“At interval when the box became crowded.”
Diane shook her head and laughed. “You would make a good spy!”
Maddie’s eyes searched Diane’s. “You are pleased?”
“Yes. I’d like to see him.”
Maddie grinned. “Good.”
“What time do you expect Hart home?”
“Very late, he said.” Maddie rose and went to the window to look out on the square. “That’s odd. There’s a man near the park railing. He’s just standing there. Doesn’t seem the sort one might find here.”
Diane came over. “Where? Oh, I see him. He must be waiting for someone.”
“I don’t like the look of him,” Maddie decided.
“It’s hard to tell what he’s like from here. Best check later and see if he’s gone.”
Maddie let the curtain drop. “I will.”
Diane yawned. “I’m for bed. It was fun tonight, wasn’t it?”
Maddie kissed her cheek. “It was. More for some of us than others.”
“Oh you!” Diane laughed and crossed to the door. “See you at breakfast.”
Maddie selected a periodical from the shelf and curled up on the sofa. She hoped Hart wouldn’t be too late, for she intended to be awake when he arrived.
The grandfather clock in the hall chimed two. Maddie stirred and raised her head from the arm of the sofa, rubbing her stiff neck. The fire had gone out. She was cold, and with a shiver rose to cross the carpet to the window. Pulling aside a narrow gap of curtain, she peered out. It was very dark in the Square. The large houses were in almost total darkness. The street lamps, too, were out. But there was enough light to see movement across the street. Was it the man she spied earlier? She couldn’t be sure, but a chill ran down her back, and she shivered.
The wheels of a carriage sounded on the cobbles. Maddie watched Hart pay off the jarvie and run up the steps.
Maddie went out into the hall, where the footman on duty opened the door.
Coming in, Hart smiled at her. “Still up?”
“I fell asleep on the sofa waiting for you,” she said as they climbed the stairs.
“But why, sweetheart?”
“There was a man loitering in the square. I don’t know why he alarmed me. Is he there now?”
“No. He’s gone. Come to bed, we’ll talk there.”
As Maddie snuggled into bed beside Hart, she felt drowsy and had to fight to concentrate to keep awake as he described his evening.
“And I found the man who killed your uncle.”
Her eyes flew open, and she sat up. “You did? Who is he?”
“There’s no doubt it’s this Lord Buchanan. I will inform the magistrate tomorrow. But with this man hanging about and frightening you, I’d like you to go to the Pembury.”
She frowned. “Shall we go together?”
“I wish I could, but I must remain here.”
“For how long?”