Part 19 (1/2)
”It was a bad day when he escaped. How close are you to retaking him?”
Lord Henry was looking just as implacable.
”Close enough,” he said.
”Maybe it would have been last night if I hadn't been diverted on to other matters!”
”And at Hamp stead?”
Henry shrugged.
”A rumour... a suggestion that he had been seen. You know how it is, Sea grave--the rum ours have him everywhere from Clerkenwell to Chelsea! But yesterday I was closing in. I had found out where he had been hiding.”
”At the Royal Humane Society?” Sea grave asked, with a smile.
”Polly mentioned that she and Lucille had seen you there! They were most impressed by your interest in charitable work, old chap!”
Lord Henry laughed reluctantly.
”The only act of benevolence I would like to commit at present is ridding the earth of sc.u.m like Chapman! It was a masterstroke on his part to use the Society as cover. They are so tied up with their own generosity that they do not even press a fellow for his name. And what is one unkempt and ragged fugitive amongst so many dispossessed, looking for a few nights' shelter?”
”And the tale of a rich protector?” Sea graves asked, putting down his empty coffee cup.
Lord Henry hesitated.
”I have my suspicions...”
Sea grave nodded.
”Well, I had better be going. But I do thank you. Harry.
If you had not intervened. I hope it has not damaged your chances of taking your man. ” Lord Henry gave him a rueful smile and shook Sea- grave's proffered hand.
At the door the Earl paused.
”If you ever need any help, just let me know. Oh, and Harry--' The younger man looked at him enquiringly, ”Be careful,” Sea grave said.
”I realise why you intervened last night and I would not wish anything to prevent you from eventually making your declaration!”
And he raised his cane in mocking salute and left a startled Lord Henry staring at the door.
Chapter Seven.
Q<$zs$> ).
London wilted in the heat of a blazing July.
Polly, made lethargic with the combination of heat and the shock of the riot, kept largely to her room, whiling the time away reading or playing patience until Jessie told her sharply that she was turning into a recluse. She hardly cared. Each night her sleep was broken by s.n.a.t.c.hes of nightmare in which grasping hands captured her and dragged her away to unspeakable places.
She would wake in tears, gasping for breath, comforted only when she realised that she was safe in her bed. During the day she had no energy or inclination to go out and gradually the invitations decreased, although plenty of callers still came to see the Dowager Countess and sympathise with her over her ordeal. Polly had not seen Lord Henry since the night that he had rescued them and rumour had it that he had left London on some of the mysterious, unspecified business that seemed to take him away sometimes.
Polly's heart ached. She had needed to see Henry again, wanted to thank him, and now she felt dissatisfied that matters had somehow ended in an unsatisfactory way.