Read Online Lady Penelope's Christmas Charade, a Regency Romance by Lilia Birney - Free Book Online
Authors: Lilia Birney
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our ladies are trained to satisfy our customers in ever y way demand ed of them . These two, for example—"
He cut her off with a wave of his hand. "I understand. You need not go on."
" As you wish." She made a few more notes in the ledger. "These two together will come to a price of one thousand pounds . I will have them ready for you in the Red Room at half-past ten. Doe s that suit you well enough, Lord Banks ?"
Damn, this was going to be an expensive investigation. He counted out the money with a flourish. "Suits me well enough. Until then."
As he exited the townhouse, he clapped his hat on his head and tugged on his coat. He had to find a way to sneak Lady Annand into the Gilded Lily—and into the Red Room—without being seen. 'Twould be the only way he could have her try to identify the two girls. If she could not see them, she could not tell if they were in any way connected to Cicely.
The prospect was intriguing, truth be told. After all, he would much, much rather get Lady Annand into that Red Room than all the expensive prostitutes in London. Their tete-a-tete a few days ago had proved most intriguing. Now, if only they could finis h that particular investigation together—and in private.
***
Penelope spun around the ballroom once more on her random partner's arm again. She could never remember the name of the men who vied for her attentions and favors. Once the music stopped and she had made her curtsy, she could consult her dance card once again, and get the gentleman's name. Until then, boredom laid claim to her being. Penelope amused herself by glancing at the whirling faces of the crowd as she waltzed by. 'Twas almost like looking into a kaleidoscope, her favorite childhood toy.
It was only a matter of minutes until she could leave. Pierce promised to collect her from the ball at fifteen after the hour. His note had been terse and to the point. "I shall call for you outside of Lady Winthorpe's home at 10:15. Be waiting." Of course, it was mighty scandalous to leave a Christmas ball in full swing and much more so to leave it only to creep into a thief-taker's carriage. But t hen, she didn't care a fig for s ociety and its rules. That was the beauty of being entirely free.
The waltz ended, and Penelope snuck a rapid glance at her card as she curtsied. "Thank you, Lord Dalworth," she purred as he escorted her off the floor. The orchestra began to disassemble as the crowd surged toward the supper-room. Excellent. It must be just after ten, which meant she had plenty of time to find her wrap and hasten outside for Pierce's arrival.
She dashed up the stairs and entered the dressing-room that had been set aside as a cloakroom for the ladies.
"You're in a mad rush," a voice chirped from the dressing-table. Ah, Elizabeth. She walked over and embraced her friend.
" Elizabeth , darling." Penelope kissed the top of her auburn head. "I must hurry. Pierce is waiting." She found her wrap on the fainting couch and wrapped it around herself.
"Well, then. I shan't keep you. How positively delicious that you are sneaking off to see him." Elizabeth giggled. "Much more delightful than an interminable supper with those bores."
Penelope paused in the doorway. "He has something to tell me about the case. I can feel it in my bones."
Elizabeth waved a languid hand. "Whatever you say, my dear. I heard from Jane that you were starting your affair in earnest. And I applaud you heartily."
Bother . She should have known that Jane would tell. After all, the three women had been friends for years. Rather like the Three Musketeers, these Liberated Ladies. She merely rolled her eyes and sprinted down the hallway. If she took the back staircase, only the servants would see her. And they would assume—like Elizabeth—that she was off to an assignation. In a way, it was true.
Her dancing slippers made nary a sound as she dashed down the stairs. She hadn't been able to clear her mind of the moments she and Pierce had shared in
He cut her off with a wave of his hand. "I understand. You need not go on."
" As you wish." She made a few more notes in the ledger. "These two together will come to a price of one thousand pounds . I will have them ready for you in the Red Room at half-past ten. Doe s that suit you well enough, Lord Banks ?"
Damn, this was going to be an expensive investigation. He counted out the money with a flourish. "Suits me well enough. Until then."
As he exited the townhouse, he clapped his hat on his head and tugged on his coat. He had to find a way to sneak Lady Annand into the Gilded Lily—and into the Red Room—without being seen. 'Twould be the only way he could have her try to identify the two girls. If she could not see them, she could not tell if they were in any way connected to Cicely.
The prospect was intriguing, truth be told. After all, he would much, much rather get Lady Annand into that Red Room than all the expensive prostitutes in London. Their tete-a-tete a few days ago had proved most intriguing. Now, if only they could finis h that particular investigation together—and in private.
***
Penelope spun around the ballroom once more on her random partner's arm again. She could never remember the name of the men who vied for her attentions and favors. Once the music stopped and she had made her curtsy, she could consult her dance card once again, and get the gentleman's name. Until then, boredom laid claim to her being. Penelope amused herself by glancing at the whirling faces of the crowd as she waltzed by. 'Twas almost like looking into a kaleidoscope, her favorite childhood toy.
It was only a matter of minutes until she could leave. Pierce promised to collect her from the ball at fifteen after the hour. His note had been terse and to the point. "I shall call for you outside of Lady Winthorpe's home at 10:15. Be waiting." Of course, it was mighty scandalous to leave a Christmas ball in full swing and much more so to leave it only to creep into a thief-taker's carriage. But t hen, she didn't care a fig for s ociety and its rules. That was the beauty of being entirely free.
The waltz ended, and Penelope snuck a rapid glance at her card as she curtsied. "Thank you, Lord Dalworth," she purred as he escorted her off the floor. The orchestra began to disassemble as the crowd surged toward the supper-room. Excellent. It must be just after ten, which meant she had plenty of time to find her wrap and hasten outside for Pierce's arrival.
She dashed up the stairs and entered the dressing-room that had been set aside as a cloakroom for the ladies.
"You're in a mad rush," a voice chirped from the dressing-table. Ah, Elizabeth. She walked over and embraced her friend.
" Elizabeth , darling." Penelope kissed the top of her auburn head. "I must hurry. Pierce is waiting." She found her wrap on the fainting couch and wrapped it around herself.
"Well, then. I shan't keep you. How positively delicious that you are sneaking off to see him." Elizabeth giggled. "Much more delightful than an interminable supper with those bores."
Penelope paused in the doorway. "He has something to tell me about the case. I can feel it in my bones."
Elizabeth waved a languid hand. "Whatever you say, my dear. I heard from Jane that you were starting your affair in earnest. And I applaud you heartily."
Bother . She should have known that Jane would tell. After all, the three women had been friends for years. Rather like the Three Musketeers, these Liberated Ladies. She merely rolled her eyes and sprinted down the hallway. If she took the back staircase, only the servants would see her. And they would assume—like Elizabeth—that she was off to an assignation. In a way, it was true.
Her dancing slippers made nary a sound as she dashed down the stairs. She hadn't been able to clear her mind of the moments she and Pierce had shared in
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