Page 9 of The Pursuit of Mrs. Pennyworth
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Elliot could not get away from Mrs. Pennyworth fast enough. Spending the entire evening with her, the warmth from her body right next to his, and the light floral scent emanating from her skin, was beginning to drive him crazy.
Crazy would be continuing with this assignment. Rather than a nice leisurely stroll, he hurried along the cobbled streets, moving through the London mist from gaslight to gaslight until he arrived at his home. Despite the cool evening, he was sweating when he entered his rooms. He flung off his jacket and tie and tugged his shirt from his pants.
The best thing for him to do would be to work diligently to solve Mrs. Pennyworth’s problem, and then forget her. And her sweet face. And golden hair. And soft skin he wanted to run the back of his fingers down.
Groaning at his stupidity, he removed the rest of his clothes and flopped onto his bed, staring at the ceiling. Yes, he needed to move forward with this, and put Mrs. Pennyworth far from his mind.
The next morning, he climbed aboard an omnibus and took a ride to her house. He found her already out and about, a surprise, since he thought ladies of her class spent the morning in bed. The young parlor maid invited him in to wait. Although he had no intention of waiting, since she said Mrs. Pennyworth would be out for a couple of hours, nevertheless he accepted her offer and spent the time speaking with the staff, starting with the young girl.
“How long have you worked for Mrs. Pennyworth?”
Apparently, not expecting to ever need to converse with guests, she blushed and seemed to have a difficult time forming words. “I have been in service here since before Mr. Pennyworth married Mrs. Pennyworth.”
“And when was that?” He smiled, trying to put her at ease. “The marriage, I mean,”
“Last year, my lord. I believe October.”
He grinned. “I am not a lord, merely Mr. Baker.”
She blushed once again, her small hands fluttering at her side.
“What is your name, miss?”
She gave him a curtsey. “Bridget, My L—“
Yes, she looked like a Bridget. Flaming red hair, trying very hard to escape her white frilly maid’s cap. Deep blue eyes and freckles marked her as Irish.
“Tell me, Bridget, was there a package delivered here today for Mrs. Pennyworth?”
For the first time, the girl’s open demeanor shut down. She began to view him with suspicion. Her eyes narrowed. “I am not sure, and now I must return to my duties.”
Elliot held out his hand. “No, wait. I should have introduced myself. I am Mr. Elliot Baker, and Mrs. Pennyworth has retained my services to help her with a problem.”
Her eyes grew large. “Are you speaking of the strange things that show up on the doorstep?”
“Yes. That is why I asked about packages this morning. Was there anything for her today?”
The girl shook her head. “I really do need to return to my duties. Mrs. Blanchard will have my head if my morning chores are not completed.”
“Ah, yes. Is Mrs. Blanchard the housekeeper?”
“Yes, and a fierce one she is.” She began to back away.
Elliot reached into his pocket and withdrew his card. “Will you be so kind as to present this to Mrs. Blanchard and ask her to allow me a few minutes to speak with her?”
Bridget reached out and took the card, then giving another brisk curtsey, left the room. She was back in a matter of seconds. “Oh, my—Mr. Baker, I forgot to ask if you would like tea.” She fidgeted with her fingers. “Please don’t tell Mrs. Blanchard I neglected to ask before now.”
He offered her a warm smile. “No thank you, and do not worry, it will be our secret.”
In less than ten minutes, an older woman entered the room. She was a bosomy middle-aged woman, tall, with steel gray hair pulled back into a painful looking bun. She wore a long dark wool skirt, covered with an apron, and a white blouse, more fitting for a governess. “You wished to see me,” she looked down at the card, “Mr. Baker.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He waved to the settee in front of the cold fireplace. “Please have a seat, Mrs. Blanchard.”
She settled at the very edge of the settee, watching him expectantly.
“I have been hired by your employer to delve into an issue she is currently dealing with. How long have you worked for Mrs. Pennyworth?”
