“You understand Giles this is a very … delicate situation?”
“Of course.” Taking a reluctant drink of the potent gin the barmaid had recently slapped onto the table, Giles gave a covert glance about the shadowed room. Although it was not yet five o’clock a loud, growingly boisterous crowd lined the tables and filled the air with laughter and an occasional off-key song. The scent of stale liquor and unwashed bodies assaulted Giles sensitive nose, and he barely prevented himself from shivering in distaste each time one of the locals drunkenly stumbled against him. But despite the unsavory surroundings, he realized that Lord Halcott had chosen the perfect location for their secret meeting. Not only would this gin house be the last place anyone would suspect two such prestigious aristocrats to willingly frequent, but there was enough noise and confusion to prevent anyone from taking an inordinate amount of interest in their private conversation. “You know I would not ask unless it was vitally important?”
Lord Halcott narrowed his shrewd brown eyes. Although he was well into his fifties, he maintained the strength and vigor of a man half his age and Giles knew that he claimed an unofficial, but highly powerful position in the government.
“The success of our various agents lies solely on the fact that their identities are kept strictly confidential. Less than a handful of people know all the individuals who provide services for the government. It is the only way we can ensure that the enemy is unable to follow their movements, and more importantly, the best method to ensure their safety.” He paused, strangely able to blend into his surroundings with remarkable ease. Both men were dressed shabbily, with a day’s growth of beard and streaks of dirt to disfigure their strong bone structures. But while Giles unconsciously maintained his air of commanding power, Lord Halcott somehow seemed to disappear inside his oversized jacket and black cap. “If I answer any questions I might very well be endangering a number of people.”
“I promise to keep my questions solely centered on William Allendyle,” Giles said, leaning forward with a determined expression. “And whatever you tell me will be kept in the strictest confidence.”
“It isn’t that I don’t trust you, Giles, but I need you to fully understand my position. There might very well be things I can not, or will not, be able to tell you. It is nothing personal.”
“Of course.” Giles shoved the harshly potent gin to one side, placing his elbows on the table. “Now, what can you tell me about Allendyle?”
A faint frown of curiosity tugged at Halcott’s graying brows. “Actually, I think first you should tell me exactly what your interest in this young man is. As far as I’m aware he isn’t any relation and is no particular friend of yours. Why would you care whether or not he works for the government?”
Giles hesitated. Absurdly, he felt almost embarrassed to confess that his interest stemmed solely from the momentary bewitchment of a stubborn redheaded woman with a fierce pride and pair of vulnerable hazel eyes. Over the past three days he had chastised himself endlessly for his noodle-witted insistence that Roma allow him to continue the search for her mysteriously missing brother. More than once he had considered forgetting he had ever heard the name William Allendyle. After all, a man in his position had no need to play the dandy for any lady, let alone one that had arrived in London days ago with nothing more to offer than a pretty face and an acceptable lineage. But oddly, Giles had been forced to admit that his offer had had nothing to do with gallantry or even a more self-serving desire to dazzle the lady with his noble deeds. He had only to think on the fragile young lady being hunted by cutthroat scoundrels as she futilely searched for evidence of her brother’s whereabouts to make him awake sweating in the night. And the knowledge that she would go to any lengths, no matter how outlandish or downright dangerous, did nothing to relieve his troubled mind.
Perhaps he had inherited more of his father’s stern belief in the old code of chivalry than he was willing to admit, he thought with wry humor. Or perhaps Miss Allendyle had managed to ignite more than a mere passing interest.
Whatever the reason, he had discovered himself unable to scrub the image of her frail features and deliciously honeysuckle-scented body from his mind.
“Actually I am attempting to aid a friend,” he retorted evasively.
“A friend?” Halcott ran a finger down his shadowed jaw. “Your friend wouldn’t be Allendyle’s lovely sister, would it?”
Giles unconsciously stiffened. “Does it really matter?”
“Perhaps not.” A mysterious smile hovered about the older man’s mouth. “But I have heard that she recently arrived in town. I have also heard that she is quite an engaging child. In fact, my sister has already begun to moan that her precious son has developed an overwhelming tendre for the chit and that he refuses to pay the appropriate attention to the ladies already chosen for his prospective bride.”
The jesting words were spoken in complete innocence. It was the type of comment made a dozen times a day by a dozen different people. And yet, Giles was forced to stifle an angry urge to defend Roma. It annoyed him to think there were those who considered her unworthy to associate with the haut ton. As far as he was concerned, she possessed more spirit and courage than half of the Season’s beauties lumped together. And certainly the Prince himself had often spoke, of Colonel Allendyle with a great measure of respect. Still, he knew that Roma was indifferent to the opinions of those like Halcott’s lofty sister; it was ridiculous for him to feel so offended.
“I am … acquainted with Miss Allendyle.”
“I see.” Halcott tapped a finger on the edge of the table.
“Is she as lovely as everyone claims?”
“She is not perhaps lovely in the more traditional sense, but she certainly possesses her own style of beauty.”
“And she is the reason you have developed an interest in Allendyle?”
There was an odd note in his voice that brought an unexpected flush to the prominent line of Giles’s cheekbones.
“She is concerned about her brother, but more importantly she is bullheaded enough to turn the entire government upside down until she has discovered some evidence that he is well.” “He gave a shrug that he hoped was nonchalant. “I thought it would be in the country’s best interest to stop her before she could cause too much damage.”
“How very patriotic of you, Giles.” Halcott appeared perfectly sincere, but there was a glint of humor deep in his brown eyes. “Perhaps you should start at the beginning. Tell me exactly what you do know and what has Miss Allendyle so upset.”
Giles had an undeniable sensation that Lord Halcott found his interest in William Allendyle oddly amusing, but at the moment he was too relieved to know the powerful man was willing to help his investigation to question what Halcott could find humorous in the situation.
Leaning forward, Giles used a low voice to explain his unexpected encounter with Roma Allendyle at the cove and then the meeting with her in London and lastly her confession of why she had been behaving in such a madcap manner. He kept the story concise and easily skimmed over the more intimate details that had no bearing on the situation. He was, however, careful to emphasize his vague fears that Roma might very well be in danger and his knowledge that she would not be content to allow him to continue the search for her brother for long. After all, only through blatant emotional blackmail had he forced her to agree to his demand that she allow him to continue the search for her brother for long. After all, only through blatant emotional blackmail had he forced her to agree to his demand that she allow him to use his influence to find her brother. If he didn’t come up with tangible clues to William’s whereabouts quickly, then he had no doubt that she would stubbornly return to her original intention to find him on her own. Something that Giles was certain the government would be anxious to avoid.
The noise and the crowd flowed around the table, making the perfect cover for the two men intent on their private conversation. Lord Halcott listened in silence to Giles clipped words, his expression never changing. Then, once Giles had finished, he leaned back in his chair to thoroughly consider the unusual situation.
“Miss Allendyle is quite certain that her brother hasn’t simply decided to spend a few weeks away from home?” he asked at last. “It would not be that unusual. Especially for a young man of his age.”
Giles nodded. His first thought was that William had taken off with a few friends for a brief lark. Or perhaps that he had discovered a tantalizing mistress who had seduced him away from his responsibilities. But Roma had been so adamant, he had been forced to accept her assurances that William would never willingly leave his estate for such an extended length of time.
“From what little Miss Allendyle has told me about her brother, he seems to be the traditional military man. His sense of duty and responsibility would overcome any passing fancy for his own pleasures.”
“Not surprising.” Halcott gave a rather reminiscent sigh. “I knew his father from the days when he first joined the military. A handsome man, I remember, with a completely natural ability to take command. Of course, there was a minor scandal when he married Carolyn Shefton. She was the Toast of the Season and expected to marry into the peerage. I believe two earls and at least one duke offered for her, but she turned them all aside for a lowly officer with very straitened circumstances.” He paused, a smile suddenly lighting his features. “Still, Allendyle quickly proved to be a gifted tactician, and I believe he and Carolyn were very happy together. I didn’t keep in close contact with him through the years, but I have no doubt that he raised his children with the same high standards and sense of pride that he expected from his soldiers.”
Giles couldn’t prevent a rueful laugh. “Yes, not to mention a streak of stubbornness as wide as the channel.”
“That sounds like Allendyle,” Halcott agreed. “He also had some rather odd notions about his children. Absolutely refused to send them away to school, and there was a rumor that his daughter could outride and outshoot the best of men. Of course, I dismiss such foolish nonsense as mere exaggeration. Since her arrival in London she has earned the reputation as a modest, thoroughly respectable young maiden.”
Giles swallowed a grunt of disbelief. “Modest” and “respectable” were not the two words he associated in his mind with Roma Allendyle.
“She is also deeply concerned about her brother.” Giles brought the conversation back to the problem at hand.
“To be honest, so am I,” Halcott suddenly confessed. “If Miss Allendyle is correct, then her brother may be in serious danger, and he might not be the only one. I think I should attempt to get to the bottom of this as swiftly as possible.”
Knitting his raven brows together in a concerned frown, Giles clenched his hands on the table.
“What shall I do?”
For a long moment Halcott studied him in somber silence; then, narrowing his gaze, he tugged at the lobe of his ear.
“How close can you stay to Miss Allendyle?”
Giles gave a surprised blink. “Pardon me?”
Halcott laughed. “Oh, I am not proposing anything scandalous. I simply think it would be wise to have someone to keep a close eye on the young lady. As you have already guessed, her relationship to William makes her an obvious target.”
“You think she might be in danger?” An odd stab of fear pierced Giles’s heart as Halcott gave the question serious contemplation.
“I believe there is a potential for danger,” he amended, “but I do not think we should alarm her. I would much rather have you remain near enough to prevent trouble and at the same time be in a position to know if she receives word from her brother.”
It was certainly a logical request, but Giles found himself hesitating. He had already involved himself far more than he had ever intended in Roma’s life. It was quite simply absurd that he devote any more effort on the situation. But even as a firm voice at the back of his mind urged him to tell Lord Halcott that he would have to request someone else to be Miss Allendyle’s guardian angel, he discovered himself readily nodding in agreement. He knew deep down he would never trust Roma’s safety to anyone else.
“I will certainly do my best. Of course, you should be aware that I am not precisely in Miss Allendyle’s best graces. Indeed she has made it painfully clear that she considers me a blackhearted scoundrel who should never darken her threshold again.”
“Really?” Once again the speculative amusement glowed deep in the brown eyes. “You must find that a unique reaction. Is there any specific reason you can not charm her into accepting your company?”
“I have discovered that Miss Allendyle is completely immune to whatever charm I might possess, but thankfully she is devoted to her brother. She will tolerate my presence if I convince her that it is in his best interest.”
Lord Halcott let out a small chuckle, clearly finding humor in Giles peevish tone.
“I really must meet this Miss Allendyle. She sounds like a fascinating woman.”
“Yes”—Giles gave him a rueful smile—“she is also annoyingly independent, thoroughly unyielding and given to using her sharp little tongue like a saber. I would advise you to seek the company of the numerous young maidens with less volatile temperaments.”
“Ah … but men like ourselves could never be truly content with a life or love without a bit of spice, eh, Giles?” Quite surprisingly Halcott flashed the younger man a knowing grin; then, rising to his feet, he dropped a few coins on the table. “For now I must be on my way. Shall we meet here in say … four days? That should give me time to question a few of my friends. Unless of course either one of us happens to discover any pertinent information. In that case we will use the usual code, and we will meet as quickly as possible.”
Giles lifted himself to his feet. “What should I tell Miss Allendyle?”
“Nothing for the moment,” Halcott responded decisively. “I wouldn’t want to raise her hopes too soon, and more importantly I do not want to reveal we have taken an interest in William Allendyle. His safety just might depend on the fact that no one has raised the alarm about his disappearance.”
“Of course.” Giles reached out a hand to briefly squeeze the older man’s shoulder. “Thank you, John.”
Halcott smiled. “Remember, back here in four days, and keep an eye on Miss Allendyle.”
With a final nod, Lord Halcott managed to melt into the ever-growing crowd and Giles nonchalantly shuffled his way toward the door. He felt decidedly better since revealing Roma’s dilemma to the older man. If there were some danger lurking about, then Halcott would undoubtedly uncover the truth, and more importantly the people involved. Strangely, he wasn’t even annoyed by Lord Halcott’s command that he remain close to Roma.
Slipping through the door into the refreshingly brisk spring breeze, Giles made his way down the crowded street, his mind centered on the vivacious red-haired Roma rather than the noise and confusion of his surroundings. Surely he should be thoroughly dismayed at the thought of trailing behind a young debutante straight from the country? After all, he was well known for his aversion for twittering young girls. And the mere notion of being forced to attend one insipid social event after another would normally be enough to send him rushing for his country estate as if the devil himself were on his heels.
But rather than battling an ungentlemanly urge to rush as far away from Roma Allendyle as possible, Giles instead discovered himself regretting the knowledge that even if he were to hurry home he could not change in time to call upon the Welford house before they left for their evening of entertainment. He wanted an opportunity to speak with Roma as quickly as possible to reassure her that he was doing everything in his power to locate her missing brother.
But then, perhaps if he were to allow her to stew for a few days, she might be somewhat more eager to see him, he suddenly realized. He was well aware that she would be expecting him to seek her out. She was no doubt preparing at this moment an icy set-down to punish him for his interference. Maybe he would be better served to pretend a bland indifference until she developed a proper appreciation for his generous determination to help her. He did, after all, have her promise not to do anything absurd until he sought her out. A day or two of punishment would not harm anyone.
An unconscious gleam of anticipation suddenly glowed deep in the vivid blue eyes, contrasting sharply with his shabby clothing and the air of depression that clung tenaciously to the downtrodden surroundings. Ignoring the curious stares of the various people who crowded the street, he pushed his way down the block. He had ordered his groom to wait several blocks away and to be on the safe side he took a roundabout route and even leaned against a dilapidated building for several long moments to ensure he wasn’t being followed. At last satisfied, he swiftly dodged across the street and hopped into the unmarked carriage. He had barely closed the door behind him when his groom gave a sharp whistle and the anxious team of grays took off down the street at a rapid clip.
Alone in the shadowed carriage, Giles gratefully shrugged off the heavy coat and rough cotton shirt. The smell of smoke and raw gin, not to mention several unwashed bodies, lingered in the coarse material with a tenacity that caused Giles’s stomach to roll with disapproval. But with his usual foresight his groom, Jameson, had placed several wet cloths in a container on the floor as well as a clean shirt and coat. He could at least rid himself of the most offensive fumes, and by the time they arrived at his elegant town house, he felt almost his old self.
As the carriage came to a halt he waited for a footman to open the door, and shoving the dirty bundle of clothing into the young man’s reluctant arms, he sprinted up the long flight of stairs with athletic ease. There was an unfamiliar sense of urgency coursing through his blood as he stepped into the vast foyer to be greeted by his properly impassive butler.
“Hello, Murdock.” He ran a self-conscious hand over his unshaven jaw. “I need a brandy, a bath, a shave and my evening clothes laid out … in that order.”
“Of course, my lord.”
“And tell Jameson I will want the new pair sent over by Tattersall’s brought around in an hour. Oh … and I want to have a note with some flowers hand-delivered as quickly as possible.”
“Very well.”
On the point of heading toward the wide flight of stairs, Giles was startled when Murdock gently cleared his throat, a subtle indication that there was something on his mind. Coming to an abrupt halt, he turned to eye the small, utterly dignified man with a raised brow.
“Is there a problem, Murdock?”
“Not exactly a problem, my lord, but you did receive this note several hours ago. The messenger stressed that it was of the utmost urgency.”
He held out a heavy, sealed envelope, and with a curious frown Giles stepped forward to glance at his name elaborately scrolled across the front. Recognition of the handwriting, along with the all-too-familiar scent of a cloying feminine perfume, had him taking a sharp step back-ward.
“Have it burned, Murdock,” he said with a forbidding frown. “And in the future you are to refuse any correspondence from Lady Hoyet.”
If the butler was surprised by his abrupt decision to end all contact with his long-term mistress he was far too well trained to reveal more than a respectful nod of agreement.
“Certainly, my lord.”
Feeling ridiculously disturbed by the incident, Giles turned to head up the wide steps. It wasn’t the first time he had suddenly decided to end an intimate relationship with a beautiful woman. In fact, there had been times over the past month when he had found himself becoming more and more restless in Lavania’s company. But while he could logically tell himself that the end had been written in the cards for weeks, and that her ill-timed message had only precipitated the inevitable, he couldn’t completely dismiss the knowledge that it had been the unexpected image of a heart-shaped face dominated by a pair of hazel eyes that had created his abrupt aversion to the insatiable, utterly sensual charms of Lavania Hoyet.
At the moment, he absolutely refused to contemplate the dangerous thought. He had quite enough on his mind without adding unnecessary problems.