Page 32 of A Bride for the Beastly Duke
“Good. I shall get started on this list.” The investigator, George Michaelson, moved away, going to stand close to Mr. Gabriel to read over his shoulder.
Edward took a seat with a sigh. He felt elated that they were making some headway and had a plan. He knew the road might still be long, but this was much better than the endless stalling he had been enduring before.
Ava decided that her skills may as well come in handy. She sat on the verandah while Lily frolicked around in the garden and adjusted her gowns in interesting ways. Splitting the neckline of her sunny yellow morning gown down to the waist, she embroidered red and purple flowers to join the two parts together, leaving tiny holes through which one could see glimpses of her corset. The colorful design also drew the eye, ensuring that the snug fit of her high-waisted gown was shown to full advantage.
Her heart fluttered at the thought of wearing the gown in front of her husband.
Will he notice? What will he say?
Diana sat beside her, casting her occasional sidelong glances as she focused on her own sewing. She had no idea what Ava was up to, but she seemed worried. Ava wanted to laugh out loud—mostly because she felt she might be losing her mind.
What am I planning to do? Seduce my husband? What a ridiculous notion.
She could feel the hysteria trying to overwhelm her if she thought about it too much. However, it did not stop her from working on her embroidery. It didn’t stop her from hoping that Edwardwouldnotice. How humiliating it would be to go to all this effort and then elicit no reaction whatsoever.
Lady Lanton had been staying out of her way ever since she flabbergasted Ava at dinner. She did not know whether this was a good thing or a bad thing. Perhaps the older woman was regretting her words.
Ava hoped not.
“Mama! Mama! Look! They added windbreaks.” Lily was standing by the daffodils, grinning at Ava, her dress streaked with mud and brambles. She looked so happy that it almost broke Ava’s heart.
“That’s wonderful. Now the petals will not fly off.”
“No, they will not.” Lily dived back down, digging with her hands as Ava watched her with an indulgent smile.
She went back to her sewing with a sigh of contentment. Whether or not her plan worked, she felt very strongly that it was worth the risk.
Edward felt a burst of anticipation as the carriage rode through the gates of Barrington Castle. He’d been away longer than he’d anticipated. The Home Office, while gratified that he’d found the reason behind the treason carried out by the Duke of York’s youngest son, were also at a loss as to what to do about it.
“Sodomy?” the principal secretary to the chancellor of the exchequer had cried. “If the French make good on their threat, it’ll be a national scandal.”
“Might I suggest something?” Edward had said.
“Yes please.”
“Why not send him to the colonies? India or East Africa as governor general? Somewhere the French cannot reach him, and he cannot cause much damage.”
The secretary’s eyes lit up. “Excellent idea, Barrington! What an asset you are to the crown.”
Edward gave him a smile. “I can look through the records and find a suitable home for him where the influence of the French can be vastly minimized.”
“Oh no, no, you have done enough. No need for all that. We can take it from here.”
“Oh, but I insist. This is my assignment. I want to finish it.”
The secretary clapped him fondly on the shoulder. “Then be my guest. You know where the records rooms are.”
“Indeed, I do. I shall not let you down.”
“Oh, you definitely have not. Good job on this one. You may even be looking at a promotion.”
Edward tried his best to look pleased. “Thank you.” He bowed, “I shall get to those records now.” He left the room with relief, pleased with himself for orchestrating this opportunity. Spending just half an hour ascertaining that the French had no influence anywhere near East Africa, he resolved to recommend that protectorate for the deployment of the Duke of York’s son. He spent the rest of the time looking up the names on Mr. Gabriel’s list and what they might possibly be doing for the government.
Edward turned to the man who was sitting by his side. “Welcome to your new home, Mr. Gabriel.”
“Please, Sir, if you don’t mind, you may call me Marcus as is my given name?”
“Of course, Marcus. We shall be working closely together. No need for unnecessary formality. You may call me Edward.”
