Page 62 of My Gentleman Spy
Chapter Twenty-Five
Leavingthe Bishop of London’s private office an hour or so later, Will decided a visit to Bat and Rosemary’s house in Duke Street was in order. If anyone in London could help put the pieces of the puzzle together it wasthem.
“Edgar Wright?” saidBat.
He handed Will back Edgar Wright’s calling card. Bat pursed his lips and Will sat silent while his cousin wracked hisbrains.
“The name is familiar, but I'm not entirely sure why. I can ask at White's tomorrow if you canwait.”
Will raised aneyebrow.
“Not venturing to the club tonight?” heasked.
“I still visit it on occasion in the evenings, but I have other commitments and more compelling distractions these days,” repliedBat.
A tap at the door preceded the arrival of Lady Shale. Rosemary entered the room carrying ababy.
She immediately captured her husband’s attention. The sparkle in Bat’s eyes served to remind Will of the joyful distraction that having a wife bestowed upon aman.
Bat rose from his chair by the fire and took hold of thebaby.
“Come to your papa,” hesaid.
Will watched the blissful domestic scene, feeling more discomfort that he had expected at such a warm and happy familyhome.
“So, have you made progress in the search for your missing lady?” askedRosemary.
“Well she is not dead, which I would consider a major step forward. I saw her at St. Paul’s not two hours ago. And while I was there I believe I met her brother,” repliedWill.
He handed Edgar Wright's calling card to the countess. She briefly examinedit.
“I don't know him or his wife personally, but I do recall having met Miranda Wright once at a party. There was something odd about thefamily.”
A look of recognition appeared on Rosemary's face, followed by a slygrin.
“There was a sister. I don’t remember her name, but Eve would likely know it. I think she may have come out the same season as Evedid.”
Her words sent a thrill rippling down Will's spine. The pieces of the puzzle were beginning to fall rapidly into place. It would not take much now to unravel the rest of the Hattiemystery.
Nothing was better than an unexpected breakthrough. The first tantalizing crack in an enemy's skillfully crafted plan always held a certain alluring promise. Once he saw the thin outline, Will would set to work weakening the facade of Hattie’s story. Soon the whole structure she had built would come crashing down aroundher.
Then he would know thetruth.
He sat back in the chair, shocked at the passion which had roared to life within him. The realization that this had little to do with running Hattie to ground; and nearly everything to do with her having rejected him, hit Willhard.
Bloodyhell.
The emotions causing turmoil in his mind were nothing like what he had felt when on the hunt for French agents and English traitors. Even the taste in his mouth was not thesame.
Hattie was not hisprey.
“What I don’t understand is what she was doing at Evensong. If Edgar is indeed her brother why didn’t she speak to him? I watched her. She was beset with indecision. Time and time again she started to walk toward them, and each time she stopped herself andretreated.”
Rosemary walked over to where Will sat and took a seat next to him. She took hold of his hand and gave it a gentlesqueeze.
“This behavior is most unlike you Will. You saved this girl and saw her safely returned to England. Why then are you still so concerned about who she is?” sheasked.
As a former spy, Lady Shale was as perceptive as Will was in reading the undercurrent in aconversation.
