“I have sent a missive to Grace and Heather,” Maria cut over him, “alerting them to the situation. Grace will be awaiting our arrival, and no doubt Heather will join us directly.”
* * *
Maria’s bellyquavered as she watched the play of agitation over the duke’s features. The man was frightened and, naturally, concerned for his sister, but he needn’t be an arse as well.
“I and the Home Office are capable of dealing with Francis on our own.” Jasper frowned at them, his beautiful two-toned eyes glittering with apprehension and distress. “You needn’t put yourselves in undue danger. Your positions as runners might see you searching for a wayward youth or retrieving some woman’s baubles from thieving maids, but you’re not prepared for what Francis will?—”
“Your pomposity and contumely notwithstanding,” Maria fumed, “you are welcome to join our meeting with the understanding that Juliana, Heather, and I will take part in bringing Francis to justice. Again. And I would suggest, Your Grace, that you accept our aid rather than fight us, because I can assure you that we will be the proverbial scuff on your Hessians until Francis hangs.”
The rush of Maria’s pulse filled her ears and drummed against her chest. Lord, had she just done that? It felt…good.
Juliana covered a snort of laughter with the back of her hand.
Jasper’s dark eyebrows rose toward his hairline, and his lips turned down in one corner. Had the man ever been spoken to in such a manner? She rather doubted it.
“Very well,” he drawled. “I surrender.”
With Maria’s nod of acceptance, they lapsed into silence once more. The carriage’s wheels splashed into puddles and rattled along the cobblestones until they rolled to a halt in front of the Bow Street offices.
Maria sent Jasper a warning glance. “Miss Grace Huntsbury is an excellent woman. I’ll not have you impugn her?—”
“Gads, Roberts, what sort of a man do you think I am?” Jasper gave a haughty sniff, swung the door wide, and stepped out, offering his hand to Juliana.
Maria glared at his profile before accepting his hand, descending into the rain—and determinedly ignoring the sudden stirring of heat low in her belly.
* * *
Shifting uneasilyin his seat under the scrutiny of the four women, Jasper cleared his throat. “I’m certain. Francis will not show himself unless he has no other choice. He will, instead, toy with us from afar. We oughtn’t, however, become insouciant.”
The sound of rain against the tall windows of the small drawing room filled the space. They were in one of the few rooms on the main floor of the building, the space appearing to have been decorated to conduct business.
On one side of the room stood two wide desks, behind which was a wall of bookshelves. The remainder of the space was filled with cream-and-green upholstered chairs and chaises and inviting white-painted wood tables. It was an attractive sitting room by all accounts. It might even be pleasant, under other circumstances.
“Then you shall be prepared,” Grace Huntsbury said. “Maria, it makes the most sense for you to oversee this investigation. You are already familiar with Francis and his approach. It is a rather perilous and delicate situation, but you have my full support. You will need to work closely with your client—I assume you are comfortable enough sharing confidences with His Grace, given your long acquaintance.”
“Of course,” Maria returned.
“Oh.” Jasper sat forward. “I had not intended to?—”
“We’ll not accept payment from you, Your Grace,” Miss Huntsbury said in a smooth, placating tone. “Miss Roberts requires investigative experience before taking on stipendiary clients, and you are closely acquainted. It is rather ideal.”
Words failed him. Maria being in charge of thisinvestigationmeant more time in her company. More hours attempting to refrain from watching her graceful movements beneath her frocks, from inhaling her spicy citrus fragrance. It also meant that Maria would be directly in Francis’ path. But was she not there already?
Christ, this was not to be borne. He cleared his throat. “Very well.”
With a tight nod, Miss Huntsbury turned her attention to his sister. “Juliana, though you have a current assignment, do you believe that you are able to lend your aid to this as well, should Maria require it?”
“Yes, of course.” Juliana straightened her spine.
“I would be glad to help as well,” Miss Morgan offered.
“Excellent.” Miss Huntsbury nodded. “I’ve already sought associations among the local magistrate’s staff. I shall connect them with you, Maria, to begin your investigation into Francis’ escape. AndIshall confer with my acquaintances in the Home Office regarding His Grace’s staff?—”
“What of my staff?” Jasper interjected.
“Well.” Miss Huntsbury’s gaze fixed on him. “Your staff were present when Mr. Sinclair infiltrated your study, leading one to conclude, at the very least, that your cousin has influence over one of them. For your safety, and with the intent to capture Mr. Sinclair should he return to your home, we will arrange for your staff to be temporarily replaced.”
Jasper’s mind raced as the four women awaited his response. He ought to have immediately considered the implications of Francis’ entry to his home. The blighter could have done something to the food in his larder, for Christ’s sake, could have persuaded more of his staff to join his cause.
