Riley stood in the drawing room at Ashdown once more. It was unrecognisable. Men were working away stripping the old wallpaper, rubbing down the wainscoting and carefully restoring ceiling mouldings previously obscured by layers of mould. Riley held Simon in his arms while Bruno ran around in excited circles, getting in everyone’s way. Amelia had her ever-present swatches of material in her hands and insisted upon showing Riley precisely what she intended to use in each room.
Eventually she ran out of things to enthuse about and they
