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“A book of fairy tales that belonged to Uncle Nathaniel and my mother when they were young,” Iris said softly. “I like the stories in it.”

“That sounds interesting.” Laura smiled.

“I do not think Uncle Nathaniel will mind,” Iris added, taking a bite of her cake. “He knows the stories almost by heart.”

“Does he?”

“Oh yes.” Iris took a bigger bite of cake, clearly enjoying it. “He has read to me a couple of times when Mama was alive. Back then, Mama convinced him to do different voices! He is an excellent reader.” She beamed.

Laura savored the final bites and found herself thinking of the tall, handsome man who not only skipped supper at times, but also read fairy tales to his niece at others.

I will figure him out, one way or another.

CHAPTER 9

The old tavern sat two villages south of Duskwell. It was small, dark, and dank, the sort of place a duke could sit in a corner booth for an hour and be left alone. The other patrons were too busy drinking to look twice.

Nathaniel had chosen it for exactly that reason the first time he met Croft, and he had kept coming back ever since.

“Your Grace.” Jackson Croft slid into the booth across from him, a stocky man with a constable’s flat, assessing eyes. He didn’t bother hiding his surprise. “Can’t say I expected a summons today of all days. Word in the village is that you got married this morning.”

“I did.”

“And you’re here.”

“I am here. And so are you.” Nathaniel’s voice left no room for further comment.

“Well, whatever keeps a man from his own wedding night must be worth hearing.” Croft signaled the barkeep for two ales, then settled back and folded his hands on the scarred table between them. “What’s brought you out tonight, Your Grace?”

“Restoring my sister’s memory hasn’t stopped being a priority simply because I’ve taken a wife.” A muscle ticked in Nathaniel’s jaw. “And it won’t stop being a priority until Cumberlea is found and made to answer for what he did to her.”

“Of course, Your Grace. I’ve never thought otherwise.” Croft studied him for a moment, then nodded. “Tell me what happened at the auction, then. Your note said that you’d made progress.”

Nathaniel laid it out like a set of cards: the room beneath the masquerade; Lord Alden’s discretion; the overheard conversation about a shipping venture that tied Cumberlea to Lord Alden, who ran the whole operation.

Croft listened without interrupting, his expression darkening by degrees with each new revelation.

“Alden,” he said once Nathaniel had finished, taking out a pen and a small journal to take notes. “I know the name. He’s careful, keeps himself well clear of anything that might invite public scrutiny. I’ve heard his name whispered in circles I don’t much like frequenting, if you understand my meaning.”

“I do.” Nathaniel curled his fingers around his tankard.

“If he’s the thread that leads to Cumberlea, it’s a good one. Possibly the best you’ve found in months.”

“I intend to pursue it. I’ve left the door open for further business with him, told him I might have use for his discretion in a matter of my own.” He took a sip of his ale.

It pains me to stoop to such a low level to secure the information I need, but I must. There is no other way than to go through with this, and I must be smart.

“I’ll have to come up with a farce, of course, but given time, I believe he’ll bring me closer to Cumberlea than inquiring about the man ever could.”

Croft’s lips pressed into a thin line. He tucked his journal and pen back in his pocket. “That’s not without risk, Your Grace. A man like Alden doesn’t build an operation like that without learning to smell trouble a mile off. You go sniffing around his business with the wrong question at the wrong moment, and he’ll shut that door faster than you opened it, and likely warn Cumberlea if there’s enough coin to gain.”

“I’m aware of the risks. I know how I need to play this.”

“I don’t doubt it, Your Grace. I’m saying it regardless, because a man doesn’t always hear his own risks as clearly as another man says them back to him.” Croft took a long pull of his ale.

“Thank you for that, Croft,” Nathaniel said. As resolute as he was in his quest, he knew that he had found a solid associate in Croft.

“I’ll investigate Alden from my end, quietly. I will see what I can dig up about his dealings without going near him. Maybe I’ll find out where Cumberlea is hiding without either of us needing to test how far Alden’s patience runs.”