Callander Square - Anne Perry [77]
“Was that why she didn’t marry Mr. Ross; because he was not yet of sufficient substance for her, too young?” Emily asked.
“You know, I had not thought of it, but that could be the reason. She admired confidence in a man. Although she did not care for poor Reggie Southeron at all. But then he is so irresponsible! He has not the kind of—what the Romans used to call gravitas, so Freddie says. So very masculine, gravitas, don’t you agree? Really quite exciting!”
“So she would not have run off with a penniless romantic, then? Or someone of unsuitable social class?” Emily asked. Really, the mystery was deepening! This was fascinating, and increasingly incomprehensible.
Sophie’s eyes widened with her own surprise.
“No! No, she wouldn’t, now that I come to think about it. Oh my dear, do you suppose he was already married to someone else, and they simply ran off? Oh, how dreadful!”
“Where do you suppose she met him?” Emily pursued. “If they had met at parties and so forth, people would know who he was—and nobody does!”
“Oh, it must have been somewhere secret,” Sophie agreed. “Even Laetitia doesn’t know who he was. At least she says she doesn’t, and why should she lie? Unless, of course, he was somebody simply awful! But I cannot see Helena becoming enamored of someone awful. She was far too proud, and fastidious.”
“She was fastidious?”
“Oh very! No, they must quite definitely have met somewhere secretly.”
“Well, it must have been close, must it not?” Emily thought aloud. “Or else she would have had to take a carriage, and then the driver at least would know. And one should never trust coachmen, unless one pays them oneself; and even then they may always be better paid by someone else. No, it is good counsel never to trust servants, especially men; they tend to ally with other men.”
“Where then?” Sophie asked. “Oh! Why, of course! I know. At least I know precisely what I should do!”
“What? What?” Emily’s composure vanished completely.
“Why, the empty house, of course! That house on the opposite side of the square has been empty for years! It belongs to an old lady who will neither sell it nor live in it. I believe she prefers France, or something equally odd. It is quite dreadfully neglected now, but it used to be most attractive, and there is a summer house at the back. Quite the romantic spot to meet. That has to be it! Don’t you think I am most clever to have thought of it?”
Emily thought privately that she was quite foolish not to have thought of it immediately, but naturally it would be unkind and impolitic to say so.
“Oh, indeed!” she agreed enthusiastically. “And I am sure beyond doubt that you are right. And one day, I dare say, we shall find out who he was.”
“Perhaps if we go and look?” Sophie suggested. “We may even find some small thing they may have left behind! What do you think?”
Emily had already resolved to do just such a thing the moment the house was mentioned. She did not wish to take Sophie with her, but there seemed no help for it.
“What an excellent idea,” she agreed. “The first opportunity it is fine. We will be thought most odd and attract unwelcome attention if we go in this rain. Tomorrow, if it is dry, I shall call for you and we will go together.” She fixed Sophie with a frank eye, to let her understand that if she crept in beforehand, Emily would confide no more gossip to her. She saw from Sophie’s expression that she grasped the message perfectly.
Emily stood up.
“My dear, this has been the most exciting visit I have paid in months. I shall look forward to our next meeting.” She moved to the door and Sophie came with her, forgetting to ring for the parlormaid in her anticipation of tomorrow.
Emily turned at the door.
“Oh, you won’t mind if I bring my sister Charlotte, will you? She is a most intelligent creature, and may be of some assistance to us.”
Sophie’s face fell for a moment, then at the mention of assistance, brightened again.
“No, of course not,” she assured. “If she