“Ah, there you are! Grandmama, this is the young man I wanted you to meet.”
Benjamin extended a hand. “Pleased to meet you, your ladyship,” he said, bowing.
“Oh! I like him!” her grandmother cooed. She glanced from Benjamin to the room. “Young man, why are you staring at the beds?”
“’Cause I ain’t sure I wanna be stuffed in a cabinet. I likes to stretch me legs, me lady, and have more’n one way out.”
Nora interceded. “Benjamin, we shall allow each of you to choose. We have a few extra beds in here, if you look.” She extended her hand towards the six beds already placed in the room. You may choose your favorite one.”
“Thank you, Miss Nora. I want the one nearest the door.”
Seeing his apprehension and understanding that it could have something to do with being squeezed into a chimney, she had an idea.
“Benjamin, turn down the blanket on the bed you wish to have. That will signify that you have claimed it.”
Excited, he stopped at the bed nearest the door and turned the blanket down. “Thank you, Miss Nora.” Happy, he joined the other children, whose voices were coming from what was becoming known as the girls’ room across the hall. The process to claim the beds had started, and the children were enjoying themselves.
A loud knock sounded downstairs. “That sounds like the front door. It could mean that Lord Shefford is back,” Nora said, taking note of her own wistful tone. Colin had not promised to return that day. He said he would return as soon as possible. An empty feeling hit the pit of her stomach. She missed him and wished they could have touched once more or had one more kiss before he departed.
“I agree. When he returns, I would like to know more about the message. Perhaps he knows more,” her grandmother returned.
They had reached as far as the parlor when Mrs. Simpkins opened the door for Dr. Perth.
“Thank goodness ye are come. The man seems fevered,” she exclaimed, quickly ushering him along the hall towards the kitchen.
The doctor stopped at the parlor door and bowed.
“Good day, Lady Whitton. This must be your niece, Miss Mason. It is nice to meet you both. Miss Mason, I will inform you of anything I find.”
“He seems to be a nice young gentleman,” her grandmother observed as he walked on down the hall. “The ladies of the ton find him quite handsome. Even without a title, many ladies have singled him out as a prospective spouse.” She inhaled, primly.
“I should keep him from Mary’s sights,” Nora responded with a quick laugh.
“She keeps things entertaining,” the Countess responded, amused. “I fear I should probably go home. It is getting rather dark outside. You should go to sleep early, my dear. There are dark circles under your eyes. Please have your Lord Shefford call on me with details of what he finds.” She paused. “I do not believe the person who threw the stone meant any harm, based on his message, although that is strange.”
“Why do you say that, Grandmama?” Nora questioned.
“To me, the person who wrote the message and wrapped it around a stone, before tossing it through a window, seems desperate. The other person,” she continued, “is more concerning. Knocking out a guard takes some calculation, I would imagine.”
“You think there could be two men?” An icy shiver skirted down her spine. For the first time in all of this, Nora’s unease threatened to overcome her.
“Do you feel unwell, Nora? You look pale,” her grandmother remarked, clearly concerned.
“No, Grandmama. I am quite well, although perhaps a little overwhelmed with the day’s events. I shall make a point of calling upon you and we can then talk more.”
“I should like that very much, my dear. If you will forgive me I shall take my leave.” The Countess turned to Woods, waiting unobtrusively near the door, and showed her readiness with a nod. He helped the Countess with her pelisse and handed her her hat and gloves. “I expect you to maintain the comings and goings of this house, Woods. Keep a close eye on my granddaughter and the women and children,” she said firmly and loud enough for Nora to hear.
“I assure you, my lady. I have just taken a tour of the environs. The property is secure.”
Nora watched her grandmother leave, feeling thoroughly unsettled by her visit.
Chapter 18
Colin found Bergen at the club, enjoying drinks with Morray. He handed his coat to the doorman who pointed him towards the corner of the primary room where the two gentlemen were sitting, laughing at something one of them had said.
“What has you with such a serious look, Shefford?” Bergen held out his glass in a cheerful toast.
“I am afraid this day has been too eventful by half,” Colin replied, accepting a drink from the footman and taking the leather chair nearest Bergen.
“How so?” Morray asked, accepting another cup of hot tea from the footman. He preferred it to the alcoholic beverages. No one ever commented on Morray’s choice of refreshment.
“I must find Whitton. Another stone was hurled through a window at the orphanage this afternoon. The note appears much the same as the note pitched through my mother’s window—just a different message.”
Bergen sat up. “May I see it?”
Colin passed it to them and noticed their concern. “I see I do not have to say more,” he commented, his voice calmer than he felt.
Morray reached into his waistcoat and extracted a small piece of paper. “I thought you might need this. It is his ladybird’s address. We should not waste time.”
Colin studied the address. “That is two streets from here. I need to go immediately.” He stood to leave on his words.
“Would you like company?” Bergen placed his glass on the side-table and rose from his chair.
“Would three be too much company?” Morray took a last sip from his tea and placed his cup beside Bergen’s tumbler.
“I would appreciate the help, if you have the time.
