Chapter 12

CHAPTER TWELVE

" I have received an invitation to the Duke of Raven's charity ball."

Leo, who had been feeding Chester beneath the table, looked at his uncle as he spoke.

"Excellent. I am sure you will enjoy it."

He'd spent the last week thinking about Hyacinth and telling himself he did not need to see her again. What was once between them, young and innocent that it was, could be no longer. He needed to forget about her.

"It will be a wonderful occasion. The duke always puts on an enjoyable evening and for such an excellent cause," Aunt Ivy said.

"I'm going this year," Theo said.

He was the mischievous Nightingale and spent much of his energy tormenting his sisters. Even heading toward the "advanced age"—Theo's words—of nearly twenty, he could still behave like a ten-year-old.

"I wish I could go," Matilda said from across the table. She had brown hair, but her eyes were blue, and she was the second-to-youngest Nightingale and usually had an opinion on everything.

"I'm sorry, darling, you, Fred, and Anna are too young, but I thought everyone else could attend this year," Uncle Bram said with his eyes on Leo.

"I don't go to society events," Leo said while his little sisters debated how unfair it was, as surely they would enjoy a ball the most.

"But this is a charity event, and as the duke has been kind enough to come here to our weddings and shown his friendship to you all when you needed it, I think it is the right thing to do," Uncle Bram said.

"It is unfair," Frederica, also known as Fred at her insistence, was the Nightingale most likely to have her nose in a book. She was taller than her sisters and had brown hair that curled in every direction and sat below Theo in the Nightingale ladder.

"And yet you won't be, as you are too young," Theo said with a smirk.

"There is no need to lord it over your sister, Theo," Anna, the last person at the table, said.

She'd been an orphan, and with Harriet's help, Anna had come to live with them after being injured and no one caring for her. The little girl fit into the family with ease, considering the hell she'd been raised in.

"You're too young also," Theo said.

"I'm sure I'm not invited, as my blood is not as blue as yours," she said.

"You are part of this family. Therefore, where we go, you go," Theo snapped back.

"Well said, brother," Leo added, smiling at her.

"However, not to this, as you are too young." Theo had to have the last word.

Anna poked out her tongue .

"That will do," Aunt Ivy said.

"I don't want to go to the Raven ball, Uncle."

"You saw some members of society the evening you saved Lady Lowell and survived, Leo."

"Ram punched someone who insulted me," Leo said, trying to stay calm. He was the rational and controlled Nightingale sibling, for the most part. But lately he'd felt himself changing. The veneer he'd carefully cultivated was cracking.

"Not someone. Ellington, who could not be considered civilized by anyone's definition. He is a leech and of no consequence, and I will be having a chat with him when next we meet," Uncle Bram said with that look he got when anyone came at someone he loved.

"I can look after myself, Uncle Bram. You do not need to do so."

"It has become a habit I doubt I will ever lose."

"I agree," Aunt Ivy said. "It is time, Leo."

"For what?"

"To dip your toes back into society. Even the Duchess of Yardly agrees," Uncle Bram said. "You attend the theatre and ride about London. While I know you try to avoid eye contact, I've seen you acknowledging some people when it is unavoidable."

"Slightly different from attending a social function, Uncle," Leo said, feeling cornered.

"People know you are here, Leo. There is really no reason not to attend the duke's ball. Many who are not members of London society do. Businessmen and others. It is the perfect occasion. I have asked your siblings, and they are considering it," Uncle Bram said, ignoring him.

"We are," Alex said, wandering in with Harriet. "But right now, we have a more pressing discussion."

"What? "

"Who wants to go to the Pickersons' tea shop and visit the street fair?" Alex said. "It's new, and Ramsey told me it has the best Florentine tartlets he'd ever tasted."

All hands were raised by those under the age of twenty. Leo thought seriously about getting on his horse and fleeing the continent again. Things felt as though they were spiraling out of his control. He liked control.

"I've heard about Pickersons' and had planned on going," Harriet said. "I've never tried a Florentine tartlet either."

"What, never?" Alex shot his wife an astonished look.

"No, Alex, my family did not eat them, and we rarely frequented tea shops."

"Well, my darling, that is all about to change." Alex kissed her on the cheek.

Leo loved his sister-in-law, and not just because she'd made Alex happy. She was kind, sweet natured, and had settled into their family with ease. Harriet also didn't judge people, which could not be said of some members of her family.

Born in America, the Shaws had come to England to join the upper echelons of London society. Her mother was a social-climbing dragon, and Leo was glad Harriet was now part of their family and not the one she'd been born into.

"Hello, we are here!" Ellen walked in with Gray.

"I thought you worked for a living?" Leo said.

"I worked late last night, so today I am spending the day with my family," the detective said with a besotted smile.

"Lord, save us," Leo muttered. "You are a hard-nosed detective, man, behave like one."

Chester, who had been seated beside Anna, barked loudly. He was inches from her chair because she was always slipping the dog food like Leo. She'd told Theo she'd never had a pet, so no one scolded her off for doing so, even though the rest of the family was not allowed .

"Right," Uncle Bram said, rising.

"Cakes!" Lottie shrieked, getting off her mother's lap and sprinting around the table, yelling. Leo caught her as she reached him. Standing, he threw her up in the air before putting her back on her feet.

"But first, there is a small matter of the man about to knock on our door, who we are to interview for the position of clerk," Uncle Bram said.

"Who would ever have thought that the spoiled, indolent Nightingales needed a clerk?" Alex mocked.

"Some of you are still indolent," Leo said, catching Lottie and repeating the process of tossing her into the air when she reached him again.

"Out front and dressed in one hour," Uncle Bram instructed.

"Do you need the presence of another intelligent adult, Bram?" Gray asked.

"No, thank you, Gray. I have it in hand," Uncle Bram said as Leo and Alex threw insults at the detective.

"We have no wish to listen to you interrogating the poor man, my love, as I know you will," Ellen said. "Besides, we are to leave soon. You can help Aunty Ivy get this lot ready."

Bram then kissed his wife, and Alex did the same. Ellen kissed Gray's cheek, and Leo told himself he didn't care that no one was in need of a kiss from him.

"I'm not going to the duke's charity ball," Leo said as they left the parlor.

"We'll see," Uncle Bram said.

"There is nothing to see."

"Be quiet, Leo. We will discuss it later, as I'm sure you have no wish for our future employee to enter and see you scowling," Alex said.

"He's getting more and more like Mungo," Ellen taunted him .

"You can be quiet too." Leo glared at his sister as they entered the office.

They spent a few minutes discussing what they would ask the man who would be here shortly, and when the knock sounded on the door a few minutes later, they were ready for the interview.

"Mr. Murphy," Mungo said, opening the door and waving a man inside. His scowl seemed more fierce than usual. "He's Irish," Mungo added, glaring at Uncle Bram.

"So I hear from Mr. Huntington, who recommended Mr. Murphy," Uncle Bram said, smiling at his old friend. "Thank you, Mungo. Now in or out of the door. Either way, I'd like it closed."

"In," Mungo snapped. He then shut it with a decisive click and leaned on the wall, folding his large arms.

Leo looked at his siblings, who appeared bemused as they rose to greet the man.

"Good day to you all," Mr. Murphy said. He had sparkling blue eyes and thick black hair that had not an ounce of curl, and Leo thought Mr. Murphy had attempted to flatten it with something and failed, as bits were sticking upward. He wore a neat black suit, white shirt, and necktie. On one lapel was pinned a four-leaf clover.

Mungo's lips curled as he noted it.

"I am Mr. Oscar Murphy," he said in a singsong voice that the younger Nightingale sisters were going to love. "And I am here to apply for the position of clerk."

Mungo harrumphed.

"Perhaps you can make us some tea, Mungo," Uncle Bram said.

Mungo stomped out with a final frown at Mr. Murphy.

"He seems an accommodating sort," Mr. Murphy said when Mungo left, and it was so ridiculous, they all laughed. " But have no fear that I am intimidated by him. I have five brothers and two sisters, and I am the youngest, you see."

Leo couldn't imagine what that was like.

"Five brothers," Ellen whispered. "How on earth do you cope? I have three and it's a trial."

Leo and Alex scoffed.

"What is it you did for Maxwell Huntington?" Uncle Bram asked, bringing the conversation back to the reason Mr. Murphy was here.

"His man of affairs, who happens to be my brother, was ill and laid low for a while."

"Oh no, I hope he has recovered?" Ellen asked.

"He has and is back to his annoying full health," Mr. Murphy said, which was exactly what a Nightingale would say. "I took up his duties until he could do so again."

"A very astute businessman, Mr. Huntington," Uncle Bram said.

"Very much so, as are most of his family members," Mr. Murphy said.

They talked, and Oscar Murphy answered the questions with confidence and intelligence. Leo liked him more and more as the interview drew to a close.

"Well then, when can you start?" Uncle Bram said after looking at Leo, Alex, and Ellen, who all nodded.

"I am honored," Mr. Murphy said. "And immediately if that is your wish. I have references," he added.

"No need." Leo waved them away. "Mr. Huntington is an excellent reference."

"Do you have lodgings here in London?" Alex asked.

"I am at present renting a room in Mr. Perceval's boarding house. A very shoddy establishment, so now I have secured a position, I will find another," Mr. Murphy said.

"There is a top floor in the building we are leasing to run our business from. You are welcome to it, should you wish," Uncle Bram said. "I'm sure we can find something to furnish it with as well."

Until that moment, nothing had thrown Mr. Murphy, but he was speechless.

"You are under no obligation to take it, sir," Ellen rushed to add.

"I would like that above all things," Oscar Murphy said quickly. "To have a place that I don't need to share will be wonderful!"

"Well then," Leo said. "We will write down the address and meet you there in the morning. You can look, and we will work out what you need. Then, after the lease is finalized, you can move in."

"I-I can't thank you enough."

"There is no need to pay for the accommodations either, Mr. Murphy. You will do us a favor by looking after the place," Uncle Bram added, sending Oscar speechless once more.

He left ten minutes later, still gushing his gratitude.

Leo donned his coat and hat and then went outside with the rest of his family. Three carriages stood there, and several horses. He mounted one of them, more than happy to be out of the carriage where his siblings would chat incessantly.

"Do not lean out the window, Anna," Leo said as the carriage started moving. He pulled alongside her window. "You could hurt yourself."

She gave him a wide, mischievous smile, which had taken them months to coax out of her.

"Leo?"

"Yes, Anna."

"I love you and all my family. Thank you for saving me." She then blew him a kiss and returned to her seat .

Leo rubbed his chest. Anna had been timid and terrified when she'd come to live with them, but now she said exactly what was inside her head, and often that was telling them how much she loved them. He'd never tire of hearing it. He crooked his finger at her, and she leaned out again.

"I love you too. Now get inside and stay there, you horrid child."

She giggled and did as he asked.

"Hello!"

"Hello, Miss Varney," Gray said. "Don't you think Lord Seddon looks wonderfully handsome today?"

Leo hissed something foul beneath his breath.

"He is surely the most handsome of us all, but then that is expected with the title he holds," Alex added soberly.

"Desist," Leo hissed. Tabitha Varney had been hunting a husband for some time now, and her attentions had moved from Alex when he wed Harriet to Leo once more. The woman was terrifying.

Tabitha stood on her front step dressed in cream, and the dress gaped in the bodice, exposing her breasts.

"Get on with you, Tabitha Varney," Mavis Johns said. She was walking by the Varney house at a clip. "Put those away before you catch a chill."

"I swear that woman walks everywhere at that speed," Alex said as they rolled out of Crabbett Close, leaving a disappointed Tabitha Varney behind.

"So, is this the way it's going to be from now on?" Leo snapped. "You lot throwing Tabitha Varney at me?"

"It's fair, considering you did the same to me," Alex said, riding beside him.

They bickered as they rode, as they usually did. Those in the carriages hurled comments out the windows, and it was the mayhem of a Nightingale adventure. Once, this would never have been allowed. Their father was a stickler for propriety.

Mind you, he wouldn't be with them at all, if Leo was honest. He rarely, if ever, had gone out in public with his family unless it was a society event.

I will never be like that man.