“I will speak to him. Anything else you have to report?”
“Miss Talbot has befriended a young boy, a street urchin and thief, and is trying to rehabilitate him. Lord and Lady Bremerton rejected the notion, so Mr. Grant has agreed to house the urchin.”
“I confess Grant did tell me much the same, but I thought it must be one of his jokes. And my grandmother?”
“Feisty and plotting your demise.”
“Everything is normal then, capital. I must thank you, Miss Rose. I have rarely seen my grandmother in such fine fettle. Whatever you are doing to lift her spirits, please do continue.”
“I shall remind you that you directed me in such a manner sometime in the future.” Pen could not help but smile.
Marchford smiled in return, a rare occurrence. “I do not mind having you in the house nearly as much as I thought I would.”
“Was that a compliment? I fear I may have missed it.”
“It was a little backhanded, I apologize. Let me try again. I enjoy your presence, Miss Rose. I shall miss you when you leave with my grandmother to the dowager house.”
“Thank you. Since we have no plans at present to leave, you shall have the pleasure of enjoying my presence for the extended future.”
“I shall accept my fate with the courage that befits an Englishman,” said Marchford gallantly. “I should warn you, I shall be around the house and most likely in my rooms for the next few days. I believe I will become ill.”
“You are going to keep to the house to try to catch this thief.”
Marchford graced her with another smile. “You are a clever one, Miss Rose. If you could pass along my apologies for tea? Tell my grandmother I told you I was feeling ill.”
“As you wish,” said Penelope, standing to leave.
“Oh, I almost forgot. This arrived for you.” Marchford reached for something in his inside coat pocket.
“Thank you.” Penelope took the letter he handed her. It was address to her, but other than originating from London, it had not return address or information. She broke the seal quickly, curiosity overtaking her. One glance inside told her she must read this particular letter in private. “I think I shall take a moment to rest and read my letter in peace.”
If he had hoped her to explain the letter, he accepted her silence and merely bowed in response. Penelope proceeded upstairs to her room to open the mysterious letter without prying eyes. There was another sealed letter inside the first one. The letter within was addressed to Madame X.
***
“Why, George, whatever is the matter?” Genie frowned into her brother’s formerly playful eyes. They had a dull appearance now. She took his hand and drew him to sit with her near the window of Hookham’s Lending Library.
“Nothing is the matter. This has been a great lark.” He rubbed his tired eyes with his hand.
“You look dreadful. Have you slept at all since we last spoke?”
“Been having too much fun to sleep,” said George.
“It does not look like you have been having any fun at all,” retorted Genie.
“Shows what you know. Some things are not meant for a girl. Turns out I have a knack for cards,” he said proudly, puffing out his chest.
“Cards! Please do not tell me you have been gambling away your school money, George.”
“All right, I won’t tell you. I didn’t ask you here to quarrel but to give you this.” He handed her a small box. Inside were two twinkling, emerald earbobs.
“George! These are beautiful!”
“I thought they would look nice with your coloring,” said George like he had been living in Town all his life.
“Why, yes, yes, they will. Thank you so much.” Genie gave George a warm hug. “But how could you possibly afford them?”
“Like I said, I have had a run of good luck. The cards love me!”
“Father and Mama would not approve of you gambling.”
“They would not approve of me losing money, but you see, I’m winning money. I cannot lose!”
“I do not think that is exactly what they meant by not approving of gambling.”
“I told you I wanted to do something to help you. I have seen the way so many of these ladies dress, all flash and sparkle. I know you haven’t a single earbob from Mama, so I thought your baby brother could come to your aid.”
“Thank you, George, now please go to sleep.” She could not help but feel concern over his gray complexion.
“Yes, Genie,” he said with puppy dog eyes.
“And go back to