Chapter 13

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

" I like the Mulhollands, Mother."

"Yes, they are very nice men," Cyn said to her son as they walked in the sun behind people no doubt heading in the same direction.

A fair always drew crowds, as did a new tea shop. Her children loved both, so today they were indulging in a day of eating and fun.

"Large men," Meg said, swinging Cyn's hand. "But very nice."

Of course, she'd known they'd be curious why another two footmen were suddenly escorting them everywhere. The truth was, she'd employed Tobias and Montague Mulholland, at Mrs. Varney's recommendation, to watch over them after what Leona had said that day at the agency.

"You need more protection for your wee ones, my lady," Mrs. Varney had said after Lewis told her the story four days ago. "Big burly men who'll stand no nonsense," Mrs. Varney had continued.

Cyn had replied with "Do I?"

The story that followed was that the Mulholland twins were her sister-in-law's husband's cousins and good boys, or so Mrs. Varney had said. They needed employment after the family they were working for had just up and left for France. What had followed had been a subtle manipulation about two young men in desperate need of work, and seeing as how Cyn needed two new footmen, it was perfect timing.

"Why do we need two large footmen with us when we leave the house, seeing as we have Prue and Mr. Dildersdale?" Simon asked.

How did she answer that?

"Mother?" Simon said.

"Right, sorry, I was thinking about another matter. You know that I have the Phoenix Agency and several other of your father's business interests to oversee?"

Her children nodded.

"Sometimes I am away from home for longer periods, and I wanted to ensure you have people watching over you."

"I am more than capable of looking after us," Prue said from beside Simon.

"I know you are, but you are often with me, Prue. The Mulhollands will be there solely for Meg and Simon should they need anything."

"Very well, my lady."

"And now we are going to take tea and eat cake, then wander through some stalls and buy useless things," Cyn said before anyone could question her further.

"I'm hoping they have one of those stalls that you have to knock over the wood. I have dreadfully good aim," Meg bragged.

While her brother took her to task for being a braggart, Cyn thought again about Leona's ominous words. In fact, besides Leo, she'd thought of little else.

Should she take her children from London? Tell them it was time to visit with their cousins for a while? Just long enough for things to die down and for her to ensure that, in fact, she had not caught the eye of the notorious Wolf. Things would run smoothly with Lewis and Mary at the helm at the agency, and she could deal with all the other business with the help of Kenneth's efficient man of affairs from the estate.

She was still mulling things over when they reached the Pickersons' tea shop, a single-story building that stood alone just before the opening to a park. Cyn could see the fair only a minute's walk away. Crowds of people were milling about, and Meg clapped her hands in excitement.

"Tea first," Cyn said.

Pickersons' was a white-painted brick facade and had a swinging sign that hung on two chains with a hat, teacup, and plate of cakes on it. Two large front windows showed her the place was full of patrons.

"Come, let us enter," Cyn said, nodding to one of the large Mulhollands who were accompanying them today as he opened the door. "Thank you… ah?—"

"Toby, my lady."

"Toby, right? I promise I will learn which one of you is which shortly."

"Hello, Toby."

"Miss Meg." Toby bowed as her daughter walked by him.

"How is it you know which one is which," Cyn whispered.

"Toby's hair stands upright at the peak, and Monty's doesn't."

Cyn looked over her shoulder at the brothers who were still outside. Squinting, she noted that, in fact, Meg was right.

"You could have told me that sooner," Cyn muttered.

"It's not my fault you are unobservant, Mother," her daughter said in a snooty tone.

"You will fit right into society," Cyn said with a laugh. "Come along, Prue, Toby, and Monty. "

"We will wait outside, my lady," they said at the same time.

Cyn waved them inside, and they reluctantly joined her.

"Do you not wish for tea?" she asked.

"We cannot take tea with you here, my lady," one twin said.

"If I say you can, then you can," Cyn added.

"It looks busy. I hope we get a table," Simon said from behind them.

"Well, we can always wander and go back for tea," Cyn said.

Her eyes swept the room briefly. There appeared to be two tables to the left that were free.

"Look, Simon," Meg said, sounding excited. "Theo, Fred, Anna, and Matilda are here!"

Cyn's head swiveled so fast, she wasn't sure it wouldn't end up looking down at her spine. She knew those names. Her eyes locked on Leo's as she saw him seated at a large table. On his lap was a small girl.

"You know them?" Cyn said in a strangled voice, dragging her eyes from the disturbing viscount and back to her children.

"Yes. We meet at the library sometimes and then at the park at Crabbett Close where they live."

How was it she did not know this? She was often with her children when they went to the park, but clearly not when they'd visited Crabbett Close. Mrs. Varney lived there, but not once had she mentioned the name Nightingale.

Why now was she destined to see Leo constantly? What fates had aligned so this was happening? It was extremely unfair, considering she wanted to avoid him.

"Ah, perhaps we could?—"

"Are you looking for a table?" A young woman approached .

"We are. There are six of us," Simon said.

"Good boy," she said to him. Some thought servants were not to be seen or heard; they were just there to serve. She'd never wanted to be one of those people.

"We could come back if you are busy," Cyn said quickly.

"Don't be silly, Mother, there are two tables right there." Simon jabbed a finger in the exact direction where the Nightingales all sat. Anywhere but there.

"Come along, Mother. You remember meeting Matilda the other day in the park, don't you?" Meg said. "She was with Mungo."

Mungo? She saw him then, the large Scotsman who had been standing with his huge arms folded watching the girls run around with their kite.

Cyn had been in the presence of Leo's younger siblings and not known it. Before she could stop them, her children had gone to greet their friends.

She wasn't exactly dragging her feet, but it was a near thing as she, Prue, and the Mulhollands followed.

"Lady Lowell!"

And that was all I needed to improve my day , she thought, looking at the woman who had called out to her.

"Good day to you, Mrs. Blakey." She raised a hand, hoping that was enough of a greeting. It turned out she was wrong, and the woman waggled her fingers, indicating she wished to speak with Cyn.

It was a double-edged sword, if she was honest. Cyn was happy to walk away from Leo and the Nightingales but not happy to talk to one of society's most sharp-tongued ladies.

"Go and find tables," she told her children and staff.

"What on earth are you doing with your servants accompanying you, Lady Lowell? They do not take tea with us!" Mrs. Blakey sat with two of her cronies and her long- suffering husband. He was the only person Cyn liked at the table.

"I'm not sure how you know what my staff look like, Mrs. Blakey, but be assured they are wonderful people who deserve my respect."

The woman made a pft sound and waved Cyn's words away before continuing.

"Of course, you will do as you see fit, but I must warn you about something else, Lady Lowell."

"Oh?" But Cyn knew what was coming next.

"The Nightingale family is here. Can you believe the audacity? I had not thought to be subjected to taking tea with them, considering…" She let her words fall away.

Her friends tittered, and her husband sighed.

"They are my friends," Cyn said in a cool voice. It didn't matter how she felt about seeing Leo again; she would not listen to someone maligning him and his family when they had suffered so much. "Their father was the one in the wrong. Not them. I've never believed in the children being punished for their father's sins."

"Well!" Mrs. Blakey gasped.

"Now, if you are quite finished with your assassination of my character and that of the Nightingale family, I will bid you a good day." Cyn turned, and her eyes locked with Leo's again. He'd risen from his seat and was watching her.

Had he overheard her words?

"How rude," she heard Mrs. Blakey whisper.

Cyn had always tried to be pleasant in society and never make enemies. It seemed she'd just done exactly that.

"No, what is rude is you speaking in the manner you are so everyone can hear," Cyn snapped. "Perhaps, considering your son's penchant for wandering hands and the rumors about his, shall we say, appetites, you should not be one to gossip, Mrs. Blakey. "

"My son is a paragon!"

"No, he's not," the woman two tables to her left said. Cyn noticed it was Lady Sinclair. "He's far too free with his hands."

Mrs. Blakey flushed to the roots of her gray hair. She then rose and hurried out.

"Thank you," Cyn said, acknowledging Lady Sinclair, who she had always liked because she was strong-willed and never took a step back when a forward one was on offer.

"Most welcome. That beastly woman had it coming."

Cyn's smile felt strained, and then she was moving to where her children and staff now sat.

"Mother!" Meg shrieked, drawing all eyes. "Come and sit here and meet the Nightingale family."

"Don't shriek, sister, we all have excellent hearing," Simon said.

"Lady Lowell." Leo rose with a small girl in his arms. "I had no idea my siblings knew your children." He then bowed, making the child giggle. "How wonderful to see you again." This time the smile reached his eyes, and standing there holding that sweet child, he presented a handsome picture. Not that Cyn felt anything, but she was sure some women in the tea shop did.

"My son, Simon, Lord Lowell, and my daughter?—"

"Meg," one of the Nightingales said. "We know them as Meg and Simon from the park." She grinned.

"Yes, thank you, Fred," Leo said to the young girl who had spoken. "It is lovely to meet you both," he then added to Simon and Meg.

They bowed and curtsied perfectly, which made her proud.

"You've met my uncle, I'm sure."

"Of course," she said, acknowledging both him and his wife. "They paid me a call after my impromptu swim. "

"Did they now?" Leo said, shooting his aunt and uncle a look. "And that is Mungo," he then said, waving a hand at the large Scotsman.

"Good day to you, Lady Lowell," he said in a deep burr.

"I think the only other people at the table you do not know are Harriet, Alex's wife, and Gray, Ellen's husband," Leo continued.

She acknowledged everyone and kept her eyes from the man holding the delightful little girl in his arms.

"Lottie, say hello to Lady Lowell," Leo said.

"Hello," Cyn said, making herself look at the child.

"She is our daughter," Bramstone said.

"It is lovely to see and meet you all," Cyn got out of her tight throat. "I won't keep you any further from your tea."

Unfortunately, the two tables her family and staff now sat at were close to the Nightingales. In fact, Leo's chair was a mere foot from hers.

She was an adult and did not fall about the place anymore when Leo was near, Cyn reminded herself. She concentrated on Meg and Simon, who were debating what they wanted to eat.

"They are your staff?" Leo's words had her looking at him. The little girl had now left him to sit with the large Scotsman.

"They are the Mulhollands, my footmen, and maid Miss Bromley," Cyn said, daring him to question her. "Do you have a problem with my staff being here with me?"

"Not at all. We are a family who no longer stand on ceremony and have staff that are our friends as well. I just wondered why you needed them all with you when you take tea."

"It was my late husband's wish that I always have plenty of staff with me when the children leave the house," she said, thinking quickly. It wasn't the truth, but she was not about to tell him the real reason. Lies were necessary sometimes.

"Your husband was a good man."

"He was."

"Thank you for speaking as you did in my family's defense when you arrived. I'm not sure exactly what transpired, but we knew we were being discussed by the looks cast our way." Cyn heard the sincerity in his words.

"I cannot abide snobbish fools. Unfortunately, the world is full of them."

"Very true," he agreed. "Thankfully, we are both no longer counted among them."

"Indeed," Cyn said, turning away from him. She wondered how soon she could leave without it being obvious.