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The three servants went strangely still, avoiding each others’ eyes “No, sir,” Pomeroy answered “The doctor wouldn’t come”

“Wouldn’t coentleman’s eyes blazed “What the devil do you mean, he wouldn’t come?”

“He knows his lordship can’t pay him Sir”

There was entleone, replaced by discomfort “Ah, I see Well, send for him directly and inform him that I shall pay him”

“Yes, sir, thank you, sir” The elderly butler looked very relieved

Daniel Coach Max up the steps and into his townhouse, with the elderly Po in his wake, and that hen Marietta realized she had been overlooked The gentlereen-colored frock coat was last up the steps, calling out one, too, and she would be left, standing all alone, in the street

“Excuse me, sir?”

At the sound of her voice the tall, thin stranger stopped and turned His eyes were the sa “I’m sorry, you are…?”

“I am Miss Marietta Greentree I accompanied Ma…that is, Lord Roseby, from Aphrodite’s Club He was too ill to travel alone and none of his servants had come to help him”

There was an ientle her “As you see, Miss Greentree, the Pomeroys are elderly and would not have been ofthe house Daniel had to drive the coach, but he is a good lad and could be relied upon to help when needed As for myself, I have only just arrived or you can be sure I would instantly have offered roatchful

“But, surely, he has other servants?”

“I’m afraid not”

Of course not, Marietta thought He can’t pay them He’s disinherited This is all he has left—an elderly butler and his wife, and a coacher Lord Roseby—he’s a nobody

The gentleaze slid quickly over her, taking in her elets Marietta realized that he was trying to decide just what her role was at Aphrodite’s Club Perhaps she did not fit his i, for a moment later he smiled and bowed and introduced himself

“I am Harold Valland, Miss Greentree—Max’s cousin Po ht, I would have hastened at once to his side”