A Secret Surrender - Darcy Burke Page 0,49
certain was guilty, to justice, and maybe it also explained his solitary life. She’d hit a nerve with the Hermit card, more than she’d anticipated.
She needed a new plan. She couldn’t continue as Madame Sybila, not with Harry’s methods of investigation. He’d probably visit Finch Lane tomorrow, if he hadn’t already, and while Selina had taken precautions, she couldn’t afford to pay everyone to do her bidding. Plus, Harry was damned good at what he did.
If she couldn’t continue as Madame Sybila, they would have to find another way to earn money so they could make it through the Season. Selina exhaled.
Beatrix swept back into the sitting room. “You haven’t moved an inch. What’s the matter?”
“Just thinking.” Selina waved her hand and went to sit on the settee.
Beatrix joined her there. “Dinner smells atrocious.”
Selina winced. “I’m sure it won’t be that bad.”
“You’re an expert liar, but even you can’t believe that,” Beatrix said on a laugh. “Can’t we afford someone better?”
“It isn’t that,” Selina said. “We need people we can trust, and Mrs. Vining and Martha are friends of Mrs. Kinnon. Also, no, we can’t.”
Beatrix frowned at the fireplace. “We don’t need a ladies’ maid. We’ve been taking care of each other for years. Forever, really.”
“I know, but we pay them very little, and their presence gives us credibility. Besides, not everything is inedible.”
Beatrix narrowed her eyes. “Mrs. Vining doesn’t make the cheese.”
Selina laughed. She was shocked that she had that in her at this particular moment. Beatrix smiled in return.
Turning so that she could look at Beatrix, Selina took a deep breath. “What is the plan when you reveal yourself to your father?”
“He’ll be overjoyed to have me back in his life, of course, and will provide me with an allowance, upon which we can comfortably live.” They both knew that might not happen. “If he doesn’t acknowledge me, even privately, I’ll rob him blind,” Beatrix said, addressing the unspoken. “Either way, we’ll be secure.”
Selina nearly laughed again. “I’ve no doubt you could do exactly that. You can’t help yourself.”
Beatrix lifted a shoulder. “Well, that’s true.”
Standing, Selina smoothed the gauze overlay of her gown. “We need a new plan. I can’t continue as Madame Sybila much longer. Harry—Sheffield—is relentless.”
Understanding bloomed in Beatrix’s face. “‘Harry’? You kissed him, didn’t you? That’s why you’re acting funny.”
“That hardly matters.” Selina wasn’t entirely sure why she didn’t just confirm what Beatrix had guessed, but surmised it was because of the unsettling emotions she felt toward him. She was normally quite good at keeping such things buried. That she couldn’t seem to do that with Harry was beyond troublesome.
Selina continued. “As I was saying, I can’t continue as Madame Sybila. I could go back to the East End and change my disguise and name, but we won’t earn enough to support your Season.”
Beatrix fixed her with a steady stare. “We have other options. If you’ll let me.”
“Trix, if you get caught—”
“I won’t.”
“You were once.”
Beatrix scowled. “And it worked out fine. Someday, you’ll stop bringing that up. I hope.” She relaxed her features. “I won’t get caught. Will you let me do this? It’s my bloody Season anyway. I should pay for it.”
“Stick to jewelry only. That’s easiest to fence and garners the most money.”
“What about actual money?”
Selina half smiled. “I will never say no to that. That’s the simplest to make use of.”
“I can start tonight,” Beatrix, said, referring to the rout they planned to attend
“Don’t take any unnecessary risks.” Selina hated asking her to take any risk at all, particularly since she hoped to make a life in London.
“Meaning, don’t pick pockets. Don’t worry, I’ll steal from the house.” Beatrix gave her a reassuring nod. “Now, what about Harry?”
“Don’t pester me about him.” Selina scrunched up her forehead. “There’s nothing between us. I’m merely keeping him close.”
“I meant, what are you going to do to keep him at bay. I should have been more specific.”
Selina resisted the urge to roll her eyes at Beatrix’s droll tone. “At Lady Aylesbury’s next meeting with Madame Sybila, the countess will suggest a visit to the Home for Wayward Children. Madame Sybila will agree, and hopefully, that will be the end of Sheffield’s investigation. If it is not, then Madame Sybila will be called away to care for a sick family member.” This was the manner in which Selina’s various fortune-teller identities left their situations.
“That sounds reasonable,” Beatrix said. “You still want me to move forward with our alternative plan tonight?”
An uneasiness crept over Selina, but she