Lord John indicated a chair. Lucy glided into it, and Duncan sat beside her.
“Tea, Miss Galloway?”
“Yes, please.”
Russell made to reach for the tray, and Duncan rose. “Allow me, sir.” He poured Lucy a cup of tea, added a lemon, and handed it to her.
“I was just telling Mr. Slorach that Baron Keating recommended you both very highly. Of course, I have heard stories of your parents’ triumphs. They saved this country several times, though obviously that information is not public knowledge.”
“I am honored to follow in their footsteps.”
“And you, Mr. Slorach. You are the nephew of the Duke of Sterling. What does His Grace think of your chosen career path?”
Duncan could feel Lucy look at him. He rarely mentioned his illustrious uncle and a glance at her showed her surprise.
“He knows only that I work for the Foreign Office, my lord. My true role must be concealed for obvious reasons. I have not seen His Grace in over a year, but the last time I was in his company, he did mention how he would be pleased to buy me a commission if I ever wanted to serve my country the way a real man might.”
Russell gave him a look of understanding and sympathy. “Allow me to thank you both for your sacrifices. I understand few will comprehend them beyond these walls. I know Baron Keating told you something of our situation. He mentioned the incident a fortnight ago?”
“Yes. The former nanny caught a person climbing through a window in the middle of the night. Her screams scared them away.”
“That is correct, Miss Galloway.”
“My lord, it might be best if you began referring to me as Miss Smith. We do not want a slip up in front of the servants.”
“Of course.”
“How can you be certain the man—or woman—coming through the window was doing so to harm Master John? Might not it have been a foiled burglary?” Lucy asked.
“I can’t be certain, but I want to take no chances with the lives of my children.”
“Of course. Have there been any incidents since then?” Lucy asked.
“MacRobie, one of our groundskeepers, found evidence of what looked like an abandoned camp—charred wood, disturbed branches, swept ground. It might have been poachers.”
“Miss Galloway—er, Smith—and I will take a look,” Duncan said. “We should also examine the window the burglar attempted to climb through. In fact, I’d like to make a thorough survey of all the windows and doors to gauge their vulnerabilities.”
“Excellent idea,” Lucy said. “You take the windows and doors on the ground floor and the first floor, and I will take the upstairs.” She looked at the prime minister. “Mr. Slorach and I will need a bit of license in order to do our duty.”
“I will deal with Mrs. Cox and McAlpin. Feel free to say I have given you a specific task if you are questioned. I will go along.”
“Very good, my lord,” Duncan said. He looked at Lucy. “When shall we meet to question the groundskeeper and see this camp?”
“I will be working with Master John and assessing his knowledge this morning, but I think he will be ready for fresh air this afternoon. You might join us for a walk,” she said.
“We have been keeping Johnny close to home since the incident,” Lord John said.
“Good idea,” Lucy answered. “But he could not be safer here than with the two of us.”
Russell nodded. “Your presence is a great relief to Lady John and myself.”
“It will be an even greater relief when we catch the person or persons responsible for these threats.”
“Then you take the threat seriously, Miss Smith? You really believe someone wants to murder my son?”
Lucy rose. “It’s best to assume the worst, but I promise you, if there is a threat, Mr. Slorach and I will quash it.”
