John arched an eyebrow. “He may have money but he doesn’t have the fortune of a good birth. Ourbeau mondebigotry will for once serve us well. Every duke, marquess, earl, and baron will band with us and lock him out of the higher echelons of society. And business.”
Amanda gently cleared her throat, pushing a stray wisp of dark hair off her face. “I’m loath to ask, but are you certain your fellow peers will agree? No one here has a spotless reputation with the ton. Most look down upon us, even with the assorted titles between our families.”
“They’ll fall in line.” Montague pressed his lips together. “I may not receive all the invitations to balls that I used to, thank God, but I am the eighth Duke of Montague, thirteenth in line to the Crown. And the five of us have enough investments spread through the country that a man would be a fool to go against us. Their fortunes wouldn’t survive long.”
“I wish there was more we could do to help.” Elizabeth drummed her fingers on the table. “I’m not fond of the idea of us women sitting at home while you all risk life and limb.”
Montague dipped his chin. “I fear it isennuirather than concern that makes you eager to assist. I believe you miss the thrill of spying.”
Netta turned her head and mouthed to John:She was a spy, too?
John nodded. Elizabeth had been an amateur in espionage when they’d met, but a talented one. He bit back a grin at the envious pinch to Netta’s mouth.
“Perhaps I do feel a bit dull.” Elizabeth shrugged. “I was quite good at it. I don’t find it at all fair that you and the men get to have all the fun.”
Montague leaned forwards and pressed a light kiss to her mouth. “Next time we have to destroy a man’s livelihood and uncover his plot against the Dutch, you will be the first one pressed into service.”
Amanda leaned forwards. “While I don’t share my sister’s sense of adventure—”
“You and Colleen each have one child for now,” Elizabeth interrupted. “I remember that time when you could spend hours staring at the being you brought into existence. But wait until you have several. The desire to escape the house will become overwhelming, even for you.”
Colleen swept into the room, this time unencumbered by her babe. “What’s this? Has it been determined that Max and I are to have more children already?”
Sutton chuckled and drew her to sit on his lap.
“As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted,” Amanda said loudly, “although I have no desire to join in this evening’s escapades, I do want to know the progress of each of your endeavors. Perhaps we could use this house as an information center. Each of you send messages here with your status?”
“That is a good idea.” Montague nodded. “And if something goes wrong, having one command post to direct inquiries and requests for assistance is a sensible precaution. You ladies can be our overseers.”
Netta sighed. “I love directing a show. I hate to miss it.” She turned to John. “Perhaps I should send a note to Lady Mary, tell her Cerise and I can’t perform this evening as we agreed. Cerise, after all, has just had a fright. It is not unreasonable to cancel.”
“And Wilberforce told me this morning that your friend sounded eager to act in the small performance.” John raised her hand to his lips. “He thought that it would do her good, help her take her mind off of last night.”
Wil had sent Cerise and Netta’s apologies to their stage manager. Effective immediately, they were no longer employed at The Burns. Both women had argued that such unprofessional behavior would harm their future employment, but had eventually understood that their safety would be harder to secure at that location.
“It will do you good, as well,” he told her. “You should be performing instead of sitting about worrying when there is nothing you can do.”
“I know.” She slouched in her seat. “That doesn’t mean I’m happy about it.”
Nor was he in particular. He’d prefer Netta to stay at home with the other women and a host of servants surrounding them. But he’d spoken the truth that it would help her to perform that night. It wouldn’t do for her to worry herself sick. Or to hare off and do something foolish. An unoccupied Netta was a menace.
“I would suggest you take your sister with you, but until we get her situation sorted, it’s best she not show her face outside this house.” The last thing he needed was a Bow Street runner at his door. After Sudworth was dealt with, John would move on to Viscount Darby. It shouldn’t present a problem. The man was eager to sell off his daughters. John would pay to take the chit off his hands and place her under her sister’s care.
“What of Sudworth after tonight?” Sutton rested his chin on Colleen’s shoulder. “There are times when Liverpool finds it more convenient not to press charges.”
All the better for John. “You don’t have to worry about it. Leave him to me.”
“John.” Montague’s voice was quiet. “Executions aren’t our style.”
“I think we all have blood on our hands from our past association with the Crown.” John’s body tensed. “And my style has always been different from yours.”
“Not this different.”
John’s body heated. He dared any of his friends to claim he wouldn’t do the same if a man had hurt their wives. Not that Netta was his wife, but still, there was a principle to uphold. The hypocrisy wouldn’t be tolerated.
Netta squeezed his hand under the table. “I don’t know how I feel about someone being killed on my behalf. I don’t quite think I’d like it.”
Her gaze was steady, without judgment, and John sighed. His job would be much easier if she were his bloodthirsty Netta today. This softer woman, showing compassion for a man who deserved none, complicated the issue.
