Heiress in Red Silk by Hunter, Madeline (best mystery novels of all time TXT) 📗

whole week of it, sometimes mistakes slipped by her.

“You’ll be needing a side cabinet too.”

“Mrs. Radnor owns an old one with beautiful inlay, and I hope to find one like that.”

Beatrice slid her arm through Rosamund’s own. “Shall we go to one of the warehouses? I’ve a list from the girls.”

They spent the next hour shopping. Rosamund bought some materials for hat-making while Beatrice filled her basket with scents and laces and a few undergarments. Rosamund saw her admiring a chemise and joined her.

“Lawn,” Beatrice said, palming the smooth, finely woven cotton. “It is so nice in summer. So much cooler than linen.”

Rosamund took the chemise and folded it. “I will buy it for you. As a gift.”

“That is too generous.”

“It is not without cost to you. I want to ask you something.” She leaned in close. “Is Kevin Radnor a patron of the house?”

Beatrice pursed her lips. “You know we don’t—”

“I know. However, I really want to know and am willing to bribe you with this chemise.”

Beatrice strolled away. Rosamund moved in closely again.

“I suppose it really can’t hurt. He is. Actually, he is one of my gentlemen.” Beatrice turned her attention to some silk flowers.

“How long?”

“He began visiting after the duke died. Hollinburgh favored the house, but then you know that. Anyway, Kevin Radnor told Mrs. Darling he wanted the same woman his uncle had, but she refused. Marie had left by then, so any further such pursuits would come to naught anyway. He did ask about him, though. After. When I might be likely to be indiscreet. Wanted to know which of the women he preferred. I had to keep my wits about me.” She lifted one of the flowers, a yellow rose. “He asked about you, actually. Wanted to know if a woman named Jameson worked there.”

“What did you tell him?”

“I said no. Because you didn’t, then. Nor had you ever, the way he meant. I’m not sure he believed me. I sort of let him think there might be more to it, but being discreet is a house rule.”

“Why would you do that?”

Beatrice smiled slyly. “I thought if he was convinced you had never been there, he would stop coming by. Oh, he took his pleasure, but that was not the real reason he was there if you ask me. He was looking for you. Now we know why! Had I guessed there was all that money waiting for you to be found, I’d have told him right off, even if it meant—” She strolled away.

Rosamund hurried to catch up. “Even if it meant what?”

Beatrice looked right and left, to make sure no one could hear. “Even if it meant he didn’t return. Which I would have regretted. He is my favorite, Rose.”

“Oh my. Have you fallen in love with him, Bee? I never thought you—”

“Not in love. You can be a child at times. So much that I’m not sure you will understand.”

“I will. I’m not ignorant. How could I be?”

“Fine, here it is. He knows what he is about. Do you understand that?”

“Of course.”

“Nor does he treat me like a whore. Oh, he is masterful and even demanding, but I get my due, if you understand. I get my turn. And he knows things I never learned.” She giggled. “I’m going on, aren’t I? Only I never speak of it to the others, so it is a relief to do so now. I don’t want any of the others trying to steal him, see. They would too, if they knew.”

Rosamund wondered what things Kevin knew that Beatrice hadn’t previously learned. From what she knew of Beatrice, it would take some doing to best her expertise. “And you are not in love with him? You are sure?”

“Rose, in some houses there are little sparrows who make that mistake, but we don’t. Did you ever see one of us pining over some patron? Anyone starts down that path and we remind her what is what. You know that.”

She had worked as a chambermaid in Mrs. Darling’s brothel for almost two years after the Copleys threw her out. She had never seen one of the women there act like she was in love. She had heard them comparing carnal information, however. How to derive pleasure from what was a financial arrangement. “If you did not tell Kevin Radnor about me, I wonder how he found me.”

“I expect it was the bonnet. I hadn’t much thought of it, but he was there when it came, and left fast after I looked at it. Maybe he saw the label on the box.”

“I don’t think that would do it. There are a lot of Jamesons.”

Beatrice pondered that. “Your first name might have been mentioned. I’m not sure. It was just a quick look, interrupting what had promised to be a very enjoyable night. But he left so fast—yes, I think your name was spoken, so he would have known all of it.”

They brought their purchases to the counter. Rosamund paid for the chemise but had it wrapped with Beatrice’s items. Arm in arm, they returned to the street.

“Has he visited since and asked about any of that?” Rosamund said. “The bonnet? How you know me?”

Beatrice shook her head. “I regret to say I haven’t seen him since.”

“If he asks—”

“I will say that you make hats that we favor. He’ll get nothing more out of me.”

Rosamund didn’t bother asking the other question she had for Beatrice. If Kevin Radnor had not started visiting Mrs. Darling’s house until after the last duke died, there was no way he was there on that fateful night last year. Pity that. She had hoped Beatrice could put her mind at ease regarding just where he had been when his uncle died.

* * *

Kevin disliked being in anyone’s debt, least of all Minerva’s. Yet in her debt he now was. That did not sit well with him. It was one more way that Rosamund Jameson’s arrival in his life had created complications. And they had