Page 21 of The Pursuit of Mrs. Pennyworth
Sorry to see her good humor vanish with his careless words, Elliot glanced out the window of the carriage as the vehicle came to a stop. “It appears we have arrived.” He moved forward on the seat and reached for the door handle. “Although I am hardly a great romantic, even I know that whoever is doing this is misguided in how to gain a lady’s favor.” He hoped his smile restored the geniality they’d shared during the few minutes of silly repartee. As he helped her out of the carriage, he added, “I still credit jealousy as your tormentor’s motivation, so let us give him reason to reveal himself.”
The room to where they were directed was large enough to hold a dozen card tables. A few of the tables were already in play, the competitors serious in their game, while several groups of guests clustered together, chatting and sipping from glasses. Elliot and Charlotte entered the room, and were immediately approached by Mr. Talbot, who seemed a bit possessive of Charlotte, and Miss Garvey. The other man was unknown to him.
Talbot greeted them and turned to the other man. “May I introduce you to Mr. Elliot Baker and Mrs. Pennyworth?” He waved in their direction, then placed his hand on the man’s shoulder. “This is Baron Von Braun, from Austria. He has recently relocated to London.”
“A pleasure, Baron,” Elliot said, studying him carefully. The baron was somewhere in his mid to late forties. Most of his face was covered by a well-trimmed beard and mustache, with a monocle wedged in his left eye. Tall and bulky, he stood straight as a soldier, his smile never reaching his eyes.
The man made a curt turn away from him, bowed from the waist and took Charlotte’s hand in his, brushing his lips over her gloved fingers. “Mrs. Pennyworth, may I offer my condolences on the passing of Mr. Pennyworth.” He patted the hand he held.
Charlotte’s eyebrows rose. “You knew my husband?”
“Indeed. We conducted business several years ago. I did not know of his death until I arrived from Austria.”
“Oh.” She appeared to be trying to tug her hand loose, but the baron did not let go.
“If there is anything I can do for you, please send word. I am at your service.”
“Yes, I will.” Finally able to retrieve her hand, she moved it behind her back and gave him a strained smile.
Watching the exchange between the baron and Charlotte, Mr. Talbot’s smile faded, and he frowned, which added two men to Elliot’s list of potential suspects—Von Braun and Talbot.
“Is anyone ready to play cards?” Miss Garvey’s rough voice broke the spell that seemed to hold the group transfixed.
“Yes, of course.” The baron waved to a table near the door that held four seats. He turned and looked directly at Elliot. “It appears we are one too many. Who would like to sit out?”
Happy to have a good excuse to wander the room, Elliot immediately volunteered. He wanted to keep an eye on the baron as well as Mr. Talbot, and at the same time be free to speak to others at the party.
However, it might have been his imagination, but Charlotte looked a bit anxious at his imminent departure. He reached out and squeezed her hand, a reminder that he was watching, and she had nothing to fear. “May I fetch you a drink, Miss Garvey, Charlotte?”
“No,” Miss Garvey said, without a smile. “I have just finished a lemonade.”
“Yes, please, Elliot.” Charlotte seemed to stumble over his name, but he doubted anyone noticed. “I would like a lemonade.”
After bringing her the drink, Elliot wandered the room, speaking to various people, joining in on games with other groups.
But the entire time, his eyes kept returning to Charlotte’s table, keeping Baron Von Braun and Mr. Talbot under close scrutiny.
