Free Lady Penelope's Christmas Charade, a Regency Romance by Lilia Birney Page A

glanced over at Penelope. She was still shivering—he could practically hear her teeth clacking together. He crossed over to the decanter and poured three stout brandies, handing the glasses around with a courtly bow.
    "Civilized, that's what he is." Miss K jerked her head in his general direction. "You're lucky to have a gent like that helping you out."
    "Yes, I know," Penelope murmured, gazing at him over the rim of her glass. Her shivers had stopped, and roses were beginning to bloom in her cheeks. He tore his attention away from her and back to the present.
    "I don't suppose you recall her last name. Or anything else about her, for that matter."
    "Well, she was a little slip of a thing and mentioned she needed money badly. She seemed a little taken aback when she learned what she'd be doing. I guess she expected a job as a maid." Miss A sipped her brandy with a thoughtful air. "By then, you know, she was back in the house with the rest of us and we told her a little bit more of what she'd need to do—"
    "We like to give fair warning," Miss K interrupted. "Sometimes the girls are shocked, you know."
    "Why would they be shocked?" Penelope spoke up. "Surely they know what they are getting into."
    "No, not all of them. Some of them think the Barclay is an agency for domestics. They don't understand that it supplies the Gilded Lily, as well as gentlemen's house parties."
    "Did Cicely seem taken aback when she found out about the real purpose of the agency?" If she hadn't, then that would make her disappearance more puzzling—well, than it already was.
    "Cicely never came back to stay with Emma. I don't suppose she made it past the interview process. Some young ladies aren't selected, and others cho ose to leave of their own will, " Miss K replied with a shrug.
    "Where is Emma now? Perhaps we can talk to her about how she knew Cicely." They really had exhausted what the young women could tell them—he was beginning to feel it in his bones. It was time to conclude the interview and get Penelope back out of this hell. He hadn't liked the necessity of bringing her, and he was ready to get her back safely home.
    "Emma was taken to a house party in Derbyshire. Some gentlemen were having a gathering and needed nice girls to liven things up a bit. She left a few days ago." Miss A smiled with what looked like a bit of regret. "I think she was a little nervous, but the position pays handsomely."
    He nodded. "Thank you both for your help. Did the Barclay send just Emma? Or did other girls go too?"
    "Oh no. Several girls went. I would have gone, but the men's taste ran to blondes and redheads."
    Penelope rose from her crouching position by the fire. "Where in Derbyshire did they go?"
    "Well, I couldn't say for sure."
    Miss K kicked Miss A in the shin. "You really have said too much. And me too."
    "We don't want to get anyone in trouble," Penelope pleaded. "What these gentlemen do is really no concern of mine. I just want to find my friend, that's all. If you two are worried about losing your posts, I would be happy to offer you positions in my home, or in the homes of my friends. We are ever in need of good help, and it's respectable work."
    "Thank you," Miss K replied. "I don't mean to sound ungrateful, your ladyship. But the blunt I earn on my back is my money. I like what I do, and I feel it's respectable enough. The Barclay is a good employer, and they take care of us well."
    "I agree." Miss A smiled at Penelope. "I don't want to get sacked, but I am not worried about coming to harm. I will tell you—at the risk of another bruised shin from my chum here—that I was invited to a house party in Derbyshire last Christmas . I can't say it is the same place, but mine was at Lord Adams' country seat."
    "Thank you both." Pierce withdrew a small bag of coins from his coat pocket and handed them to Miss A. "We appreciate all the information you've given us."
    "Not at all, Mr. Howe." Miss K winked as she accepted her share of the coins