Page 20 of Dark Tidings on the Thames
“Do you think she would talk with us again? Perhaps share what made her think so?” asked Niall.
Beth made a face. “She’s a bit skittish, but she might.”
“Would she be more at ease if you made the introductions, Beth?” Kara asked.
“Likely she would—” Beth began.
“But not today,” Gyda interrupted. “Today Beth is going for a hot meal and a good soak, then she is to meet some of the ladies from the charity to arrange for a wake for her friend.”
“Glynn had no family in London, and we were her closest friends. There is no one else to make preparations for her,” Beth explained sadly. “Lily moves about the West End most days, selling her flowers, but I can give you a couple of ideas of where to find her. She has several spots that she considers her territory.”
Kara made note of Beth’s best guesses and thanked her.
“Get dressed and we’ll set off,” Gyda said when Beth had finished. She paused, though, in the act of closing the wardrobe. Bending over, she picked up a narrow box. “Beth, is this…”
“Yes,” the girl answered calmly. “It’s the knife you made me.”
“I didn’t know you got it back,” Gyda said quietly. She opened the lid and gazed down on the lovely, curved blade. Kara knew it—she had helped in the design of the knife Gyda had made specially for Beth, in an effort to make her feel safer and less alone when she was new to London.
“Inspector Wooten was kind enough to return it, after the case of Sally Doughty’s murder was resolved.” Beth sighed. “But somehow, it just didn’t feel right to use it, knowing…”
Knowing that it had been taken and used to kill an innocent girl.
Gyda nodded and set the box carefully back into the wardrobe. “We will wait in my rooms until you are ready.”
Obediently, Beth stood. Kara went to squeeze her hand before she filed out after Gyda and Niall.
“Have you told her yet, about Rob coming to London?” Niall asked quietly.
“There’s been no time for it,” Gyda told him. “I thought I might bring it up after she relaxed in the baths.”
“It might lift her spirits,” Niall ventured.
“Rob should be so fortunate,” Gyda said sourly. “After he left without a real word uttered about his feelings?”
“Now, Gyda,” Kara scolded. “Do not color Beth’s feelings with your own resentments.”
“I won’t,” Gyda said. “I’ll tell her, because I think it will be good for her to have something else to think about besides her friend’s death. But I also won’t hesitate to tell Rob what I think of his treatment of the poor girl. In my opinion, he gives her just enough encouragement to keep her on the hook.”
“Personally, I suspect this move has to do with more than just ambition,” Niall said. “I believe the pair of them will find their way.”
“I hope so,” Kara admitted.
Gyda sighed. “I won’t get in the way. You are right. We should let them be while they sort themselves out.”
Kara started to speak, but Gyda held up a hand. “I will. I promise.” She pointed a finger at Niall. “But you may tell Rob McRae that I’m watching him.”
Niall laughed. “If that doesn’t scare him into behaving, I don’t know what will.”
*
“Do you trulybelieve that Rob’s move has something to do with Beth?” Kara asked as they set out to look for Lily.
Niall considered. “I’ve never seen him so restless. And I saw something in his expression when I spoke about you and our marriage.”
Kara sighed. “They truly did seem to like each other, back when Rob spent time with us in London. But they danced so tentatively around each other.”
“Beth was so timid back then. I think Rob wanted to take his time and not alarm her, but I was surprised when he left with nothing settled at all between them. Perhaps he was testing her feelings?”
