Wil stared at the scrapes on Brogan’s hand. “He’s a jackanape, but his concern for his sister seems genuine. It isn’t safe for a girl to be wandering about London alone.”
“At two and twenty, she is no longer a girl.” He shifted in his chair. Her bosom was exceptionally womanly, and he pushed thoughts of it pressed against him out of his mind. “But, I agree, ladies have no place on the streets. Especially this one.”
Wil rested his elbows on his knees. “Why do you say that?”
“She still believes someone is after her father.” He shook his head. “Part of her is scared, but part of her sees this as a game. She’s a spoiled, rich girl playing at intrigue.” He could see it in her eyes. A hint of excitement lit them up, turning the drab brown to a beautiful mahogany.
“Her father isn’t wealthy. Not for an earl. Summerset was surprised the family hired us.”
Brogan arched an eyebrow. Most gentlemen would be considered lower class compared to Lord Summerset, one of the founders of the Bond Agency. Brogan didn’t know if he trusted Summerset’s judgment on who was wealthy or not.
“All right,” Wil conceded. “Compared to our kind, she’s got blunt.” He rubbed his chin. “But just because she’s playing at intrigue doesn’t mean intrigue doesn’t exist. That secretary did come after her.”
“The magistrate found that the man was trying to hide his thieving from being discovered. There is no deeper conspiracy.” But still, something about this didn’t feel settled. “She has reached the age of majority. If she doesn’t want to return home, do we have the right to force her?”
Wil blinked. “She’s an unmarried lady. If she decides to live apart from her family, it would be a serious act of rebellion. She would be cast out of society. Besides, how would she support herself?”
“This woman would find a way,” Brogan grumbled. “The way she talks, she could convince Prinny himself to give her a job.”
Wil stilled. “When did you speak with her?”
Brogan’s shoulders drew toward his ears. Damn. This was why it was better to remain silent. Words only caused trouble. “I had her.” He cleared his throat. “Last night.” He waited for his employer’s reprimand. He’d had a small, helpless gentlewoman in his grasp, and she’d escaped. It was too humiliating. When he could stand the silence no more, he added, “She’s damned slippery.”
The edges of Wil’s eyes crinkled, but his mouth remained flat. “Ah. Well, any plans to catch her again?”
Brogan picked up his knife and sheathed it. He shoved it in his pocket. “Yes. Tonight. I have Samson watching a house for me.” Samson was the agency’s errand boy. Wil had found him in the streets and taken him in, and so far the boy’s transition from petty thief to general lackey seemed successful.
Brogan stood and reached for his coat on the back of his chair. It was time he relieved the boy. He had been fortunate Samson had been available so Brogan could take care of his own family business.
He flexed his hand again. “I’d best get going. Can I use the office tonight?”
Wil’s forehead furrowed. “Of course. Why?”
“It will be too late to leave for Bluff Hall, and I can’t take Lady Juliana to my place or a hotel.”
“She can use the cot in my office.” Wil pushed out of the chair. “And when you drop her off, make sure to get payment upon delivery. I don’t trust Lord Snowdon’s credit.”
Brogan nodded as he shrugged into his coat. His first case as primary investigator was coming to an end. It hadn’t gone as smoothly as he’d hoped. The satisfaction he’d expected to feel wasn’t there. But he wasn’t going to be the only one who was disgruntled. Lady Juliana would be none too happy come tonight.
But she’d put herself into this situation. She’d have to deal with the consequences of her actions, just like everybody else.
Chapter Five
Juliana leaned forward, peering at the stage. “Is that Miss DuBois in the breeches role?” she whispered. Their seats, the last row in the house, were far unlike her usual in a box near the stage. She wondered if it was even worth watchingThe Country Girlfrom such a distance. But as a set designer for Covent Garden, Bertie could only take what spots were left available.
“Yes, she joined our theatre but recently.” He sighed. “She’s marvelous. And delightfully wicked. She entertained us all with lines from the original play,The Country Wife. Absolutely scandalous. No wonder it’s been banned.”
Hmpf. Juliana settled back. Fortunately for her, her father disagreed with the government’s enforced morality laws as much as she, so she’d had access to the original play to read it for herself. Still, it would have been nice to be able to see it performed. If she could see anything from such a distance.
“How did you fare this afternoon?” Bertie asked. “Did your brother see reason?”
Juliana gave her neighbor an apologetic look. She lowered her voice, hoping Bertie would follow suit. Since he worked in the theatre, he didn’t seem to hold its customs, like keeping quiet during a performance, in the same regard. “Of course, he didn’t see reason. This is Snow. Once he has something in his head, he doesn’t let it go. And he has it in his head that I should be home.”
Damned, infuriating man. Treating her like a child. She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at the stage. The actors were but fuzzy blurs. Perhaps it was time to look into those spectacles her father nudged her about.
Bertie patted her knee. “Well, you can stay with me as long as you want.” He shifted and snatched his hand away. “Don’t look now, but we have our own audience.”
Juliana craned her neck about. “Who? Where?”
