Wil caught his eye and changed direction, heading toward their table, the earl a step behind.
“Good morning,” Lord Summerset said. He tipped his hat to Juliana, a monstrously tall, purple job that matched his waistcoat. He flicked the rim of it with his thumb, looking for all the world like he was proud of the eyesore. “I see you share my affection for this coffeehouse, Mr. Duffy. And who might this charming companion of yours be?”
Wil gripped his hips. “Lady Juliana Wickham is a client of the agency. Mr. Duffy has been assigned her case.”
“And you breakfast with our clients to show them the full array of services our agency provides.” Summerset arched an eyebrow. “I applaud your dedication.”
Wil cleared his throat. “There was an attempt on Lady Juliana’s life. She is staying with Mr. Duffy until we know she is safe.”
“I see.” Summerset smirked at Brogan before turning his charm on Juliana. “I do hope our agency is providing everything you might desire, Lady Juliana.”
“Quite,” she said. Brogan had to give her credit. Her voice was unruffled, but the faintest hint of a blush stained her cheeks. Perhaps she wasn’t as worldly as she pretended. “In fact, just this day we might come to a resolution of the case.”
Wil looked to Brogan.
He told his employers of Pickens sending a note asking to speak to them.
“Good,” Wil said. “The sooner this business is over, the better it will be for Lady Juliana. For all involved.” The look he gave Brogan carried significance, and Brogan flushed.
“You look familiar, Lady Juliana.” Summerset placed his hand on the back of her chair and leaned forwards, much too close for Brogan’s liking. Much too smirking and simpering. The earl was married, and by all accounts happily so, but marriage hadn’t taken the flirtation out of him. “Did we dance together at Lady Mary’s fête last autumn?”
Juliana favored him with a smile the earl didn’t deserve. “I was there, but didn’t dance. Though we weren’t formally introduced, I believe we were in the same circle of conversation at one point. Lady Mary does have the most interesting evenings. She is one of my favorites.”
Summerset smiled. “Mine too. Are you planning on attending—”
Brogan stood. “Well, we must get going.” He rounded the table and pulled Juliana's chair back. “The day is getting on.”
Juliana looked to her half-eaten tart to him, and sighed. She stood. “Yes, we have an appointment with Mr. Pickens, one I don't want to be late for.”
They made their farewells and left the coffeehouse. They climbed into an agency carriage and rolled away.
“Do you not care for your employer?” Juliana asked.
Brogan looked out the window. “He's fine.”
“Is it a problem with nobility in general that you object to then?”
Brogan narrowed his eyes. “I object to nothing in general. I look to specifics. The earl is as fine a man as any.”
“Do you ever socialize with him?”
Brogan shot her a sharp look. “Of course not.”
She lifted her hands, palms up. “Why? He's not a different species. You have interests in common. Would he snub you?”
Brogan shook his head. “I, and all the other agents, were invited to his home for a holiday party. The earl, all the owners of the Bond Agency, have extremely varied acquaintances. I was unable to attend.” Rather, he’d chosen not to go. He worked with the men. He didn’t need to be friends with them.
“Then it is you,” she said. “You seem to think you have a place in this world, a box you should remain within.” She looked at her skirts. “A box I might not fit into.”
She didn't fit into his life. And yet they fit together so very, very well in other respects.
They passed the remainder of the journey in silence. Brogan could feel her hopes as though they were a tangible thing.
He wanted to share them, but commonsense prevailed.
He flipped back and forth between believing that they could just enjoy each other day to day, to knowing they would come to an end soon.
At the prison, he helped Juliana down and led her through the streets to reach the front gates. He pounded on the door, sliding his other hand into his pocket for his billfold. How much would this visit cost the agency?
