Page 10 of Honor Unbound

“About that,” Randall agreed.

“And what were you doing at Trent’s factory?” Lady Mary asked.

Mrs. Trent sat forward. “They’re family. Why wouldn’t my brother visit my husband?”

“Of course.” Lady Mary rose. “And we’ve taken too much of your time.”

Marie stood also. Discreetly, she tugged at the top of her bodice. She didn’t think it was revealing, but Mr. Randall’s gaze was too often upon it. Perhaps she should wear a fichu with this gown.

“If you think of any reason why your husband wanted to contact me, please let me know.” Lady Mary waited for Mrs. Trent’s nod before giving her farewells.

The same footman who led them to the sitting room opened the door for their exit.

Lady Mary tugged at the brim of her bonnet. “It was most kind of your employers to open up their home to Mrs. Trent after this tragedy. I’m sure she finds solace staying with family.”

He shook his head. “Oh, no. Mrs. Trent has been staying with us for some months. Everyone is just happy she wasn’t at her house when Mr. Trent was attacked. Who knows what could have happened to her, as well?”

“Quite so,” Lady Mary slowly said. She nodded to the footman, then descended to the pavement.

Ernest held open the carriage door. “Where to, ma’am?”

Lady Mary blew out a breath. “I should go to my club. I’ve been neglecting my duties too long. What I want to do is find this Mr. Hicks.” She stared into the distance, tapping her toe.

Marie dug into her reticule and pulled out the small cloth sack she always carried with her. She loosed the drawstring and pulled out her deck of cards. “That decision is easily made. We’ll both draw cards, high card wins. Do you want to stand for the club or Hicks?”

“I’ll always stand for my club,” Lady Mary said archly. She drew a queen.

Marie pulled a three from the deck.

“The club it is, Ernest,” she said as her driver opened the carriage door. “I do have a stack of paperwork to deal with there. Perhaps I can accomplish something today.”

Marie followed. “Well, we got a name, and we can track this Mr. Hicks down tomorrow. Do you think he did it?”

“The first suspect we discover? Most likely not. That would be too easy.” Lady Mary climbed into the carriage. “But it’s a start.”

Marie settled across from her. The fine cotton of her new gown was soft against her legs, the maroon crushed velvet seats of the carriage supportive of her back. She took back the card Lady Mary had drawn and rolled it between her fingers. Only a couple of months ago she’d thought she’d never see anything beyond her small village in the countryside. Would live and die scrubbing the floors (and more unmentionable things) of her betters.

The carriage started forward, jostling her back against the seat. London rolled past outside the window.

Marie still cleaned, and there was nothing wrong with that work except for an aching back and reddened hands. But this, traveling about with Lady Mary in a gown that cost more than her last year’s wages, being able to ask questions and have her opinion valued, this was something new. Something hopeful.

It might not last. Her diction lessons might be nothing but a waste of time and effort.

She stopped rolling the card with a flourish and held the card up to her face. The queen of diamonds looked back at her.

But as Lady Mary said, it was a start.

Chapter Five

Lady Mary

Itore openthe note from my nephew. I’d spent a large amount of time at Marcus’s house over the past week until I’d felt my presence had become more hindrance than help. I angled the paper to catch the morning light and quickly scanned the lines.

No improvement. I blew out a breath. But little Mary’s illness hadn’t gotten worse, either. My nephew’s eldest child was strong. Strong-willed, Marcus would fondly complain. If she didn’t recover, I wasn’t sure how Marcus and his wife Elizabeth would go on. With all my running about looking into Trent’s death, I would need to remember to make time to visit again soon.

Southey put his paw on my knee, his dark eyes gazing soulfully into mine. I was certain his sympathy was an act to try to obtain treats, but sometimes it did feel as though the dog knew what I was feeling.

I scratched behind his ear. “What rubbish.”