“Thank you.” She put her fingers on his arm. They then let the others walk on, and fell in behind.
“What did you want to talk to me about?” he said softly.
“I received a note this morning from one of my informants.”
“How many do you have?”
“That has no bearing on the matter at hand, Lord Stafford.”
Alice turned as he did and their eyes collided. She felt the punch of heat at his nearness in her stomach and looked away.
“Just curious. Forgive me. Pray continue, my lady.”
“Are you mocking me?” Alice hated men doing that to her. She ran her father’s estate and finances, and likely better than most men, even if she couldn’t inform them of that. She would not tolerate anything but respect from this man.
“No, I was not mocking you, Lady Alice. Are you always this sensitive?”
She blew out a very unladylike breath. “Probably.”
He snorted out a laugh.
“What did the note say, my lady?”
“A man meeting the description of Kenneth Jackson entered the Black Dog in Wapping. He’s been seen there twice now, and asking plenty of questions. I will meet you there at midnight.”
He was silent for a while as they both stared at their friends who wandered before them.
Alice was far too aware of this man. Every time his body brushed hers, she tensed. It had to stop.
“You will not go alone,” he said softly.
“As I believe I have already explained, you have no say in what I do—”
“Where is your father?”
The change in conversation threw her for two heartbeats, and then she regained her wits. “That has no bearing on what we’ve just discussed, my lord.”
“I know he’s in France, but does he play no part in your life, or watch over you at all?”
A dark scowl marred his handsome features now.
“Look, Lord Stafford, I am not your concern, and never will be, and if you persist with these questions, or demands, I will no longer let you know when I receive word, but do as I wish.”
This time it was he who exhaled loudly.
“Fine. I will get a hackney and collect you. Then we will proceed to the Black Dog, which let me assure you is not a place for ladies such as yourself to be seen—”
“Let me be clear on something, Lord Stafford,” Alice hissed. “I refuse to listen to your recriminations or lectures any further, so if this is to work, you need to learn to be quiet!”
Lord Hamilton, who was directly in front of Alice, must have heard her words, as he turned with a smirk that he directed at his friend.
“Are we clear?” Alice said in a quieter tone.
“Crystal,” he snapped back.
They continued to walk behind the others, but the tension between them was palpable. Alice was pleased when they were finally heading back to the carriages.
“Shall we wander to the band?” Thaddeus asked.
