Page 45 of The Pursuit of Mrs. Pennyworth
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Charlotte had barely settled into her seat in the carriage when Elliot leaned forward, his forearms braced on his knees. “I received some interesting news from Mr. Glenmoor this evening.”
“Was that when the two of you disappeared after we first arrived?”
“Yes. He invited me to view the portraits in his library of his ancestors. Since he is so proud of his military heritage, I did not find the request to join him as odd. However, once we viewed Colonel Richard Foxworth, who fought under Wellington during the Napoleonic wars, he told me of a visitor he and Mrs. Glenmore had recently.”
Elliot looked so serious, Charlotte edged forward, until their knees were practically touching. “Go on.”
“Mrs. Glenmoor extended an invitation to Mr. Spencer to join them for dinner.”
“The vicar?” Mrs. Glenmoor was ever the gracious hostess, and her events were always well-attended, but why on earth would she invite that strange man?
“Yes, the vicar. Mr. Glenmoor said he had not been pleased when his wife told him of the invitation. It appears the man is no more popular with Mr. Glenmoor than he is with us. In any event, while the vicar was at their home, he peppered them with questions about you.”
Charlotte drew in a breath and placed her hand on her chest. “About me?” Her heart began to pound. Why in heaven’s name would Mr. Spencer be asking about her? “Do you suppose…”
“That he is our man? The idea occurred to me, except for the expensive bracelet that was left. No vicar could afford to purchase such a thing.”
“That’s correct. So, I guess we can assume he is not the one?”
“Not necessarily.” Elliot sat back flush against his seat and rested his foot on his knee. “Glenmoor knows Spencer’s family. I’m not sure if that was why Mrs. Glenmoor felt the need to invite him to their home. The vicar is not subsisting on a vicar’s living. He is connected to a very wealthy family, who made their money in shipping.”
“Then hecouldbe the man.” She wasn’t sure if she was relieved or more frightened. Mr. Spencer was not someone to take lightly. “Did Mr. Glenmoor say what questions he was asking?”
“He seemed interested in your background. How long you’d been in London, how long you were married to Mr. Pennyworth, and what, exactly was your relationship to me.”
Charlotte glanced out the window, her heart pounding even harder. Mr. Spencer could very well be the person leaving the packages at her front door. Or—even worse, he could be aware of her problem with Lord Barton. If he has wealth in his background, then he would not have been hired by Barton to find her, but if he was aware of the charges against her, he could use that for some sort of blackmail.
She twisted the cord of her reticule around her finger until she realized her poor finger was growing numb.
“Charlotte? What are you thinking? If Spencer is our man, I can get this taken care of right away. A visit to the vicarage, a few well-placed threats of exposure, and it is all over.”
“Yes. That would be a relief.” Why did she not feel relieved? Because it seemed too easy? Because she now feared that Lord Barton was closing in on her?
“Are you all right?” Elliot held out his hand just as the carriage came to a stop. She ignored his offer and moved to the edge of the seat in preparation to leave. The door swung open, and Elliot stepped out and turned to her. Once again he offered his hand, which she accepted. Only the sound of their shoes crunching on the pathway, then on the cement steps leading to her door, broke the silence.
The mist shrouded them, the lone gaslight next to the carriage the only relief from the fog. She turned to him and offered him what she hoped was a warm smile. “Thank you again for accompanying me. Perhaps this will all be solved post haste now that you have more information on Mr. Spencer.”
Elliot studied her for a minute, and she quelled the need to fidget under his regard. Finally, he nodded. “Yes, perhaps we are at an end. I will speak with the vicar in the morning and report back to you. Will tomorrow at two suffice?”
“Yes. I expect callers, but if you remain behind, we can discuss your visit then.”
He reached out and touched her cheek with the back of his index finger, running it down to her jaw, where his fingers framed her face. She closed her eyes at the sensation, wishing all her worries away. She leaned into his hand, finding comfort there. His other hand rested on her hip in a possessive maneuver, drawing her closer. “I must admit your reaction to the possibility of finding the culprit and putting an end to his harassment has been less than I would have expected.”
“I am just tired. Weary to my soul. If it indeed turns out to be Mr. Spencer who, for God knows what reason, has some sort of a fixation on me, I will be delighted to have it end.”
Elliot’s thumb slid over her cheek, in a light caress, bringing attention to the tingling in her nipples, and warmth spreading from her lower parts. She opened her eyes to see him staring at her, a need so raw in his eyes that it should have frightened her, but instead turned the warmth into fire.
He nudged her closer so their thighs touched, his iron muscles against her softness. Even though they were shrouded in mist, she was aware that they stood in public on her front steps. Not wishing to call attention to themselves, she drew back. “Good night. Thank you again.” The words were barely a whisper.
The fire in his eyes dimmed just as the door opened, Thomas’s cheerful face greeted her. “Good evening, Mrs. Pennyworth, Mr. Baker. Sorry I didn’t see you arrive, ma’am.”
“That’s fine, Thomas.” Without turning back, she entered the house and Thomas closed the door. She trudged up the steps, wondering why she wasn’t happy about Elliot possibly solving the case. Did she not want to see the entire difficulty come to an end?
Why did she feel discombobulated, almost as if she was about to lose something? Of course, she wanted to lose the fear of opening her front door and finding something frightful there. She entered her bedchamber and walked to the window, gazing out at nothing since the swirling mist shrouded the entire city in secrecy.
Maybe she was concerned about losing Elliot. If the look in his eyes was what she assumed, perhaps he was concerned about losing her, as well.
