Page 74 of In Compromise with the Earl
“You give your word?” the Dowager asked.
Notching her chin up, Aphrodite said, “Yes.”
The Dowager’s gaze shifted from Aphrodite to a silent Oswald then back to the younger woman. “If you mean it, have tea with me tomorrow afternoon.”
The tension in the back of her neck began to lessen and Aphrodite nodded. “I will be there, thank you.”
With a fleeting smile, Aphrodite curtsied and left the room, while Oswald stayed. Her heart was pounding out of rhythm as she went back to her chamber to find the pup snoozing in a tiny ball on the carpet.
She made sure not to disturb him and went to the chaise, sat and placed her hands on her lap only to find them trembling. Had she truly just done that or was it a dream? It felt dreamlike.
Barely hearing when the door opened again, she only looked up when Oswald came to crouch at her knees and take her hands. Pride and awe were stamped brightly across his face. “I’m so happy you did that.”
“I…” she swallowed, “I was afraid she wouldn’t stick to her word.”
“I am glad you managed to convince her otherwise,” Oswald replied. “I know it was frightening, but that’s what I am starting to love about you. You do not run from your battles.”
“I try,” she said.
He joined her on the couch. “I do want you two to come to an accord.”
“Me too,” she replied. “For the longest time now.”
Oswald nodded at the sleeping pup. “That is Leo’s handiwork, I suppose.”
“Yes,” she smiled. “Now, I need to figure out what to feed him.”
Taking her hand, he kissed the back of it. “That cannot be too hard to figure out. I am proud of you, Sweetling.”
Releasing a shuddery breath, she smiled. “Me too.”
* * *
Closed up in his study the next day, Oswald tried not to worry about what his mother and Aphrodite were discussing just five doors down from his. He was working through another stack of papers when the butler came with news that two Bow Street Runners had arrived for him.
His eyes clenched as he knew what the visit was about. Every now and again, they would come by to alert him to the on-going investigation in Claire’s murder.
Sometimes he wondered why they even bothered; it was a year now and they had not had any leads back when the murder had been fresh. Months later they were still picking at it like a scab on a wound.
Sighing, he dropped the quill. “Send them in.”
He stood as the two men, both Constables by the names of Davis and Toole.
“Gentlemen,” he greeted. “What can I do for you?”
“My Lord,” Toole said. “We’ve come to tell you that we’ve gained a long-awaited lead on your late wife’s case. A courtesan was found in Seven Dials with the same stab wound your wife had. The coroner has determined they are identical.”
“And this will lead you to the killer?” Oswald asked darkly.
The two men shared a look “We have men out in the area, as the murder is fresh, we are sure we can find the killer. He might be hiding out in the slums.”
Oswald turned his attention to the windows and forced himself to not let the burgeoning hope that always overtook him when they came with ‘leads’ to settle deep in his heart, because they always fizzled out to nothing.
Nevertheless, he could not let them see it. Marshaling a pleased look, he nodded. “Thank you for updating me. I do hope this one will turn out well. Shall I send for some refreshments? A cup of coffee perhaps?”
“Thank you but no, My Lord,” Toole nodded. “We’d best get back on the scene.”
“Very well,” Oswald stood and shook their hands. “Safe journey. My butler will show you out.”
