“Spies are not well-regarded by society.” John crossed his legs and grasped a polished riding boot with his broad hand. “You have your secrets, too, Guy.”
“Not so many,mon ami. I hope to have few secrets between Hetty and me when we wed.”
“A noble plan, although somewhat difficult to achieve. But why wait? Why not marry the lady now?”
“I need first to satisfy the Committee of Privileges that I am the baron.” Guy balled his hand into a fist and banged the arm of the chair. “And it now appears that I must clear my name with Home Office if I wish to remain in England.”
“A challenging task, but not an impossible one.”
“Time is of the essence. I’ll see what can be learnt at Bow Street. This brigand may be persuaded to speak the truth.”
“I’ll accompany you.”
“You might ask this question of your colleagues. If I am considered a French spy, working to free Bonaparte, why haven’t I been arrested?”
John gave him an enigmatic look. “Perhaps you have an influential friend.”
Guy bowed his head. “If that is the case, then I am indebted to him.” He studied his friend’s face, but John’s expression was shuttered. Guy leapt to his feet in frustration. “Can’t you tell me more?”
Guy turned as the door opened and Lady Georgina entered in a swirl of white muslin. “I need you both to escort me to a ball on the twentieth at the home of Lord and Lady Taylor.”
Her brother frowned. “Guy is betrothed to Miss Cavendish, as you well know.”
Georgina’s gaze settled on Guy, considering him to be the softer option. “You will escort me won’t you, Guy? Eleanor is my sponsor, but she’ll tell me to ask Lady Mary because Gordon is ill again.” She grinned. “What better introduction than with a handsome man on each arm?”
“Eleanor is right. Aunt Mary must be asked to chaperone you.”
Georgina giggled. “Don’t glower at me, John. Aunt Mary is so dreadfully old fashioned. You don’t care for her company any more than I do.”
John stood. “We must leave, Guy. I’ll drop you off at Bow Street on my way to Whitehall.”
“Bow Street? Why must you go there?” Georgina asked.
“Nothing to trouble your head over, my sweet.” John patted her cheek.
Georgina pouted in disgust. “You treat women like idiots, John.”
Her elder brother folded his arms. “Not if they have proved themselves to be otherwise.”
“But will you escort me? I won’t have to ask Aunt Mary?”
“Although I might prefer to have a tooth pulled, I see that I shall have to.” John turned to Guy. “I’d appreciate your company. But I must warn you, there’ll be a dearth of decent entertainment.”
“Delighted.” Guy bowed. “It will be my pleasure to escort you, Lady Georgina.”
“It is settled, then.” John attempted a frown, but a smile pulled at his lips. “And we have no need of Aunt Mary.”
She squealed and rushed to hug him. John gave in to the embrace with a laugh.
“I shall hug you, too, Guy,” Georgina said with a speculative look at her brother.
“You most certainly will not,” John said. “And it’s Lord Fortescue to you.”
“I consider myself hugged,” Guy said, backing off with a laugh.
An evening away from the gambling tables at White’s was always an attractive prospect, although he suspected John wished him to come so that he could keep an eye on him.
Guy wasn’t keen to go, because Hetty was not an invited guest, but he relished any opportunity to repay John for his generosity. He sighed inwardly. He had more than enough worries to plague him for this business with Forney must be kept from Hetty.
