In addition, it had been a fortnight since he’d corresponded with Mr. Taylour, and there had been nothing unusual reportedabout Leighhall. Of course, he hadn’t explainedwhyhe wanted the man followed, just that he be followed. So the letters about the viscount’s visits to brothels and the homes of a couple of married ladies were of little use.
He strode across the room to greet Mr. Taylour. The former Bow Street Runner didn’t appear to be as deadly as Sommerset had suggested. In fact, his broad frame, wavy, blond hair, blue eyes, and full smile made him appear quite jovial. His clothes were impeccable and well-tailored. If he’d met Mr. Taylour on St. James Street, he’d think him of the peerage, which did not inspire confidence in the man’s abilities. Peers were not suited to this type of work. “Mr. Taylour, thank you for journeying out here to Denton Hall. I wished to speak to you with the utmost privacy.”
The man immediately sobered, looking far more like what a detective should have looked like. “Of course.”
“Please, have a seat.” He gestured toward a wingback chair before his desk, then strode toward the door and closed it. Returning to his desk, he found Mr. Taylour reading one of the open books. He reached over to close the book and added it to a pile.
“I see you are a philosopher.” Mr. Taylour ignored the rudeness of the action and perched on the arm of the chair, a rather odd way to take a seat.
Felton leaned against his desk. “Not I, but a friend of mine. I thought to study up to better converse. Now what is the latest on Lord Leighhall?”
Mr. Taylour’s brows lowered in confusion. “I believe I outlined it all in my last letter.”
“Yes, yes, but what about since then?” He needed to know if the man had traveled anywhere near Northampton, where the school was located and where Dory even now prepared for her marriage in between her studies.
“Lord Harewood, if you told me what you were looking for particularly, then I could delve into the details of the man’s life with more success. But with no instructions beyond following Leighhall and reporting on his activities, which I have done, that is all I can help you with.”
Which was why he’d brought Mr. Taylour to Denton Hall, only after corresponding with the Viscount of Blackmore himself on the man’s ability to keep his mission to himself. Still, Felton tapped his fingers on the desk, hesitant to make his true motivations known.
“If you are concerned about my trustworthiness, I assure you that I hold many secrets that have never been divulged nor will be. I also first investigate those who would hire me to be sure they will not use my specific talents for nefarious purposes before accepting an assignment.”
Affronted, his irritation raced through him. “You investigated me?”
“I did. And in the course of those investigations, you received high recommendations from not only Lord Sommerset, but also the Duke of Northwick.”
Appeased somewhat by the duke’s favorable opinion, he forced himself to remain civil. “Then it appears I have no choice but to take you into my confidence.”
Mr. Taylour remained relaxed on the arm of the chair. “I understand.” The man nodded sagely as if he’d been among other peers with similar needs.
That was highly doubtful, but he could not ignore his own need to protect Dory. “Very well. My interest in Lord Leighhall is in regards to his threat to a young woman whom I have taken under my protection, though neither she nor her betrothed are aware.”
The man didn’t move a muscle in his face to indicate any level of surprise. Still, Felton felt the need to justify his actions. “LadyDorothea Ansley is a student at the Belinda School for Curious Ladies. Lady Belinda Mabry and I were planning marriage, but she passed. I have a vested interest in the school’s success, so to that end, I aided Lady Dorothea in making a match.” That was a bit of exaggeration, but the easiest way to explain his stake in Dory. “Fortunately, she accepted a proposal, but not before catching Leighhall’s eye. The man is convinced that Lady Dorothea is like her mother, Lady Preston. The Countess Preston is rumored, though no proof has been produced, to be enjoying the company of a variety of men.”
“Ah, if Leighhall believes the future bride like her mother, I imagine he will wish to have access to her at some point.”
Somewhat relieved that the man understood the delicacy of the situation, Felton found his tension abating. “Precisely. You see, her betrothed is Lord Dearling and though the man worships Lady Dorothea, he is not aware of his surroundings. He’s much like a hound’s puppy in his excitement, ignorant of the danger lurking in the bushes. This is why I hired you. I need to be sure Leighhall does nothing to Lady Dorothea.”
“When is the lady to wed?”
He moved off his desk and strolled toward the window before facing the man again. “Within a fortnight. The banns have been read and the license procured.” He had contemplated lodging an objection to the marriage, but Dory would never forgive him, and a future husband being weak was generally not considered a strong enough reason to halt a wedding.
Mr. Taylour nodded, clearly contemplating the new information. “And you believe once married, Leighhall won’t be a problem?” The man’s doubt was clear in his voice. “As I have watched Lord Leighhall, I have discovered that marriage does not hinder the man’s actions in the least. Is your goal to preserve the woman’s reputation only before the marriage?”
“Devil it!” Of course. Once Leighhall’s mind was made up, he became obsessive. If Leighhall destroyed her reputation after her marriage, she would be shunned. He felt the tick beneath his ear start as his tension spiked. “That means I’ll need something to keep Leighhall in line for the rest of his life. Pity he could not meet an untimely death.”
Mr. Taylour jumped to his feet. “I’m an honorable man and will not commit murder.”
Belatedly, Felton realized what his words sounded like. “No, of course not. Nor will I be a party to one. I was simply hoping, perhaps wishing that the man would die of the pox. Lord Sommerset’s father did, so it is possible.”
Mr. Taylour relaxed but did not sit. Instead, he leaned his elbow on the top of the chair. “This kind of investigation could take years. Is this lady worth it?”
“Yes.” At his quick answer, the man’s brows raised. “I mean, she is a rare woman among the peerage with a unique mind and a kindness of heart not often encountered. She is the epitome of what Lady Belinda wished for in all women. Not that Dory is perfect.” He grinned as he remembered her foibles. “Her conversations are tangled at best, her game of pall-mall truly lacking, and her waltz rather deplorable. But she is unique and stunning both in mind and body.”
Mr. Taylour studied him. “Wouldn’t it be easier to simply marry her yourself? A broken betrothal won’t ruin her reputation like Lord Leighhall would.”
He sighed, having given that much thought long before he’d known of the Leighhall threat and his reasons were still sound. “It would not be a good match. I couldn’t make her happy. And unfortunately, she discovered my motivation for helping her, so I am hardly in her good graces.”
“And this Lord Dearlingwouldmake her happy? From what you’ve told me, he doesn’t sound as if he has many good qualities beyond loving her.”
