"How would you know?"
Stephen squeezed her hand. "So I’ve heard." He paused. "By the way, do you know who brought me here?"
"No. The footmen were unable to question her. She slipped away too quickly."
"Hmmmm."
"You were lucky she found you."
"And I’d like to thank her. But first I have to find her."
"What are you going to do?"
"I suppose I can take the footmen around London and see if they spot her, but that doesn’t seem very efficient."
Calliope patted his hand. "I’m sure you will figure it out. I could try to put a sketch together from their descriptions."
He nodded. "Speaking of drawings, what are you going to do about James?"
Calliope looked down at her feet. They were swinging guiltily. "I don’t know what you mean."
"Sure you do."
"I don’t know. "
Stephen shook his head in a mocking fashion. "Such indecisiveness from the girl who always has a battle plan."
"Leave me be, Stephen."
He nudged her in the side. "You’re perfect for each other. You need each other to chase the shadows away. "
She didn’t answer and he finally gave in. "I will take my leave too. It strikes me that there are a few things I need to do."
The look of anticipation on Stephen’s face didn’t bode well. "I’ll see you tonight," he said. He gave her one last squeeze and left.
What would she do? Calliope had no idea.
She stared at the pile of letters. She picked the pile up and went to the desk.
Calliope sifted through the letters and then smoothed the one from Lady Salisbury.
It was short but to the point.
Miss Minton,
Please understand that I tried to do all I could for my son. In hindsight I probably smothered him. But then, I was never what you would call a good mother. I wanted him all to myself The night I turned you away has haunted me. My son mourned your death, and died without knowing his daughter was still alive. It is the worst thing I have ever done.
I have followed your progress for these long years since my son’s death. Watching you, wondering if I should approach you. Maybe someday I shall discover the nerve.
Until then, I give you my most sincere apologies, for whatever they are worth. Please accept these letters with my blessing.
Sincerely,
Pamela Salisbury
Calliope had forgiven her father and Lady Salisbury. She had forgiven them before she had been presented with proof of her father’s love and her grandmother’s remorse. She felt light-hearted for the first time in a very long while.
Calliope stared at the pile of unread letters. Later, when she was alone, she would read each of them and cry for what might have been. Right now she just wanted to savor the precious feeling of being loved.
She opened her writing desk and carefully placed the letters inside.
Years ago she had thought she had plenty of time to speak with her father. And Stephen had thought he had plenty of time to speak with her about her father. Time wasn’t something to trifle with.
An eagerness to see James coursed through her. She wanted to share her good news; she wanted to share her feelings and to explain her drawings.
Stephen was right. She needed to decide what to do about James and take action. She couldn’t wait, she couldn’t count on time..
Some of her unfinished sketches and practice papers were lying in the drawer. Stuffed there out of James’s sight during their searches.
Calliope picked up the top one and smiled.
She would take over some of her sketches. Call a truce between Thomas Landes and the marquess. Maybe get him to understand why she had acted the way she had. It was very important to make him understand.
Calliope bundled the papers and grabbed her pelisse.
James stared broodingly at the fireplace.
Damn, he should have known better than to become emotionally involved.
He had only himself to blame. He had witnessed his father consumed by love, despair and finally death. James just hadn’t been wise enough to keep his own heart out of the fire.
And now that fire would blaze on someone else’s hearth.
"Hullo, James. Thought I’d let myself in."
"And you can let yourself back out, Stephen," James growled.
"What has you so crotchety?"
"None of your concern."
"I came to talk about Calliope."
"What about her?"
"What happened between the two of you?"
James looked at him. "Why, do you want to marry her?"
Stephen frowned and raised his voice. "No, James, what are you-"
James narrowed his eyes and raised his voice as well. "That makes sense. Why would anyone have to marry her? You don’t have to worry about her state anymore. She is happily broken in. She can even become your real mistress now."
Something fell in the hallway, but James barely heard it.
Stephen moved so quickly and unexpectedly that James found himself pinned against the wall. "I swear, James, if I didn’t feel sympathy for your situation, I would beat the living hell out of you."
Stephen gave him another shove. James didn’t fight back and Stephen released him. "All you have to do is look at her caricatures."
"Yes, they are quite flattering of me. It seems you both want your pound of flesh."
Stephen narrowed his eyes. "I’d like to feed your words to you right now, but I’m sure you will be eating them soon enough."
Stephen headed for the door. It was already slightly ajar. He turned around as he reached it.
"You’ll find they taste like crow."
"Good evening, Templeton."
"Good evening, miss. May I say, you’re looking well this evening."
Calliope knew she still looked frightful, but she gave him a warm smile. Templeton took her coat and moved toward James’s study.
"Oh, I think I will just come with you, Templeton. Now that I’m here, I’m in a bit of a hurry to state my business."
A dash of a smile may have flitted across the butler’s impassive face, but she couldn’t be sure.
"I don’t think he’d mind, miss. However, Mr. Chalmers is with him now, so I need to announce you first."
Calliope nodded and followed him, clutching the sketches to her chest. Having Stephen there might bolster her courage. Yes, his presence would be to her advantage.
Light streamed from the room. Someone had forgotten to shut the door. Loud voices issued from inside.
"Why would anyone have to marry her? You don’t have to worry about her state anymore. She is happily broken in. She can even become your real mistress now."
Calliope froze.
Templeton had just reached the door, and he stopped as well.
He turned to her, horror and sympathy etched on his face.
She was speechless.
How could she have followed in her mother’s footsteps? How had she let this happen?
The sketches slipped from her fingers.
"I-I-"
Calliope turned and ran. Her screeching demons chasing behind.
James reached for the decanter. If he was going to be like his father, he might as well act the part. His mission was to get foxed.
A knock interrupted his progress.
"What is it?"
Templeton entered and cleared his throat. There was an unusually disapproving look upon his face.
"Miss Minton was here while you were speaking with Mr. Chalmers."
"What did she want?"
"I believe she wanted to speak to you."
"Then why didn’t you announce her?"
"Well, my lord, I suppose I felt I owed her dignity that much."