“It involves my son.”
“It does. Lord Mark’s new venture puts him in direct competition with Mr. Atkinson, and I believe this can be useful.”
The duchess’s eyes narrowed. “Competition. How so?”
“Lord Mark is part owner of a gambling establishment called At Wheel’s End.”
Lips pursed. The cup and saucer clinked. One hand fisted, opened, fisted. “Why would my son purchase such a business? An aristocrat does not hold employment.”
“He claims the purchase was to help a friend become more respectable. And I suspect he intends for his role to be more in ownership and management, not actual day-to-day operations. In addition, while I could not say for sure, I suspect he no longer wishes to be a soldier nor develop a calling to the church. He seems to have a rather independent nature.”
A long sigh. “And has since he emerged from the womb. No matter what his father or I did to combat it.”
“He suggests obstinance is a family trait.”
Her mouth twisted, but the eyes gleamed. Like her son. “He seems to have mastered that as well.” She took another sip. “Tell me your plan and how I can help.”
Judith smiled and leaned forward, taking up the challenge. For the next half hour, she described Lord Mark and Sir Rory’s involvement in At Wheel’s End, as well as Vincent Atkinson’s machinations against Edmund and the other men in his grasp. She also laid out her investigations into the debts andpeccadillos of theton’smen, her original plan to use blackmail to bring all this to heel, and her decision not to pursue that course.
Lady Embleton shook her head. “Men and their games. Their love of risk will one day bring us all to our knees. You burned the letters?”
Judith nodded. “I did.”
“But not the evidence?”
“No.”
Lady Embleton sniffed. “Good. One never knows when such information might prove useful.”
Judith’s eyebrows arched, but Lady Embleton merely shrugged. “For instance, should we receive word that a man is maltreating his wife, children, or servants.”
“Ah. True.”
Lady Embleton shifted her reticule. “What do you wish of me?”
As Judith explained her plan to the duchess, Lady Embleton’s hard expression softened even as her eyes narrowed with apparent curiosity. A dozen questions later, and Mark’s mother gave her a single nod. “I believe this will achieve the success you seek. I, for one, would prefer my son’s name to be less involved with the whole matter, but I have resolved that he will, in some form or fashion, always be a source of concern and indigestion. And the name of the gentleman you need to speak with is Mr. Jeremy Smith. We are agreed that I should set the meeting?”
“I believe so. Mr. Smith is already seeking and providing information about Miss Ashley’s death to your sons, whereas this house has had no dealings with Bow Street at all. It will be less suspicious than if he arrived here. My information is that Mr. Atkinson is a cautious man with informants all over the city. And that he is certainly dangerous to cross.”
Another sniff. “Arrogant pup. He will be on the watch for men. Not gentle and demure ladies of theton.”
“He seems rather dismissive of women.” Judith gave a low laugh. “They really have no idea, do they?”
“None. Fools.” She stood, and Judith rang for their butler. The door opened promptly, and the man waited with Lady Embleton’s cloak. “I will arrange it and send word. I will also speak with our housekeeper and butler about the appropriate rumors.”
“Thank you. I will do the same.”
As Lady Embleton left, Judith returned to the fire, suddenly aware that the room had grown chillier and her toes were suddenly cold. She held to the mantle as she edged her left slipper toward the grate.
Her left foot. The one he had massaged. Caressed, his fingertips slipping gently up her thigh. Judith closed her eyes, feeling his kiss, the whisper in her ear...
I wish to own a part of you.
“You wish to see us, Lady Sculthorpe.”
Judith’s foot snapped to the floor and she pivoted, blinking. The butler stood in the doorframe, the housekeeper peering around his shoulder. Judith swallowed and motioned them in. “Yes. Please close the door. I need to inform you of a few rumors about the house. Rumors I wish you to spread among the other servants.”
They looked at each, eyes wide, then entered.
