‘You aren’t French and you aren’t dead– a living English lord is what Mr Jefferson seeks to serve most faithfully.’
They took a seat on a bench at the side of the banking hall, Arthur pressing a hand to his chest as he sat, Jacob lowering himself gingerly. Arthur gave a grunt of laughter.
‘We are a pair of old crocks, aren’t we? How are you recovering from your brush with the cobbles of Pall Mall?’
‘Much better today, thank you. I only had bruises. How are you? No sign of infection?’
‘No, I’m healing well.’
They watched the customers swirl through the doors and out again. Money, the lifeblood of the city, was in its most tangible form, dispensed from the grilled counters and into pockets. Larger sums were carried away in promissory notes.
‘Was it coincidence that you are here this morning or were you following me?’ asked Jacob.
‘You flatter yourself. I have an appointment– for which I am now late.’
‘If you need to go—’ He started to rise.
‘Sit down,’ said Arthur. ‘They can wait for me. I’m pleased to have crossed paths with you. William has been bending my ear about your future. A private marriage, he suggests, one that we don’t have to acknowledge but will satisfy your moral qualms. How about it?’
Jacob tamped down the anger that swelled in his chest. How typical of William to suggest a half measure! ‘What good would that do Dora? People would assume she is my mistress, and our children would be considered bastards– two outcomes I am anxious to avoid.’
‘You preached that it was your Christian duty. If you are right before God, what matter the world?’
‘Unfortunately, the world does matter.’
‘But your lady seems not to mind, so why should you?’
‘You misunderstand her if you think that.’
Arthur chewed on his lip, struggling to keep what he really wanted to say inside.
Jacob sighed. ‘Go on: say what you must.’
‘I fear she is only after your money and social rank. This is a test. If she really loves you, she will agree to an arrangement that is in your own best interest.’ It came out in a rush.
Jacob laughed at that. ‘Really? That is what you think? You think she will fail the test?’
‘There’s probably some affection in the mix, but it won’t last if it doesn’t come with benefits. She would be a fool not to care for her future. An actress only lasts as long as her beauty. She must feather her nest now. It’s how the world works. She stands to gain by a public marriage, but you will lose.’
Jacob saw Mr Jefferson returning so stood up. It was as well to bring this discussion to an end before he had a public quarrel with the viscount. ‘I know you believe that, Arthur, so I pity you.’ He took a step forward. ‘Mr Jefferson?’
The man was already shaking his head. ‘No strongbox for the latecomte, Dr Sandys. In fact, now I recall it, he kept much of his worldly goods tied up in his art collection, and that he displayed on his walls, not in a bank vault.’
Jacob thanked him and took his leave. He turned to say farewell to his brother, but the viscount was already being ushered away by the head of the bank to a private meeting, younger brothers not invited. He raised a hand to bid him goodbye, but Arthur did not look back.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Theatre Royal, Covent Garden
This was probably a very bad idea, thought Dora as she approached the stage door of Covent Garden, Ren accompanying her so he could watch her back. With Jacob at the bank and Jane gone home to dinner to quiz her brother about the Vorontsovs, she had decided to take on the challenge of finding out more about Yekatarina Petrovna. Remembering the three singers she and Jane had met and their interest in the investigation, tracking them down for more information had seemed sensible in the office; now it seemed in poor taste.
‘Well, miss,’ said Ren, hands on hips. ‘Aren’t you going to knock?’
Dora took a step back, half turning to go. ‘What if Madame Catalani thinks I’m stalking her, you know, like a hunter after a stag? She must get tired of people thinking up excuses to spend time with her.’
Ren sighed, his disgust at her vacillation evident. ‘So what if she does? Have you got a job to do or not?’
‘I do. Yes, I absolutely do.’ Inside she was cringing. She usually didn’t mind offending people, but her heroine…?
