A Wedding In Springtime(101)

He sneaked out the door on the other side of the small room and found himself in a corridor. Down the hall were the sounds of the kitchens with people chatting through their work. He supposed making the chocolate and the sweets took considerable effort.

He opened the door across from him and entered a small study. He searched the papers and found ledgers of sales, but nothing of particular interest. On a hidden shelf behind the desk, he found a ledger of monies loaned to men and women who had fallen on hard luck. He raised an eyebrow at some familiar names, but the name of Genie Talbot was not among them.

He cautiously opened the door once more and edged down the corridor closer to the kitchens. On the left was another door and he quickly dashed to it. Opening the door, he found a staircase leading down to the cellar. He closed the door behind him and slowly crept down the stairs into the gloom.

***

“I should thank you for interposing yourself today,” said Marchford. “Your knowledge of the location of Dr. Robert’s place of business is helpful.”

“I would say you’re welcome, but I do not think it was a compliment,” said Penelope, sitting next to him on the phaeton.

“I thought we had an agreement that you would tell me relevant information. You have clearly been here before. Did you not think my fiancée’s husband would be relevant to me?”

“I did not know she was married,” Penelope defended herself. “I did know she was interested in Dr. Roberts, but I did not know the extent of the relationship. How do you feel about this turn of events?”

“I wish she had told me before I announced a ball in her honor. Going to be dashed awkward.” Marchford steered deftly through the crowded London streets.

“Here we are, on the left. What is your plan now?” asked Penelope.

Marchford pulled up in front of the respectable house in a nicer part of Town. He left Penelope’s question hanging in the air, since he did not know the answer himself. Inside the residence, the young man in the apothecary attempted to tell them the doctor was unavailable, but Marchford ignored him. If there was a time to break social convention, this must be it.

“I believe his living quarters are upstairs,” said Penelope.

Marchford did not wait but bounded up the stairs with the shop clerk right behind, demanding he stop. Marchford burst through a door and got lucky. Dr. Roberts stood in the drawing room.

“Your Grace,” said the good doctor. “It is quite all right,” said the good doctor to his shop clerk, who glared at the interlopers but left the room.

Face to face with one of the doctors who had attempted to save his brother’s life, memories of sickbeds, treatments, and medicine flooded Marchford, rendering him speechless.

“Dr. Roberts, I don’t think we have formally met,” said Penelope, noting the silence in the room and taking command. “I am Penelope Rose, the new companion to the Dowager Duchess of Marchford.”

“A pleasure.” Dr. Roberts bowed.

Penelope’s sensible tone snapped Marchford back to the present. “Dr. Roberts, I do thank you once again for doing all you could for my brother,” said Marchford, finding his voice. “But I am here on a different errand.” He cleared his throat, wondering how to begin. “I understand you may know the location of Lady Louisa.”

“I am sorry I cannot help,” said the doctor. “I have not seen her since her last visit.”

“Dr. Roberts, I think the time has passed for charade. I need to speak to Lady Louisa.” Marchford spoke with the authority of a duke.

“I am sorry,” said Dr. Roberts firmly.

“Dr. Roberts, I am not here to stop Louisa. I simply would like to talk to her.”

“I am here,” said Louisa, emerging from a side door. She appeared calm but clutched her reticule with white knuckles.

Marchford took a deep breath. “Is it true you are married to Dr. Roberts?”

Dr. Roberts stood beside her and took her hand. The answer was clear.

“I understand,” said Marchford. He should feel disappointed, but the only thing flooding his heart was relief.

“We need to think strategy,” said Penelope. “Running away will not enhance the social credit of either one of you.”

Marchford glanced at Penelope, amused by her direct manner. It was a relief to have someone willing to state the plain truth without preamble or apology.

“Do you think there is any way my parents will accept my marriage to Dr. Roberts?” asked Louisa.