Both ladies settled themselves in the cosy sitting room. Large windows let in the late-afternoon sun and a fragrant breeze played with the sheer curtains.
A maid entered with a tea tray setting it down and curtseying before closing the door softly behind her. The staff knew Philippa preferred to pour her own tea. It allowed the duchess privacy.
‘Shall we discuss your unfortunate encounter with Lieutenant General Killian?’ Philippa leaned forward, filling two delicate porcelain cups painted with sprays of bright purple violets. She handed one cup and saucer to Hannah before claiming her own.
Hannah knew the teapot was full of more whiskey than tea.She took a bracing sip and let the spirits burn down her throat. ‘I suppose we must.’
‘I specifically recall telling you to avoid him at all costs.’
Hannah carefully placed her teacup on its saucer. She soaked in the soothing shades of cream and sage decorating the sitting room before responding. ‘Yes, Your Grace. You did.’
‘Don’t “Your Grace” me, Hannah. We don’t stand on pretence.’
‘Sorry, Philippa. And I’m sorry about last night.’ Hannah shook her head. There was no excuse for her behaviour in the study. She should never have let the man provoke her. She couldn’t understandwhyshe behaved so impulsively.
Philippa raised a jet-black eyebrow. Her keen gaze lingered on Hannah.
It was disconcerting. Philippa saw altogether too much.
‘You’ve grown accustomed to the shadows, Hannah. But even creatures of the dark long for sunlight’s warmth. Perhaps this is why you allowed him to see you.’ There was a small rip in the seam of Philippa’s shoulder where Hannah’s blunted rapier had caught in the fabric. Her maid would not be pleased. ‘We can use this to our advantage. Keep his focus on you and away from his own investigations.’ Philippa tapped her fingers thoughtfully on the armrest.
Alarm bells rang in Hannah’s head. ‘Keep his focus on me? Isn’t the whole point for me to move amongst the beau monde unnoticed?’ It was imperative Hannah remain a ghost hiding among shadows. Ghosts didn’t experience the thrill of joy or the pain of grief. They could thwart evil without fear of consequences. Because ghosts were already damned.
Philippa pursed her red lips. ‘Lieutenant General Killian is one of the prime minister’s private detectives. The Queen indicated both he and Major General Drake attended Bradford’s dreadful dinner party last night for a singular purpose. They wereon a mission for Prime Minister Russell. Chances are, they’re focused on the same man we seek.’
Hannah sat forward. ‘Why would the Queen have us looking for a killer if the prime minister already assigned this case to Lord Killian and Lord Drake?’
Philippa erupted into laughter. ‘Prime Minister Russell trusts in the House of Lords to hold this gentleman accountable for his crimes. The Queen does not share his confidence.’
‘Does Prime Minister Russell know Queen Victoria has dispatched her own investigators?’
Queen Victoria had no qualms establishing her own agenda. But to actively work against the prime minister seemed rather bold, even for the rebellious Queen.
‘There are many things happily ignored by men like Prime Minister Russell if it doesn’t suit their purpose. The corruption in his government, for instance. Do you know how many peers have been tried in the House of Lords since this new century began?’
Hannah knew, but she kept quiet. Her patroness was not looking for an answer but rather a platform from which to preach.
Philippa’s dark eyes flashed with passion. ‘One. One man. The sodding Earl of Cardigan. And do you know what happened to that man?’
Again, Hannah remained mute.
‘He was acquitted. Do you know why he was acquitted?’
Hannah pressed her lips together and waited.
‘A technicality. Some stupid discrepancy in the terms of the charge. Do you really think we can gather enough evidence to convince all the bloody peers in the whole sodding House of Lords to convict one of their own?’
Hannah opened her mouth, then paused.
‘Speak your piece, Hannah. You know I hate it when you stay silent.’
‘I don’t think they would convict one of their own. And I was only staying silent because you wanted to vent your spleen.’
Philippa blinked slowly. ‘A duchess does not vent her spleen, Hannah. She expresses her opinions with eloquence and vigour.’ She poured herself more tea before continuing. ‘But you are correct. They shan’t convict one of their brethren even if his guilt is proven. Queen Victoria is well aware of this, which is why she has assigned us to the task. We must find the blackguard and hold him accountable for his crimes before those bloody men get involved and ruin everything.’
‘Exactly. Which is an excellent reason to keep Lieutenant General Killian as far away from us as possible. Drawing his focus to me will not benefit our cause.’ The idea of capturing Lord Killian’s attention inspired an unfamiliar need for Hannah to retreat rather than attack.
Philippa’s full mouth curved into a wicked smile. ‘Hannah, you forget. Men become incredibly stupid when their tackle gets involved. If he’s busy chasing you, he won’t have time to pursue this killer.’
