Read Online The Thames River Murders by Ashley Gardner - Free Book Online
Authors: Ashley Gardner
Tags: Historical Mystery
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“I’d say something German. Bavaria, perhaps, or Bohemia or farther east than that. Jewelers there copy French styles but in a different way. They like heavier pieces but at the same time not so ostentatious. This is well made, expensive.”
“We’re looking for its owner,” Grenville said. “Would a jeweler in London know the piece? Even if it came from the Continent, perhaps the young lady or her family had it repaired at some point.”
Gautier tried but failed to mask his enthusiasm. “I will inquire, sir.”
“Good man. Lacey, I must attend this blasted soiree, but you will tell me everything tomorrow, won’t you?”
“Indeed. As soon as my wife releases me from the dungeon for disappearing from the opera and not returning.”
Grenville did not laugh. “Lacey, one thing you will learn about Donata is her equanimity. Every wife in the ton expects her husband will make himself scarce from her most of the time. I imagine she will take no notice of your absence.”
I was not so sanguine, but I thanked him for use of his cellars and promised I’d return the bones to Thompson.
“Not at all,” Grenville said. “Once I got over my shock, I knew of course that you were on a new adventure. But perhaps a note would be best next time, my dear fellow.”
***
I could not make my apologies to Donata for leaving her behind when I reached home, because she had not yet returned. I speculated that she would be more disappointed in me because she hadn’t been there for the surgeon’s assessment than because I had deserted her at the opera house. Donata had many friends and a lively nature, and she’d scarcely miss me.
Brewster, on the other hand, was there to greet me when I descended from the carriage.
“Captain,” he said. “You learn what you wanted?”
Bartholomew had the front door open, a fissure to warmth and light. I lingered in the dark fog. “I learned a great deal. I take it that you had something to do with the expedition?”
“Mayhap.” Brewster’s expression did not change. “We keep this ’atween you and me, Captain. His nibs don’t need to know.”
“Of course,” I said at once, but I was surprised. Denis’s minions rarely disobeyed him, and Brewster had been adamant about me not speaking to the surgeon. “Thank you,” I added. Brewster had done this favor for me at considerable risk to himself.
“Aye, well. Knew you wouldn’t let it rest, and would find trouble if you continued.” Brewster touched his hat. “Night, sir.”
“Good night. Give my best to your wife.”
“Yes, sir.” He remained stone-faced, and I could not tell if he were angry or pleased with my sentiment.
Brewster touched his hat again and faded into the shadows, and I entered the well-lit house.
As had become my habit, I ascended to the chambers of first Peter, then my daughter, making certain they slept and were well.
Peter was growing—he’d put on a few inches since I’d met him—and would soon move out of the nursery and into his own chamber. Not long after that, he’d begin school. It was to be Harrow for him, as it had been for me.
I straightened the covers over the sleeping boy, my stepson, and left the nursery.
Gabriella’s room lay on the same floor as the nursery, her windows overlooking the back garden. Her bedroom was a pleasing chamber—it held a bed with four delicate, tall posts draped with embroidered hangings, walls in a pale cream with plaster medallions in an elegant frieze, sconces dripping with faceted crystals, a chest of drawers and bedside tables with walnut burl veneer.
Gabriella slept with one arm flung across her pillow, her cheeks flushed. She breathed easily and deeply, the sleep of one with no troubles.
Donata and Aline were keen to marry her off, to make a brilliant match that would be a triumph for them. But for now Gabriella was my girl, lovely, good-natured, with a lively mind. I would hold on to her as long as I could.
I smoothed her covers as I
“We’re looking for its owner,” Grenville said. “Would a jeweler in London know the piece? Even if it came from the Continent, perhaps the young lady or her family had it repaired at some point.”
Gautier tried but failed to mask his enthusiasm. “I will inquire, sir.”
“Good man. Lacey, I must attend this blasted soiree, but you will tell me everything tomorrow, won’t you?”
“Indeed. As soon as my wife releases me from the dungeon for disappearing from the opera and not returning.”
Grenville did not laugh. “Lacey, one thing you will learn about Donata is her equanimity. Every wife in the ton expects her husband will make himself scarce from her most of the time. I imagine she will take no notice of your absence.”
I was not so sanguine, but I thanked him for use of his cellars and promised I’d return the bones to Thompson.
“Not at all,” Grenville said. “Once I got over my shock, I knew of course that you were on a new adventure. But perhaps a note would be best next time, my dear fellow.”
***
I could not make my apologies to Donata for leaving her behind when I reached home, because she had not yet returned. I speculated that she would be more disappointed in me because she hadn’t been there for the surgeon’s assessment than because I had deserted her at the opera house. Donata had many friends and a lively nature, and she’d scarcely miss me.
Brewster, on the other hand, was there to greet me when I descended from the carriage.
“Captain,” he said. “You learn what you wanted?”
Bartholomew had the front door open, a fissure to warmth and light. I lingered in the dark fog. “I learned a great deal. I take it that you had something to do with the expedition?”
“Mayhap.” Brewster’s expression did not change. “We keep this ’atween you and me, Captain. His nibs don’t need to know.”
“Of course,” I said at once, but I was surprised. Denis’s minions rarely disobeyed him, and Brewster had been adamant about me not speaking to the surgeon. “Thank you,” I added. Brewster had done this favor for me at considerable risk to himself.
“Aye, well. Knew you wouldn’t let it rest, and would find trouble if you continued.” Brewster touched his hat. “Night, sir.”
“Good night. Give my best to your wife.”
“Yes, sir.” He remained stone-faced, and I could not tell if he were angry or pleased with my sentiment.
Brewster touched his hat again and faded into the shadows, and I entered the well-lit house.
As had become my habit, I ascended to the chambers of first Peter, then my daughter, making certain they slept and were well.
Peter was growing—he’d put on a few inches since I’d met him—and would soon move out of the nursery and into his own chamber. Not long after that, he’d begin school. It was to be Harrow for him, as it had been for me.
I straightened the covers over the sleeping boy, my stepson, and left the nursery.
Gabriella’s room lay on the same floor as the nursery, her windows overlooking the back garden. Her bedroom was a pleasing chamber—it held a bed with four delicate, tall posts draped with embroidered hangings, walls in a pale cream with plaster medallions in an elegant frieze, sconces dripping with faceted crystals, a chest of drawers and bedside tables with walnut burl veneer.
Gabriella slept with one arm flung across her pillow, her cheeks flushed. She breathed easily and deeply, the sleep of one with no troubles.
Donata and Aline were keen to marry her off, to make a brilliant match that would be a triumph for them. But for now Gabriella was my girl, lovely, good-natured, with a lively mind. I would hold on to her as long as I could.
I smoothed her covers as I
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