Joshua frowned. “There’s any number of servants he could have questioned to find out what he needed to learn, although he wouldn’t have received answers, because I was careful who I told.”
“What about the servants at Grey’s house?” Gwyn pointed out. “You said you went there last night. One of them might have overheard you.”
The groom bobbed his head. “The gentleman did say he was told that her ladyship wanted to practice at archery at a place near this tavern.”
“He wouldn’t have been told that at Armitage House,” Joshua said. “But Greycourt mentioned the tavern when he told me he knew of a place.” He looked over at Gwyn. “Your brother clearly has an overly talkative servant working for him.”
“Perhaps. Though that doesn’t sound like someone Grey would hire.”
“Do you and the lady fancy a drink, sir?” asked a buxom maid as she approached. “We got the best ale this side of London, and there’s a table back there if ye want privacy.” She pointed to the back of the tavern.
“Yes, we’ll take it,” Joshua said. When Gwyn eyed him askance, he murmured, “I need to know everything Malet said to your groom before he forgets it.”
Clearly, Joshua had returned to his bodyguard stance. Gwyn only hoped that Malet had been discreet enough not to hint to the groom at how much he knew of her past.
As soon as they’d sat down and the maid had taken their order, Joshua resumed his questioning. “Now, tell me word for word exactly how the conversation went with this captain fellow.”
“Lemme see, sir.” The groom lifted his eyes to the ceiling as if consulting his memory there. “First, he come up to me, acting all high and mighty, and asked where me mistress was. I thought he was tryin’ to be high in the instep about me sittin’ at a table all grand, like the quality, so I told him ’tweren’t none of his affair where she were. Then he turned all smiles and told me he knew me mistress, that he recognized me livery, and that’s why he asked after her.”
A chill ran through her. If Lionel had recognized the Armitage livery when he was nowhere near the town house, he must have familiarized himself with it. And though it shouldn’t surprise her, it made her uneasy.
Judging from Joshua’s grim look, he apparently felt the same way. As soon as their mugs of ale had arrived and the maid had gone, he took a big sip, then leaned over the table. “What did you say to the fellow then?”
“I told him she were down the road, learning archery from Major Wolfe. Once he heardyourname, he didn’t look too pleased.”
“I would imagine not,” Joshua drawled. “He thought he was going to catch her alone. Hard to kidnap a woman when a presumably armed marine officer is about.”
“Kidnap!” the groom exclaimed. “He was out to kidnap her ladyship? I’m that glad then that I didn’t say anythin’ about where you were.”
“I am, too,” Joshua said. “And feel free to spread the news of Malet’s villainy among your fellow servants, in case Malet approaches any of them.”
She stiffened. “If he tells the staff, Mama is sure to hear of it. And you promised not to let that happen.”
He set down his mug hard enough that some ale splashed out of it. “Damn it, Gwyn, how am I supposed to protect you if I have to keep everything secret?”
“I don’t know,” she said truthfully. “But I trust that you will figure that out.”
The groom had been watching their interchange with avid interest and now ventured to add his own opinion. “Never fear, milady. I can just tell the others that a villain named Cap’n Malet is after Major Wolfe, so they should inform the major if the man comes nosin’ around.”
“That will work.” Joshua gazed at her. “Don’t you think?”
“Nowyou want my opinion?” she snapped. Then, realizing she sounded like a scold, she sighed. “Yes, that’s fine.” She took a sip of her ale but could barely swallow. This day wasn’t going the way she’d hoped.
Joshua turned back to the groom. “Did Malet say anything more after that?”
“No, sir. Just walked out, all in a miff. But now you see why I didn’t go back to where you and milady were. Couldn’t risk the fellow followin’ me.”
“Very good tactic, thank you.” Joshua took a long swig.
Gwyn smiled at the groom and took out her purse. “I must thank you, too.” She handed him a guinea. “How clever of you to be careful of what you said.”
He took the guinea, eyes widening. “If’n you ever need help, milady, you just let me know,” he said fervently.
“I will keep that in mind.” She looked at Joshua. “Can we go now?”
“Of course.” He rose and put some shillings on the table. Then he nodded at her mug. “You barely touched your ale.”
“I’d had enough.”
