“Might I have a word with you, Mr. Bridges?”

  “Yes, of course.” Jonathan indicated to the chair before his desk. “How might I help you?”

  Valentine stepped into the office, his sharp eyes taking in the many stacks on every available surface. An eyebrow rose in question.

  “Reorganizing,” Jonathan quickly explained.

  “Where is your secretary?” Valentine asked. “I believe his name is Mr. Thadius White.”

  Jonathan willed himself to remain calm. Just because an investigator was in his office did not mean that Valentine suspected him of any wrongdoing. “Mr. White left my employ some months back.”

  Both eyebrows lifted in interest at this information. “May I ask why?”

  “I found him to be derelict in his duties.”

  “Thus the reorganizing.” Valentine gestured to the many stacks of paper throughout the office.

  “Yes.”

  “At any point did you suspect him of theft, as well as dereliction?”

  Jonathan swallowed. There was no safe way to answer such a question from an investigator with the Thames Police; especially one with Valentine’s reputation. They would wonder why he had not reported it earlier. “I am just beginning to get to the bottom of what my secretary may have been doing.”

  Valentine nodded. “I’ve been contacted by the Duke of Eldridge.” Valentine leaned forward. “He claims that sugar was shipped to one of your warehouses, yet you have not responded to his inquires as to where it is located.”

  Sweat broke out on Jonathan’s brow. Damn and blast, he had dreaded this very thing happening. “I have not yet located his shipment.”

  Again, Valentine eyed the many documents.

  Jonathan sank into his seat. It was best to tell Valentine everything before the man brought him up on charges.

  As Jonathan explained the whole of the situation, Valentine merely regarded him with interest.

  “I do not know yet if my secretary and the others who worked with him were stealing. The documents are in such a mess I am still tracking items.”

  “You did not suspect any wrongdoing?”

  Did Valentine not believe him? Should he have made excuses and hoped the investigator went away. “I have spent much time with my sister in the country. I wasn’t aware there was a problem until I came across a letter. After White disappeared, I found the whole of what you see hidden in crates beneath the office.”

  Valentine stood. Was he to be arrested?

  “A similar instance has been reported by another company.” Valentine settled the hat back on his head. “White’s brother worked there. Both men have disappeared.”

  Jonathan let out a sigh. At least he wasn’t the only one who had been duped.

  “I will give you until Monday to straighten this out.” Valentine walked toward the door. “When I return, I want a complete accounting of everything that has gone missing.”

  He didn’t wait for Jonathan to answer but exited the office, his feet heavy as he descended the stairs. Jonathan looked at the piles surrounding him. It was impossible to have a full accounting complete in five days unless he had help.

  Chapter 7

  She would not back down. This was for her sake as well as Rose’s. Geneviève’s glare met Bentley’s.

  “The two of you cannot go sailing off to who knows where without a gentleman to accompany you,” he bellowed.

  Rose straightened her spine and notched her chin. “I did my duty to this family, and to your father. I no longer wish to be passed about, coddled and watched over as if I were an infant.”

  Bentley’s mouth popped open in surprise and Geneviève suspected this might be the first time Rose had ever disagreed with the earl, either the former or the present one.

  “I’ve longed to travel, to be free. Geneviève offers that opportunity.”

  Bentley returned his glare to Geneviève. No doubt he blamed her for the upheaval in his perfectly ordered world.

  “It isn’t as if we are boarding a ship tomorrow,” Rose reminded him. “We will wait until after the Season.” She worried her hands together. “Besides, as we don’t know how our news shall be received, I might wish to escape immediately following the announcement.”

  Bentley relaxed, his features softening. “Of course,” He reached out and grasped Rose’s hand, “If it turns out badly, I will book passage for you and the family.”

  Rose frowned. “Not the family, Clayton, just Geneviève and I.”

  His jaw tightened once again. “We will discuss it when the time comes.”

  There really was no point in making plans now. The scandal of the Bentley family could blow over without nary a comment, and Rose might decide she wished to remain in London, though Geneviève doubted that would be the case. But waiting did give Bentley an opportunity to become used to the idea.

  “Excuse me,” the butler interrupted as he stepped into the gold sitting room of the Bentley townhouse. “An urgent message has arrived for Miss Geneviève.”

  A mixture of anxiety and excitement struck and Geneviève rushed across the room to grab the missive from the silver tray. She never received messages. She tore the seal and unfolded the parchment, reading quickly before letting out a sigh. “I must go.”

  “Where?” Bentley demanded, coming forward. “Who is it from?”

  “Juliette,” she answered, folding the document. “Mr. Bridges has come to call. Juliette explained I was out but he insists upon waiting.”

  Geneviève hurried from the room. Had Bridges found her mother’s belongings? If so, she could finally complete the work on the house on Henrietta Street. Maybe she could live there sooner than planned if Juliette allowed it that is.

  Bentley’s loud footsteps followed her down the stairs. “I shall accompany you.”

  Geneviève blew out a breath as she slipped into the pelisse the footman held for her. She did not need her brother’s escort but didn’t want to waste time arguing with him. “I will be walking. It will take longer if we wait for the carriage to come around.”

  Bentley paused to accept a cane and hat from the footman then followed her out the door. As Juliette and Acker lived only a few blocks away, they arrived in a short amount of time. Geneviève stopped before the door and turned to Bentley. “How are you going to explain why the two of us were out together if Bridges asks?” All these secrets made it dashed difficult to go about normally. And, did her half-brother even consider that those they passed on the street might wonder why he was accompanying her from his home?

  A part of her wanted to take an advertisement out in the newssheets announcing the subterfuge of the former earl and put it all to rest. Then she wouldn’t have to live in one place and pretend as if she lived in another.

  He frowned. Clearly, her brother hadn’t considered what people may think. If anyone should be with her, it was his wife.

  “I will, um, well…”

  “I’ll go in first. Wait a few moments and arrive to call on Acker.” Geneviève didn’t wait for a response and turned and lifted the knocker on the door.

  The door opened and Geneviève breezed in as she heard Bentley announce he was here to call on Acker and happened to meet Miss Mirabelle on the stoop. Geneviève rolled her eyes and hurried up the stairs. As she reached the landing, she paused and took a deep breath, calming her agitation. She couldn’t let Bridges know that she was aware he was here; otherwise, he might find it odd that Juliette had sent her a message.

  Acker and Juliette were side by side on the settee and Bridges sat across from them, a cup in his hand. The gentlemen stood at her entrance. While his attire was in order, nary a wrinkle, his dark hair was a bit mussed as if he had been pushing his fingers through it in frustration—much like her brothers did on occasion. His eyes were tired and wrinkles formed at the corners. Geneviève wished to smooth them. If only he would have allowed her to help then he wouldn’t have had such anxiety.

  “Mr. Bridges, I didn’t expect you to call. Have you located my mother’s items?”

  His face colored and he pulled at his cravat. Very odd.

  “Ah, good day, Lord and Lady Acker, Mr. Bridges,” Bentley announced as he came in the room.

  Alarm flashed across Juliette’s face but Acker came forward, “Bentley, good of you to call.”

  She wasn’t in the mood for pleasantries and waited for Bridges to answer her question.

  Bridges glanced at Bentley then Lord and Lady Acker before focusing on Geneviève. “Would you care for a walk in the garden?”

  The gentlemen frowned, as did Juliette.

  “It is winter, Mr. Bridges,” Bentley reminded him with irritation.

  The man colored deeper. Whatever Bridges wished to say to her he certainly did not wish to discuss it in earshot of those in the room. “I think it is a lovely idea.”

  Bentley drew his brows together but he said nothing. This was not the time for him to become even more brotherly than he already was.

  “Please, have a seat, Lord Bentley,” Juliette smiled sweetly before turning to Geneviève. “Enjoy your stroll.”

  Bridges cleared his throat and held out his arm. “Shall we?”

  “Of course,” Geneviève smiled and quit the room, making her way back down the stairs. She had been in such a hurry when she arrived that she hadn’t bothered to remove her pelisse so she was already dressed for the outing and waited for a footman to retrieve Bridge’s greatcoat. She fought the urge to tap her toe in anxiousness while she waiting. Why was he here? Why did he need to speak with her alone? If it was about her mother’s shipment, he could have relayed that news upstairs.

  It was a chilly day but not unpleasant, though certainly not the time of year for a walk in a garden. Acker and Bentley must think him mad.

  Jonathan glanced at Geneviève Mirabelle from the corner of his eye. The sun was shining and highlighted the rich red of her hair. He had never been attracted to redheaded women before, but her color was more of auburn than bright red. Her skin was of delicate cream with nary a freckle. Didn’t most redheaded women have freckles? Odd that. Though, he wouldn’t have minded if she had any. She would be beautiful just the same and Bridges doubted his attraction to her would be any less.

  He shook the thought from his head and focused his attention forward. He was here to discuss a business matter, not courtship. Yet, it was difficult to concentrate when she walked so close to him along the narrow path, with her hand resting in the crook of his arm. There was something quieting and relaxing about being in her presence; another oddity indeed. He would have thought Miss Mirabelle to be the last person to bring comfort.

  He must stop thinking about her as an attractive female which he could spend more time with, and get to the matter at hand.

  How did he begin? Would she crow in delight at his request for help? Could he ask her to organize the documents without revealing all of the truth?

  Jonathan once again glanced at her delicate profile from the corner of his eye. Miss Mirabelle was far too intelligent to simply accept that he needed her help without wanting to know why he had a sudden change of heart. Furthermore, once she began putting shipments and deliveries together, she would realize the truth on her own.

  “I am assuming you have not found my mother’s shipment or you would have told me inside,” Miss Mirabelle said as they rounded the corner at the back of the house.

  “No. I have not.”

  She simple gave a quick nod. “Then what do I owe this visit?”

  Jonathan blew out a sigh. There was no help for it. He must tell her the truth and hope he didn’t have to grovel to gain her assistance. “The task is beyond me at this moment, as you’ve pointed out.”

  A small smile pulled at her lips but at least she didn’t grin outright.

  “I would like to hire you to continue organizing the documents until they are matched with invoices and receipts.”

  Miss Mirabelle stopped beside a small sitting area at the back of the garden sheltered by large trees and turned to him. He missed the comfort of her hand on his sleeve immediately but he couldn’t very well grasp it back.

  “You do not need to hire me, Mr. Bridges. I will be happy to offer my assistance.”

  “It is not right that you work for me without compensation.”

  “It isn’t right that your secretary left you with such a disaster,” she returned.

  In that she was correct. “However, I don’t feel comfortable with you coming to the docks.”

  Miss Mirabelle pursed her lips, tilted her head to the side, and studied him. What was she thinking? “My family probably wouldn’t allow it either.”

  “Nor do I wish anyone, other than the few that already know, to learn what a mess I’ve allowed my business to become.”

  “I understand.”

  “I could have the documents delivered to your home.” Jonathan gestured to the house they were standing behind.

  She frowned and shook her head. A delicate curl at the back of her neck swung in the movement. “Not if you wish for secrecy. That would never do.”

  Miss Mirabelle could not be spending her days on the docks without Acker and her sisters wishing to know what she was about, even if they allowed her to do so. Further, he didn’t wish anyone to know what she was working on or the reason. Yet, he had no solution other than she proceed from her home. “Where might you suggest?”

  She tapped a gloved finger against her lips and then her grey eyes brightened. “I know just the place.”

  “Is it safe?” Based on his limited experience with Miss Mirabelle, Jonathan wasn’t so certain she considered her own safety in situations. He would need to be assured that nothing could harm her. He would rather Acker learn the whole of the situation, and risk all of society learning than put Miss Mirabelle in danger.

  “My sister, Juliette, owns a home on Henrietta Street. It is fully staffed and almost furnished, but nobody lives there at the moment. I could work from there.”

  The idea had merit and there was a very good chance nobody would learn what he had asked her to do. “Give me the number and I will have them delivered straight away.” He turned so they could return indoors.

  “One moment, Mr. Bridges,” She pulled on his sleeve. “Why have decided you need my help now?”

  He should have known it wouldn’t be this easy. He blew out another breath. “Because others are concerned with missing shipments as well. So concerned that they have gone to the Thames River Police. I have until Monday to deliver a list of shipments that have disappeared.”

  Her eyes widened. “You think they have been stolen and not necessarily misplaced.” It wasn’t really a question, but a statement. Why did she have to be so bloody intelligent?

  Jonathan closed his eyes and took a deep breath before he spoke. “I hope they are misplaced but fear that is not the case.”

  Her delicate auburn eyebrows drew together over those intelligent grey eyes. “Who would have stolen from you?”

  “I fear it was my former secretary and men in the warehouse.”

  “Goodness.” Her eyes blinked wide. “Has the man been caught?”

  Jonathan had expected her to yell and scream. Her items could be among those stolen, but Miss Mirabelle was more concerned with the situation as a whole. As much as he didn’t wish for the humiliation of being taken advantage of and her seeing what a poor business manager he was, Jonathan told her everything from the moment he found the letter on his secretary’s desk, the man’s disappearance along with other workers, why he had not been in the office as much as he should, and locating the hidden documents.

  “Oh dear, that is horrible.” She fisted one hand and pounded it into the other. Miss Mirabelle was unlike any lady he had ever encountered before.

  He studied her worried expression. “You don’t seem angry about my deceiving you as to the true situation or that your items may be among those taken.”

  Miss Mirabelle blinked at him in surprise. “Of course, I am upset that mother’s property may be lost to us but even angrier that a man you trusted took such advantage. Does he understand how his actions could ruin you?”

  Jonathan took a step back in surprise. This is certainly not how he expected this conversation to go. He had been prepared, as well as one could be, for yelling, crying, and possibly screaming. Not empathy.

  “My mother investigated you before trusting you with her items. You have a sterling reputation which is why you were chosen. It angers me that other men are so selfish that they don’t care what harm they cause others.” Her chin notched up. “I will be happy to help you right this wrong, Mr. Bridges. Deliver your documents tomorrow and I will get to the bottom of the missing shipments.”

  Jonathan was so happy and relieved at her response that he grasped her upper arms, stepped closer, and was lowering his mouth to hers when he caught himself. Clearing his throat, he let his hands drop and stepped back. Goodness, he must have been desperate indeed to consider such an action. No, it wasn’t desperation, it was a relief and he wanted to kiss her for agreeing to help. That was all. It had nothing to do with fact that she also happened to be a lovely lady with very desirable lips.

  Chapter 8

  Geneviève hummed as she climbed the stairs to the sitting room after leaving Bridges at the door. He needed her and she would now have something to fill her time. And, it would give her more opportunities to visit with him.

  Purely business, she insisted to herself. She respected him. Few men would ask a woman for help. Many would see their businesses ruined before they stooped to such a level. Yet, Bridges was different from all the other gentlemen she had ever met so it was no wonder she admired him.

  Now, she just needed to come up with an excuse Bentley would accept for her being at Henrietta Street during the day. Certainly, she could invent a reasonable explanation because her brother would never agree to what she was really doing. Besides, she needed to keep Bridges’ confidence