“Of course. But I won’t be able to introduce you to anyone until I have found what Lord Harewood is searching for with Lord Leighhall. I must complete this task first.”
Worry slipped up her back. She barely had three months. “How long will that be?”
“I could be done in a month or two, but it may take longer. It depends on what you have found for me.” His beard appeared to lift, so she could only guess that he grinned.
Non, there would not be enough time. Frantically, she searched for a solution, unwilling to come so close to achieving her goal of marrying on her terms. She had despaired until Anthony had walked into her life. He was her only chance. “I cannot wait so long. Allow me to help with your investigation beyond the research. With both of us, we can solve it sooner.” And she could enjoy one last escapade.
He shook his head, but she refused to give up. “In fact, as you go about following Lord Leighhall, I could help. There are many things a boy”—she gestured to her trousers and vest—“or a woman can learn that a man cannot.”
He’d stopped shaking his head, but the gray, bushy brows were lowered.
“And like you, I can be disguised as a maid or a countess if needed.” When he didn’t say anything, she tugged on his memory. “Or I can be a frail old lady who is just looking for her lost chicken.”
He shook his head again even as his brow puckered. “I still do not know how you convinced that merchant that your darling Rosalie had escaped her pen and joined him.”
She lowered her voice and made it shake. “But I so love my dear Rosalie.”
He laughed, his eyes crinkling beneath the bushy eyebrows. “Yes, so much that you had her for dinner.”
She shrugged, going back to her normal voice. “True, and she gladly gave her life so that we could live another day.” She sobered. “Allow me to assist you, Anthony. You know I can help.”
“I do know you could, but you are a lady now.”
She wrinkled her nose at him and held out her arms. “This is me. I can be many people, but I amnota lady at heart.”
He rubbed the back of his neck, clearly considering her request, but having difficulty accepting. “Even if I say yes, I never know where I will be. It’s not as if you can leave the school.” He resumed shaking his head. “I—”
“Dory. I can ask Dory to help. She can invite me to Denton Hall. She has before. No one ever questioned it. If you need to travel, I can go with you, dressed like this, and no one will know. I know Dory will keep my secret.”
He stopped shaking his head, but was obviously not convinced.
She held out her hand, palm up, imploring him to understand. “What is the worst that could occur? I could be discovered and considered no longer a lady, but I am that now. So no true harm is done, except that I would then be forced to be a mistress in order to keep Grand-maman as she wishes.” She could tell he wavered, his gaze giving him away as he thought of all the possibilities and problems. “And if there is someone you think I should meet along the way, I’ll happily dress accordingly and do my best to charm them. It could well happen that I become betrothed before your investigation is even complete.”
She was quite certain his lips quirked up based on the movement of the beard.
“You have always known how to sway me.” He paused. “However, you are far above being a mistress and do deserve to live a comfortable life after all you have endured and all you have done for the Captain.” He held up his hand as she opened her mouth to object. “Allow me my piece. I do understand your request and your limited time, so yes, you may aid me in my investigation, but only in ways that I feel will keep your identity hidden and your reputation intact.”
It wasn’t what she wanted, but she was quite sure she could obtain no more…for the moment. “I understand. Now, do be plain about what you need to accomplish in order that we may search for my future husband posthaste.”
“You must not share this with anyone. Do I have your promise?”
“You do.”
He hesitated as if trying to determine how best to explain.
She let out a loud sigh. “Truly, Anthony. Out with it. This is me, Lissette.”
From the movement of his frame, he silently chuckled. “Thank you for the reminder. My goal in this investigation is to find something that Viscount Leighhall would prefer not become public knowledge.”
It sounded as if Dory’s husband wanted to blackmail the lord. “Why?”
“Viscount Leighhall became a bit obsessed with Lady Harewood before she married. He set out to ruin her reputation by putting her mother in a compromising position.”
She waved him off. “Yes, I know all about that.”
“You do?”
“As I said, Dory is a dear friend.”
