Her eyes were on him, waiting for a response. He gave her a nod. “Why don’t you go and change too?”
After a bit of hesitation, she sighed and left the room.
“You’re going to have to learn to be part of a team, Allister.”
“How can I possibly be part of a team? I was distracted and far too cocky, and it nearly got me killed. Would you want to be on a team with someone who makes mistakes like that?”
“Have you forgotten who you’re talking to?”
The reminder took the wind out of Simon’s sails. Fogg’s mistake had cost a woman her life, and his subsequent use of opium to numb his resulting guilt had lost him his job and nearly his life. Simon shook his head, but still felt like it wasn’t the same.
“We all make mistakes, Allister, but when we work together, we always have someone there to watch our back.”
“You’re his manservant, Fogg. It’s not as if you’re riding into battle with him.”
He chuckled, but he didn’t respond to the jibe. “How many more do you have on your list?”
“Just one, and I can’t kill the blackguard. He has to be arrested. It’s the vicar, Warwick’s younger brother, and we’ve had a hard time tracking him down, but I think we’re getting close.”
“And then what?”
“And then, if he’ll have me, I’ll come and work for Ash. Although, I don’t know in what capacity.” He shrugged. “I owe him a great deal, though, so I’m willing to do whatever he asks of me. I just need to finish with the Intelligence Services, and get Madelene settled somewhere.”
“She seems pretty settled where she is if you ask me.”
“I didn’t ask you,” Simon said grumpily as he slipped his arms into the clean pajama top. “I’ve already told you, I’m not husband material.”
“Not even after you change jobs?”
Simon dropped Fogg’s pajama trousers on the bed and donned the clean pair. “Not even then.”
“I’ll want those back, you know.”
“I’ll do you the courtesy of having them laundered first. It seems like the least I can do after everything.”
“I won’t argue with that.”
“Listen, Fogg, I’m sorry about what I said. I know you’re more than Ash’s valet. I didn’t mean to offend… well, yes I did, actually. But I shouldn’t have. I’m just…” He could feel the weight of everything he’d ever done, crushing him.
“I know. I’ve been there. Whatever remains of your soul is tired. It’s time for you to leave. Probably long past time.”
Simon could only nod.
“Besides, you didn’t offend me. You see, we each play our role. We’re all part of something larger than ourselves. Ash and the other partners may be at the helm, but the ship doesn’t sail without all of us doing our part.”
“That, and you’re a hell of a lot more than just a valet.”
He shrugged. “That too.”
“What did you find out about the investigation into Webber’s death?”
“Turns out he’s not very popular, and everybody seems to think he had it coming. Nothing will ever come of it.”
Relief washed over him. “Thank you.”
“Now why don’t you get into bed, and I’ll send Madelene in to see that you’re taken care of.” There was a mischievous gleam in his eyes.
“Make sure she locks up behind you.”