“I’m sure he doesn’t—”
“He’s got a point, though, hasn’t he?” Aragon waved away Carenza’s concern. “I’m not exactly known for my intelligence. But I do want to help him. If you ladies have any ideas as to how I might do that, I’m all ears.”
“We think you need to convince Percival that you share a common grievance against your brother,” Carenza said.
“Because Julian is now wealthier than both of us?” Aragon nodded. “It’s never bothered me, but I’m fairly certain I could pretend that it did to gain Walcott’s confidence. I suggested to Julian that I should do something similar.” He looked at Olivia. “Then what?”
“This is the tricky part,” Olivia said. “You need to find out what Percival plans to do next.”
“I can do that,” Aragon said. “And not by asking, but by listening. You’d be surprised what you can pick up if you keep your mouth shut and everyone thinks you’re a dullard.”
“We don’t think that about you.” Carenza held his gaze. “It would be good to know exactly whom Percival is conspiring with and whether he’s been having Julian followed.”
“Followed?” Aragon frowned. “Devil take it, that’s not nice.”
“It’s the only way Percival could’ve known about Julian’s visits to the Cartwrights and Mrs. Mountjoy.”
“And to the Wheatsheaf,” Olivia added. “I’m particularly interested in how well Percival knows a Mr. Calloway and what particular interests they share.”
“Calloway isn’t the sort of man who anyone should befriend,” Aragon said severely. “He’s a disgrace to his family.” He paused. “Why would he be after Julian?”
Olivia said, “He saw your brother at the Wheatsheaf Inn when the lady who placed an advertisement for a lover was holding her interviews.”
There was a long silence as Aragon regarded them rather incredulously.
“I can quite imagine Calloway being there, but my brother? He hardly needs to answer an advertisement for a woman, they fling themselves at him constantly.”
Carenza went to speak, but Olivia got in ahead of her. “That was my fault. I placed the advertisement as a joke, and poor Mr. Laurent was attempting to defend my honor.”
“Ah, I see.” Aragon looked at Olivia. “No need for you to advertise, either, ma’am. I’d be more than happy to oblige you.”
“That’s very sweet of you, sir, but I have recently decided to embrace my widowhood and concentrate on good works.”
Carenza rolled her eyes, and even Aragon didn’t look quite convinced. He cleared his throat. “To summarize, you wish me to become Walcott’s confidant and to find out his plans and whom he’s associating with, yes?”
“Exactly.” Olivia nodded. “We have complete faith in you.”
“More than my brother does,” Aragon grumbled good-naturedly. “I appreciate the vote of confidence.” He stood up. “In truth, I’ve already made a start on gaining his trust. Walcott’s usually at our club at this time of day. I’ll attempt to involve him in a conversation and see how willing he is to accept me as an ally. And don’t worry, I won’t mention any of this to Julian or my mother. I’ll report back to one of you.”
He went out, leaving Olivia and Carenza staring at each other.
“I hope we haven’t made a terrible mistake,” Olivia said.
“I don’t think so,” Carenza replied. “Would you care for some tea, or do you have other errands to run? Allegra should be back for luncheon. She’s at the modiste’s getting a new gown for the charity ball.”
Olivia took a deep breath. “Allegra wrote me a note asking me not to come today.”
“I have no idea why.” Carenza walked over to the bell and rang it, her back to Olivia.
“She said she’d told you about Hector.”
Carenza wished she didn’t have to turn around, but she knew it was important that she did. “Yes.”
Olivia swallowed hard. “I know you won’t believe me, but I didn’t mean for it to happen.”
“You had a prearranged assignation with my husband at a house party where you knew morals were lax, and you’re suggesting it all happened by accident?”
Olivia raised her chin. “I did agree to meet him, yes, but I didn’t want things to go as far as they did. I also expected you to be there.”
