Simon was quiet for a brief moment before he finally said, “All right. Let’s reach out to him and see what he says.”
“Thank you. It’s possible there’s no cause for alarm, but there was something about the entire encounter with Mr. St. John that felt slightly off.” They reached the front door and entered the townhouse. Ida removed her gloves and bonnet and set them aside on the entryway table. “Shall I ask Miranda to prepare some tea?”
“Please do. I’ll wait for you in the parlor.”
Ida went in search of the maid. She was glad Simon had listened to her. Many men would have dismissed a woman’s opinion on such matters – especially if it was based on nothing more than a feeling and lacked hard facts. But not Simon. And Ida loved him all the more for it.
It was a little after seven in the morning. After spending a restless night in the bedroom across the hall from where Ida slept, Simon had finally forged a plan to win her back. Of course, there was every chance it might not work, but he prayed it would. Either way, he needed to move, needed to rid himself of the anxious emotions crashing through him by submitting to some brisk exercise.
So here he was, tearing across the far end of Hyde Park with one of his favorite stallions. He’d saddled the horse himself with swift movements. Today was not the sort of day where he had the patience to wait for others. He dug his heels into the muscular flank and gave himself up to the thrill of the ride until he was worn out. Yesterday, after sending a message to Windham House, they’d received a response from Guthrie. He’d already started looking into Mr. St. John based on the testimonies he’d gotten from some of the Shadwell workers.
Simon still wasn’t sure what to make of the munitions manufacturer. He’d provided the records Simon had asked for, proving once more that Elliot had the most to gain if the army suddenly placed a large order for weapons. And yet, Simon had to admit Ida had a good point about Mr. St. John. He’d seemed too agreeable, too easily convinced to hand over the information. Or maybe Simon was simply looking for someone else to take the blame. After all, Mr. St. John wasn’t one of the men Ida’s father had named while Elliot was.
“I want to host a dinner party tonight,” Simon informed Winthorp when he returned home for a bath and a change of clothes. His shirt was pasted to his back and he probably reeked of exertion. “It is imperative Lady Warwick and her husband are there along with the Duke and Duchess of Huntley and the Duke and Duchess of Windham. Additionally, I want to invite the Marquess and Marchioness of Kirksdale along with the Earl and Countess of Elmwood, and my uncle – he ought to be back on his feet by now. Do you think that can be arranged?”
“It’s very short notice, my lord,” Winthorp said, “I cannot guarantee they will all be able to come.”
“Of course. The Warwicks and my uncle are the most important guests, so please make sure they are invited first. If you believe an incentive is necessary, just tell them I wish to confide in them my plans for the future before I make the information public.”
Winthorp smiled. “The promise of knowing something before anyone else will certainly appeal to Lady Warwick, my lord. I’ll get started on it right away.
Thanking him, Simon exited his study and went to enjoy his bath.
There was no denying that things had changed between them after the arguments they’d had. Ida had hoped the strain it had brought to their relationship would ease within a day or two, but it hadn’t. She no longer felt as though she and Simon were on equal footing but rather like they were standing on opposite corners of the same street. For the tenth time that day, she thought of addressing the issue, then changed her mind once more. What was the point? Her position would not change. Discussing it further was unlikely to help. But there was one thing worth mentioning.
“I’m extremely grateful to you for all you have done to help clear my father’s name.” She feared she might not have a chance to tell him later. Once the case was resolved, she would want to leave him as quickly as possible. She’d not want to linger in order to exchange pleasantries with a man she loved but could not have. Walking away from him would be the hardest thing in the world. “Had it not been for you, I never would have gained access to Elmwood, Kirksdale, or your uncle. The information we were able to find at the Mayfair Chronicle would not have been made available, and I’d not have realized the connection between the three men and the Shadwell Gun Works. Or if I had, it would have taken a lot longer. I might even have gotten killed without you there to protect me.”
His eyebrows dipped together in the middle as he frowned. “Let’s not forget that without me you would have remained safe at Amourette’s until you received the funds allowing you to leave the country and start over somewhere else.”
“And the real villain would have gone unpunished.” She sipped her tea then met his gaze. “I’m glad you forced me back on this path. I’m also glad to have known you.”
He stared at her until she could stand it no more, and she gave her attention back to her teacup.
“I’m hosting a dinner party this evening at Fielding House, and I would like for you to be there.”
Her eyes snapped back to his. “What?”
“In fact, your attendance is imperative.”
The intensity with which he watched her caused her stomach to do a series of cartwheels while her heart fluttered. It was unnerving, this effect he had on her. She wished it would go away since it only made her want to be closer to him, to kiss him and to imagine everything would be all right in the end.
“I’m not sure that would be a good idea.” If anything, it would only make it easier for her to pretend they still had a future together – that she hadn’t said no to everything he was able to offer.
“Please, Ida. I need you to do this for me – this one favor in exchange for everything else.”
His words cut straight through her. How could she refuse after all the clothes he’d bought her, the house he’d allowed her to use as her own, the help he’d provided? “All right.”
A smile caught the edge of his mouth. “Good.”
Even though he remained where he was, perfectly still, there was no denying the fire that burned in his eyes. Ida sucked in a breath as hot little embers danced over her skin. Oh, how she wished he would pull her into his arms and kiss her right now. She wanted nothing more than to drown in every caress he was willing to give her, and to tell him without words how much she yearned for him, no matter how foolish it might be.
A knock at the door made her flinch. Realizing she’d inadvertently moved toward Simon, she leaned back and made a point of not looking straight at him. “Come in!”
Miranda entered. “A message just arrived for you, my lord.” She handed the note to Simon and left.
“It’s from my secretary, Winthorp,” Simon told her as he scanned the lines. “He says there’s a man waiting to see me – a messenger has responded to our advertisement in the paper. I have to go.”
“Will you be back once you’ve spoken with him?”
