Caroline liked the forthright Miss Sullivan very much. Her instincts told her this could be the beginning of a fascinating new friendship. “I also wanted to create some anonymity as I did not know what sort of man E. Sullivan would turn out to be.” She smiled and then took a sip of her tea. “Miss Sullivan, I’m interested to understand more about how your paper is printed. Do you have a separate building for the press? For your staff?”
Miss Sullivan laughed. “All the magic happens here, Miss Aston.” She waved a hand delicately in the air. “You’ve met my assistant Mr. Holden. He and I are the only full-time employees. We author all the articles. I have many people on the street, so to speak, that I pay for information. And I have three women that come on Fridays to typeset and print the papers. Would you like to see the printing machine? I promised Mr. Holden to take a look at it. Bertha has been giving us trouble today.”
Bertha?The printing press had a name? More and more fascinating. Caroline stood. “Yes, I would love that.”
Chapter 16
Cage frowned as he saw William emerge from the red brick home without Caroline. What the blazes was she doing down in Lambeth? What business would she have that she would dismiss her maid? He had followed them since Mayfair. The schedule the duke’s secretary had sent over said that Caroline had luncheon with Lady Dresden. Instead, they had crossed Westminster Bridge, and then she had dropped her maid off on Church Street. She was far out of her sphere.
Did Lady Caroline have a secret lover? Is that the real reason she did not want to marry? His thoughts darkened further. Perhaps the man was unacceptable to her family, someone far beneath her status. Why would she waste her time with a man like that? Cage pushed off from the tree he had been leaning against. He shook his head at his runaway thoughts. Why did it bother him so much that the lady had a lover?
He patted Sullivan on the neck and walked toward the barouche, where William stood feeding an apple to two pretty bay mares. “Ho, William.”
William turned at his greeting. “Good day, Lord Wrotham.”
“William, who is Lady Caroline visiting? Why is she in there alone?”
“Oh, it’s fine. The newspaper editor turned out to be a woman. Her ladyship said I could wait outside.”
A newspaper editor? Relief poured through him, washing away his foul mood. He ran a hand over his face. William was just the man he needed. Not only was he always honest in his responses, but he genuinely cared about his mistress.
“William, can I ask for your help with something important?”
“Surely, my lord.” William straightened his shoulders and stood at attention.
“I tell you this in confidence. The Duke of Gilchrest has asked me to watch over Lady Caroline. She has received several threatening letters. And my job is to ferret out who wants to do her harm.”
William’s eyes widened.
“Her brother provided her social schedule, but it appears she does not follow this. What I need is for someone to let me know when she changes her plans. Especially when those plans involve her going out to Covent Garden at night.”
“Why would anyone want to do her harm? She is a fine lady, who helps others when she can.” The man’s expression clouded with outrage.
“His Grace doesn’t want to alarm her, so he’s asked me to be discreet. But I can’t keep her safe if I don’t know where she will be gallivanting off to next. Will you help? Send me a message if she heads out somewhere outside of visiting her usual friends or if she goes out alone?”
William looked torn. His obvious loyalty to his mistress at odds with the instinct to keep her safe from harm. Finally, he nodded. “All right, if she heads out at night, I’ll send a message with one of the stable boys. But I’ll be sure to keep her safe if anyone tries to trouble her.” He punched one meaty fist into the palm of the other hand.
“I’m sure you will, William. Thank you.”
The sound of the front door opening had both of them turning to face the townhome. The lilt of female voices drifted out.
“Thank you so much for showing me the printing press. It was fascinating to see it in motion.”
“Keep in touch, Miss Aston. I’ll be eagerly awaiting news of your evening out.”
Caroline emerged from the house into the bright sunshine. She didn’t notice him until she was down the front walk. Puttingone gloved hand up to shield her eyes, she exclaimed, “Morgan! What are you doing here?”
He walked around the horses and tipped his hat. “I might ask the same question of you, Miss Aston.”
Never one to be cowed, Caroline crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Are you following me? Because it isn’t the first time this week I have felt like someone is lurking.”
Not the first time? That was troubling. This was the first time since the garden party three days ago he had trailed her.
“My bootmaker is just down the street. I was exiting the establishment and saw William here. Why are you in Lambeth, my lady? Visiting newspaper offices, I hear. Are you moving forward then with your plans?”
Caroline glanced over at William, whose face flushed red, and let out a small sigh. “Yes, indeed.The Spectatoris quite popular. And I wanted to meet the editor myself before I decided whether to move forward.” She nodded toward the barouche, and William jumped forward to open the door and help her alight. “Well, good day to you, Morgan.”
He didn’t want her to leave. Her sassy banter was addictive. Even though he was supposed to stay in the background, just watch from the shadows, he could not keep away from her. The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them. “Where are you off to next? I’m happy to escort you there.”
