Page 22 of The Trick of the Treasure
“It will do the firm no harm, if word of us spreads further,” he said, rising to his feet. “Though I could wish the chances of success were higher.”
“So could I,” she said. “I thought you were a hardheaded man of business, Solomon.”
“So did I.”
She smiled and, to his surprise, reached up to kiss his cheek, a small gesture of affection that touched him far more deeply than it should. But he was smiling as he picked up his hat and left the office.
On arriving at the Lloyds’ residence, he was informed by Garrick, with unnecessary relish, that Mr. Lloyd was not at home.
This rather suited Solomon, who had a notion to see the family without the overwhelming presence of the master of the house.
“Perhaps Mrs. Lloyd?” he suggested.
“Madam has not yet come down, sir.”
Clearly, the butler thought he had stymied the intrusive upstart. Solomon gave him a gentle smile. “It seems I would be best employed below stairs until the family is available.”
In fact—for the moment, at least—Solomon was not much interested in the servants, but he was well aware his questions had flustered and outraged the staff, who were already threatening to give notice and leave Garrick with a considerable problem.
“I’ll see if Mr. Sydney is available,” Garrick said grandly. “If you will please wait in here.”
The butler showed Solomon into the small, cold reception room where the fire had not been lit recently. If ever. When Garrick had gone—without attempting to take his hat and coat—Solomon laid his hat on the small table and sat on the chair by the window.
From the hall came a casual, if musical, humming. A moment later, a girl of about twelve years old wandered in with a not very convincing air of surprise.
“Oh! Good morning. I’m Rachel Lloyd.”
Solomon rose and bowed. “Solomon Grey.”
“Papa is off to his clubs.”
“So I heard.”
“Ah, you are one of Jemimah’s admirers.”
“How could one not be?”
“Now you’re being polite,” Rachel said unexpectedly.
“So are you, greeting me on your family’s behalf.”
She grinned, unabashed. “Actually, I saw you from the schoolroom window and thought you looked interesting—different from our usual callers.”
“How did you escape your governess?” he asked, thinking that it was just like Lloyd to leave such a person off his list of residents.
“Oh, I’m between governesses just now. Mama sets me copying work to do, but it’s very dull.”
“It sounds it,” Solomon said sympathetically. “How did you scare off your last teacher?”
“I’m not very sure.” The child looked genuinely regretful. “Actually, I rather liked her, but I suspect she didn’t like me.”
Or the Lloyds had run out of money to pay the woman. “I’m trying to help your father find his missing treasure.”
“I hope you do, because it would make everyone so much happier again.”
“Including you?”
“Oh yes. I never even saw it, you know!”
