“Yes, everyone but the serving girls.”
Steele gave him his almost feral grin. “They like me. Which reminds me, I hear congratulations are in order.”
“Thank you.”
“And now for the favor you owe me...”
Michael sat up. “I didn’t think I was paying a favor. School lads, and or the sake of the country, and all that.”
His companion grunted his response and then leaned forward. “My favor—don’t let Gwendolyn Lanscarr leave London.”
“Because she owes you a favor?”
He knocked on the table, a sign the guess was correct.
Michael shook his head as he came to his feet. “Steele, do you honestly believe I can tell a Lanscarr what to do?”
“You succeeded in corralling one. What is another?” Steele pushed a few coins across the table as his ale was delivered.
“Now that is a jest. Because, actually,” and Michael almost took great pride in admitting this,“shehas me, my friend.” He thought about last night and about how fresh and lovely she’d been across the table from him at breakfast. “As to Gwendolyn, she is my sister-in-marriage. I will allow no harm to come to her.”
“You wound me, Brogan.” Steele touched his chest in a mocking gesture.
“Leave her be.”
Steele pursed his lips for a minute as if taking Michael’s measure. The man had the coldest eyes. Another reason to keep him away from Gwendolyn.
“We will see,” Steele said at last.
Michael’s response was to walk toward the door. The matter was closed as far as he was concerned. Steele called after him, “When you are ready to share the name, I will be right here.”
Pausing by the door, Michael asked, “And expect another favor?”
“No, I just hate traitors.”
On that they were agreed. Michael left.
***
It was late in the afternoon when Dara returned with Teddy.
The ugliness of her confrontation with Elise had been balanced with a truly good time looking at the houses Teddy recommended. He had been considering this matter for some time andhad done his research. They saw three houses that Teddy knew would soon be offered to let. All were in good neighborhoods and, according to the estate agents’ notes, had enough room for their needs. The question was, which would Michael prefer?
Dara entered the apartment ready to discuss the matter with him. Teddy had some errands to run. He left her at the door. Michael’s hat was on the table. He was here, but not in his office.
She untied her bonnet and removed her gloves, placing them beside his hat before moving toward the bedroom. The door was partially open. She pushed it, and there was Michael. He sat in a wooden chair by the open window. His expression was pensive, resigned.
Now was not the time to talk to him about properties. She understood that instinctively.
Dara moved into the room to lay the black dress over the wardrobe door. Michael appeared so lost in thought, he hadn’t registered her presence, and she realized he was somewhat like her. She could be despondent when a plan didn’t go the way she wished after she’d plotted, worried, and nurtured.
She crossed to him and knelt.
This caught his attention. He looked down at her. “I’m sorry. I was thinking.”
“It is a bitter pill to lose Mr. Ferrell.”
“He was everything to this case.”
