Page 81 of The Viscount's Seduction
“A scoundrel in big things will be a scoundrel in small things.” His voice cut like steel. “He will pay.”
Their dinner came and all discussion stopped until the door closed on the servants. It had given her a moment to think, and Bakeley a moment to brood.
More had gone on today that Bakeley was not telling her.
“Who did you meet at the Home Office? Is it a name I’ll recognize?”
He filled her plate and handed it to her. “Lord Farnsworth. Do you know him?”
“Is he Irish?”
“No. That is, I don’t know.”
“We shall look him up in Debrett’s.”
“Yes, well, he’s also one of Shaldon’s spies. And it wasn’t the Home Office we visited. It was a townhouse in Knightsbridge, very likely owned by the Home Office.”
His sharing such confidences raised her spirits. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For trusting me with state secrets.”
That brought a smile from him. “And how was your day?”
She told him about Perry’s plot to move Lady Jane in and to have him fund a dressmaking establishment. It didn’t coax a laugh as she’d expected.
“Would you like to have Lady Jane move in?” he asked. “We could phrase it as an invitation to help you learn as you adjust to your new duties. However, if she lets go of her lodgings and wishes to continue here, it would not be easy to undo, so you could expect something of a permanent arrangement.”
“Perhaps. But when her cousin comes to town, ’twill be easier for her to lodge with him if she wishes, now that she’s rid of me. And what of the modiste shop?”
“A business is a business. It can’t be so very different than other endeavors. If you wish it, I’ll consider that also.”
Her heart swelled. She’d been treated well by Lady Jane and Barton. To think that she could share some of her new-found prosperity with them made her happy.
A footman appeared at the door.
“We’re not quite finished,” James said.
“Pardon, my lord. A letter came for you.”
She took a drink of wine and watched as James glanced at the letter and closed the door on the servant, a frown marring his handsome face. Instead of returning to the table, he picked up a candle and proceeded into the dressing room.
She found him there, still frowning. “What is it?”
His mouth thinned. “I’m going to dress. I must speak to father.” He grasped her hand and placed the letter in it. “After the interview with Farnsworth, I went to investigate your cousin. This message comes from the proprietor of the inn where he was lodging.” He kissed her forehead and started pulling out drawers.
“That one.” She pointed to the cabinet where his valet had stored his clothes.
She spread the folded paper and read.
The man you inquired about returned tonight with his two servants. You did ask for any peculiar news. Both his men are injerred and we have sent for the apothecary.
“What does it mean?”
James was pulling on his breeches. “I don’t know for sure.”
A tremor went through her. Oh, aye, he was keeping secrets. She must keep her own guard up.
