“It’s complicated.”
“Un-complicate it. Are you being forced?”
Yes.And—“No.” Whatever the terms of her deal with Mrs. Dove-Lyon, Anna would never have gone through with a wedding to a man she could not abide. Or force to surrender.
There was a beat of silence from Elise. Then, “Does he know of your brother’s disappearance?”
Anna nodded. “The duke has agreed to assist in the investigation.”
Elise’s eyes narrowed. “Magnanimous of him.”
An unwarranted thread of loyalty pulled tight. “He will keep his word.”
“You hope.” A knowing look entered Elise’s eyes. “You wish me to stay in the city and keep my ear to the ground.”
Life was so much easier when one’s co-conspirator was as sharp as a saber edge.
Anna nodded again. “My trip to the Lyon’s Den wasn’t wasted. Mrs. Dove-Lyon informed me that William had debts. Large ones.”
Elise frowned, perhaps less resistant to the idea than Anna had been. “And if he had vowels with Mrs. Dove-Lyon, he may have owed others. People with less savory means of extracting the money.”
Anna ignored the stabbing panic that pierced her heart at the thought of William hurt. “Yes.”
No more quips from her lifelong friend. Elise knew the magnitude of Anna relinquishing control.
“As soon as you’ve left for Grandfellow, I’ll make inquiries with your brother’s solicitor.”Inquiries: code for flirting shamelessly.
Anna was eternally grateful it wasn’t her. Mr. Bernard was about as accommodating a man as a sheep to shear.
“I’ll send word if any other names come up,” Elise finished.
“Thank you, Elise.”
“Don’t thank me.” Elise scrunched her nose. “Truly, do not. It makes me itch with all the ways you’ll make me regret helping.”
Anna smiled and turned her attention to the now-thinning crowd along the street.
Lingering unease twisted her insides, but there was no sign of the man she’d seen. She wouldn’t mention anything to Elise, wouldn’t put her friend through the pain of hearing Alexander’s name.
The visage of her cousin must have been all in her head. It had to be.
“Let’s be off,” Anna said, coming away from the tree. She needed to leave this feeling behind. Needed tomove. “Or I may be forced to do something scandalous.”
“You, tie one’s garter in public. I am beside myself with surprise,” Elise said. “I should appreciate forewarning for whatever scene you plan to make at Madame Bomfrey’s beforehand. Simply so we may get our stories straight when the authorities arrive.”
Anna sighed. “Not much trouble to be had at the modiste.” A shame, really. Those overworked seamstresses could use a bit of fun.
Elise looked pointedly at Anna’s boots. “I suppose it is just your fashion sense that is criminal. Boots instead of slippers. Worsted wool instead of silk. The duke should be warned you once thought to have a bonnet adorned in animal bones.” A sigh. “His Grace is sure to earn my sympathy.”
Anna scoffed. “The hound’s skull was from Lady Crew’s favorite dog. Who died of natural causes, I might add.” A lady was celebrated for wearing any manner of animal skins—hunted and killed for just that vain purpose—but request a simple token from a beloved pet and people looked horrified.
Much as she was at Jackson’s inept lying.
He was hiding something from her. The small crinkle around his eyes when he lied was still there. His connection to the man he’d said would investigate William’s death had nothing to do with his title of duke. Of that much, she was sure. But why would Jackson have connections with what? A rogue runner? Some ex-officer with a nose for tracking?
Whoever was sent to look for her brother would be subject to her approval. Jackson might have thought he’d outmaneuvered her into relinquishing her investigation. That he could bring herto the country, where she couldn’t get into any more trouble. That he could distract her with his charm and smile... and kisses. A sliver of delicious memory came unbidden, of his tongue sliding across her lips—No! She wouldn’t be put off. William needed her.
And Jackson had spurned her before.
