Chapter Thirteen
Evans Principle—Umpteen: Trust your instincts, especially when they tell you to run. There is no shame in logically calculated retreat.
Icy silence reigned during the remainder of the trip.
As she approached the shop from the street, she saw that Minnie, ever dutiful, was already inside, picking books up off the floor. It was a tremendous relief to see her earnest, reliable figure; her presence gave Nora a much-needed sense of routine and discipline.
When she walked through the door, Minnie dropped the books in her arms and rushed over. Already covered in grime, the girl seemed hesitant to touch her.
“Oh, Mrs. Duchamp, thank heavens you’re safe. This is terrible. When I couldn’t find you upstairs, I feared the worst. Where were you?”
“I’m touched by your concern, Minnie. When I found the shop burglarized yesterday, it was determined that I should spend the night in safer quarters.” Safer quarters—a lie if ever there was one. “It was so good of you to come, Minnie. But perhaps you should take the day off. I can handle all this.”
“Neither of you should have to muddle through this filth,” Devin interjected. “I have made arrangements for cleaners to handle everything.” As usual, he spoke as if his word was law. Even after her horrible revelation in the coach, he intended to salvage the store for her.
“That is too kind of you, my lord.” She stumbled on the “my lord,” and they both flinched. He wasn’t hers, and they both knew it, especially now that she’d revealed the truth. “I cannot accept such extravagant help. It is my shop, my responsibility. I will attend to it. Minnie and Erich will help.” Minnie nodded vigorously.
“Mrs. Duchamp, the damage and refuse are too much for the three of you to repair. I have people on staff to handle this and do it well. You can repay me in books, if that assuages your conscience.”
She felt as if he’d struck her. Assuages your conscience. The past twenty-four hours were too much to face all at once. The door chime saved her from having to think further.
“Honoria! Minnie sent word, but I never dreamed it would be this terrible!” Marissa rushed in like a whirlwind and embraced her. “Are you well? You look awful!”
She mustered a weak smile and said, “I will be fine, Marissa. I’m sure the damage looks worse than it is.”
“That’s you all over, making molehills out of your mountains! Well, sweetie, you can count on us for whatever you need. If you want us to don our aprons and dig in, just say the word.”
Keenly aware of their audience, she replied, “You are always so kind, Marissa. I may have mentioned making the acquaintance of the Devin family.” Throughout the perfunctory introductions, which she tried to complete as succinctly as she could, Marissa gave her unmistakable inquiries with her eyes.
“Why, yes, you’d mentioned that you attended a lovely dinner with Lady Devin. How nice of Lord Devin to come to your assistance.”
Not now, Marissa! She tried to deter Marissa’s questions with her own facial expressions and finally with a distinct single shake of her head. Her efforts only encouraged Marissa’s interference. Could this moment get any more awkward?
“It’s so convenient that you are here to come to our Honoria’s rescue. What perfect timing.”
“Marissa, dear, I don’t want you to suffer this mess. It’s more disgusting than you can possibly dream.”
“I’m sure it defies description. The smell alone is overwhelming, I’m sorry to say. I’ll come back tomorrow in Mr. Clarke’s galoshes.” Marissa was making her way slowly toward the door but then stopped abruptly. “Oh, no! The printing press! Was it damaged?”
“Likely beyond repair, unfortunately.” She looked pointedly at Marissa. Not now! “And I can’t afford to replace it yet. I shall have to review unfinished orders and contact those clients immediately.”
“Would you like the girls to come over on Thursday as planned? I’m sure they would like to help you as much as I do. We have much to discuss.”
“You are all too kind, and I do know I can call upon you for anything. But I have no idea what to do about this week.”
“If I may,” Lord Devin interjected, “I still believe this building is unsecured. Mrs. Duchamp, my mother bade me to remind you that you are welcome to stay at Devin House as long as you feel is necessary. You are likewise welcome to receive your friends there.”
Devin House? Marissa’s raised brows asked. Her stomach dropped as her friend said aloud, “I had no idea you had such powerful friends, Honoria. What a blessing.” Enveloping her in an extravagant hug, Marissa spoke low so only she could hear. “You have much to explain. Do what you must to minimize delay.”
She pulled away, but before she could respond, her friend added with an obvious wink, “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do, dearie! Send us word about when and where you wish us to visit you.”
“Wait, Marissa!” But it was too late. If Marissa heard, there was no indication as her friend simply strolled away. This was unbearable. “I cannot continue to stay at Devin House. I’ll have all the locks reinforced today. You can check them yourself. But I am staying here.”
“Do not behave like a petulant child, Honoria—”
“Please, Lord Devin, do me the courtesy of addressing me properly in public . . . in my place of business.” She knew she was being overly sensitive, overly dramatic, yet she couldn’t stop herself. She needed to reestablish her authority. Evans Books was her domain.
He bowed and continued. “Mrs. Duchamp. The damages here seem to go beyond simple burglary. They suggest malice, meaning whoever did this is not merely concerned with stealing from the shop. They wish to do you harm. In good conscience, I cannot allow you to stay here unprotected.”
Throughout Mrs. Clarke’s whirlwind visit, Minnie had drifted into the shadows. Not particularly talkative by nature, she seemed even more withdrawn than usual, and Honoria couldn’t help but worry. While Lord Devin explored the building, checking windows and other modes of entry, she drew her assistant into the back office. The girl’s immediate verbosity indicated just how distraught she was.
“Oh, Miss Honoria, I’m so very sorry about all this! It’s so terrible. I should have been here to prevent it. I should have been more vigilant about the locks.” Minnie looked around the back room wildly. “How will we ever get this back in order again?” She started scooping piles of torn paper off the floor but stopped abruptly, jerking back up and dropping everything. Her face a twisted mask of disgust, she said, “That’s the devil’s own stench. The bottom layers are soaked in filth. Oh, miss, it’s all my fault!” Minnie rubbed her hands against her apron over and over.
She rushed to console the poor girl who was so much more than a servant to the Evans family. “Why, Minnie, none of this was your fault! I explicitly gave you and Erich the afternoon free while I was out on a social call. You couldn’t have predicted this would happen. Frankly, it’s best you weren’t here when those ruffians broke in. Heaven knows what might have happened.”
Minnie just shook her head, looking at the floor.
“Are you well, Minnie?”
When the girl’s eyes met hers, they were troubled, but all she would say was “Yes, miss. I’m just terribly sorry about the shop.”
“It’s not your fault, dear. We’ll fix it together. You’ll see.”
After Minnie’s departure a little while later with a promise to return early the next day, Devin spoke frankly and surprisingly. “I do not condone your lies. But who has not lied to protect what they value? You did what you had to do in order to survive. You harmed no one. Who am I to fault you for that?”
“You’ll forgive me if I find your reaction surprising and possibly disingenuous.”
That earned her a supercilious raised brow.
“You doubt my sincerity?”
“I’m sure you think you mean what you say.”
“So you doubt my rationality? That is so much the better. Rather than a liar, I am incapable of knowing my own mind.” His arms fisted at his sides, and his jaw clenched—the only outward signs of his fury. Yet she could feel hot waves of anger radiating from him. She longed for the frigid silence of the carriage ride, rather than this incendiary—well, she couldn’t even pin a word to it. Their stances put her in mind of Jupiter and Janus, one cat chasing the other to play, pawing and swiping and pouncing to incite a reaction from the other. But she didn’t want to play this game any longer. After the night they’d shared, she couldn’t afford to be drawn in any further.
“You know, I’m sure that I cannot stay at Devin House. It would be entirely inappropriate, especially under the circumstances. Today’s priority will be to have the locks and windows at least temporarily fixed.” She would remain here, in her own home, under her own roof. “You and your mother have been all kindness and generosity, but I believe this must be the end of our association.”
Early the next morning, Minnie handed her a note with the now-familiar D seal.
Dear Mrs. Duchamp,
My dearest friend (for even in our brief acquaintance, I already feel you are very dear to me), I am beside myself wondering how your cleaning and repair of the shop must be progressing by inches. It is surely too much of a burden for you alone. What are friends for, if not to aid one another in times like these? I do wish you would let the Devin family assist you; I feel it is reasonable and not at all boastful for me to say that we have abundant resources to put at your disposal. Without doubt, my son Alexander can handle the repairs and renovations quite efficiently.
I do not, however, wish to oppress you with well-meant charity. Instead, I have a proposition for you, one which would be a mutual act of kindness. I have decided to retire to Sharling Worth, a Devin property in the north country, because I find the city too hot and the crowds too pressing. It is a wonderful place—with a serene lake, lots of open space for walking and riding, and breathtaking gardens (which I can say because I have absolutely no hand in them—our gardeners are magicians!).
It would be a great honor if you could accompany me on holiday for a couple of weeks. As lovely as Sharling is, it can be rather . . . quiet . . . especially since none of my children will be accompanying me. You would love it there, I’m sure of it.
Please do consider joining me; I would be in your debt and I’m sure we would get along swimmingly.
Affectionately,
Lady Rose Devin
P.S. Honestly, my friend, when was the last time you had a holiday? You deserve one now more than ever.
As much as she genuinely liked Lady Devin—and she could easily see Rose quickly becoming her closest and dearest confidante—she could not afford to continue this acquaintance. Her involvement with the Devin family had already distracted her in so many terrible ways. If she hadn’t gone with them to the Exhibition, she wouldn’t be in the middle of this very literal mess. She could not quite bring herself to regret spending the night with Alex—Lord Devin, she corrected herself—but she had to close that short and chaotic chapter of her life and get back to business. She didn’t belong in their world, and she couldn’t ignore how her own was quickly crumbling.
Dear Lady Devin,
Your kind invitation touched me deeply. I regret to inform you that, given the needs of the shop, I cannot possibly travel with you. I have determined there is simply too much I need to do here. You must know, however, that I hold you in the highest regard and would certainly accompany you if circumstances were otherwise. You have been a true friend to me, and I will treasure your kindness always.
Cordially,
Mrs. Honoria Duchamp
She should have known her response would bring Lord Devin to her door yet again. She’d waited a few days to send her response. It took less than twenty-four hours from the time Minnie left to deliver her reply to Lady Devin for the news to travel to him and for him to appear.
“You need a holiday,” he said simply.
“You’re rabid. I can’t possibly go on holiday. I have far too much to do here. A holiday would delay the shop’s reopening. It requires far too much time and attention for me to up and abscond with the likes of you.” Not to mention more money—and more of my heart—than I can spare.
“One point of fact—I have the resources at my disposal, and at your command, to continue the shop’s repairs without disruption.” When she opened her mouth to object, she was silenced by the devilish glint in his eye. “A second point of fact—I never said I would take you.”
“Oh. Why does this matter to you?”
“As my mother’s invitation surely made clear, she is planning a sojourn in our country home and wishes for your companionship.”
“Companionship, yes.”
“Yes, this was entirely her invitation. I have nothing to do with it. It would truly be an independent holiday. No dinner parties or social calls. You could go walking, or riding, or boating, or swimming, tasting a life of leisure. If you please, you could spend the entire time in the library reading.”
“Swimming?”
“Yes. That appeals to you? Our house is by a lake. My family has spent many a summer day boating, swimming, and fishing. Great fun. Just you and my mother. You would love it.”
“Your mother is quite lovely, but I simply cannot.” She paused as she shuffled some paperwork for no good reason. Then she forced herself to ask, “Does she know of what’s happened between us? I don’t think I could . . .” She trailed off, unable to voice how embarrassing it would be if Lady Devin knew of their transgression.
“I certainly have not told her. She is quite perceptive, though. She likely knows or at least suspects what is between us. After all, she has known me all my life. I think you will find she has rather progressive views, although she keeps her own counsel publicly. And she likes you.”
She considered it. She actually considered the indulgence of a holiday, the likes of which she only vaguely recalled from early childhood. But she had the Needlework for the Needy Association to consider. She was supposed to be the next host in just a few days’ time. And she’d already been derelict in her duties once because of Lord Devin. She kept trying to think of reasons to reject his offer, even as the child in her begged to go on holiday and the adult in her begged to return to Lord Devin’s arms. That he wouldn’t be there certainly helped alleviate her concerns about her own lack of control. And part of her desperately wanted to escape the world she was in.