“You understand that I will require your utmost discretion.” Frederick surveyed the man standing before him as he sipped from his glass.
The man was called Mr. Langley. He was a short man, with light grey hair and wrinkles around his eyes. He had the kind of face you would see in a crowded parlour and almost immediately forget.
The kind of face that makes him well suited for the work that he does.Frederick watched as the man let out a languid shrug, rubbing his hands together with oily satisfaction.
“Of course, your Grace. In my line of work, discretion is paramount. No one will know anything about our business.” Mr. Langley’s gravely voice grated against his skin. “If I was anything but discreet… Well, let us just say I would not have very many clients.”
Frederick nodded. “That is good. And you are sure you will be able to find what I have asked for?”
“If it is there to be found, yes.” Mr. Langley stroked his handlebar moustache thoughtfully. “And from what you have told me, there is something to be found, one way or another.”
“You are the expert.” Frederick swallowed and glanced at the clock. It was nearly time for lunch. “Is there anything else you need from me?”
Mr. Langley spun his hat between his fingers, eyes flitting between Frederick and the floor. “There is the matter of payment, your Grace.”
“Whatever your fee, I will pay it.” Frederick made a dismissive gesture.
“It will be 50 guineas, and I am usually paid in advance.” The man’s eyes flitted to the desk and then back to Frederick as he licked his lips.
“That will not work.” Frederick shook his head. “You could turn up nothing and then I will be out of pocket 50 guineas and no closer to having the information I require. Besides, I find it hard to believe that your clients are quite so trusting that they pay your entire fee before you have even procured the information.”
Mr. Langley’s eyes narrowed, but he stuck an insipid smile on his face to hide the momentary anger. Frederick repressed a sigh. The sooner the man left his office, the better.I wish I did not have to work with this sort of person, but there is little other choice.
“I will give you half now, and half when you have the information I have requested.” Frederick held out a hand to Mr. Langley. “Do we have an agreement?”
The man licked his lips and nodded.
“How long do you think this will take?” Frederick asked as he walked Mr. Langley to the door of the study.
“I should have what you require in a few days.” Mr. Langley shrugged. “Maybe more, maybe less. No more than a week. Likely far less.”
“Excellent.” Frederick tried to keep the surprise from his face—after all, he had no wish to offend the man, not when he needed him. “I look forward to seeing what you can dig up.”
“Of course.” The man bowed his head low. “I will be in touch once I have something for you.”
“Thank you, Mr. Langley.” Frederick shut the door behind him and returned to his desk.
He surveyed the papers before him, trying to pull himself back to the present.
A moment later, there was a knock at his study door and Andrea peered her head around the doorframe. “Am I allowed to come in now?”
Her smile sent a flutter through his heart and he could not help but smile back at her. He gestured for her to join him at his desk, and offered her a glass of wine.
“And you will not tell me what it was about?” Andrea asked taking the glass from him.
“No.” he shook his head. “Not until things are further along.”
“I hate not knowing things. It is most frustrating.” She pouted, and the sight made his heart swoop around his chest.
“Perhaps it will be good for you. After all, you seem to know far more than me about most things.”
“We both know that is not true.” Her fingers drummed against the wood of his desk and it was all he could do not to grab her hand in his. “I just am not shy about letting people know that I know things.”
“Perhaps I simply like to let people underestimate me.” Frederick shrugged. “Perhaps the façade is part of my devious plan.”
“There is very little about you that I would call devious, dear Frederick.” She smiled at him.
“Are you sure about that, Duchess?” He leaned towards her, steepling his hands together and resting his chin on them. “I assure you, I can be quite devious when the mood strikes me.”
