Page 63 of The Not So Perfect Duke

How could she forget her beloved uncle?

“Yes. In fact, I assume you are heading to Bethnal Green station?” Corbett nodded. “Could you ask him to stop by when he finishes his shift?”

“Of course, I will.”

Gathering up her courage, she took Corbett’s offered arm and headed into the dining room. Everyone swung about to look at her. Eleanora dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief as Christian slipped his arm about her shoulder.

When Althea’s gaze turned to Damon, he was not looking at her with empathy or pity but with admiration. And love. Yes, she could see it. And nothing could stop her from hurrying to his arms. Damon held her close, and she laid her head against his chest; the comforting beat of his heart calmed her. Althea did not cry. Honestly, she was all cried out. Nor did she care that everyone stood about watching.

All she wanted—and needed—was Damon to hold her.

“Doctor Stevenson and I will be off. I will send word when the appointment is set up,” Corbett called out.

Althea turned to face the doctors as Damon stood behind, his hands gently rubbing her upper arms in comforting support. “Thank you for everything. Both of you. I especially thank you for your honesty in laying out the possibilities. I will endeavor to remain positive about this,” Althea stated in a steady voice.

“My dear Miss Althea,” Doctor Stevenson said gently. “Positivity does the world of good, even in medicine. Good day.”

Corbett squeezed Sybil’s hand in farewell, and the doctors departed.

“Ellie, I mean it; we must remain positive. All of us. Or I will fall to pieces, I swear it,” Althea said firmly.

Eleanora tucked away her handkerchief under the sleeve of her blouse. “Quite right. Only optimistic thinking from now on.”

Althea strode toward Eleanora and pulled her into an affectionate embrace. “Dear sister.”

The bell sounded at the front door.

“I will see to it,” Sybil replied, already partway out of the room. “Then I have a follow-up on the banker divorce case, but I can postpone the appointment. The meeting is at a friend of the client’s home.”

“No, you go, Sybil. I want us all to carry on as normal,” Althea said adamantly.

Her cousin soon returned, showed the men into the room, then departed. Archie was with a dubious-looking man whose gaze darted about the room. Either he was sizing it up for a future robbery, or he was uneasy with the people and the surroundings. Or it could be a little of both. The man wore a tattered coat, patched trousers, and a frayed cap and wasn’t much taller than Althea.

“This here is Nigel Cleve; he will open the safe for a price,” Archie announced.

Nigel looked to be in his late thirties, early fifties, or somewhere in between. It was hard to tell. The man took off his battered cap and twisted it in his hands, clearly uncomfortable. “Ladies, milords,” Nigel murmured.

“They’re dukes, Cleve. Remember? It’s ‘Your Graces,’” Archie corrected.

“Oh. Right you are.” He rubbed his whiskered chin. “Beggin’ your pardon. My Graces.”

Althea couldn’t help but smile. Although his clothes were worn, he was clean and presentable enough. She made the introductions. “Now, Mr. Cleve, how much do you charge for opening the safe?”

“Well, Miss Galway. I be wantin’ ten pound. That’s me duke rates, if you please.”

Althea could hear Damon mutter ‘extortion’ under his breath, but he nodded in agreement.

“Then it is agreed.” She headed to the corner of the room. Lifting a vase in one arm, she swiftly pulled on the long tablecloth with her free hand, revealing what was hidden beneath. “And here it is.”

“Hiding in plain sight, well done,” Damon grinned.

Nigel stuffed his cap in his pocket, then cracked his knuckles not once but twice. “Right you are. Stand aside, ladies and dukes, and be very quiet. A Chubb safe with a single-dial rotary lock. No worries, yeah?” He got to his knees, then leaned in close to the dial lock, turning it as he listened. “And if this don’t work, I’ve got me tools outside, yeah? Crowbars and such. This will take a while.”

“I’ll stay with Nigel,” Archie offered.

“Perhaps we should locate Edwina Callen and put the journey to Cornwall plan in motion,” Althea suggested to Eleanora. “Let’s head into the study.” They all made their way down the hall to the office-study.

“I concur,” Eleanora said. “Edwina’s rooms are not far. Christian and I will fetch her and bring her here.”