Part 48 (2/2)
”Of course I didn't!” He paused, then asked,
”Why the devil did you think I did?”
Lips prim, Em shrugged.
”Well, there's no reason you couldn't have--I'm quite sure Alfred could have got another name on Elmira's lists if you'd asked him.”
”Elmira?”
Em waved.
”I know Marguerite issued the invitations but it'll still be Elmira's party.”
Fists clenched, Harry closed his eyes--and stifled the explosive anger building within him. His father was older than Era--and suffered from the same, oddly selective memory.
Em clearly recalled his connection with Alfred but had totally forgotten lhat his mother, Elmira, had been dead some eight years.
The parties at Aster Icy Place were, these days, rather different from those Em recalled.
Harry drew in a deep breath and opened his eyes. ”When did she leave?”
” Em frowned somewhat, petulantly.
”About eleven.” She glanced at the clock on the mantel shelf
”She'll be halfway there by now.”
Grim-faced, Harry turned on his heel.
Em stared.
”Where are you going?”
Harry glanced back, his hand on the k.n.o.b, his expression hard and unyielding.
”To rescue Boadicea from a gaggle of lecherous Romans.”
With that, he departed, shutting the door behind him, leaving Em staring in bemus.e.m.e.nt at the uninformative panels.
”Boadicea?”
Harry strode through the door of his lodgings, ripping the white gillyflower from his lapel and tossing it onto the hall table.
”Dawlis.h.!.+ Where the devil are you?” ”I'm right here,”
came in mumbles from down the corridor. Dawlish appeared, an ap.r.o.n over his street clothes, silver spoons and a polis.h.i.+ng rag in his hands.
”Now what's yer trouble? I thought as how you'd gone to settle it?”
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