“Don’ttry and compliment me. I saw the fear in your face. I thought it was death you feared.”
“Itwasdeath.”
“But you thoughtIwould kill you.” She smacked his shoulder. “No faith!”
“To be fair, I have seen you on the practice field.”
Her jaw dropped open, but she was prevented a retort by Lord John who had been speaking to them and finally shoved between them to demand their attention. “What happened here?”
Duncan shook his head and pressed a hand to his throat, so Lucy began to explain. “It’s like I told you, my lord. Vanderville sent Ada to—er...” She lowered her voice after a peek at the corner and Johnny’s wide eyes darting about the room. “To kill your eldest son. He owns several factories under threat of being unionized. He thought if the union men were blamed for the act, you and your government would oppose them.”
“All this because he didn’t want to negotiate with his workers?” Lord John stared at the man then at his sobbing wife.
“All this for money,” Lucy clarified. “It’s one of the three most common motives.” Then, realizing she was beginning to sound too academic, she took a breath. “My lord, I will explain everything, but right now your wife and your son need you. In addition, I need you to send several men to the summer house by the Thames and apprehend the men in the boat there. I could do with something cold for my face and a dose of brandy. Duncan probably needs warm tea with honey and to lie down.”
Lord John gave the order to send men to the river then looked at Duncan. “I’ll send for the doctor.”
She shook her head. “No doctors this time. We’ll need the magistrate, but before he comes, we must set our story. Go to your wife and, with your permission, I’ll deal with the rest?”
Lord John nodded, and Lucy began to give orders. Most of the servants didn’t argue. Lucy had borrowed the no-nonsense tone her mother often used when she didn’t have the patience for questions or arguments. But Molly folded her arms and glared at her when Lucy ordered her to fetch tea for Lady John and Duncan.
“I don’t take orders from a nanny. Just who do you think you are?”
Lucy took a step forward, until she was nose-to-nose with Molly. “I’m Lucy Elinor Galloway, agent of the Royal Saboteurs. I only answer to three people. The queen.” She held up one finger. “My Uncle Winn.” She held up another finger. “And myself. Now fetch the tea or I’ll make certain you never fetch another thing in this household again.”
Molly gaped at her then closed her mouth, curtseyed, and said, “Yes, miss.”
Lucy wiped her hands on her breeches. “So hard to find good help these days,” she muttered.
***
DUNCAN PACED THE BEDchamber he’d been given and wished he could appreciate it. He’d been sleeping—or most nightsnotsleeping—in a small bed in a bare room with two other men. This room with its large hearth, plush carpet, and tester bed should have been exactly what he needed after the day he’d had. Instead, he was restless and annoyed that he’d seen Lucy only briefly since she’d had him taken out of the drawing room.
He knew she was handling the magistrate and the ten thousand questions that came at the end of a mission. He’d spoken to the magistrate himself and Lord John and half the staff. When the magistrate wanted to hear it all again, she demanded Duncan be given something to eat and a bed while she handled things. It wasn’t in Duncan’s nature to allow anyone to finish a task he’d started, but he didn’t think he could have stayed upright much longer.
Now, an hour later, he’d had food, a bath, and wore fresh clothing—not livery for once—and felt more like himself. He might have wished to sleep for a week, but he’d take five or six hours.
A tap sounded on the door, and he muttered, “Finally.” But when he opened it, it was James with a note.
“This came for you, sir.”
Duncan lifted it off the silver tray and pocketed it. “You don’t need to call mesir, and I don’t need this delivered on a silver tray.” His voice was still rough, but his throat didn’t revolt when he spoke any longer. That was progress.
“Lord John’s orders, sir. We’re to treat you and Miss Galloway like guests.”
Duncan opened his mouth to argue and then decided not to waste his breath. “Speaking of Miss Galloway, where is she?”
“Right here,” Lucy said, appearing behind the footman. “I’m for bed, but I wanted to check on you first.”
James stared at her. “Mrs. Cox was to show you to your room, miss.”
“I can find it myself. Now get some rest, James. Everyone can sleep easy tonight.”
James nodded and moved away, while Lucy took a step closer. “What’s that?”
Duncan looked at the note in his hand. “I’m not sure, but it can wait. You look...” He thought better of it just before uttering the wordterrible. But the right side of her face was swollen and bruised. “Tired,” he said.
“I’m exhausted,” she admitted. “I want to fall into bed, but I needed to check on you first.”
