His heart had soared as he remembered every word, every single touch that had passed between him and Phoebe. And when he finally fell into his bed last night, a cry of joy leaked from his lips, before his eyelids fluttered shut, and he drifted into the most peaceful sleep he had ever experienced.
When he woke up the next morning, or rather the next afternoon, Edwards stood near the armoire with a freshly pressed waistcoat in his hands, ready to dress Sebastian andsend him out into the world. It was through Edwards that Sebastian was informed of the stack of letters which waited for him in the hall.
It had taken quite some doing to push aside his gleeful thoughts of Lady Phoebe and the way she had accepted his proposal. However, when he read through his correspondence, he was reminded that even though Lord Birchwood had been captured, detained, and marched to Newgate, there were still other matters which needed tending.
And that was how Sebastian wound up returning to Colonel Learmonth’s townhouse.
It was highly unusual for people like Sebastian, who served the Crown covertly, to spend so much time slipping in and out of other members’ residences. But the letter Sebastian had received from the Colonel had been marked urgent, and so there was nothing to do but answer the summons.
“I am sure it will please you to know that the Marquess of Birchwood was not the man who tainted your drink the night of your… or should I sayLord Spencer’sMasquerade ball.”
Today, Colonel Learmonth was dressed in a sharp crimson waistcoat with a gold vest poking out underneath. His starched breeches were stiff, and his wellingtons were polished to a high shine.
“So, who was it?” Sebastian inquired.
“Lord Birchwood did not taint your drink directly, but he was connected to the culprit and attended your last ball in disguise. Once the Marquess was in our custody, and we asked him about Lord Spencer’s ball and your cup of wine, he gave us only sparse details. The man spluttered nonsensically about Lord Spencer’s staff members.”
“My staff?” Sebastian’s jaw clenched. “Surely no one on my staff would betray me.”
Colonel Learmonth cocked a cynical eyebrow. “You know better than that, Your Grace. A man will do a great many things if he is properly motivated.”
A flurry of questions clogged Sebastian’s mind and instead of giving voice to all of them, he simply nodded and said, “Go on.”
“A member of our team went round to Lord Spencer’s townhouse last night… your townhouse and sat with each member of your staff. One young lady, a chambermaid, after being promptly several times, provided key information. She swore she overheard another staff member speaking with Lord Birchwood during the event, talking about what course to take before tampering with your drink.
Sebastian stiffened, momentarily angry that one of his staff had betrayed him. His thoughts drifted to Mrs. Vale.
Why did she fail to tell me? How did she let these villains slip past her notice?
He might have ruminated on the matter for far longer, had his hand not drifted to his pocket where he has stuffed several of the letters that he had not read upon waking. Once he saw the urgent message from the Colonel, Sebastian had ignored the others. But now, he pulled the bits of parchment from his pocket and sure enough, found one that had Mrs. Vale’s neat handwriting printed across the front.
He tore the seal open and read quickly.
Come. Now. There has been a disturbance at the house.
Sebastian stared at Mrs. Vale’s handwriting and mentally apologized to the housekeeper. He knew whatever had happened, whatever treachery the other staff members had engaged in, his housekeeper was blameless.
Hastily, he stuffed the note back in his pocket, then turned his full attention back to the Colonel.
“Rest easy, Talwyn,” Colonel Learmonth told him. “Get rid of all your staff, if you must, but you have not been compromised by somebody close to you, not really. Staff can be replaced and silenced easily with enough money.” He waved his hand dismissively, and Sebastian was inclined to agree with him. “If you rest for a couple of months, I will have a new assignment for you. The capture and confinement of Betula…Lord Birchwood… was well executed. You may retire for the present, and I will send for you again when the time is right.”
In a sort of daze, Sebastian nodded. “Thank you, Colonel.”
“There is no need for thanks. I just want you to rest, you look as though you need it, and the Crown is thankful, as ever, for your service.”
Chapter Twenty
When Phoebe returned from her trip to see Genevieve, she glided into Tripleton House as if she were carried by a breath of fresh air.
Everything smelled sweeter somehow. The vase of roses that sat in the hall looked fresh and lovely. Their scented fragrance wafted toward Phoebe and tickled her nostrils.
When she turned the corner and headed toward the drawing room, she caught a whiff of her father’s cologne. It was spicy, like cinnamon, and while it had never appealed to her before, she did not think it smelt so bad today.
Without really thinking through what she was doing, Phoebe drifted into the drawing room, sat comfortably on the divan, and picked up a book that was on top of the stack which was situated on an end table.
She did not care what she would read today, for her mind would only be filled with good thoughts… good thoughts pertaining to her beloved, the Duke of Talwyn.
“Where have you been?” The shrillness of her mother’s tone snapped Phoebe right out of her cozy reverie.
