Wrede, Patricia C - Mairelon 01 by Mairelon the Magician (v5.0)

well do
you know the Viscount Granleigh?"
                "I
don't believe we've met."
                "And St. Clair?"
                "The
Baron and I . . . have met. Where is this leading, Edward?"
                Shoreham
sighed. "I wanted to know whether you were likely to meet anyone who would
recognize you."
                "Then
why didn't you just ask?" Mairelon's tone was infuriating in its
innocence.
                "Richard!
The Runners are still looking for you in connection with the original
robbery, you know."
                "It's
half the reason I left England .
I take it Granleigh and St. Clair are likely to be in Essex ?"
                "Possibly. Charles Bramingham is married to St. Clair's
sister, and his son is St. Clair's heir. His wife is a bosom bow of Amelia
Granleigh, the Viscountess, and is addicted to house parties. It's not beyond
the bounds of probability that you'll run into them."
                "I
know. I've stayed at Bramingham Place a time or two. Don't go ruffling your feathers about it, it was years ago, and
they're not likely to remember me. What is their connection with the
Ministry?"
                There was
a moment's silence, then Lord Shoreham said ruefully,
"Richard, you are uncanny. How did you know?"
                "There
must be at least a hundred people in London who might have recognized me, including my dear brother Andrew. You didn't ask
me about any of them."
                "Andrew's in London ? You didn't see him, did you?"
                "As
a matter of fact, I did. Briefly. It needn't concern
you."
                "Nothing
in this affair--"
                "You're
avoiding the subject, Edward. What's so special about Bramingham and the
Granleighs?"
                Lord
Shoreham sighed again. "Stephen Granleigh is involved with the Ministry in
a number of ways. Of necessity, he's familiar with the history of the Saltash
Bowl. Has decided opinions on the subject, too."
                "I
see. And St. Clair?"
                "Was elected to the College in your place."
                "He
must have been delighted." Mairelon's voice was utterly devoid of
expression. "I must remember to congratulate him if I see him."
                "Richard!
Don't take foolish risks."
                "Foolish? Never."
                "I
ought to take the bowl, after all, and let someone else recover the
platter."
                "You
can have it if you like, but it won't keep me out of Essex ."
                "I
was afraid of that. Richard, if the Runners catch you with the Saltash
Bowl--"
                "The
Runners have criminals enough to deal with in London .
What would one of them be doing in Essex ?"
                "Quite
possibly looking for you," Lord Shoreham replied dryly. "I told you
someone's been talking too much."
                "I'll
take the chance."
                "Very well. I hope your luck holds, Richard. And don't
hesitate to call on me if something happens."
                "You
may be sure of it."
                The wagon
door opened, and Lord Shoreham's footsteps sounded on the steps. Kim heard
Mairelon moving about the wagon, then a soft thump as
the lid of the chest closed. She held her breath, waiting for him to leave and
wondering how she was going to sneak out unseen. But Mairelon did not leave.
Kim was just beginning to wonder whether she would have to stay where she was
all night when Mairelon spoke.
                "I
think you had better come out now, Kim, and explain why you've been
eavesdropping on my conversation."

7
                Kim
swallowed hard and pushed the curtain aside. Mairelon was standing in the
center of the wagon, watching her. His face was expressionless. Kim swallowed
again