Callander Square - Anne Perry [25]
He swung round and saw her. He opened his mouth as if to shout again, then realized she was not the errant Perkins. His face was striking, with a great deal of bone. Now he colored faintly at having made an exhibition of himself. He raised his head still higher.
“Good morning, ma’am. May I be of some assistance? For whom were you looking?”
“General Balantyne?” she asked with magnificent composure.
“At your service,” he said stiffly, his temper barely beneath the surface.
Emily smiled with devastating charm.
“Emily Ashworth,” she extended her hand. “I came to see Miss Balantyne, but she is a trifle indisposed this morning, so I shall take my leave. Have you lost a butler? I believe I saw him depart in that direction,” she pointed vaguely behind her. It was an invention, but she wished to appear helpful, and if possible even to engage him in some slight conversation.
“No. Housemaid. Damn woman always moving my papers. Actually I can’t remember if her name is Perkins or not, but Augusta always calls downstairs housemaids Perkins, whatever they call themselves.”
“Papers?” The beginning of an utterly brilliant idea was forming in Emily’s mind. “Are you engaged upon writing something?”
“A family history, ma’am. The Balantynes have fought in all the great battles of the nation from the last two hundred years or so.”
Emily breathed out, trying with all her considerable acting skill to invest her bearing with interest. Actually warfare bored her to tears; but she must make some intelligent remark.
“How very important,” she replied. “The history of our men of war is the history of our race.” She was proud of that, it was an excellent observation.
He looked at her narrowly.
“You are the first woman I have met to consider it so.”
“From my sister,” she said quickly. “My sister has always had an interest in such things. I learned from her of its great importance. One does not realize—but I keep you from your work. If I cannot help, I must at least not hinder. You should have someone to assist you, keep your papers in order, someone who understands such things to dust and care for your study, and perhaps take notes, should you not? Or maybe you have?”
“If I had, ma’am, I should not now be searching for some housemaid to see what she has done with them!”
“Do you think such a person might be of service to you?” She put her utmost effort into appearing quite casual.
“To find a woman who had any sense of military history would not only be extremely fortunate, ma’am, but even more would it be unlikely.”
“My sister is most competent, sir,” she assured him, “and as I have said, has a longstanding interest in things of a military nature. My father, naturally, did not approve, so she has not been able to indulge it as her nature inclined. However, I am sure there would be no disapproval if she were to spend a little time being of assistance to someone such as yourself.” Of course she had no intention of telling him Charlotte was married to a policeman.
He stared at her. A lesser woman than Emily might well have quailed before him.
“Indeed. Well, if it meets with your father’s approval, I daresay it might prove of assistance to me. I pray you, raise the matter to him, and see if she is agreeable. If she is, she may call upon me, and we shall arrange some terms satisfactory to us both. I am obliged to you—Miss—” he had forgotten her name.
“Ashworth,” Emily smiled again. “Lady Ashworth.”
“Lady Ashworth,” he bowed very slightly. “Good day to you, ma’am.”
Emily dropped a tiny curtsey and hurried out in an ecstasy of delight.
She climbed straight into the carriage and commanded the driver to take her post haste to Charlotte’s house. It mattered not a pin what time of the morning it was; she must deliver herself of her plans, and fully instruct Charlotte in her future part in them.
She had totally forgotten Charlotte’s warning to her, and her promise.
“I have been to Callander Square this morning!” she said the instant Charlotte opened the door. She swept past her and into the parlor, swinging round to face