Dorian tensed. He leaned forward, carefully setting his cup aside. “What are you planning to do, Kendrick?”
“It’s not so much me as it is Lord Carver. He wants results. So does the Prince Regent, who’s voiced his displeasure with the extent of Croft’s power. If Mrs. Croft can’t provide that, other means will be applied.”
“I hope you know what you’re getting involved in. Since neither Prinny nor Lord Carver have the powerto issue an order of termination, it would behoove you to consider your place in all this. You’re not a peer. In fact, you have no significant rank to speak of. Certainly not with regard to avoiding persecution. And without concrete evidence showing that Croft is a danger to Society, killing him would be a grave mistake, even if it were made to look like an act of self-defense. It’s not something I’d want to be linked to if I were you.”
Kendrick said nothing in response to Dorian’s words of warning. A few seconds ticked by and then he pushed back his chair in order to stand. “Thank you for the advice. I’ll be sure to take it into consideration.”
He turned and strode for the door but paused when Dorian asked, “Where does this leave Samantha?”
“My dealings with her are over,” Kendrick informed him crisply. “I’ll advise my superiors of her compromised state.”
Dorian shot to his feet, his fist landing hard against his desk. “You have no right. Not when she has done everything possible to meet your every demand.”
“If that were true, I’d be hauling Croft off to prison right now instead of chatting with you. There’s no getting around the truth of it, Harlowe. Your agent failed in her mission, and there’s no question in my mind that it wasn’t because of incompetence.”
Grabbing his teacup, Dorian hurled it after Kendrick’s retreating form, the projectile smashing against the doorframe instead of hitting its true target. He gnashed his teeth in frustration, his fisted handsshaking with the sort of rage he’d always managed to keep under steady control.
Not this time.
For the first time in decades, he’d snapped. Not so much because of what Kendrick had said about Samantha, but rather because he feared the man might be right.
30
Abright beam of sunshine spilled through the dining room window, illuminating the dust motes. Samantha stared at the swirling particles while sipping her tea, acutely aware that the deep satisfaction she felt in her breast was merely a brief reprieve from the troubles lying ahead.
Kendrick would soon discover the files she’d delivered were useless, if he hadn’t already. There was no telling what dangers they faced once that happened, but for now, there was peace and comfort to be found in the domesticity of sitting down to breakfast with her husband and the boy they’d saved. In knowing the rest of the children rescued from The Buxom Lady were now settled into their new home.
She glanced at Isak and smiled at the sight of him shoveling eggs and bacon into his mouth. “I’m glad to see you relishing your meal.”
He froze at the realization that he’d drawn attention and swallowed his bite. “It’s really good. All the food I’ve had here is.”
“You should let Cook know. I believe she’d be tremendously pleased.” Samantha slid her gaze toward Adrian, who was now enjoying his second day out of bed. “How are you feeling?”
“Perfectly fine.” His wound was healing nicely and he’d stopped wincing when he moved his arms and shoulders. “Almost as good as new”
“But not quite,” she told him firmly, reminding him of the scab that had formed. It would take a while for that to fall off.
He sent a sideways glance toward Isak. “Was she equally impossible when she visited you in the hospital?”
“Nope.” Isak gulped down some milk with a loud slurp. “I was free to do as I pleased.”
“Really?” Adrian narrowed his gaze on Samantha while she voiced her protest.
“That’s not at all true and you know it.” Her lips twitched on account of the mischievous laugher Isak produced in response to the chiding. “Free to do as you pleased indeed.” Humor bubbled through her. “I told the nurses they were to tie you to the bed if you tried getting up without permission.”
“Devilish woman,” Isak murmured.
“I beg your pardon?” Samantha did her best to sound affronted, but knew she didn’t quite manage the feat.
“She certainly can be,” Adrian agreed with a very distinct hint of fondness that made her toes curl with pleasure.
“Well, I—”
A knock at the door cut her off. Murry entered at Adrian’s request. “Turner has returned with information he’d like to share.”
“Excellent. Please show him to the study. I’ll meet him there.” Adrian downed the remainder of his coffee and stood. “Let’s pray that our man has something useful to impart.”
Although Samantha was tempted to ask if she might join Adrian for the meeting, she didn’t want to leave Isak alone. So she topped up her tea while Adrian left and told the boy, “I’m thinking we ought to give some consideration to your schooling.”
