Page 14 of The Pursuit of Mrs. Pennyworth
Miss Garvey nodded. “Thank you so much, I will definitely do that.”
Charlotte had been approached before by women new to London who had found it difficult to find the correct social circle and she had become a sort of welcoming committee. Knowing how unhappy one could be with no social life or friends, she was always willing to help a newcomer adjust.
Just then, Charlotte was whisked away by Mr. Glenmoor to be joined with another couple as they moved in time, forming a small circle.
Once the lively dance had ended, he escorted her back to where she’d left Mr. Baker, who was just then returning from a conversation with Mr. Melrose and Sir David. Mr. Talbot joined them, and lingered, appearing to prevent Mr. Baker from getting too close. Surely the man didn’t think, as Gabriel’s close friend, he had some sort of obligation to “protect” her? The idea both humored and annoyed her.
“What line of work are you in, Mr. Talbot?” Mr. Baker offered a friendly smile, but the snap in his eyes and the deep concentration he was affording the man, alerted Charlotte to his true intentions. It appeared poor harmless Mr. Talbot was coming under Mr. Baker’s scrutiny. As much as she wanted to dismiss the matter as utter nonsense, it did afford her the opportunity to take a second look at the man.
She’d always been comfortable in his presence, but Gabriel had invariably been there during Mr. Talbot’s visits to the house. Except for the time shortly after she’d been notified by the police that Gabriel had not survived the carriage crash. Her husband, along with several of his muddle-headed friends, had set up a race, driving large horse coaches, normally driven by experienced coachmen.
Mr. Talbot had stepped in to help with the funeral arrangements, stayed by her side during the horrific time, and had called on her at least once a month to ascertain if she was doing well. Could he now feel as though she owed him in some way, or that he was her protector with Gabriel gone?
But how would that fit into leaving her obnoxious things? To gain her attention? Make her feel unsafe so he could step in and safeguard her? Nonsense. She was now taking second looks at every gentleman she’d known for the past year and half. One would hope that Mr. Baker was good enough at his job that he would find the culprit soon enough and put a stop to it.
“I manage my investments,” Mr. Talbot said in answer to Mr. Baker’s inquiry. “I was fortunate enough to inherit property and such, which keeps me quite busy. And what is it you do, Mr. Baker?”
That question got Charlotte’s attention. Certainly, Mr. Baker had an innocuous answer at the ready, knowing Mr. Talbot would ask the same question in return.
“Solicitor.”
Well, that was indeed a good cover for his true profession, but something that anyone could easily investigate if one was apt to do such things. Once Mr. Talbot took his leave to fetch his next dance partner, Charlotte turned to him. “Was it wise to pretend to a solicitor? Perhaps someone might have cause to call you out on that.”
Mr. Baker smiled. “I am a solicitor.”
She startled. “I thought you were an Inspector with Scotland Yard before you began as a private investigator?”
“Indeed. However, I also studied law and passed the exams set by the Law Society.”
“Before you left Scotland Yard?”
He nodded, and the tightening of his lips and the stiffening of his body told her there was a story he preferred not to divulge. She gave it a try, however. “Why did you leave Scotland Yard? The inspector with whom I spoke didn’t say.”
“It was a complicated matter, but one that taught me to remember good is good and evil is evil, no matter how it is packaged.” He glanced, with seeming relief, over her shoulder. “Now, however, it appears your next dance partner is headed this way.” Mr. Baker nodded in the direction of the gentleman making his way across the room. Mr. Carter had been introduced to her this evening for the first time. He was a banker and held himself in high regard. Almost to the extent that the short time she’d been in his presence, she felt as though he looked down upon her. Why he had requested a dance was a puzzle.
* * *
Her feet were tired,and her head had begun to ache, when the orchestra began to play the waltz that Mr. Baker had requested. Tempted to ask him to forfeit the dance and escort her home, she, nevertheless, took his extended arm as they made their way to the dance area.
He turned her in his arms, and tilting his head, studied her. “You appear a bit fatigued. Would you prefer to leave?”
“As a matter of fact, yes. Would you mind, terribly?”
“Not at all. These are not my favorite type of events, and I believe I’ve gathered enough information to begin my investigation.”
Charlotte slumped with relief. Her “almost” headache had turned into a full blown one within minutes. She glanced at her dance card. “I still have three more dances promised.”
“I am sure whichever gentleman has those dances will manage to survive without you.” His warm smile took the sting out of his words. They left the dance floor, and Mr. Baker asked the man at the door to have her carriage brought around.
Sinking into the comfortable velvet seat of her carriage, she groaned with happiness to be off her feet. She reached down and used her finger to rub the side of her foot. Mr. Baker settled across from her, tapped the ceiling, then glanced at her hand.
“It’s probably a good thing we forfeited our dance.” He nodded to her foot. “It appears you’ve had enough of dancing for one night.”
“Yes. I believe that is true.” She looked out the window into the dark night. “I guess that is to be expected since I’ve been out of the normal social whirl for a year now.”
“I understand you were married a very short time when your husband died.”
Charlotte nodded. “About one month.” She shrugged. “And I had such expectations.” She and Gabriel had a warm relationship, based more on affection and companionship, but she’d hoped it would turn into more one day. She had wanted a family and he seemed to be amenable to having as many children as they could.
Since she had no intention of re-marrying, the only children she would ever hold now were the little ones from St. Jerome’s.
