“You found me,” he said, somewhat stupidly.
She was to have met him by the second lamp to the left of the portico. Instead, she’d located him in the crowd. He wondered what might have given him away. His—or, ratherthe rustygut’s—five-caped greatcoat in distinctive Spanish fly green?
Well, he’dintendedfor people to notice the coat and ignore the man, had he not?
“In my profession,” she answered, “one learns to recognize a man by his stride.” Her heavy accent had disappeared behind the lilt of a lady gently bred. “You won’t call the watch on the boy, will you? Tommy don’t—does not—mean any harm.”
“He’d have taken my timepiece.” Neville muddied his own vowels as much as he could without equal practice.
“Nah,” she replied, giving herself away again. “Tom never nicks more than coin…and that of the most insignificant amount.”
“No need for me to tattle, then.” Or, for that matter, invite further questions. “No real harm done, was there?”
“You’re a good one, Mr. Mann.”
He smiled down at her, even though he wasn’t. Not really.
Oh, he’dthoughthe’d been. He’d tried to be. But Millicent’s dressing down left him wondering if he’d confusedrightandrighteouswithrigidandintransigent.
Although he could hardly be described as the former now.
Mrs. Cartwright had just called him Mr. Mann, the same name the missing woman fabricated for John, and the name Neville had borrowed as his disguise. To Mrs. Cartwright, and anyone else Neville met while making inquiries, he was known as Mr. Mann, the fugitive boy’s father, seeking to make reparation to the young lady.
At least the latter part was true.
And if, indeed, he discovered “Temperence” was in peril, he intended to do what he could for the girl. Hisreadycoin ran low, but he had plenty of ways to raise blunt, as his balance sheets were solid. And if he was able to be of some help, he might lessen some of his guilt.
“Have you any new news?” he asked, as if speaking only of trivialities, in case someone was intentionally listening. “What’s the lateston dit?”
“Ah, my friend,” she answered equally lightly. “You are always so droll. Yes! Our mutual acquaintances have providedplentyof fodder for funning. As a matter of fact…”
She leaned in close to his ear.
“I’ve discovered the exact location of the house party. I’ve written down the direction. There’s more, but nothing I would dare say in public. I put everything in the note.”
He drew back and forced a chuckle he did not feel. “That Icannotbelieve.”
“Well, I might have embellished just a bit.” She held up her fingers, leaving a hair’s breadth between them.
“Oh, look!” She focused on his chest and frowned. “That despicable child mussed your coat!”
She made a show of brushing his lapel. He had to keep himself from flinching. He didn’t like to be touched that way. Not by her, at least. A second later, he realized she’d managed to slip something between his buttons.
“Ah,” he said, in a slightly louder voice. “The little wretch has undone my button.”
As he refastened his coat, he made sure to settle the paper she’d given him securely inside an inner waistcoat pocket.
“Much better now,” she said approvingly.
“Shall we?” Again, he gave her his arm.
“I trust I will be pleased,” he said.
“With the play?” she falsely questioned. “Oh, certainly. I have seen this very ensemble in another performance. I am well acquainted with lines. I might even recognizelessercast members.”
“You will, I trust, recognize the principal ones.”
“Yes! Of course.” She gave him a pointed glance. “I’ve a good eye and an excellent memory, too.”