The other man lifted a dark brow. “Are you quite sure this is an appropriate setting?”
Alister shrugged. “Look around. No one is paying us any mind. They are either too busy losing their blunt or too deep in their cups to care what we talk about.”
“Are we that dull?” Drayven murmured.
“Between your unsavory reputation and my ignorant one, being ‘dull’ is the least of our concerns.”
Sussex winced. “I do believe you have depressed me, Albright.” He gestured to the bottle. “Do you have enough for two?”
Alister signaled for another glass. When one was immediately brought over and Drayven had taken a sip with an appreciate sigh, Alister asked, “So what has Richard been up to lately?”
Drayven shrugged. “Nothing much, I’m afraid. Certainly not enough to bring him up on charges.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Alister frowned. “He hasn’t met with anyone questionable?”
“No. Other than a visit from that woman—”
Alister’s instincts instantly kicked in. “What woman?”
The marquess held up a hand. “Don’t get too excited. It was only his wife.”
“I thought they were estranged.”
“It appears as though they’ve reconciled,” the other man said, obviously seeing nothing to worry about.
Alister, on the other hand, wasn’t as convinced. He searched his brain and recalled Lyra mentioning that her sister-in-law had come by to see her. He hadn’t thought anything about it at the time, for they had been in the middle of a heated argument—among other things. But now he realized how odd it was that Richard’s wife might have paid a call at the same time the newly minted Lord Weston was doing his best to cause trouble.
“I want someone to keep an eye on her.”
At Drayven’s curious expression, Alister voiced his concerns, causing the man to finally take notice.
“Hmm. I see your point. Fortunately, I know just the man for the job. I’ll contact him as soon as possible.”
“Thank you,” Alister said. “It’s actually rather fortuitous that I ran into you this evening. I’ve had a bit of a breakthrough on the case that I wanted to share with you.” He told Drayven about the cipher and how he and Lyra had come across it, although he omitted the kiss.
“How intuitive. Have you been able to make sense of it yet?”
“For the most part,” Alister admitted. “I’m still trying to figure out how a horticulture book ties into latitude and longitude, but I’m working on it.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t stay at your estate until you did so.”
“My sister unexpectedly returned from Bath,” Alister explained, “So in an effort to keep from killing each other, I retreated temporarily.” He smiled tightly. “The field of battle should be clear by tomorrow evening.”
“It sounds as if things are rather strained on the home front.”
Alister considered his hasty departure from Thorn Hall and the fact Euphemia still wasn’t speaking to him. He only knew she was heading to the house party she had mentioned upon her arrival because of a brief missive from her ladies’ maid. However, he had to wonder if he hadn’t talked some sense into her, as she hadn’t pestered him for any additional funds for her journey.
Seeing Richard stand up across the room, he motioned toward their quarry. “I think Weston is getting ready to leave.”
Drayven drained his glass before setting it aside and standing. “No rest for the wicked, it would appear.”
“Indeed,” Alister concurred, also rising. “It’s time I took my leave as well.”
A dark brow lifted. “If you don’t care to finish—”
But Alister was already shaking his head. He held up the half empty bottle of scotch. “I didn’t say I was going alone.”
* * *
