“I did,” Caleb said, feeling no need to explain himself.
“That is an odd behavior for someone who wishes to just remain friends,” Lord Hungerton growled.
“Father, you are being rude to my guest,” Simone chided lightly. “Mr. Bolingbroke and I are friends, nothing more.”
Lord Hungerton crossed his arms over his chest. “Very well, but do not even think of compromising my daughter.”
Simone blinked, clearly taken aback by her father’s accusation. “That was uncalled for. Mr. Bolingbroke has only ever been a gentleman around me,” she declared.
Caleb understood Lord Hungerton’s enmity for him, considering he did spend time with Simone and they didn’t have an understanding. But that was only until this assignment was completed. Then it would go back to normal.
But was that what he wanted? Normal?
Lord Hungerton huffed. “You may go now, Mr. Bolingbroke,” he ordered.
Caleb bobbed his head. “Good day, my lord.” He turned towards Simone. “Good day, Miss Delacourt.”
Simone dropped into a curtsy. “Mr. Bolingbroke.”
As he departed from the townhouse, he headed towards his waiting coach. He stepped inside and realized that he wasn’t alone.
Kendrick.
Caleb gave the spymaster an expectant look. “I did not realize you made calls to coaches.”
“I was in Mayfair and I saw your coach positioned outside of Miss Delacourt’s townhouse,” Kendrick remarked. “You two are spending an enormous amount of time with one another.”
Seeing no reason to deny the truth, Caleb replied, “We are, but that is what partners do.”
“I do not recall you spending so much time with Lord Roswell,” Kendrick said with a knowing look. “A word of warning- do not hurt Miss Delacourt or you will have me to answer to.”
Caleb was surprised by the rare showing of emotion from the spymaster, but his fear was misplaced. He had no desire to hurt Simone, for any reason. She meant far too much to him, and that is what frightened him.
“Yes, sir,” Caleb responded.
Kendrick looked pleased by his response. “Good, because we have more important things to discuss,” he said. “The agents that were assigned to guard the French spies at the boarding house have reported that they managed to elude them.”
“That is not surprising,” Caleb muttered.
“They are in the wind again,” Kendrick said. “Find them before they wreak any havoc on English soil.”
Caleb nodded his understanding. “I secured invitations for them to Lord Pendley’s ball. They will reach out to me or Miss Delacourt. I am sure of that.”
“Good.” Kendrick tapped the top of the coach and it came to a stop. “Report to me once you have something.”
“Before you go,” Caleb started, “can you look into the death of Lady Hungerton, discreetly, of course?”
Kendrick gave him a baffled look. “Is there a particular reason why?”
“Call it a hunch,” Caleb replied.
“Very well, but I do believe you are being foolhardy,” Kendrick said. “Miss Delacourt is still struggling with her mother’s drowning.”
“I know, which is why I am hoping you will keep this between us.”
“Secrets?” Kendrick asked, amused. “I am very good at keeping those.”
After Kendrick exited the coach, he disappeared into the crowd of people on the pavement.
