“Well, perhaps Lord Granger is too straitlaced to be a traitor, but if his wife is cheating on him, then we know she is not of good character. Easily manipulated by her lover, perhaps? Could she gain access to information her husband receives?”
“Brilliant, Vivi. Why didn’t I think of that? She could certainly have access to his correspondence at home. A well-timed visit to his office at the Foreign Ministry could gain her access to any number of other documents.” He came over to give her a resounding kiss on the lips. “Let’s pay attention to the two of them. See what interactions happen between them.”
“I can engage her in conversation after dinner when the ladies retire to the drawing room.”
“No, don’t go out of your way to speak with her. I don’t want you to attract her attention in any way. Just listen and watch. Promise?” He grasped her hand, wanting her to understand the seriousness of his request.
“I promise,” she replied. Then Jack settled down behind the desk to continue his work, taking pleasure at being near Vivian as she sketched, curled up in the corner of the sofa.
****
Andrew had taken Grayson along on the hunt. Poor Tyler, after being told he was not old enough to go, spent the afternoon wandering around the gardens, throwing rocks at the topiaries. Jack and Vivian came across him as they walked down to the pond. She convinced Jack to come outside and let her paint him. She carried with her paper and paints.
“Got left behind, did you?” Jack asked the small boy. Tyler nodded and kept throwing stones. “Yes, I remember very clearly what it’s like to be the little brother. Your father always got to do everything first.”
“Papa is your big brother?”
“Yes, indeed.” He ruffled the boy’s hair. “And he always gloated when he got to do something fun because he was older.”
“That’s just like Gray. He was practically crowing this morning.”
“Well, maybe we can do something fun together,” Vivian said with a smile. “I was going to paint, and your uncle has agreed to be my subject. Do you like to paint, Tyler?”
“Oh, yes. But our governess only lets me use charcoal. She says the paint is too messy for little boys.” He made a face no doubt meant to mimic his governess’s disapproval.
She exchanged an amused look with Jack over Tyler’s head. “Tyler, I will let you use my paints if you’re very careful. What do you say?”
He perked up immediately. “Really? I promise to be very careful.”
The three of them spent a very amusing couple of hours together in the garden while Tyler and Vivian painted Jack. Jack tried his best to be comical by making funny faces and complaining loudly about having to sit still. Tyler thought it hilarious to make Jack pose in the most uncomfortable, crazy positions. She drew almost as many sketches of Tyler, concentrating so very hard in front of his easel, as she did of Jack laughing and joking around with his nephew. It amazed her to see him act so open and happy.
The rumbling sound of hooves broke their reverie as the hunting party thundered into the stable yard.
“They are back!” Tyler exclaimed. “I can’t wait to show Papa my painting.”
Vivian looked over at his painting and said honestly, “Tyler, your portrait is wonderful.”
Jack came to look at his portrait. Tyler had painted him smiling, standing next to his horse. Considering his age, he had added a significant bit of detail. Jack appeared very tall, his legs stretched almost to the horse’s back, and in the background were lots of trees and clouds in a bright blue sky.
“I look pleased to be outside in the company of my horse. It’s a capital picture, Tyler.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
All the conversation around the table that evening at dinner revolved around the morning’s hunt. Vivian released a quiet exhale as the meal ended and the time came to adjourn to the drawing room with the other ladies. Surely, they would talk about something besides hunting and horses. Unfortunately, she was not so lucky. Miss Fairly sat next to her and prattled on and on about how Lord Davenport had shot the largest pheasant and how wasn’t he such the sportsman and blah, blah, blah.
Bored to tears, Vivian glanced about and caught site of Lady Granger exit the drawing room. She excused herself from the conversation. Then, nonchalantly scanning the room to ensure nobody was paying attention to her, she slipped out of the drawing room as well. She looked down the hallway, a flash of gold skirt headed around the corner, so she followed. Where was Lady Granger headed, and to whom?
****
Down the hall, Moreau quit the dining room. Jack waited a few minutes and then left through the same door. When he stepped into the hallway, he caught a glimpse of pale blond hair and Vivian’s blue skirts rounding the far corner of the corridor. What was she doing?
Listening to his gut, he followed her. As he turned the corner, he almost bumped right into her. She stood next to a huge urn filled with flowers.
“Jack,” she whispered.
“What are you up to, my dear?” He matched her low tone.
“Lady Granger just went into the portrait gallery. I am sure she is meeting someone.”
