Paging Miss Galloway

by Susanne Marie Knight

  * * * *

  Danielle had a good feeling in her bones. Her bruises gone, her body healing, things were going her way. She just knew it. She'd awakened to an empty room, which meant she could perform her morning ablutions without fear of discovery. This boded well for what she planned to do today.

  Now dressed, she slung her carpetbag over her shoulder, ready to face Bath ... and Benjamin.

  Wasting no time, she closed the bedchamber door and took the stairs two at a time. Once on the main floor, she stopped to get her bearings. The back exit should be to the left....

  The pause was her undoing.

  "Danny,” called out a familiar voice. “Come, join me for breakfast.” Edward waved her in from the private parlor.

  Danielle sighed. Why did it happen that the person she tried the hardest to avoid was the very person she first ran into?

  No matter. She had to have sustenance anyway, right?

  "Good morning, my lord. Thank you for the invitation.” She pulled out a chair, then sat in front of a platter filled with freshly baked buns—Sally Lunn's Bath buns.

  "No need to thank me. A young lad must be fed.” He munched on a strip of bacon as he spoke. “Did you sleep well, Danny?"

  "Yes, thank you.” She nibbled on eggs and sausage but concentrated on how she would broach the subject of her departure. Finally, she figured out a solution—just come right out with it.

  "Sir, since we are here now, in Bath, I must take my leave of you."

  Edward's face grew grave.

  She took a deep breath for courage, then continued, “If you remember, sir, my being in your employ was only temporary—only until we reached the city.” She held out her hands, palms up. “You have your business to attend to and I have mine."

  "To find your cousin. Yes, I recall.” He thoughtfully stroked his chin. “Seems to me, Danny, your leaving me high and dry before I find a replacement for you puts me in an awkward position."

  Ouch. Put that way, she did sound ungrateful. But then again Edward and Xavier had been traveling without help when their paths crossed in Heptonstall. Edward didn't require a page.

  "What is your cousin's name?” he demanded.

  Gracious, how could she extricate herself from this peculiar muddle? She gulped down hard. “Um, Benjie, sir."

  Edward lifted his eyebrow, probably waiting for more.

  "Benjie Augustus,” she added. The name wasn't a lie, precisely. Benjie was a pet name she'd given her brother years ago. And his middle name was Augustus, as hers was Augusta.

  "Where is your cousin located?” Edward drummed his fingers on the table.

  She had the address, to be sure, but was it wise to divulge it to him?

  "Odds fish, boy. Do not turn missish on me."

  Guilt burned her cheeks. The word ‘missish’ hit too close to home. “My cousin is staying someplace called the Circus, my lord. ‘Tis a section in the center of Bath."

  "I am familiar with that circle of Roman-style townhouses. A very affluent area. The number?"

  He was persistent, wasn't he? About to gnaw on her lower lip, she froze when she saw him glare at her. “Um, Number Twenty-Nine, sir."

  Bother! She hadn't meant to give him the number.

  "Indeed?” He lifted an eyebrow. “That is the address of a well-respected physician, Doctor William Falconer. Does your cousin also work as a page?"

  "I-I am not certain, my lord."

  This news distressed her. Benjamin had written that he boarded with an old school crony. Mr. Lushington had been the name. Perhaps Benjamin made a mistake in the numbers? Or was he truly ill, needing the constant care of a physician?

  Either way was worrisome. Without thinking, she gnawed on her lip as she'd intended just a moment before.

  Edward reached across the table and patted her shoulder. “Do not concern yourself. Wherever your cousin is, we shall find him.” He gave her a meaningful glance. "We, Danny. We will find him together. There are many dangers here in Bath. I cannot have you traipsing about on your own. Do you understand me?"

  He held out his hand for a shake. Reluctantly, she extended her own hand. His grip was strong and yet comforting at the same time.

  "Good. I have your word on that as a gentleman, eh?” He rose from his seat. “I go now to evict Raleigh from his bed. After he stuffs his face, we shall tackle the morning."

  With a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, Danielle watched Edward ascend the stairs. Then she turned back around. Although her hunger had long since vanished, she continued to eat her breakfast.

  Her earlier thought reoccurred to her. What a muddle she'd made for herself. How in the world could she extricate herself from this increasingly complex bumble broth?

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter Six

  As Danielle and her two lords approached Number Twenty-Nine on the Circus, she hung her head. The jig, as the old saying went, was up. Bound to be. Before she would have a chance to enlighten Benjamin, he'd identify her. To all and sundry, he'd expose her foolish charade to everyone ... including Edward.

  Oh, was there ever such an imbroglio as this?

  Edward was the first to arrive at the white paneled door. He wasted no time in dilly-dallying; he firmly and insistently used the brass knocker.

  She crossed her fingers behind her back, straightened her shoulders, and held her breath. Edward had not exaggerated when he'd said that the Circus was a very elegant area of Bath. The townhouses resembled the Coliseum in Rome, which wasn't a surprise since the architect, John Wood I, had used that Italian structure for inspiration. The buildings were three levels high, with different columns on each level—Doric pillars on the ground floor, Ionic pillars on the first, and Corinthian on the second floor.

  While she was glad Benjamin had found such stylish rooms, she also could admit—to herself—a tinge of envy colored her thoughts. How fine a circumstance her brother had found himself. She, on the other hand, traveled as a page.

  "Butler must be hard of hearing.” Xavier leaned against the wrought iron fence and studied the whites of his cuticles. “'Tis been an age since you struck the door, Sterling."

  A shuffling from behind the barricade indicated they would all get their wish ... for the door's opening, at any rate. A man, bespeckled and stooped by time, stood in the entryway and peered up at Edward. “May I help you?"

  "Yes, my good man. We have been informed that a...” Edward glanced at Danielle, then continued, “...a Mr. Benjie Augustus resides within these walls. Would you be so kind as to let him know that Lords Tremaine and Raleigh wish to speak with him?"

  The man rubbed his clean-shaven chin and shook his head. “No, I cannot say that name rings a bell, sir. I am William Falconer—doctor, you know, at the Royal Mineral Water Hospital. Only me and my family here."

  Panic welled inside Danielle. If Benjamin wasn't here, then where on earth was he? “Pardon me, sir, but are you certain? Perhaps my cousin used another name? He mentioned to me that he boarded here with a Mr. Lushington."

  Her words stopped everyone cold. Dr. Falconer fixed his gaze on her from behind his glasses. Edward cleared his throat. But Xavier was more forthright. “Lushington? Danny, you poor devil. Mr. Lushington is another name for a drunkard."

  The wind got knocked out of her. “No,” was all she could manage.

  "'Fraid so, old fellow,” Xavier declared cheerfully. “Have to say I've spent a few days with Mr. Lushington myself."

  "As have we all,” Edward added. He held out his hand to the doctor. “My thanks for this information, sir. A thousand pardons for disturbing you, though I must say I am glad to have had this privilege to meet you. Your reputation as a healer has traveled far and wide throughout the kingdom."

  Dr. Falconer shook his hand, then Xavier's. “No trouble, gentlemen. No trouble at all. Good luck to you."

  After the door closed, Danielle stared at it as if her brother would suddenly appear and tease her mercilessly. Of course Benjamin di
dn't do any such thing. She whispered to herself more than anyone else. “Now where shall I look?"

  Edward pulled his timepiece from his pocket, checked its gilded face, then put it away. “The day is still young, Danny. There are places that specialize in housing those who are down-on-their-luck."

  Clip-clopping noises attracted their attention. A fashionable cabriolet entered the street and rounded the circular garden in the middle of the Circus. In the center of this spot were several young plane trees, just starting to spread their leafy branches.

  The beauty of Nature's greenery contrasted with the surrounding majestic architecture, and despite her problems, Danielle smiled.

  But Xavier didn't have eyes for anything other than the attractive occupant and older lady in the approaching carriage. The matron waved a white handkerchief at them.

  How very friendly of her. Or perhaps she only fluttered her handkerchief at the passing scenery.

  Xavier removed his high-crowned hat to return the greeting, smoothed back his curly hair—to no avail—then set the hat back on his head at a jaunty angle.

  "Sterling, I'm sure you'll forgive me if I don't accompany you on this quest, hey? I see a diamond of the first water just begging to be introduced to me."

  Edward laughed and shooed his friend on his way. “Do what you must, Raleigh. Best go through the mother first, if you know what is good for you."

  "Certainly, I shall,” Xavier called over his shoulder as he headed for the cabriolet, now stopped at Number Twenty. “M’ mother didn't raise a mutton headed ninnyhammer, don't you know?"

  Xavier's mother might not have reared a ninnyhammer, but her own dear mother had. Or perhaps Danielle was pigheaded because of her father's influence these last ten years.

  Or maybe you have no one to blame but yourself.

  Right. That had to be it. But that was neither here nor there. What was important was finding Benjamin ... and getting home. Once again, she was dependent on Edward.

  And he had his own important business to attend to, but instead, he had to play nursemaid to her.

  Sadness weighted Danielle's heart. Chastened by her thoughts, she walked a step behind him. They proceeded toward Brock Street where his newly rented carriage waited to whisk them to their next destination.

  * * * *

  Once more Edward stood on a landing and knocked on a white paneled door. But that was all that was similar to the earlier situation. This building was in a state of severe neglect. Chalky white paint peeled off several panels on the door, gouges on the golden-colored limestone were more common than not, and the handle for the brass knocker had long since vanished.

  He glanced at Danny, now hunched by his side. As she gnawed on her lower lip, she furtively glanced around at their less than reputable surroundings. Beads of perspiration dotted furrowed lines in her forehead. She wiped the moisture away, then caught him looking at her.

  "I cannot hide my worry, can I?” She made a nervous laugh. “This is the last place I would imagine my, um, cousin, in. Are you certain he's here?"

  Compassion for this lovely girl filled his bosom. She was a plucky thing, and thankfully, not a blasted watering pot. “To be sure, this is a seedy boardinghouse. One of many in Bath. The innkeeper at the White Swan gave me a few addresses where unfortunates congregate, so your cousin may not be here. But do not despair, Danny. We shall find him and offer whatever assistance we can."

  "Thank you, sir,” she murmured. “You are so very kind."

  Edward had never thought of himself as kind. But if Danny thought him kind, then so be it. Actually, he rather liked it. He liked it a lot, especially when it came from Danny's luscious lips.

  At last the door opened. A woman, neither young nor old, stood on the other side. Her white hair was in disarray and her powdered face was curiously unlined despite the aging color of her long locks. She raked her gaze over Edward and Danny, then thrust her hip out and her bosom forward. Her painted eyebrow arched high on her forehead. “You be?"

  As Danny gasped softly, Edward smiled. Poor chick had most likely never seen a prime abbess before.

  "Good day, madam.” Edward inclined his head in greeting. “My page and I are seeking a Mr. Benjie Augustus."

  The Cyprian made a moue of disappointment. “For a bloke, eh?” She shook her head, eyeing Edward again. “Wot a waste, gov'nor. Yer a fine figure of a man, you are."

  On hearing Danny's sharp intake of breath, Edward's smile widened. Then he composed his amusement, turned his attention to the woman, and lifted his own eyebrow. “Does Benjie Augustus reside within, madam?"

  "Ooh, as I live and breathe! Yer too good for the likes of me, I'm sure. Opal's the name, like the gem.” Opal fanned herself with her hand. “An it so happens, there be a Mr. Ben here. Mayhaps he's yer bloke. Third door to the right on the second story."

  Edward took Danny by the arm and propelled her into the abbess’ entryway. “Thank you, madam.” He flipped a silver crown in the woman's direction.

  "Lord love you, sir,” Opal called out.

  Ascending a rickety set of stairs, Edward and Danny escaped the woman's tawdry scent. “Gracious,” Danny exclaimed wide-eyed. “However did, um, Benjie, come to be here?"

  Edward's page had led a very sheltered life. He grinned, but then quickly resumed a sober expression. If Mr. Ben did turn out to be Benjie ... or Benjamin Galloway, then it was a sure bet Danny would be shocked by his deterioration.

  They reached the third door to the right. Edward rested his hand on the doorknob for a moment. Danny had braced her slim shoulders as if preparing herself for what she would soon see. He gave her a reassuring smile, then opened the door.

  The odor hit them first. Rancid, fermented alcohol so pungent, their eyes teared. In addition, it was obvious from the smell that whomever the occupant was, he had cast up his accounts.

  A figure lay on the bed, on his stomach with his left arm hanging down to the floor.

  "Oh, Benjamin!” Danny dashed over to the man.

  In her haste to check the man's identity, she had forgotten her “cousin's” name of Benjie. Edward allowed her a moment with the unfortunate.

  She moved the fellow over onto his back. “Oh it is! It is Benjamin.” Heedless of any unpleasantness to herself, she got to her knees and hugged the young man.

  For a moment, Edward stared at his secretive protégé. A strange feeling swept over him, and more than anything in the world, he wished she would be giving her love to him. Hugging him, not that unworthy drunkard.

  Embarrassed by his emotion, he turned away. Once again, he chided himself. Put a cork in it, Sterling. In her eyes you are ancient. She sees you as a father figure, not as a lover.

  The young man's voice caused Edward to turn back around.

  "Who...?” Benjamin rasped. Pale yellow hair, not as light as Danny's, fell haphazardly into his squinted eyes. His cheeks not only were sunken, as if he hadn't had a decent meal in a few days, but also sported a stubble of growth. “Who are—?"

  "'Tis your cousin,” Danny interrupted loudly. “You remember me—Danny. I've come to visit you.” She shot a worried glance at Edward. “This is Lord Tremaine. He's been so kind as to let me serve as his page while I've searched for you."

  Edward grimaced. Kind. There was that word again. Now he wished she would refer to him in more amorous terms.

  The color of Benjamin's eyes was hidden by the room's dark shadows. He finally seemed to focus on her, though, and nodded his head. “Dan-Danny. Yes. Good of you to c-come."

  He transferred his gaze to Edward, and a wary expression covered his unshaven face. “Thank you, sir, for bringing Danny to me."

  "No need to thank me. I have become fond of the young lad.” Edward coughed to hide the true sentiment in his words. Or perhaps the room's stench finally got to him. “In any event, you are in a bad way and in need of assistance. I shall make arrangements to transport you to the White Swan Inn where we are housed. Good food and clean accommodations will set yo
u to aright."

  Edward gazed down at Danny, but she was preoccupied with Benjamin. He could not help but sigh his regret. “You stay here with your cousin, Danny, while I settle the bill with Opal."

  Danny thanked him with her eyes, at least Edward thought that was the case. Or maybe he was being fanciful.

  With another sigh, he left the room to look for the abbess.

  * * * *

  "What in God's good graces are you doing in Bath, Danielle?” Benjamin rose up on one elbow and brushed the hair out of his eyes.

  "I could ask the same question of you, you addlepated monkey.” Danielle took a step away from the bed and surveyed the mess that was her brother. “You look abominable. What would Father say?"

  "Most likely the same thing he would say to you.” Benjamin's light smile stretched his taut cheeks. “Although you do look rather fetching in breeches."

  "Stuff!” She paced the room to burn off her indignation. Actually, she walked as well as she could in such a littered floor space. “Benjamin, we are doomed. What are we to do?"

  She didn't approve of his answer; he reached for a bottle on the side table. Whisky.

  She was faster. “And that is enough of this, stupid.” Opening a window, she poured the contents out, then set the bottle back on the table. His growl of protest had no effect on her.

  "That was foolhardy, sis."

  "This is foolhardy.” She waved her arms about this ramshackle disarray she found herself in. Finding a chair, she swept off the clutter and sat. “And I own, what I did was foolhardy, also."

  "Glad you admit it,” he responded.

  Leaning her elbows on her thighs, she sunk her chin into her hands. “I was in a tizzy over that last letter you wrote. I worried to distraction. Rightly so, as it turns out."

  Tears puddled in her eyes. “Here you are, drinking and gaming.” She couldn't bring herself to add, ‘and wenching.'

  "Hey now, don't go into a decline on me.” Benjamin finally sat up but held onto the edge of the mattress as if he feared he'd topple over. Then he patted his midsection. “I'll be as right as rain as soon as I get rid of this demmed peckish feeling."