A Wedding In Springtime(109)
“I am happy to see you! You brought Marchford and everyone is safe. Well, except the Candyman, but he was a villain,” reasoned Genie.
The children all grouped around Grant. “Does we still get to go to the country?” asked the lad, taking off Genie’s bonnet and coat and returning them. Genie smiled but doubted she would wear either again.
“Yes, of course. I can drive you out soon, but I will need to find a place for you until then,” said Grant.
“I shall detain the urchins,” said Neville.
“They saved us; they should be cared for. Some are in dreadful condition. They need to be cleaned and fed,” said Genie.
“They should go to an infirmary for care,” said Thornton. Despite some protests from Neville that the lads should by all rights go to a workhouse, Thornton offered to see the boys safely to the infirmary, with the promise from both Grant and Marchford not to worry about the expense.
“But what of the letter that caused this entire problem?” asked Neville. “Your Grace, surely you must see that you cannot keep sensitive documents.”
“For once, Mr. Neville, you are right. I will not keep it any longer.” Marchford pulled folded papers from his coat. Neville held out his hand, but Marchford shook his head. “Thornton, if you could bring the lantern from the carriage?”
Thornton nodded and returned moments later with the lit lantern. Marchford unfolded the letter, held it up for Neville to see, then dipped it into the lantern, catching the edge on fire.
“What are you doing, man?” Neville lunged, but Marchford easily held him off, turning the page to ensure the entire document disappeared into ash.
“But now how will we communicate with our operatives?” demanded Neville.
“There is a new code. This one is obsolete,” said Marchford calmly. “Now then, Thornton and I will escort the children to the infirmary. Grant, I trust you can see Miss Talbot safely home.”
“We need to search Blakely’s rooms,” said Grant. “I assume he was the thief at Admiral Devine’s house, and I imagine we should find both the papers he stole and my aunt’s emeralds.”
“The emerald earrings!” exclaimed Genie. “He must have reset them and then allowed my brother to win them, knowing he could get them back once he put him into debt.”
“I will search his apartments with the constable after we deliver the children,” said Thornton.
“I see you have no more need for me,” said Neville with a scowl.
“Yes, of course we have need of you,” said Marchford with a droll smile. “You can dispose of the body.”
Thirty-six
“But I don’t want to go wi’ the boys!” wailed Jem and cleaved to Genie as immovable as a limpet.
“Very well,” soothed Grant. “You can stay with me for a few more days until we all ride out to the country.” He handed Genie into the hack and lifted Jem in as well. Grant sat beside Jem, wishing there was not an urchin between him and his beloved, and gave the direction to the driver.
“I suppose I must go back to my aunt’s house, but really I wish I did not have to,” sighed Genie.
“Did your aunt kick up a fuss when Louisa ran off?” asked Grant.
“You know?”
“Yes, and what’s more she got herself hitched.”
“Well, now! To whom?” asked Genie.
“Some doctor.”
Genie put her hand to her head. “I feel I’ve been in the cellar for days. Poor Aunt Cora will be in high dudgeon.”
“Got a better idea.” Grant gave the direction to Marchford’s house. “Get ready for the ball there. Send for your clothes.”
“Are they still going to have the ball?” asked Genie.
“Don’t know,” said Grant in all honesty. “If not, better be there than with your aunt anyway.”
“True. I suppose I will have to go back soon enough,” sighed Genie.
“Why can’t you live with Mr. Grant like me?” asked Jem.
Grant also planned to ask Genie the same question but thought that the presence of an urchin between them made the circumstance less than ideal, so he refrained.
“Jem, I need to go home to the country, and you also will have a new home in the country,” said Genie.
“To stay with you?”
“No, dear. I will go home and you will go to your new home with the other boys.”