Neil Gerard was strolling across the square when Lady Stoneridge's curricle came into view. His heart jumped. Sylvester's wife was alone but for her groom. It had been two days since he'd seen her outside the Fisherman's Rest. He'd called at Curzon Street the previous day, hoping to begin the cultivation of his quarry, but the butler had said her ladyship wasn't receiving. However, this was a perfect opportunity to bait his hook.
Theo was still congratulating herself on her whip play when she became aware of a waving figure on the pavement. She drew rein immediately, recognizing Neil Gerard.
Miles Gerald.
An accidental juxtaposition? Perhaps not. A surge of excitement lifted the hairs on the nape of her neck.
"Good morning, sir." She smiled down. "You're abroad early, Captain Gerard."
"I might say the same of you, Lady Stoneridge." He approached the curricle, resting one hand on the footstep, smiling up at her in the weak sunlight "I don't wish to be impertinent, but you took that corner in capital fashion. You're a most accomplished whip."
"Why, thank you, sir. I don't consider that in the least an impertinent compliment. I'm going to Brook Street May I take you up if you're going in my direction?" Theo had no clear plan of campaign, but she trusted inspiration would come to her once she had the man captive in the carriage. His face looked rather as if it had recently come into contact with a hard object.
"You do me too much honor, Lady Stoneridge." He climbed aboard the curricle. "Brook Street is on my way."
Theo flicked the reins and the horses walked on. "Were you at Vimiera with Stoneridge?" she asked casually. "I can't remember if you said so the other evening at Almack's."
Neil's thoughts and conjectures raced through his brain. What did she know? What did she want to know? This was the woman who'd been in the Fisherman's Rest – not once but twice. "We were, but not in the same engagement."
"I see. Then it seems you were lucky, sir. In view of what happened to my husband." She smiled sweetly, slowing her horses as they crossed Grosvenor Street.
"That was an old scandal, best forgotten, ma'am," he said.
"What scandal?" She turned to him with a look of complete innocence. "Do you mean the court-martial? I understood it was routine in such cases. My husband was exonerated, was he not?" She turned her eyes back to the road, and he didn't see the intense speculation racing in their blue depths.
"Of course," he replied smoothly. "As you say, it was a purely routine matter. But it caused some unpleasantness for your husband."
"Yes, so I understand." She glanced up at him. "Were you in the vicinity of the engagement, sir?" It was a shot in the dark, but if Gerard's name had haunted Sylvester's delirium, then there must be a reason.
The cold brown eyes shifted, and something fearful flared beneath the flat surface. "Uh, no, ma'am. My company was engaged elsewhere," he said after an imperceptible pause.
You lie, sir. The blood began to speed through her veins, and her pulses raced with this sudden and absolute conviction. The man was lying, and for some reason he was afraid.
"I understand your sister, Lady Emily, is betrothed to Lieutenant Fairfax," Gerard said abruptly. "He also served heroically in the Peninsula."
"Yes, indeed," Theo responded, willing to change the subject for the moment. She had enough to think about. "The wedding date is set for June."
They reached the intersection with Brook Street, and she drew rein behind a carter's dray that was making a delivery in Three Kings Yard.
"I will set you down here, Captain Gerard, if this suits you." She smiled pleasantly, extending her gloved hand in farewell.
"Thank you, Lady Stoneridge." He shook hands and jumped lightly to the pavement. "I hope I may return the courtesy. Would you do me the honor of driving with me tomorrow?" His smile was as inviting as he knew how to make it. "I'd dearly like to see you handle my chestnuts."
A triumphant rush of excitement swept through Theo. The man was playing into her hands. "I should be delighted, sir," she responded with a warm smile, and drew back into the stream of traffic.
Could it have been Neil Gerard in the Fisherman's Rest?
But of course it must have been. It explained that strange inkling she'd had that the man was familiar. It explained almost everything. The puzzle pieces tumbled in her head and formed the picture. Gerard was behind the attacks on Sylvester, and Sylvester knew it. And it was all to do with Vimiera. But what and how?
She drew rein outside her mother's house and jumped down, handing the reins to her groom. "Stable them in the mews here, Billy. I shan't be needing them for several hours."
"Right y'are, Lady Theo." The groom led the horses away, and Theo ran up the steps to the house.
What had happened at Vimiera? Sylvester couldn't remember, but whatever it was, it concerned Neil Gerard. And Gerard would provide the answer… somehow. She was driving with him tomorrow, a golden opportunity if she could think how to use it.
The door opened under her brisk knock. "Morning, Dennis." She greeted the butler with an ebullient smile. "Is Lady Belmont up and about yet?"
"Her ladyship and the young ladies are in the breakfast parlor, Lady Stoneridge."
"Don't announce me." She tossed her whip onto a chair and bounded down the corridor at the rear of the hall, stripping off her gloves as she went. "Good morning, everyone." She flung open the door to the small parlor at the back of the house, looking out on a square walled garden.
"Theo!" Lady Belmont looked up in surprise. "You're abroad early."
Theo bent to kiss her mother. "Yes. The witches are still abed, so I took the opportunity to escape… No, don't scold," she said, seeing her mother's disapproval "I only say it in private, not to their faces. I am starving," she continued almost without a breath. "I left before breakfast."
"I came to Curzon Street yesterday, but Foster said you were with Stoneridge and I couldn't see you," Rosie stated, sounding a trifle aggrieved, a piece of toast halfway to her mouth.
"Yes, Sylvester was indisposed," Theo said. "He gets these hideous headaches, Mama. He had one at Stoneridge, if you remember."
"Poor man," Elinor said compassionately. "I've heard of such curses. He's better now, I trust"
"He was sleeping peacefully when I left." She sat down at the table. "Emily and Clarissa, I need you to come on an errand with me. May we take the barouche, Mama? I drove myself here, but the curricle isn't comfortable for three."
"What errand?" Emily inquired, passing her sister the coffeepot.
"It's a secret," Theo said, pouring coffee. "But I need you both to come for moral support."
"Theo, what mischief are you planning?" Elinor demanded, recognizing the aura of energy and purpose surrounding her daughter, whose eyes and skin were aglow.
"No mischief," Theo said with an innocent smile, helping herself to a slice of ham and buttering a roll.
"Lieutenant Fairfax, my lady," the butler intoned before Elinor could respond to this insouciant reassurance.
"I trust I'm not intruding, Lady Belmont." Edward came in on the announcement, his eyes immediately searching out his betrothed. "I know it's early, but -"
"You couldn't keep away," Rosie finished for him matter-of-factly. "I don't know why you don't live here, Edward. I'm sure it's more comfortable than your lodgings, and it would save you a deal of traveling time."
"Rosie!" protested Emily. "You make it sound as if Edward isn't welcome."
"Oh, but of course he is," Rosie said placidly, taking another piece of toast. "It was only an observation. Clarry's knight is the same. He's practically moved in, too."
"That's enough, child," Elinor rebuked her. "Sit down, Edward. You know we're always pleased to see you."
Edward sat down next to Theo, observing with a grin, "You managed to escape the tabbies."