“I believe she has a slight temperature,” Grandmama said.
“Well, you must leave, but first, I should like to introduce you to Lord Farnborough. He has expressed a wish to dance with you but must now wait until you are completely recovered.”
As she curtsied, Thea’s breath stilled in her lungs. That was Lord Farnborough? Her knees trembled.
Farnborough raised her hand to his lips. “It’s my sincere hope you will soon be in the pink of health, Miss Tothill. I am not to be put off. I hope to dance with you when next we meet.”
“I shall be delighted, sir.” Thea raised her head and studied him. He was nothing like she had imagined. His features, well-formed and regular. He might have been handsome but for the cruel cast to his lips. Something in his gray eyes smoldered, making her feel like a woodland animal facing a hunter’s rifle. He sounded mild and convivial and most unlike the tone of voice he used when she overheard him in the garden. Her veins turned to ice, and she shivered again. The fear that he might have seen her, might know she’d overheard their conversation, and perhaps come to find her, filled her with dread.
“There,” Grandmama said as if vindicated. “We shall leave immediately.”
“Yes, take her home, Mother,” her father said, leaning forward to kiss her cheek. “We must not put Thea’s health at risk.”
She felt a desperate need to tell Grainger. But right now, it was impossible. She could only follow her grandmama through the ballroom.
As they moved toward the far door, Thea spied Grainger in conversation with two men. They were both imposing, tall and broad-shouldered, their expressions intense as they listened to him. Grainger looked up and saw her.
She mouthed Farnborough’s name and turned her head to show the man was there, somewhere in the ballroom behind her, with her father. But it was impossible to convey more.
The two men at his side had turned to observe her.
Grainger raised his eyebrows. Then he shook his head, frowned, and turned back to his companions.
“Do keep up, Thea,” Grandmama said.
Thea hurried after her, frustrated with Grainger. How annoying he was, treating her like nothing more than a nuisance. If only she could speak to him. Have them work together. After all, she was important to this investigation. She might discover more about Farnborough first hand when they met again. He said he would ask her to dance and might take her into supper. Much could be learned at the supper table. Although right now, an annoying bolt of icy fear blotted out any possible means of achieving it.
Her grandmother chatted while they waited for the carriage to appear. Thea listened with some regret to the music and bright chatter flooding down the stairs. Would she see Grainger again? She simply must. He might employ her to spy for him. This was simply the best chance she would ever have to write a stunning exposé. After which, Fleet Street would clammer for her stories.
She became aware her grandmother had just mentioned the potential murderer’s name.
“What was that, Grandmama?”
“I said your father approves of Lord Farnborough. He’s recently widowed, you know, and in need of a wife. Such an agreeable gentleman.”
Her words rendered Thea silent as revulsion soured her stomach. Did her father want her to marry such a man? Surely, he wouldn’t force her into an arranged marriage? Distressed, her hair grew damp at her temples, which no doubt gave Grandmama further evidence of her weakened state.
Later, tucked into bed in her grandmama’s townhouse while they brewed a tisane in the kitchen, Thea turned her thoughts to Ashton Grainger. Once she’d given consideration to his blue eyes, wavy chestnut hair, and his sensual lips, which could lift in a smile, although a rather mocking one where she was concerned, she examined what he had told her. Did he really mean to look into the matter? Or was he humoring her? His two acquaintances bore that same steely yet unruffled manner when they looked at her. It set them apart from the other gentlemen around them.
She prayed Grainger would appear at the ball next Saturday. She could tell him about her unique position to get close to Farnborough and learn his secret. And she might follow him. It would be quite a coup if he led her to the other men. But all of this would be so very difficult, with Grandmama not convinced she was entirely well and her father still in London.
She sighed. How frustrating it was to be a woman.
The maid entered, bearing a tray. Thea wrinkled her nose.
“Lady Trentham instructed me to remain until you drank it all,” Sarah said apologetically as she placed the glass on the table beside Thea.
Thea frowned and reached for it. “There is a sad lack of trust between the members of this family,” she said gravely.
Had Miss Tothilltried to tell him something of note as she walked past? She exhibited far too much interest in this dangerous business. Ash saw that he would have to avoid her. Once she’d entered the ballroom, he’d raced around to enter through the front door, surprising the butler, and made his way to the room occupied by the plotters. But the door stood open, and nothing inside the small parlor revealed who the men might be except a lingering smoky smell. He spied a scattering of snuff on the occasional table and, taking out his handkerchief, wiped it into the linen square. He raised it to his nose—an unfamiliar blend. Folding the handkerchief carefully, he placed it into his pocket then went to find his two friends who watched his back during a mission, as he watched theirs.
“An extraordinary business!” Brandon Cartwright said when he heard. “I wish I could help. Unfortunately, Letty and I are about to depart for the country. The family wishes to see our son.”
“Joanna and I remain in London, should you have need of me,” Gavin Reade said. “But our social calendar is full.” He sighed. “You know, Jo, if she suspects I’m about to get involved in something, she will want to be part of it.” He frowned. “Of course, I shan’t allow it, she is increasing.”
“Congratulations!” Brandon and Ash said simultaneously, Cartwright clapping him on the back.
Reade looked pained. “Childbirth is so often dangerous. Jo wishes to remain in London for the birth, while I wish us to return to country. But I suppose the best doctors are here.”
