Chapter 6 #2
While I might have argued the matter, and had in the past, insisting that I was perfectly capable of taking care of myself in most situations, I respected his professional experience in such matters. Still…
“These are not the sort of places that would be safe for a woman,” he had told me more than once, and then with that familiar half-smile at one corner of his mouth.
“They are places I’m familiar with, and the people I know. And I wouldn’t put it past someone to do ye harm out of spite. After all, ye are an attractive woman and a person of means. It is best I make my inquiries while ye complete pursuit of the case to Lady Ambersley. And dinna fash.”
Don’t worry. Yes, well, that was easier said than done, and I had patched up more than one of his wounds in the past.
Bloody, stubborn Scot!
It was one of those things that I struggled with, when I had told myself for most of my life that I didn’t need anyone. Other than my sister and my great-aunt.
‘The best laid schemes of mice and men often go awry.’
So said another Scot.
‘So, here you are,’ that irritating little voice inside me whispered. ‘What are you to do?’
Get on with it! I thought.
There was Kitty Ambersley and her very valuable, still missing necklace. I did have a thought about that, and I was determined to meet with her as soon as possible.
After my third cup of coffee and notes made in my notebook, I placed a telephone call to the Ambersley residence.
I pushed back the somewhat sarcastic thought, not for the first time—who in the world went by the name of ‘Kitty’?
The next thought that followed—who would have a dog named Bitsy carried around in a handbag?
To each their own, I thought.
After all, I preferred the company of a somewhat disreputable hound that liked sponge cake and had a habit of dragging up dead creatures dropped at my feet like a trophy.
It was with that thought in mind that I called for a cab, then dressed for my meeting with Lady Kitty Ambersley.
When Mrs. Ryan announced that the driver had arrived, I took a piece of ham I had not eaten from my breakfast plate, wrapped it in my napkin, and tucked it into my travel bag.
As I did so, my fingers brushed the revolver Brodie insisted that I carry when I was off and about on my own.
There was a fleeting thought that involved Bitsy. I pushed it back.
Upon my arrival at the Ambersley residence, I was greeted by the head butler, who assured me that Lady Ambersley would join me presently.
Tea was provided as I overheard a distant yapping sound that I recognized as Bitsy, who arrived along with Kitty Ambersley and promptly darted past in my direction.
There was a moment where that sharp little gaze met mine, and Bitsy slid to a stop, rude creature that he was.
Not that I think the little bit of fluff was intelligent enough to understand the folly in attacking me once more, although I am convinced that the hound understands a great deal. Anything was possible.
It was a wise move on Bitsy’s part that he then returned to the edge of the carpet and promptly lifted a leg on a Queen Anne chair, which necessitated the summons of a footman to remedy the situation.
My earlier thought returned. I ignored it. This was Kitty Ambersley’s home. She could do with it as she wished.
“Do forgive the situation. He does that when he’s excited.”
Of course.
Over the course of the next hour, I explained my conversations with both ladies who were present at the Ambersley’s supper party.
“Oh, dear. I had so hoped that one of them might have seen something,” Kitty Ambersley commented, with Bitsy at her feet glaring at me.
“What is to be done now?” she inquired.
“I did have a thought in the matter,” I replied. “With your permission?”
“Of course, if it will be useful,” she agreed.
I removed the napkin with the piece of ham wrapped within and dropped it to the carpet. Quick as a wink, Bitsy darted across the space between where we sat, snatched up the napkin, then shot out of the drawing room and down the hallway.
“Oh my,” Kitty Ambersley exclaimed. “Whatever has gotten into him?”
Indeed, I thought, as I quickly followed, and encountered a footman who indicated the direction the little thief had gone.
To say the situation caused quite an uproar is a bit of an understatement. Bitsy was a fast little devil, but I was not about to be outrun.
I ran as I followed his path into the main hall, up the stairs to the second-floor chambers, past a startled maid, who indicated the bed chamber at the end of the hall, and discovered that Bitsy seemed to have disappeared.
This would have been far simpler if I’d brought Rupert with me. However, I couldn’t guarantee the safety of Bitsy if the hound was set upon him.
This was obviously the lady’s bedchamber with an adjoining bathing chamber, a vast closet full of fine clothing. I heard the faint sound of growling as I approached the bed.
The entire household seemed to have joined in the chase as I heard voices from the hallway beyond, including that of Lady Ambersley as I knelt beside the bed, then threw back the satin coverlet.
I was immediately greeted by a snarling sound as I discovered Bitsy in the looming darkness under the bed with the piece of ham wrapped in a napkin clutched in its teeth amid other ‘treasures.’
Those treasures included a pair of men’s underdrawers, no doubt belonging to Lord Ambersley—they were made of silk, which would not be worn by a servant. There was also a dead bird that had obviously been there for some time as it was quite shrunken, and something wrapped in a dinner napkin.
I retrieved the object rolled in the other napkin. Let Bitsy enjoy the ham, I thought, the servants could attend to the dead bird and underdrawers, as I retreated from under the bed and stood triumphantly with the other napkin in hand.
It was quite heavy, just as Lady Ambersley had told me when recounting that evening when the necklace had dropped into her soup. She had then retrieved it and wrapped it in her napkin, no doubt thinking to have it cleaned after the supper party.
However, covered in a hearty soup then set aside, it had provided a tempting target for a skilled thief with four legs.
As I unwrapped the napkin, the jewels gleaming through haze of dried soup, I suspected there were undoubtedly other ‘treasures’ hidden under the bed and perhaps in other places as well.
“My necklace!” Lady Ambersley exclaimed as she hurried across the room. “However did you think to look there?” she inquired.
I didn’t bother to explain that it was experience with another sort of ‘thief’ or that she was fortunate that it was the necklace and not some dead creature left rotting under her bed.
I would have to reward Rupert for the idea. Perhaps a biscuit with jam. He was quite fond of them.
“I am so very grateful,” Kitty Ambersley thanked me once again. “I will speak to the servants. It seems they have been somewhat remiss in their cleaning efforts.”
Of course, I thought, with another suggestion—banning Bitsy to the gardens where he could relieve himself without repercussions. And possibly an encounter with a hawk or other scavenger?
Admittedly, it was dreadful to contemplate, yet the creature was quite deserving.
It was early in the afternoon as I prepared to leave. There had been the usual conversation about the value of the necklace that she would promptly take to her jeweler to be cleaned. I reminded her of the clasp.
Then there was the additional conversation over small finger sandwiches she had served for luncheon. Bitsy was such a rascal, but such a sweet creature, she insisted, extolling his virtues while I glared at him and silently dared him to come near.
And then there was the matter of our fee.
“Of course. I shall have my banker send payment for your services by courier,” she assured me. “I do so appreciate that you found my necklace.”
And I appreciated that I would not be forced to share further company with Bitsy.
Lady Ambersley insisted on providing her driver to take me wherever I needed to go.
I did appreciate the gesture and directed him to the office on the Strand where I hoped there might be some word from Brodie.