“I saw a piece come through that you might like.It’s a dining table.Got a real pretty inlay of mother-of-pearl design.”
“Why would I need a dining table?I eat in the kitchen.”
Zeke sighed.“Don’t you ever want to have people over to that house of yours?Friends?Perhaps a lover over for an intimate dinner?”
Rhys snorted.“Friends?”
“I’d come to dinner, and so would Matthew and that pretty wife of his, I bet.What about Ben?That is, if you ever told anyone where you live.”
“You know it’s a security risk,” he replied.
“Life is a risk.Rhys, you have more friends than enemies these days.”Zeke slid the ledger that contained this week’s numbers across the table.“I’ll see you later.”
Rhys nodded.He took a last gulp of his coffee.Strong and bitter, just as he liked.Zeke didn’t understand the full scope of Rhys’s enemies.Although perhaps his work for the government had made him somewhat paranoid.But hell, he had killed a lot of people, and although he was more ghost than man when he was on a job, one couldn’t be too careful.When he laid his head down at night, he liked to feel safe.Safety was a luxury.
He rose and tucked the small notebook into the back of his pants underneath his jacket.Then he headed out and walked west.His shadow followed along at his side.The mastiff had taken to following him as he did business around the city.The first night when he had fed the beast, the dog had slept in the garden under a large bush.In the morning, he had lured it back into the kitchen with a bowl of food.This time, after it ate, the dog had wandered over to the hearth and stretched out in front of its warmth with a long sigh.Like a soft-hearted fool, Rhys had kept letting it into the house and feeding the mangy thing.
Louisa had a conniption when Rhys first introduced the two.But the dog must have won her over with its soulful eyes, because two days ago, he had caught her throwing it a piece of carrot as she chopped.He made sure to caution her not to try to pet the mastiff.The dog spent all its time following him around, so it had hardly been an issue.“Louisa says you need a name, boy,” he addressed the dog.“What say you to Beast?”
The dog gave him a long-suffering look.
Rhys chuckled.“Alright, perhaps a bit too on the nose.What about Goliath?”
The dog snorted and bent to sniff the side of a building.
“Hmmm, well, I will think on it.It’s a far ways to Mayfair.Sure you want to tag along?”Hartwick should be home.His wife was due to have their first child anytime now, and the man refused to leave her side.Rhys whistled a tune as he walked.Lucy was probably going to kill her overly attentive husband before she even had his baby.
Hartwick’s mansion on St.James Square spanned a half a block.Its pristine windows reflected the sunshine, and Rhys squinted in the glare.It was cold enough to freeze off a man’s bollocks, but at least the sun shone.He went up the front steps and knocked on the dark green door.The brass knocker was not out because they were not formally receiving guests, but he knew that Mr.Townson would let him in.
The door swung open, and Hartwick’s starchy butler greeted him.“Good afternoon, Mr.Seaton.”
“Are Hartwick and his lady at home?I’ve a question for him.”
“Yes, sir.I believe they would enjoy the diversion of your presence.Come in,” he intoned.Then he noticed the mastiff, and his bushy eyebrows rose.
“You can’t come inside.Stay,” he told the dog.Then Rhys walked into the foyer and handed his hat to the footman, who stood at the ready.So many damn servants.How did one live with so many people always watching you?
“They are in the study.This way.”Townson began to climb the stairs.
Rhys shook his head.He knew where Hartwick’s study was but followed Townson dutifully.The butler had run the ducal household since their father was the duke, and there was no explaining to the man that Rhys knew where he was going.Guests were always escorted.
Inside the study, Lucy sat on one end of the sofa with her legs stretched out and her feet in Hartwick’s lap.He rubbed at the soles absently with one hand and read a letter he held in the other.
“Seaton,” Lucy exclaimed.“What a nice surprise.”
“How are you and the babe feeling today, Lady Hartwick?”Rhys asked.
“Terrible.”Lucy’s nose scrunched.“It feels like I will burst at the seams.And look how swollen my ankles and feet are.”
Hartwick tugged down the hem of his wife’s dress to cover said appendages.
Lucy rolled her eyes.“I hardly think my swollen ankles will have Seaton burning with lust.”
“Nonsense.Every part of you is beautiful.”Hartwick gave the top of her foot a pat.“Come in, Seaton.What brings you over today?”
Rhys chuckled at Hartwick’s placating tone.The man doted on his petite wife.Not that she was all that small these days.Rhys eyed her swollen belly.How did she not tip over when she walked around?He took a seat across from the pair.Not one for small talk, Rhys got right to the point.“I wondered if I could see our father’s journal of secrets.”
Hartwick’s eyebrows rose.“Why?”
