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“For three years, it was rare I saw the light of day. Night after night I was sent out to investigate burglaries, murders, gang activities, or assist with raids or riots. What little hope or liking I might have had for humanity at the start of it was soon worn to a hull. All I did was send people to prison and watch them come back worse than before. But one night I was approached by the assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan force, who said—”

“Mr. Ransom.”

“Aye, it was Ransom, with a special assignment.”

“Why would you take it?”

“He offered a promotion.”

“But you didn’t like the work.”

“I was good at it.” John gave her an oblique glance. “I didn’t think I was suited for anything else.”

Reina looked down at her lap, toying with the gold tassel of her cord belt. “What was the assignment?”

“To take a position in your household and gather information.”

Her head jerked up. “About what?”

“William Farlow. He’s under suspicion of banking fraud.”

“My God, you—” A scornful laugh broke from her. “This is madness, this—you’ve met him, you know it can’t possibly be true!”

“So far I haven’t seen or heard a damn thing to disprove it.”

“It makes no sense. Why would you work for me if you wanted to investigate William?” Her hand crept up to her chest before she remembered she wasn’t wearing her propelling pencil. “You thought I was complicit!”

“It wasn’t beyond imagining,” came his sardonic reply. “Your close relationship with him is no secret. What’s more, you were listed as a financial backer for the women’s branch.”

“What? Where?”

“The builder for the branch site said he saw your name on a capital subscription list that Farlow was circulating as proof of solvency.”

“He was mistaken. I’ve never been a backer. My name couldn’t be on that list.”

“The builder swore it was—which didn’t put you in the best light.” His tone had turned lightly caustic. “And hiring a staff of convicts didn’t exactly improve appearances.”

“I wanted a clean house! Not someone to help me commit bank fraud!”

“I know. I realized that soon after I came here.”

“Then why did you stay?”

“Working as your butler allowed me to overhear and observe anything that might be relevant to Farlow’s case. I also thought his influence might make you vulnerable to being exploited.”

“Because I’m a woman, and therefore easily duped?” she asked bitterly.

“No, damn it, it has nothing to do with that. You’re the smartest person I’ve ever met, and God knows you’re the richest. But you’re not invulnerable. No one is. Especially when the deception comes from someone you trust.”

“Are you referring to yourself, or William?” she asked, in a venomous tone she’d never used with anyone.

John didn’t react, but she sensed the arrow had hit its mark.

“I never lied to you,” he said. “I just didn’t tell you the entire truth.”

Reina flushed in outrage and jumped up from the chair. “If you’re going to waste my time with hairsplitting—”

“Wait. There are facts you need to hear. For other people’s sake as well as your own.” John hadn’t moved, but he had tensed, one hand gripping the edge of the desk, as if it cost him something to stay there instead of going to her.