Page 53 of Flirting with Forever

“A bit. Why?”

“I’m glad. I think we have two choices, then—”

A boom sounded in the distant night.

“What’s that?” She looked out the windows.

He smiled in surprise. “Do you not know?”

When she shook her head, he took her hand, fetching his coat from a hook on the wall. “Come. This is one of the choices.”

* * *

Mertons collapsed on a chair in the scullery. The woman was odd. There was no doubt about it. Was it possible she was an ally of Campbell’s? The calculations had not shown the presence of a second conspirator. And yet…

Morag brushed by. He saw a smidgen of ankle as she stepped onto the hearth to reach a high-hung pot.

“Morag,” he said, hoping the movement as she turned might provide another flash, “are you aware of Mrs. Post’s origins at all? Was she recommended by another patron? Have you ever seen her in Peter’s studio before?”

“First, Mr. Mertons, ‘Mrs. Post’ is not her name.”

“Not her name?”

“No. ’Tis Miss Post. Miss Eugenie Campbell Stratford Post. See the note from Miss Gwyn there.” She picked it up and read. “‘Attached is a sketch done by Francis Conley at Peter Lely’s studio. It is of a dress owned by Miss Eugenie Campbell Stratford Post. I should like it duplicated in a charcoal moiré. Please note the lining.’ I am to have it delivered to her tailor on Half Moon Street in the morn—”

Campbell! He snatched it from her hand, horrified.

“Mr. Mertons!”

“My apologies.” He ran.

At the first turn, he came face-to-face with Stephen and two large apprentices. Stephen carried a salver filled with cheese and broken glass.

“Is he upstairs?” Mertons demanded.

“Peter, do you mean?”

“Aye, of course. I need to speak to him.”

“Impossible.”

Mertons snorted. “It’s urgent. Is he upstairs?”

When Stephen failed to reply, Mertons turned to find out for himself, only to find his egress halted.

“Take your hand from my sleeve, sir,” Mertons said sharply.

“The master is not to be disturbed.”

The apprentices, approximately the size and tensile strength of marble columns, spread to fill the hall.

“This is a matter of extreme urgency.”

“If it don’t involve blood, it can wait until morning. In fact, even if it do involve blood, it can wait until morning.” And when Mertons attempted to shake the hand loose, Stephen added, “Do not make it involve blood, sir.”

The apprentices stepped forward.

“You’ll regret this,” Mertons said.