A Lily Among Thorns(76)

Uncle Hathaway laughed at that.

“How long have I been working here, anyway?” Solomon asked.

“Sixteen years,” Uncle Hathaway said promptly. “Every summer since you were ten, and full time for four years.”

“With you fighting him every step of the way,” Elijah said.

“Do you want me to leave?” Solomon knew the answer, but even so he held his breath.

“Oh, Sol, I don’t know what we’d do without you,” Uncle Hathaway said. “But you’re throwing yourself away here.”

“Don’t you like being a tailor?” Solomon asked, exasperated.

“Of course I do,” Uncle Hathaway said. “But the people who come through that door—they ought to look at you with respect.”

Solomon laughed at the absurdity of it. “Well, I like it too. And I don’t care about the respect of people like our customers. So go easy on Serena, all right? I don’t know where things are going with her, but if we do—what’s more natural than a tailor and an innkeeper?”

It probably wasn’t over, but Uncle Hathaway looked like he’d think about it. Apparently standing your ground really worked. Solomon decided that next week, he’d ask for a few shifts behind the counter.

That night in Serena’s office, Elijah told them that Elbourn and Sir Nigel had both been arrested. Like lambs to the slaughter, Solomon thought rather triumphantly. But Serena and Elijah both looked so bleak he held his tongue. He had thought they would be pleased at their success—but of course in the end it wouldn’t make any difference. Things were moving so fast. The Pursleighs’ masquerade was tomorrow, and the Brendan breakfast the morning after, and then there’d be no one between Sacreval and the gallows.

“Did you discover anything useful at Sir Nigel’s house?” Serena asked.

“Nothing as useful as what my colleagues discovered when they interviewed the servants. Apparently the information was hidden in the pack of cards Sacreval and Sir Nigel played with. A parlormaid said she’d seen him marking a deck, very carefully and thoroughly. Since Sacreval hasn’t been able to hold menu consultations with Brendan and Pursleigh as he used to, he may be using something similar with them.”

There was silence for a moment.

“When we’ve got them all,” Elijah said, “that will leave only Sacreval.” He looked at Serena. “Are you sure you don’t want to talk to any of my superiors about your marriage problem?”

Serena laughed bitterly. “I don’t think any of your superiors will be particularly eager to help me.”

“The regent is head of the Church of England, you know. I’m sure he has the influence to see the marriage annulled.”

“I’m sure he does. I’m also sure he’ll think the situation is a very great joke. I would prefer your superiors didn’t know the problem even exists until it is absolutely necessary.”

“You’re hoping it won’t become necessary, aren’t you?”

“Aren’t you?” Serena said sharply.

Elijah met Serena’s eyes with perfect understanding for an instant, then looked away. “I will do my best to see the enemies of England brought to justice.”

Solomon hoped for both their sakes that the marquis showed a little sense and fled the country. Maybe Solomon could suggest it if he proved reluctant. It certainly appeared the only way to make himself useful at present. Serena and Elijah did all the talking and planning, with their underworld experience and their cool demeanors and their dratted unspoken bond.

“Oh, and Elijah?” Serena said.

“Yes?”

“Do you have the schedule of payments René gave his contacts? I want to confirm that Brendan’s our man and this isn’t some ruse by his wife.”

“I think Varney at the Foreign Office might have that, but how will you get hold of Brendan’s financial information?”

Serena smiled enigmatically. “Leave that to me.” She could be so theatrical sometimes. Solomon hid a grin.

A knock came at the door. “Yes?” Serena called.

“It is I, sirène.”

The three looked at each other in momentary confusion. “Come,” Serena called.

Sacreval entered but stopped short at the sight of the three of them sitting there.

“We were just discussing the final bill for Serena’s order from Hathaway’s Fine Tailoring,” Solomon explained, “but if you need to speak to her, we can leave.”