After around three hours, another plainly dressed man approached the first. They spoke a few words. The new one stayed. The other walked away.
Lanora looked back and forth between the two. She squared her shoulders. Neither had seen her. Other people walked the street. Mrs. Smith was not one to garner notice. She set off after the first man. If she wasn’t going to learn anything by standing there, or see William, she would discover where this man went. Who else was having Lord William Greydrake followed? Knowing would tell her much.
The man didn’t go to a residential district, as expected. Instead, he walked several blocks to an area of business. Frustration filled her. He was about his own tasks now. It would be hours before he returned to the person who’d sent him to spy.
He crossed the street and entered a building. She would have given up then, but she realized she knew the place. Or of it. It was the office of the attorney, Mr. Lethbridge. Mr. Darington’s attorney. The one her father hadn’t wanted. Intrigued, she hurried across the street. Was Mr. Darington having his onetime ward followed? Did that speak of disapproval for William’s ways?
She entered in time to see the man turn at the top of the steps. She stopped, not sure what awaited her should she follow. Was her Mrs. Smith disguise enough to fool an attorney? She didn’t believe she’d ever met Lethbridge. It seemed unlikely.
Squaring her shoulders, Lanora made her way up. She stepped boldly into the office. The smallish room, well-appointed but gloomy, was empty of people, the clerk’s desk vacant. Voices sounded in the room beyond. She crept over and flattened herself against the wall beside the door behind the desk.
“…much longer,” a cultured voice said. “Besides, I pay you well.”
“Not that well. Watching that blighter is driving me mad.” The man’s voice was rough with a lower London accent. “Goes from one pleasure to the next. Don’t know where the man finds the stamina. Slept in today, though, he did. Hasn’t stirred from her house since yesterday evening. Chit must have worn him out last night.”
“No doubt she learned he’s courting Lady Lanora and wished to fortify her place in his regard.”
Lanora nearly jumped at the sound of her name. She frowned. Courting her, was he? Not any longer.
“No doubt, indeed.” The rough man chuckled.
“Have you seen her yet?”
“The mistress?” The man grunted. “Not hide nor hair. We’re only there when he’s there, and she don’t go out when he’s there. What’d be the point?”
“Still, it’s odd. She can’t know when he’ll call round.”
“Maybe he’s got a standing appointment, like, or keeps his woman on a short leash. You want me to find someone to watch her, too? Cost you extra.”
Short leash? What a thoroughly offensive term. Well, Lanora wouldn’t be one of those women. Not ever. No. That’s not needed. She’s nothing.”
“Suit yourself. So long as you pay me, and I don’t go mad watching the blighter, it’s all the same to me.”
“Never fear. I can assure you this will all be resolved soon. Then you may return to your usual work, whatever that is.”
The man’s chuckle carried a nasty edge this time. “You don’t want to know, Mr. Attorney.”
“No, I do not. Now get out. I have another appointment coming.”
Get out? Lanora’s gaze darted around, landed on the clerk’s desk.
“You’re not closed up? Clerk’s gone.”
“I sent him home. My next appointment is private. Meaning you are to go. Now.”
Lanora dove under the desk, pulling her skirt close. The chairs on either side, though difficult to dodge around, provided additional shelter.
“All right, I know where I’m not wanted.”
Footsteps left the office and crossed the room. It wasn’t until the man exited that she realized her error. If she’d simply taken a few steps across the room, she could have stood as if waiting for the clerk. It may have been suspicious, but not unduly so. She would simply have invented a legal matter and been sent packing, as Mrs. Smith obviously couldn’t afford a man in this part of town.
Now, she was under a desk. Climbing out would take several seconds. If she was seen doing so, there would be no explaining how she got under there. At least the clerk had been sent home for the day. Hopefully, she could still sneak out, no one the wiser.
She tried to breath quietly, listening. In the office, papers moved. The attorney, Mr. Lethbridge, muttered to himself. Lanora started to ease out one of the chairs. Footsteps clattered on the steps. She eased the chair back closer. A heavy tread entered.
“Lethbridge?” It was another man with a lowborn accent. Did Mr. Lethbridge specialize in spying for the wealthy?
“In here. Close the outer door.”
