“That is very gallant of you to say.” She lay her head back down, hiding her expression. One moment she was outgoing and bold, the next shy and reserved.
Truthful was a more apt word, but he didn’t correct her. She was a temporary aberration in his life. He had no future with her. Granted, his title required him to marry, and she was a lady from a respectable family. Perhaps he should court her after their investigation was over.
The carriage shifted once more, intruding on his heavy thoughts. Marriage hadn’t been in his immediate plans, nor was there any rush. He had a bad habit of picking the wrong women and was leery of his own judgement. Maria had been married to a sadistic count when he met her. Mrs. Adare was a widow; a very desirable widow. Making a decision based on lust was not wise, however. “I should get you back.”
He used the tip of his cane to rap on the roof of the carriage. The coachmen set the horses into motion.
“Yes, we should. I suppose.” She sat upright, her forearms covering her breasts as she moved to the seat beside him. The straps of her chemise had fallen down her upper arms and her neck was reddened from the roughness of his beard. Removing his handkerchief from his inner pocket, he handed it to her.
She waved it away with a weak smile. “I have one in my reticle. You will need to, um, use it yourself.”
Elizabeth’s back was to him as she performed her toilet. He put himself back in order, fastening the buttons of his breeches with a less than steady hand. Moving her hair aside, he made quick work of fastening the tapes. While he performed the task, he tried to ignore the heat emanating from her. An awkwardness stretched between them for the first time since they began this endeavor and he blamed himself.
Her profile visible in the dim light, he wanted to ask her what she was thinking but reconsidered. Some things were best left unsaid. To distract from his wayward wanderings, he chose a safer option. “I think you were right about those papers being important. Do you recall what they said about Mr. Zander?”
She turned her head, hands resting primly in her lap. “There was a brief mention of his last charter, but nothing that was not posted in the financial news.”
“It seems rather odd, doesn’t it? Us finding information on Zander in Pike’s office.” He lifted his knee and palmed the silver cap of the cane. In the past, his investigations had led him down many a convoluted trail; his most challenging being an Englishman turned French spy. While this one was puzzling, it couldn’t be that complex. Most schemes were basic, and the more people involved, the more chance that someone would talk out of turn.
“Or a clever ruse to cast suspicion away from Randell and Cane,” she said, adamant in her conclusion.
Experience told him to accept what was before his eyes and not put too much of a spin on motivation. He took no comfort in the knowledge. Money and power were the two significant influences and often merged into one. He pulled back the drapes to let in some light from outside. “Randell spoke of having a partner other than Cane and Pike. Zander might be the third party.”
“It does not make sense. The sums earned by Randell are paltry when compared to the size of Zander’s reported fortune. If you multiply Randell’s cut times three, you have a pittance of what Zander pays out to one of his investors.”
“So you said earlier.” The words, spoken with great conviction, moved him to ask, “You seemed pretty resolute about Zander’s innocence. Why?”
Sadness sent frown lines between her eyes. “It does not fall into what my uncle told me about the man. Considering all the facts I have learned it seems more likely Randell and his cohorts are using the elusive Zander to cover their actual source of income.”
“Your theory has merit, but I’ll have one of my men investigate Zander, nonetheless. We must cover all avenues. No stone can be left unturned.” The success rate of making men like Randell pay was slim to none. He dared not share that with her and risk damaging her hopes of finding justice.
“Tomorrow is my last day in London.” She reached for the leather handle over her head, her slender figure swaying with the motion of the carriage.
Heaviness settled into his chest at the thought of her leaving. “A pity you can’t stay longer. My mother and Sophia enjoy your company and will be attending the tea tomorrow.”
“Yes, my aunt was insistent, and she has been so kind to me, I could not let her down.” She continued to watch him, a shy smile curving her mouth. “Although I must admit, I am not fond of the attention. I always feel like I am about to say something wrong.”
“It is a common fear. You need not be embarrassed.” He shifted in his seat, wishing to reach out and pull her back into his arms. “Society is fraught with peril and tricks set to trap the unsuspecting.”
“Indeed it is,” she said, laughter spilling forth. “You will not be attending?”
The sound was much welcome after her earlier seriousness. He wished to see her amused more. The coach rounded a corner, the pace increasing. He planted his feet into the floorboards to keep upright, using the cane as leverage to steady himself. A brief check outside and he spied a familiar cluster of buildings. “No, not this time. I have some business I must attend to. I believe we’re almost at Coburn place.”
She peered outside and nodded. “Yes, we are. What are we to do about Mr. Pike?”
He shrugged and thumbed the warm silver. The cane had belonged to his father, a man he loved and admired. His loss was never far from Langdon’s mind, and he cleared his throat against an onslaught of unexpected emotion. “I will ask around. You will do nothing but await my investigation.”
Elizabeth growled low in her throat. Fulfillment blushed her cheeks, highlighting her sparkling eyes. “You say I am irritating and stubborn, but you, my lord, are all of the above plus more.”
Langdon pushed the bittersweet memories of his father to the back of his mind and focused on the woman next to him. If it wasn’t for her, he would never have accepted the assignment. “You’re the one who asked for my help, Elizabeth”
“I hate to differ. I asked for your assistance.” Elizabeth offered him a wry grin, her amusement causing a skip to his heart.
The coachman pulled the carriage to a halt. Langdon opened the door and hopped outside before assisting her down. The way she had of touching his emotions was disconcerting. He needed time to think, and he couldn’t do it in her company. “You love to differ, Mrs. Adare.”
She wrinkled her nose at him, leading the way to the garden gate.
“Mrs. Adare, I will be in Upper Waverley before the fortnight is out. But I must insist you do nothing until I get there.”
