Part 46 (2/2)

”What?” He turned to Joliffe, a shocked, somewhat stupid expression on his face.

”But... I thought we'd agreed there was no need to be openly involved to actually do anything ourselves!”

His voice had risen.

”Shh!” came from all sides.

Exasperated, Joliffe grabbed Mortimer's coat and hauled him to his feet.

”Let's get out of here.” He sent a venomous glance across the theatre.

”I've seen enough.” He pushed Mortimer ahead of him to the exit.

Immediately they gained the corridor, Mortimer turned on him, clutching his coat.

”But you said we wouldn't need to kidnap. her.”

Jollife eyed him if I disgust.

”I'm not talking about kidnapping,” he snapped, wrenching his coat free. He looked ahead, his features hardening.

”For our purposes, there's a better way.”

He glanced at Mortimer, contempt in his eyes. ”Come on--there's a certain party we need to see.”

CHAPTER TEN.

BY THE time Em took her seat at the breakfast table on Friday morning, she was considering visiting Harry herself. Not that it would do any good--but she felt so helpless every time she looked at Lucinda's face. Calm and pale, her guest sat toying with a piece of cold toast, her expression distant.

Em swallowed her snort. Feeling dejected herself, she poured a cup of tea.

”Are we going anywhere today?” Heather, seated further down the table, fixed big hazel eyes almost pleadingly on Em.

Em slanted a glance at Lucinda.

”Perhaps we'll just have a quiet day today. A drive in the Park in the afternoon. We've Lady Halifax's ball tonight.” Lucinda's smile was perfunctory.

”Greenwich was such fun.” Heather struggled to invest her words with conviction. Lord Ruthven had arranged an outing yesterday to the Observatory, hoping to lift Lucinda's spirits. He and Mr Satterly, who had made one of the party, had battled valiantly but to no avail. Lucinda s.h.i.+fted in her chair.

”It was very kind of Lord Ruthyen to arrange it. I must send a note around to thank him.”

Em doubted Ruthven would appreciate it. The poor man had pulled out all stops but it was clear Lucinda barely saw him. Not that she made reference to what was occupying her mind. Her composure was faultless; those who did not know her would detect nothing amiss. Those who did saw the superficiality of her smiles, which no longer reached her eyes, mist let than ever and distressingly remote. She was naturally reserved; now, despite going amongst them, she seemed to have withdrawn from real contact.

”Perhaps,” Heather ventured, 'we could go to the museum? We haven't seen Lord Elgin's marbles yet.

You said you'd like to. ”

Lucinda tilted her head.

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