Chen had fared better with the snuffbox, tracing it to a jeweler on Pall Mall. The jeweler had recognized the box, minus the initials which had been painted on after he’d sold them. Apparently, he’d received a large shipment of the boxes from China several months ago; soon after he’d placed one in the shop window, a manservant had come by and purchased the lot. Unfortunately, the jeweler had no further information about the servant or his employer.
The dead end did not deter Ben. He was determined to forge on in the investigation. To ensure that Pete’s death would not go unanswered for.
Strathaven lifted his dark brows. “Anything of note?”
“Just business.” Ben switched the subject. “How are the trip preparations for Scotland coming along?”
“You know my duchess. She has everything well in hand.” Strathaven’s eyes held a glint of amusement. “My job is to stay out of her way.”
“Is that why you are hiding in the study?”
“Not hiding, my friend. Enjoying one of the many perquisites of marriage,” the duke said a bit smugly. “Emma excels at domestic management, and I am happy to let her have at it. In fact, she baked my favorite cake…probably to distract me and keep me out of her hair, but I have no complaints. Care for a slice?”
Having sampled the lady’s culinary skills—which were highly unusual for a duchess—Ben did not turn down the offer. The cake was delicious, light and fluffy, layered with a citrus curd and whipped cream. Not for the first time, he felt a pang of envy. He wondered what it would be like to have a wife who cared about one’s preferences and made one’s life easier, not more difficult. A wife who was loving and devoted and who demanded the same in return from her husband.
“Surely you did not invite me over merely to boast?” he asked mildly.
Strathaven’s lips twitched. “Not to boast, no. Perhaps to lead by example.”
“You forget that I’ve been married.” Hearing the bitterness seep through, Ben lightened his tone. “Marriage is an institution which I have no desire to be locked into again.”
“Not all marriages are like Bedlam. But I take your point that it is not a decision to be made lightly.” Strathaven’s expression turned somber. “And that brings me to the reason I asked you here today: I would like for you to keep an eye on Livy.”
Ben stilled. “What do you mean? She’ll be in Scotland with you, won’t she?”
“There has been a change of plans.” Strathaven drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair. “Livy has set her heart on joining some charity headed by Lady Fayne. Apparently, this group aims to help females in unfortunate circumstances, and Livy has decided she must start straight away. She asked to remain in London while our family sojourns in Scotland.”
“Surely you are not going to allow it?” Ben asked in disbelief. “A girl her age, alone in Town unsupervised?”
“Of course I would not allow her to be unsupervised.” Strathaven frowned. “She will be staying with Lady Fayne, who has offered to be her chaperone. And Fiona Garrity and Glory Cavendish will be part of this group as well.”
Unease prickled through Ben. Since when had Livy been interested in genteel charities? She was not the pamphlet-writing, handkerchief-sewing type.
Suspicion brewed in him. “And you trust this Lady Fayne?”
“My wife has entertained Lady Fayne several times and is quite taken with her. Says the lady is a ‘modern woman’…whatever that means.” Strathaven crossed his long legs. “I, myself, have made discreet inquiries into Lady Fayne’s background. Although she has not been in London long, the sticklers sing her praises. Even the Dowager Duchess of Moncrief vouches that Lady Fayne is a woman of great virtue, and that old harridan does not like anyone. Lady Fayne appears to be what everyone says she is: a wealthy, independent widow with a penchant for doing good.”
Ben set his jaw. “Regardless, I do not trust her with Livy.”
“You sound like me.” Strathaven’s smile was wry. “Her Grace informs me that I have a tendency to be overprotective and overbearing…and that is just as a husband. She says when it comes to being a papa, I am even worse.”
“Your caution is justified.” Leaning forward, Ben chose his words with care. “Livy is not an ordinary sort of female. While she is undoubtedly clever and capable, she needs someone to look after her. To make sure she is acting in her own best interests.”
“I wish you had been there during my argument with Her Grace. I could have used the support.” Strathaven dragged a hand through his dark silver-threaded hair. “The truth is it wasn’t just Emma who convinced me, it was Livy herself. You know my daughter, Hadleigh. All her life, she has been a spirited girl full of purpose and zeal. She has always treated life as an adventure.”
Nostalgia warmed Ben’s chest. He had always loved Livy’s natural exuberance. She explored life the way a child looks for seashells upon a shore: with tireless delight. No one—not even a jaded bastard like him—could be bored in her presence.
“Of late, however, my daughter has lost her shine,” Strathaven said in concerned tones. “According to my wife, Livy hasn’t been herself since her birthday ball, and I have noticed it too. Perhaps it is a normal part of the maturation process, of coming into womanhood. But I do not wish for Livy’s spark to be dimmed…by anything. When she asked permission to join this Society of Angels, she had that gleam of excitement in her eyes again. And I could not say no.”
Ben understood the difficulty of saying no to Livy. Yet he also understood the necessity, at times, of doing so. Perhaps more than her own parents did.
“When she is not volunteering, what of her free time?” he pointed out. “Do you trust Lady Fayne to keep a close eye on Livy, especially with Sheffield and other suitors milling about?”
“Not entirely. Which is where you come in.”
Ben stilled, his heart lurching. “Me?”
Strathaven sat forward in his chair, his expression intent. “You were there when Livy needed you most, my friend, and I am asking you to look after her once again. There is no one I trust more with my daughter. She listens to you, insofar as she listens to anyone, and I know with you she is in good hands.”
