The man at the door nodded and stepped back.
“Please come in.It’s freezing outside,” Elizabeth said.
Violet turned to her footman, who stood on the pavement in front of the carriage.“Jim, I will just be a minute.”She stepped inside.“Hello, Mrs.Reeves.”
“Lady Sommerset, can I help you with anything?”
Violet felt her cheeks heat.She remembered how kind Elizabeth had been a couple of months ago at the Hartwick’s Christmas ball when she helped Violet with her dress sleeves and discovered the bruises Violet had been strategically trying to cover up.Violet glanced over at the doorman, who had settled his bulk onto a wooden chair beside the front door.
“Actually, I am just here to drop off a note for Mr.Seaton.He said I should contact him here.”
Elizabeth nodded.“You can leave it with me.Although I must say I am quite surprised.How are you acquainted with Seaton?”
Violet opened her mouth and then shut it.How could she explain her business with Mr.Seaton?“Um, well.We have a mutual interest in the dealings of my father-in-law.”
Elizabeth quirked an eyebrow.“Do you now?What sort of dealings?”
Violet sighed.She should have known that the newspaper editor would not be satisfied with half answers.And she was a terrible liar.Always had been.She stepped forward and lowered her voice.“You see, I am trying to find out information that I can use to blackmail my father-in-law to get him to intervene with my husband.”She sighed.It felt good to tell someone her plan.Elizabeth would tell her if she was being naïve or stupid.“I am pregnant.I simply cannot risk myself any longer.I have to find a way to get away from Stuart.His father is the only one who has any pull over him.”
Elizabeth reached for her hand and squeezed.“I understand.But can you not stay with your family?”
Violet shook her head as her eyes filled with tears.“No, I am on my own.My father…well, he tried to say something, but the duke has knowledge of his secrets and threatened to reveal them if I made any trouble.”
“That group of men are rotten to the core.I’m sorry to include your father in that statement, but their friendship has brought so much pain to many over the years.It just makes me so angry that they can continue to operate as though they control the whole world.”
Violet gained some strength from the righteous anger in Elizabeth’s flashing green eyes.She smiled ruefully.“They do.At least in my world.”
“So what is your plan?”Elizabeth asked.
“Today?To do some sleuthing.That is how I met Mr.Seaton.He and I ran into each other in the duke’s study, both of us with the same purpose of finding information on the duke’s dealings.Actually, I had previously met him at Hartwick House more than a year ago.Do you remember that day when he was showing off with sleight-of-hand tricks?”
“Yes.”Elizabeth smiled.“I remember.Are you sure there is nothing that I can help you with?You don’t have to do your own sleuthing.You can hire Seaton.People do.”
Violet shook her head.“No, I must figure this out.I need to find my own way out.But in return for a favor he did me the other night, I promised to keep him apprised of any information I came across.”She pulled out the sealed note.“Can you please give this to him?”
Elizabeth took the note and nodded.“Good luck digging around.Please remember that you have friends who would help if you let us.I am an excellent sleuth.It is part and parcel of my job.”
“Thank you.”She did feel better telling someone at least part of it.She wouldn’t share the details of her suspicions.The duke’s secrets would be hers to wield.“I must go.”
Violet hurried outside.A cold wind whipped at her skirts as Jim helped her climb into the carriage.Then they were on their way to Cheapside.
Chapter Eight
Rhys strode upthe steps to the front door of the Angel with his shadow at his heels.He didn’t bother to knock but pushed the large door open and entered the warmth of the building.“G’day, Kenneth.”
“G’day, Mr.Seaton.Oy, what’s that?”Kenneth took a step back.
Rhys glanced down at the mastiff, who was baring his teeth at poor Kenneth.“My dog.Won’t leave me alone.”He shrugged.“He is all growl.I haven’t seen him actually bite anyone.”
“I’m not a fan of dogs.Nearly got my hand bit off as a kid by some stray in the street.”
“Hmmm, we’ll just go up then.Reeves in his office?”
Kenneth nodded.The poor man’s posture was stiff and perfectly still as a statue as he stared warily at the mastiff.Rhys had planned to leave the dog down here at the front to wait, but clearly Kenneth wasn’t going to be amenable to watching the mutt.
Rhys snapped his fingers.“Come on, dog.You’re with me, then.”
He climbed the stairs and made a left to walk down to Matthew’s office.Rhys gave a knock and then entered.
