“Nigh on to five months now. Owes me two months’ rent. But he did say as how he was coming into a great deal of money soon, and he’d pay his rent then.”
“Did he say why he was coming into money?”
“No. And I don’t care how he gets it neither. Long as he pays his rent.”
It was a damned shame the man didn’t know more. Was Malet counting on the money he’d get by marrying Gwyn, either by kidnapping her or some mutual arrangement? The latter made Joshua grit his teeth, but he had to consider it.
Or was Malet sure of getting money because he was selling information to the French? That possibility appealed more to Joshua, because it meant Gwyn wasn’t involved. Then again, if Malet was expecting to get paid by the French, that didn’t explain why Gwyn was communicating with him, a man who was supposedly a stranger to her.
“Have you ever seen Malet with any Frenchmen?” Joshua asked Pritchard.
“Not here. I’m not letting any frogs into my place. If he’s got dealings with the French, he’s taking them elsewhere.”
Interesting. Where would Malet go to carry off such delicate negotiations? Clearly, the landlord had no answer for that.
Having run out of pertinent questions, Joshua gave the landlord the guinea. “One more thing: Don’t let Captain Malet know anyone was asking about him.”
Pritchard’s eyes gleamed with avarice. “It’ll cost you another guinea to keep me quiet.”
“Fine.” Joshua handed him another.
At the rate he was going, he would run out of hard cash soon. But Fitzgerald would pay him back for this one, and if he didn’t, Thornstock would.
Joshua considered hanging about a while longer, but if Malet had gone to Covent Garden, the arse might not return until morning. Meanwhile, Gwyn’s shopping trip was tomorrow, and Joshua fully intended to accompany her for that. So he’d better return to Armitage House.
He wouldn’t put it past her to try to sneak out without him.
Chapter Fifteen
Unfortunately for Joshua, the next day dawned clear and bright. After coming back from Chelsea last night, he’d drunk an ungodly amount of brandy, only to awaken near ten with an aching head. Bloody hell. He rarely drank like that, and this was why. He’d better get himself presentable before the shopping trip or the ladies might try to leave without him, and he’d have to fight them. He wasn’t in the mood today for any battles.
It took a cold bath and some cups of coffee to have him feeling almost human again. And just in the nick of time, too, for his cousin Sheridan came into the morning room at eleven to help himself to some toast.
Usually his green eyes were dark with worry and his light brown hair was disheveled from the many times he’d raked his fingers through it. After all, he had the weight of the dukedom on his shoulders, and the dukedom was ailing.
But this morning, Sheridan appeared damned cheerful. “You look like hell.”
“Thanks,” Joshua muttered. “I feel like hell.”
Sheridan chuckled. “I should have warned you about our brandy.” Sheridan sat down opposite Joshua and poured himself some tea. “It’s fairly potent.”
“That’s an understatement.” Joshua looked at his cousin. “Wait, how did you know I’d indulged in brandy last night?”
“We use the same valet, remember? And I’m afraid he’s a bit of a gossip.”
With a groan, Joshua made a mental note not to use the valet for anything when he was cropsick.
Sheridan perused the papers, letting Joshua drink his coffee in peace for a while. When he finished eating his buttered toast, he rose. “I have to meet with William Bonham, Father’s solicitor.” He headed for the door, then paused to grin at Joshua. “Enjoy your shopping trip with the ladies.”
As he walked out, Joshua gritted his teeth. “Thanks for your support, Coz,” he muttered under his breath.
At least he had a little more respite to fight with his queasy stomach. Then the ladies entered the morning room around noon, chattering like magpies. The noise reverberated.
He grimaced. Perhaps he could use yet another cup of coffee. A few more hours of sleep.
A new post.
“You don’t have to go with us, you know, Joshua.” To his surprise, it was his aunt who’d spoken. “We already have a footman coming along to carry packages.”
