Xenia was doing a rather poor job of hiding her grin. “I wasn’t saying anything.”
“While it’s all well and good that the pair of you are lovey-dovey again, the threat remains,” Ethan said. “We must consider any clues in Evie’s visions that could help us foil her enemy.”
“One of the last visions I had was of Rose hiding her marriage license in the yew tree by the stream.” Gigi sounded meditative. “After the villain killed Thomas, she knew he would come after her, so she hid the proof of her union. I remember distinctly how she waited there—how she didn’t run when the bounder came for her. As if she was no longer afraid and wanted him to come.”
“I know how she felt,” Evie murmured. “This time, I am not running either.”
“Even so, the blackguard must have been tracking her.” Gigi shivered. “In that same vein, the blackmailer must be monitoring your movements. You received the first demand at Grove Hall, the second one here. He has been following you, Evie, and might have been closer than you realize. You must have a care.”
James wrestled back his fear. It did no good. The only solution was to mitigate the threat: once the villain was captured, Evie would be safe once and for all.
“I will not let anything happen to my wife,” he said firmly.
“The blackmailer has no reason to harm me.” Evie sounded far calmer than he felt. “There is no purpose in damaging the goose that lays the golden eggs. He will want to squeeze as much out of me as he can. His greed will be his downfall, and I think we ought to capitalize upon it.”
“How so?” James asked.
“If he is indeed watching me, then I should dangle a prize that he cannot resist. Something sparkly and lavish.”
He caught on. “The diamond necklace?”
“Yes, but you needn’t worry,” she said quickly. “We will have a copy made so that when the time comes to deliver the payment?—”
“I don’t give a damn about the necklace.” He cut her off. “I care about you. About the fact that you are deliberately baiting the bastard.”
“One cannot set a trap without bait.” On that cheery philosophical note, she patted his hand. “Don’t worry, darling, I know you will keep me safe.”
He would bloody well make sure of it.
“Moreover, I am fortunate to have an advantage that Rosalinda did not.”
“What advantage, sunflower?” he asked.
She smiled, dazzling him with that inner brightness that no adversity could dim.
“I am not alone,” she said.
Chapter Twenty-Six
The storm passed, and the next two days were filled with activity.
As planned, Gigi brought Evie and James to see Mr. Duffield. Discreet as ever, the dashing blond draper closed his shop for lunch, disappointing the group of matrons clamoring for his attention. He examined the glove and immediately identified the faded letters stamped inside as “P & M.”
“How can you be so certain, sir?” Evie asked in amazement.
“P & M stands for ‘Perry & Morris,’” Mr. Duffield explained. “It is a London outfitter located on Oxford Street and serves those of modest means. Valets and clerks are amongst the clientele, as well as respectable ladies with a mind for economy. In fact, I considered stocking Perry & Morris gloves in my own shop.”
“How difficult would it be to track down the owner of this particular glove?” James asked.
“Rather like locating an eel in the Thames, I imagine. The shop on Oxford Street must sell dozens of this style on any given day—and they have other suppliers as well. This glove is the sort that any gentleman’s man or tradesman might wear in Town.”
While the information suggested that Merrow was a likely suspect, making any definitive connection between him and the glove seemed unlikely. After thanking Mr. Duffield and leaving Gigi to catch up with him, Evie brought James to meet the Pickleworths. The good lady blushed when James thanked her for the herbs. While Mr. Pickleworth convinced James to have crates of delicate new asparagus delivered to Bottoms House, Evie had a moment alone with her friend.
“Did you happen to speak to your brother about a tour of his cherry orchard?” she asked.
“Indeed, I did,” Loretta said. “Ned would be honored to receive you at your convenience.”
“Perhaps a week from now might suit?”
