Chapter Twelve

  Eleanor received word late the next morning from Tara asking if Ladies of Grace could pay her a visit. Excited, she ran to her father’s den and showed him the missive.

  “Do you think this means they want me in the group?” she asked after he read the missive.

  He lowered the parchment and gave her a wide smile. “I believe so. Well done, dear. This is a high honor. I think you should celebrate by buying a couple of new gowns and jewelry.” He paused as he reread the missive. “Write and let her know you’re free tomorrow afternoon.”

  “Can’t I have them over today?”

  “No. The Duke of Winnett will be here at one.”

  Her gut tightened in dread. “The Duke of Winnett is coming here?”

  “I told you he’s taken an interest in you. I approved the courtship. However, I am hopeful you will have other suitors coming by to see you. You made a marvelous impression with the gentlemen last evening at the ball. They were practically fighting over who got to dance with you. I’m waiting to see if anyone else requests to pay you a visit. If so, those missives will start coming in either today or tomorrow. Oh, that reminds me.” He turned to the pile of papers scattered on his desk and retrieved a blank one. He dipped his quill into the inkwell. “I need to send the Duchess of Ashbourne an extra payment for her work. She’s much better than Mr. Tumilson claimed. It’s not often that someone exceeds my expectations.”

  “How long is the Duke of Winnett going to be here?”

  He paused as he placed the tip of the quill on the parchment. “Are you worried about this afternoon?”

  “I don’t want to marry him.” She might as well come out and say it. “As you said, I attracted other gentlemen at the ball. Why do I have to spend time with him?”

  “I didn’t think you’d object to the visit, but as I’ve already told you, I expect other gentlemen to want to be your suitor. I’m sure this will be the only time you’ll have to visit with him.”

  She frowned. “If I had been there when this visit was arranged, I would have said no. I don’t want to spend any time with him. Write to him and tell him I’m not feeling well.”

  “But you are feeling well.”

  She resisted the urge to groan. “That’s not the point. The point is that I don’t want to see him.”

  “Why not?”

  “I just don’t want to. I have no interest in him. I want to marry someone else.”

  “If we can find someone more influential, you can marry him instead. Right now, it’s best if we keep our options open. Believe me, you don’t want to face a second Season.”

  “There is no option with the Duke of Winnett. I don’t like him.”

  “How can that be when you two haven’t said more than a few words to each other?”

  “I don’t know. All I know is that when he asked me to dance last evening, I got this feeling that I should run from him. Something about him is unsettling.”

  He stared at her for a long moment then chuckled. “That’s silly. All you felt were nerves. It was a busy evening, what with all the dancing you did. There’s nothing wrong with him. I’ve known him for a good twenty years. Now, don’t you trouble your pretty little head about it. Let me handle everything with the suitors. I won’t match you up with anyone inappropriate.”

  Without waiting for her to respond, he started to pen the missive to the Duchess of Ashbourne. Eleanor sighed in resignation. There was no reasoning with him. No matter what she said, he brushed everything off as if she was too stupid to know what was going on. She might not be able to define it, but there was something wrong with the Duke of Winnett. Her instincts were screaming at her to avoid him.

  But what could she do about it? Nothing, she supposed. All she could do was hope she would have other suitors. That was it. Her fate was in the hands of some random stranger to take an interest in her. With a shake of her head, she left the room.

  ***

  Byron didn’t wake up until noon. It had been a long night. After leaving the ball, he had located the Duke of Winnett’s residence. From there, he had followed the duke to a remote residence tucked away in the outskirts of London. A lady had greeted him at the door. Given the lady’s location and the time of night, the lady had to be his mistress. It wasn’t uncommon for wealthy gentlemen to take mistresses, so Byron couldn’t pin anything suspicious on him for that.

  Byron spent the night making his rounds up and down through the middle-class residences. He was more familiar with this section of London, so it was easy to keep an eye on the mistress’ residence while pretending to be busy doing other things. Not that he needed to keep busy to avoid arousing someone’s suspicions. Very few men were out at night, and those who were out were usually drunk.

  But if he didn’t keep busy with something, he risked falling asleep, and that’s something a good Runner never did. The Duke of Winnett finally left his mistress right before dawn. Then he went back to his residence, and when it became clear to Byron that the duke wasn’t going to leave again any time soon, Byron went to his own house.

  He had to see Eleanor and her father to discuss how things turned out from the previous evening. It was his job to update them on the case. But suddenly, going over there was something he was dreading. What if he found out Eleanor managed to attract a suitor or two? Would that kind of news really make him happy?

  He knew it should. He had suggested the Duchess of Ashbourne’s services in order to help her. And the lessons had worked. Eleanor no longer had a problem attracting gentlemen. He should be glad for her. His sister had been a spinster for a long time. She was a lot happier now that she was married with a child on the way. Eleanor should be happy like that, too.

  He picked up a towel and patted the water off of his newly shaven face. He didn’t understand it. He should be glad for Eleanor, and yet, he felt something that could only be described as a subtle panic over how things would play out for her. He shook his head and looked at his reflection.

  “You’re losing your mind,” he told himself. “Stick with the assignment. A good Runner never lets feelings get in the way of his job.” No matter how confusing those feelings might be.

  He took a deep breath then set his towel aside. Once he finished getting dressed, he left his house. He walked down the streets that would take him to the Duke of Dormondton’s residence. Unlike some, he didn’t have the money to pay for a horse and carriage, nor did he feel inclined to pay for the services of those who transported people around London. That money was better spent on essentials.

  When he reached the street where the duke lived, he saw the Duke of Winnett’s carriage in front of it. His steps slowed. He couldn’t believe he’d forgotten that the Duke of Winnett was to pay Eleanor a visit today. This wasn’t good. He usually remembered things like this.

  It’s Eleanor. She’s getting to your head. You’ve been thinking of her more than you should. This isn’t about her. It’s about the person who pushed her at the theatre and loosened the carriage wheel. Keep your focus on what matters.

  He tapped the button on his waistcoat. Should he go to the townhouse now or wait until the Duke of Winnett left?

  It was best to wait. The Duke of Winnett was a suspect. The last thing Byron wanted to do was make the duke aware of him. Yes, the duke assumed he was Eleanor’s suitor. That was safe. But if the duke suspected Byron’s motives were different, it might make him change some aspect of his behavior. A criminal who changed their behavior was harder to catch.

  Byron decided to walk past the residence. He would wait until after the Duke of Winnett left before talking to them.

  ***

  Eleanor, who stood by the window, frowned as she watched Byron walk right past her townhouse. She leaned closer to the window and watched as he headed down the street. Why didn’t he come up to the front door?

  “You shouldn’t let the whole thing with Lord Edon bother you,” the Duke of Winnett told her father. “What does it matter what he does or doesn’t do? There are some influential members at White’s. Some even excel with investing. I wish I had taken their advice instead of listening to Lord Swenson.”

  “Lord Swenson is a fool with money,” her father replied. “I certainly wouldn’t trust him with my daughter. I saw the way he was looking at her at the ball. I’m just glad so many other gentlemen kept coming up to her that he never got the chance to dance with her.”

  Eleanor looked over at the gentlemen. The Duke of Winnett sat on the settee, and her father sat in a chair across from him. She had started off by sitting next to the Duke of Winnett, and though he hadn’t made a move to get too close to her, she couldn’t resist the impulse to get away from him. Whatever she did, she must not marry him.

  “I’m afraid we’re boring your daughter,” the Duke of Winnett said as he glanced her way.

  She inwardly shivered and turned her gaze back to the window.

  “Perhaps we should do something like check out the museum or go for a stroll at the park,” the Duke of Winnett told her father.

  Her father called out to her, so she directed her attention back to them. “You haven’t been to the museum yet. Perhaps it’s something that we should do.”

  Being anywhere but trapped in this drawing room with the Duke of Winnett sounded good to her. Relieved, she offered a nod then said she would get her bonnet and shawl for the outing.

  ***

  Byron sat a good distance from the museum. He had followed Eleanor, her father, and the Duke of Winnett there. Thankfully, he had been rounding the corner of the street in time to see them leave the townhouse. He knew nothing bad would happen at a museum, but his gut told him to stick around anyway, and if there was one thing he had learned over the years, it was to listen to his gut.

  He lowered the paper he’d been pretending to read. They were still inside the building. He brought his gaze back to the paper. There was a good amount of activity around him. Plenty of carriages and people passing by. It was easier to hide out in the open like this in a busy part of town. All he had to do was remain still, and he was practically invisible. It also helped that he wasn’t wearing anything that drew attention to his clothing. He’d learned long ago that muted colors worked to his advantage. That’s why his closet was full of blacks, greys, and browns.

  Practically everything about his life was about fading into the background while the people around him lived their lives. This hadn’t bothered him in the past, and it didn’t bother him now, except for one tiny area that wanted to push its way into his consciousness. He didn’t like that prickling sensation, so he forced it back into the recesses of his mind. He would be glad when this case was over. Something about this case was different, and he hated different. Different threatened something in him he couldn’t explain. Was it possible that telling Eleanor’s father to hire the Duchess of Ashbourne had been a mistake? Until recently, life had been the same for him. It’d been safe. It’d been predictable. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but after Eleanor had those lessons, he had changed. He didn’t know how he’d changed, but he didn’t like it.

  “How are you doing this afternoon, Mr. Tumilson?” a familiar voice asked.

  Byron looked up from the paper, surprised to see Piers and Stacey coming up to him. Perhaps he wasn’t as invisible as he’d thought. He offered a polite smile. “I’m doing well. How are you two?”

  “We’re doing wonderful,” Piers said and gestured to the two books he was holding. “The books we ordered finally arrived. They are rare finds.”

  “Yes, these are the original edition,” Stacey added. “One was printed in 1530 and the other in 1594. They have been well-cared for.”

  “They cost a pretty sum of money, but it’s worth it.” Piers gently touched the books. “These will go in our third library. That’s where we keep our most important books. But we love books no matter when they were printed. All of them are important in their own way.”

  Stacey offered an emphatic nod. “Even two authors will approach the same topic from a different perspective.”

  “Yes, we like to play a game of comparing the authors when we can find books on the same topic.” He chuckled. “We’re as bad as the children are about not wanting to go to sleep when the conversation about those books get really good.”

  Stacey laughed along with him, and it was then that Byron realized how well these two fit each other. There was no way Piers could entertain secret romantic notions about Eleanor. He was much too devoted to his wife, and his wife knew it. Stacey was secure in their marriage. This would make Eleanor happy. Stacey was no longer a suspect.

  “We have one more place to stop by on our way home,” Piers told Byron once their laughter calmed. “We thought we’d pick up a children’s book for our five-year-old daughter and two-year-old son.”

  “Which library do you use for your children’s books?” Byron asked. Not that he really had to know, but he couldn’t help but wonder since Piers had mentioned having a third library.

  “They have their own library in the townhouse,” Piers replied. “They share it with my mother-in-law. That library is separate from the other four. You can’t ever have too many books. The pursuit of learning is a continual state of excitement.”

  If that was so, then Piers and Stacey must be the two most excited people on the planet.

  “Would you like to join us as we continue shopping?” Piers offered.

  “As much as I appreciate the invitation, I must decline,” Byron replied. “I’m enjoying sitting here with the paper.”

  Piers didn’t hide his surprise. “You’d rather read the paper than a book?”

  “Well, the paper does inform people about what is currently happening in London,” Stacey told her husband.

  “Yes, I realize that, but we saw him reading the same page of that paper when we went into that antique shop to get these two books. That was at least a half hour ago.”

  Byron frowned. Certainly, no one else had picked up on that. Piers had only done that because he knew him, right? No one else had a reason to pay any attention to him.

  “Oh, that’s why he wants to stay,” Piers told his wife as he pointed to the museum. “Lady Eleanor is here. And she’s not alone.”

  Byron glanced at the museum. Great. It was just his luck that Eleanor, her father, and the Duke of Winnett were leaving the museum at this exact moment.

  To Byron, Piers said, “If you don’t propose soon, you’ll lose her. A lady like that won’t be single for long.”

  Stacey sighed. “You mustn’t give the poor man grief like that, Piers.”

  “I’m not trying to give him grief. I’m trying to help him.” Piers’ gaze went to him. “When something good comes along, you take it before it gets away from you. That’s an important lesson I learned a long time ago. It’s even more important than books.” He gave Stacey a smile. “I’m forever grateful my wife agreed to marry me.”

  With a blush, she returned his smile. “I’m forever grateful you asked.”

  Piers shot Byron a pointed look. “You won’t get anywhere by watching Lady Eleanor. You need to make your move.”

  Looking satisfied with having issued the warning, Piers wished Byron a pleasant day and escorted Stacey down the busy street. Byron waited until they were out of sight before he stood up and headed back to Eleanor’s townhouse.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The carriage pulled up to the townhouse, and Eleanor breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe now the Duke of Winnett would go home. He had spent most of the time at the museum telling her about the people in the portraits. She realized he had done that to include her in the conversation. And while that was a nice gesture, she preferred it when his attention wasn’t directed at her.

  Her father seemed to be oblivious to her unease. He talked with the Duke of Winnett as if everything was wonderful. The only thing stopping her from going into a panic was knowing her father hoped to have other gentlemen come by to visit her. The Duchess of Ashbourne had been so pleased by Eleanor’s performance at the ball that she had assured her that it was only a matter of time before she received suitors. She prayed the duchess was right.

  Eleanor was making no effort to attract the duke this afternoon. She went back to being the wallflower. It was a shame the tactic didn’t seem to be working because he leaned toward her and gave her a pat on the hand before saying, “This was a most enjoyable afternoon.”

  It took all of her willpower not to recoil from him. Was it her imagination, or was he looking at her the same way a cat might look at a mouse that was pinned in a corner?

  “The afternoon was enjoyable,” her father spoke up. “Want to play a game or two of chess, my friend?”

  The duke nodded. “I’d be delighted to.”

  They waited for her to leave the carriage before going with her into the townhouse. She had hoped that they would go off to their gentleman’s club. Did this mean she had to be around them? She turned to face her father to see what he would tell her to do.

  Thankfully, he told her, “His Grace and I will be in the den. Why don’t you rest? It’s been a busy day, and you have Ladies of Grace coming by tomorrow.”

  “Oh, I forgot,” the Duke of Winnett said.

  For a horrifying moment, Eleanor thought he was going to direct the next statement to her, but he turned to her father. “I brought over something Mr. Jasper gave me at White’s. It has to do with a promising investment. Let me get it from my carriage and bring it to you.”