Ducal Encounters In the Duke’s Estimation

Relief flooded through Katrina as Lord Nate led her onto the dance floor and swept her into his arms seconds before Mr. Brown approached, gesticulating wildly. She wasn’t the slightest bit surprised to discover that Lord Nate waltzed superbly well but Katrina’s pleasure was marred by an unshakable feeling that every person in the room was watching her, looking to find fault. That was ridiculous, she told herself. No one could possibly guess how out of place she felt, how miserably she lacked confidence in her ability to enjoy the pleasures of the ton without feeling guilty about it afterwards. Anyway, it was far too crowded for anyone to take the slightest interest in her.

Lord Nate was remarkably charming and self-assured. In spite of the fact that she had lived so many years overseas, or perhaps because of it, he most likely thought her dull since she knew so little about the ways of English society. That was a great pity since she didn’t want him to regret his decision to dance with her. She was perfectly sure he’d had no intention of doing so but had sensed her annoyance with Mr. Brown and kindly rescued her from his over-zealous clutches.

At least her dancing didn’t let her down, Katrina thought. All those hours spent practising with the strict old lady who had instructed the four students beneath Madame Fountain’s tutelage had not been a total waste of time. Except that dancing with Lord Nate was infinitely more rewarding than partnering Madame, with her arthritic, creaking joints and fetid breath.

Katrina’s head reached his lordship’s broad shoulder and a strong arm held her firmly at the waist. She could feel the heat of his hand searing through his glove, the silk of her gown, her petticoats…everything. Just as his penetrating gaze and a glimmer of curiosity had seared into her profile while she waited to be introduced to him.

She had noticed him and the duke almost immediately. They stood out, even in a room as crowded as the one she currently occupied. Frankie had been explaining who they were when Lady Romsey joined them and made the introductions. Katrina was almost sure that Frankie and the duke had some sort of understanding. No one had told her that was the case but it was impossible not to sense the elemental sparks that flew between them or notice the way they held one another’s gazes for a fraction longer than was necessary whenever they conversed. Frankie also didn’t hang on the duke’s every word, even disagreeing with him if she thought he was wrong about something. Katrina didn’t imagine many people of either sex were prepared to argue with him and suspected that the duke enjoyed being challenged.

Frankie deserved some happiness after the travails of her married life and if the duke returned her regard then Katrina would be the first to wish them joy. She smiled when she noticed the duke escorting Frankie to the floor, reinforcing her view that there an elusive something existed between them.

It had not been the imposing duke but Lord Nate who had captured Katrina’s immediate attention. And she could tell from the envious glances sent her way now that she was whirling around the floor in his arms that she was not the only lady who admired his sweep of thick dark hair, the intelligence in his rich brown eyes, his enticing smile and muscular physique. But she couldn’t just stare at him. She had to think of something light and witty to say. Perdition, her mind was a blank. She’d had no difficulty conversing while they had been with others, but now, alone on a crowded ballroom floor with such a disturbingly poised sophisticate for a partner, she was at a loss for words. That happened to her so infrequently that a small laugh slipped past her guard.

“You find me amusing, Lady Katrina?” Lord Nate asked, elevating a questioning brow.

“Oh no, please excuse me. I was not laughing at you.”

“But you were laughing and I’m glad about that. Something frightened you earlier and up until that point I was enjoying your infectious smile.”

“Oh, it was only Mr. Brown. You must not mind him. He’s harmless enough but I had been hoping to avoid him tonight. In fact, I had no idea he was here. I had not supposed he would be, but then I hadn’t stopped to consider the possibility.” She lifted her shoulders. “Diplomats go everywhere it seems.”

“I cannot blame you for wanting to avoid him. He looks like a most disagreeable fellow.”

“You don’t even know him,” she said, biting back another laugh because privately she agreed with his lordship’s assessment of the gentleman under discussion. “How can you make such a judgement?”

“Very easily. He was knocking people out of his path, which is the height of bad manners and tells me a very great deal about his character. Not that I blame him for his haste to reach your side but he still ought to have behaved with more decorum.” Lord Nate executed a dashing turn and steered them into a slightly less crowded corner of the floor. “Anyway, who is he? He must be a person of some consequence to have been invited to this ball. I’ve never heard of him and I know most people.”

“A colleague of Papa’s.”

“Who has fixed his interest upon you?”

She shrugged, uncomfortable with the way Lord Nate’s face grew forbidding and his expression conveyed reproach. “Possibly.”

“Which tells me he is not entirely stupid.”

“If that was intended as a compliment, then I thank you for it.”

“If you would prefer not to tell me why you wish to avoid Brown then we will speak of something else.” His engaging smile chased away the storm clouds that had gathered in his eyes at the mention of Mr. Brown’s name. “Tell me, Lady Katrina, what do you make of this fine weather we are enjoying?”

She burst out laughing, drawing castigating glances from some of the older people close by them. Lud, laughing aloud was frowned upon in ballrooms. She had been enjoying herself so much that she had quite forgotten that important fact. Madame Fountain would have been mortified had she been present to witness Katrina’s behaviour. “Lord Nate,” she said, biting her lower lip to prevent further inappropriate laughter from escaping. “It’s very likely snowing by now and it’s perishing cold.”

“Is it?” He looked genuinely surprised. “You know, now I think about it, I believe you’re right. Your company had quite made me forget about the inclement weather. When you smile you see, it puts me in mind of sunshine and warm summer days.”

“My, how poetic.” Embers of nervous warmth engulfed Katrina. Lord Nate sounded convincingly sincere, but Katrina would not be easily taken in. He was merely being gallant. It was what gentlemen of his ilk did when dancing at society balls. They paid their partners lavish and meaningless compliments. Madame Fountain had warned her charges to expect something of that nature and not allow it to go to their heads. “I think my father hopes I will marry him…Mr. Brown, that is,” she blurted out, saying the first thing that came into her head to turn their conversation onto safer ground. It had the desired effect and Lord Nate’s teasing smile was replaced by a frosty expression.

“You think but don’t actually know?”

“Papa would never be that direct with me. But he is very good at gently steering me in the direction he wants me to take.”

“Naturally. He is a diplomat.”

“He only has my best interests at heart,” she replied defensively, “and knows I will do whatever he advises.”

“Even marry a man you can’t bear to dance with?”

She sighed. “Yes, even that. I could never bring myself to disappoint Papa, you see.”

“What of your mother? Two of my brothers and both of my sisters are married but our mother hasn’t tried to force any of us into unions against our will.” Lord Nate smiled. “Well, perhaps she is losing patience with Zach and is trying to exert a little pressure in that direction but she must know it will do her no good.”

“My mother died when I was quite young. I don’t remember her very well.”

“I’m sorry. That must have been hard for you.”

“I am an only child, Lord Nate. I came along late in my parents’ life when they had quite given up hope of having any children at all. As a consequence, my father dotes on me and he is all I have. I could not bear to disappoint him.”

“I doubt that you have given him any reason to feel disappointment,” Lord Nate replied, his expression softening.

“I’m not so sure about that. I can be very opinionated and prattle on when I’m nervous, as I did just now. I know very well that ladies are not supposed to talk very much in situations such as these and that I should definitely not express my opinions too firmly but I can’t seem to help myself.”

He chortled, a deep, arresting sound that had the most peculiar effect upon Katrina. “You and my sister Anna have a great deal in common.”

“Being outspoken is one of my greatest faults. Madame Fountain quite despaired of me.”

“As Anna’s brothers did of her. Romsey has his hands full.”

“I have seen the way he looks at his wife.” She sighed. “I think he must love her very much indeed.”

“He had better or he will have her brothers to answer to. However, we were speaking of you.

“Yes, Papa sent me there after Mama’s passing. He couldn’t keep me with him when he was going into all sorts of dangerous places negotiating whatever he negotiated to bring that horrible man Napoleon to justice.”

“I see.” His teasing smile unbalanced Katrina. Or perhaps she felt dizzy because the ballroom was so crowded, so hot. “You didn’t seem the slightest bit nervous earlier.”

“Oh good, then Madame did not completely fail in her endeavours, although she insisted there was absolutely no hope for me. I feel quite ashamed. I mean, Papa is a diplomat of some renown. You would think some of that skill might have rubbed off on me, but that doesn’t seem to be the case at all. Quite the reverse, although I behave very differently when in Papa’s company.” Katrina bit her lip but a smile still escaped. “Be that as it may, I was a dreadful trial to poor Madame.”

“I’ve been trying to place your father but can’t seem to recall—”

“I doubt whether your paths have crossed. He hates socialising because he has to do so much of it when he’s working. And so when he’s not, working that is, he infinitely prefers to bury himself in his library.”

“I think I saw him a year or so ago at Romsey’s place in Southampton, although only fleetingly. He was leaving as I arrived and we were not introduced.”

“Very likely. He was briefly in England at that time. I had hoped he would bring me with him but alas, it couldn’t be arranged in time.”

“He’s tall, with silver whiskers…”

“I can tell by your expression that you are thinking what everyone thinks. He is old enough to be my grandfather, not my father. And that, you see, is why I must look after him and not overset him by going against his wishes.”

“May I ask you a personal question, Lady Katrina?”

Katrina canted her head, permitting her curiosity to become apparent. “Certainly you may.” She smiled. “Whether I decide to answer it is another matter entirely.”

“How old are you?”

“How old? What a very strange question.” She endeavoured to send him a castigating glance but judging by his rumbling laugh, didn’t make a very good job of looking offended. “Gentlemen are not supposed to ask a lady’s age. Madame would have palpitations if she could hear you.”

Lord Nate winked at her. “I won’t tell her if you don’t.”

“Well anyway, since you are so interested in my affairs, I don’t mind you knowing that I am twenty. I shall be one-and-twenty this summer. It’s quite shocking to be so old and still unmarried, I know that very well.”

“I dare say you have received offers.”

“Pah, one or two, but I was not tempted and Papa did not think they were suitable anyway, so that was that. Besides, there is no great hurry. I would much prefer to remain with Papa and take care of him. When he finally stops working so hard and allows me to do so, of course.”

“You can hardly do that if you are united with Brown.”

“Oh,” she replied airily. “I expect something could be arranged.”

“Where is your father’s estate?”

“He has a modest establishment on the outskirts of Guildford but I haven’t set foot in it since I was ten years old. The location is close enough to London for Papa to be at the Foreign Office’s beck and call but far enough away to give him a legitimate excuse to ignore the claims of society. He would be quite shocked if he heard me suggest that was his reason for living there, especially since he inherited it from his own father and had no say in the choice of location, but I am perfectly sure that it must be.”

Lord Nate looked surprised. “You have been living abroad for the past ten years?”

“Yes, but I hope when Papa does finally return to these shores, that we will be able to open the house up and make it a home again. It’s time, don’t you think?”

“You are anxious to nest-build, Lady Katrina?”

“I am anxious to be English again, Lord Nate.”

The dance came to an end, which disappointed Katrina. She could have remained in Lord Nate’s arms all the evening and danced until she wore holes in her slippers. As it was, she dipped a curtsey and Lord Nate’s long, capable fingers wrapped themselves around her palm as he raised her from it.

“Thank you,” he said. “Your dancing would definitely not give Madame Fountain cause for disappointment.”

“Perhaps not,” she replied with an impish smile. “But I dare say my conduct would reduce her to a fit of the vapours.”

“Your candour is refreshing,” he said, placing her hand on his sleeve and walking towards the duke and Frankie, standing at the side of the ballroom. “Don’t ever try to be something you are not, Lady Katrina. I much prefer you when you are being yourself.”

“Oh.” Katrina wanted to ask him what he meant by that. Was he trying to insult her? But they had reached the duke’s position and the opportunity for private discourse was temporarily denied them.

“Did my clumsy oaf of a brother trample all over your toes, Lady Katrina?” the duke asked.

“He managed to avoid them, Your Grace,” she replied with a mischievous smile. “But it was a close run thing.”

The duke seemed genuinely amused by her response. “Well said, Lady Katrina.”

“Here comes your future husband,” Lord Nate said quietly so only she could hear him.

“Oh, botheration!” Katrina replied when she looked up and saw Mr. Brown making another determined push in her direction. “And don’t call him that,” she added waspishly.

“Did I speak out of turn?” he asked with such a shallow pretence of innocence that she was compelled to quash yet another smile.

“Stop enjoying yourself at my expense.”

“If you have to dance with him,” Nate said, “now might be a good time. A quadrille is forming up, which means you won’t be stuck with him alone. Although since you are to be married to the cove, you might be better advised to save him the next waltz.” Katrina shuddered. “You can learn a very great deal about a man by the way he dances. Especially a romantic dance such as a waltz.”

Katrina had already made that discovery for herself just a few moments ago. What she now failed to comprehend was why Lord Nate was so anxious to force her into Mr. Brown’s arms when he had previously expressed a dislike for that man. And why, for that matter, was he so intent upon teasing her about Mr. Brown? “I know as much as I wish to know about Mr. Brown, thank you.”

“In that case, if you don’t feel any great desire to save the supper waltz for him I shall claim that privilege, with your permission, and escort you into the supper room afterwards.”

Katrina’s heart lifted. The fact that he wanted not just to dance with her for a second time, but to waltz—to hold her in his arms, to smile that infuriatingly capricious smile of his—gave her confidence a timely boost. He had a happy knack for making her feel like the most fascinating creature on God’s earth but also brought out the devil in her that Madame had been at such pains to suppress. Much as she wanted to repay his teasing by politely declining, the alternative would be to have Mr. Brown foisted upon her. She knew nothing to that gentleman’s detriment but he seemed dull in comparison to Lord Nate. Besides, she had the rest of her life to devote to him and was not foolish enough to pass up the opportunity of another dance and a half-hour or more of Lord Nate’s company in the supper room afterwards.

“Very well, Lord Nate. Since you appear intent upon being of service to a helpless stranger who knows nothing of the ways of the ton and even less about how to behave, I shall accept your company with pleasure.”

He barked on a laugh. “I think you do yourself a disservice and well you know it.”

“Ah, Lady Katrina.” Mr. Brown bowed before her. “I have been searching for you everywhere.”

He glanced speculatively at Lord Nate, compelling Katrina to introduce them.

“Your servant, Lord Nathaniel.”

“Brown,” Lord Nate replied concisely, not troubling himself to smile.

They shook hands but looked at one another with open suspicion as they did so. Really, Katrina would never understand the male attitude if she lived to be ninety-three. There was absolutely nothing for either of them to be suspicious about. Nothing had actually been agreed between her and Mr. Brown. Marriage had not even been mentioned, at least not to her. What understanding Mr. Brown had reached with Papa was another matter.

As for Lord Nate, they had only just met. Katrina enjoyed his society, his sophistication, his slightly cynical attitude towards society’s rigid mores. She had managed to make him laugh, genuinely laugh, which she suspected was not a claim that all his partners could…well, lay claim to. But she had heard it said that he, and especially his brother the duke, were currently two of the most eligible bachelors within the aristocracy. This room was full of some of the most beautiful, self-assured young ladies Katrina had ever encountered. She felt awkward and dull when comparing herself to them. Lord Nate could take his pick from amongst their number if and when his mind turned in the direction of matrimony. That being the case, there was not the slightest possibility that he would look upon her as anything other than an amusing diversion. Not that she wanted him to but her analytical mind made it impossible for her not to try and understand why his company had so unsettled her.

“Shall we join the dance, Lady Katrina?” Mr. Brown asked.

“If you wish. Excuse me, Lord Nate,” she said, placing her hand on Mr. Brown’s sleeve and allowing him to conduct her onto the dance floor.

The duchess waved at Nate. Were he to acknowledge the gesture it would require him to cross the room and join her. That in turn would require him to dance with one of her friend’s dreary daughters. He pretended not to see her and joined Zach instead. There was safety in numbers even if the four brothers were now reduced to a paltry two. They resumed their position against the wall and watched the dance in progress.

“Interesting little chit,” Zach said absently, referring to Lady Katrina.

“She’s lived in Europe for the past ten years. Went to school in Switzerland.”

“Hmm, Lady St. John mentioned something of that nature.”

Nate took the opportunity to study Brown as he moved through the dance, what little he could see of him through the press of bodies. He was average in every respect: average height, average appearance, average dancer. Nate knew nothing to his disadvantage but had taken him in extreme and quite irrational dislike. He was clearly enamoured of Lady Katrina, a sentiment Nate could understand and which ought not to matter to him. Even so, he found it hard to understand how Heston could offer his vivacious daughter to such an average person, if indeed that was what he had done. Brown would quell her spirit and smother her with averageness.

Lady Katrina doted on her father and had led him to believe that sentiment was reciprocated. If that was the truth, why not permit her to follow her heart and find true happiness? Such a diamond would have no difficulty making a good match here in London.

“Ah, so here’s where you two are hiding yourselves.” Clarence Vaughan, the Earl of Romsey, joined his two brothers-in-law. “I looked for you in the card room.”

“And yet you find us here,” Zach replied indolently, masking a yawn behind his hand.

“Who is Brown?” Nate asked, motioning towards the man in question with a tilt of his head.

“Ah, I saw you dancing with Lady Katrina earlier.” Romsey laughed. “Anna is very pleased with herself. She already has you and Lady Katrina married off and says she deserves credit for introducing you.”

Nate rolled his eyes. “Anna enjoys her little joke.”

“I don’t think she was joking. However, to answer your question, Brown is a career civil servant.”

“Good God!” Zach said. “In that case, how did he get invited here?”

“A well-connected civil servant,” Romsey amended. “You know how half the diplomatic secrets that keep the country running are exchanged at these affairs.”

“From which I take to mean you orchestrated his invitation,” Nate replied.

Romsey shrugged. “He needed to be here.”

“He works a lot with Heston, I collect,” Nate added.

“He does. He’ll be returning to Brussels in a day or two.”

Which, Nate knew, was all Romsey was likely to say on the matter. “Who are his people?”

Romsey shook his head. “Couldn’t say off hand. No one of consequence. He worked his way up to his present position. Good brain but lacks spontaneity.”

“He makes a good advisor?” Zach suggested.

“I suppose you could say that.” Romsey rubbed the back of his neck, clearly being careful even with Zach and Nate, not to give away any sensitive information. “He and Heston work well together. In fact, I seem to recall that Heston specifically asked for him to be promoted so he could act as his aide. Can’t remember why but I can find out if you’re really interested.”

Nate shrugged. “It was just idle curiosity.”

Romsey chuckled. “Of course it was. Anyway, as to him and Heston, there’s an element of trust there. Heston has all the experience and…well, the diplomatic skill to handle our foreign friends with sensitivity. Brown accompanies him, analyses what’s said and picks up on all the more important things which are left unsaid.”

“They are good friends, Heston and Brown?” Nate asked.

“Doubt it. Heston’s a bit solitary. Only person he has any time for is Lady Katrina.”

And yet he wants to give her to Brown, Nate thought pensively. It made no sense.

It was also none of Nate’s business.

The conversation turned to the unrest still rumbling around the country, especially after the ostentation of the coronation. Nate took an interest. Zach had tasked him with managing some of the smaller properties attaching to the Sheridan family estate and part of his duties in that respect was to ensure they weren’t compromised by the marauding gangs sweeping the country in search of easy pickings.

“It would have helped if the king had allowed his wife to attend the celebrations,” Romsey said. “Publicly disowning and humiliating his own wife is hardly a good example for the new head of the church to set. There will be repercussions, you just mark my words. The queen won’t take such a snub lying down.”

“We can look forward to interesting days ahead,” Zach said.

Romsey didn’t seem too pleased at that thought, probably because he would be required to smooth ruffled feathers. “That’s one way of putting it, I suppose,” he said gloomily. “But now the dance is finished and Brown and I have business to attend to. The field’s clear for you, Nate.”

Cedric Walker cursed. He had been absolutely sure he held the winning hand and had bet his last shilling accordingly. But that damned cove Parsons had only gone and trumped his ace. What were the chances of that happening? Cedric was sure he must be cheating but didn’t dare voice that opinion. Without proof, he’d be beaten black and blue for making such a suggestion. This was a rough establishment—the only type he could afford to frequent and be sure of being granted admittance—but he didn’t fit in with the dockers, costermongers and porters, the stevedores and the pimps who kept the Eight Bells profitable and was sensible enough to know it.

“Good fortune, Parsons,” he said with as much good grace as he could muster.

“Another hand?” Parsons suggested. “Your luck’s bound to change.”

Cedric shook his head. He was willing to wager his last penny; indeed he had just done so. But what he was not prepared to do was get himself into debt with the likes of Parsons. That would be a certain road to disaster.

“Thank you, but you’re cleared me out.”

“Your credit’s good here.”

“I prefer not to spend what I don’t have.”

“Is that a fact, pretty boy?” Parsons asked, his friendly smile giving way to a belligerent glower.

The atmosphere had turned ugly along with Parsons’ mood, leaving Cedric with more important things to worry about than being referred to as pretty boy. The regulars had christened him as such when he first started coming to the Eight Bells. Cedric preferred to think of himself as a handsome charmer but knew better than to argue the point with Parsons.

At a loss to know how to extricate himself from the midst of the increasingly menacing crowd, many of whom had been happy to play cards with him in the past but now appeared to have turned against him, Cedric felt fear trickle down his spine. He sensed a presence looming at his shoulder as the crowd pressed closer, waiting to see if he would dare to defy Parsons. Not content with taking all his blunt, were these roughnecks now intent upon relieving him of his possessions also? He had been a fool to enter such a place with his pocket watch on his person. He’d been a fool to come here at all. He didn’t belong here and couldn’t say he hadn’t been warned.

“Come along, Walker,” said the man crowding him from behind. “Have you forgotten our engagement?”

Relief swept through him when the modulated tones of the speaker told him he had found an ally. Even so, turning around, he couldn’t hide his surprise when he came face to face with Percival Brown. He and Brown had joined the Foreign Office as clerks at the same time. Walker was still clerking diligently away but it had always been evident that Brown was destined for greater things. He now acted as Lord Heston’s aide and spent most of his time out of the country. Rumours were rife that Brown would take over Heston’s duties when that gentleman retired, a situation that was thought to be imminent.

“Brown,” he said as the crowd reluctantly parted and the two men walked away unmolested. “What the devil are you doing in this den all dressed up like a man of means?”

“Saving your miserable hide by the look of things. You really should find a better class of men to gamble with.”

“Yes well, my membership application at Brooks’s is being processed.”

Brown smirked. “Parsons cheated you out of that hand. I was standing directly behind him and saw what he did.”

“Then why the hell didn’t you say something?”

“For the same reason you didn’t voice your own suspicions, I would imagine,” Brown replied, shrugging. “I’m not a complete knucklehead.”

Cedric winced. “Right, well thanks for getting me out of there in one piece anyway. But you still haven’t told me what you’re doing here.”

“I’ve just come from Lady Braithwaite’s ball,” he said, unable to keep a note of pride from his voice.

Cedric merely nodded, not fooled into thinking that Brown would have been invited to such a prestigious event, even though Brown clearly wished him to believe that was the case. No, it was more likely he was there with Lord Romsey; something to do with the business Heston was currently engaged in unravelling. Fine. Cedric was a simple chap with no great ambition. As long as he had employment that wasn’t too taxing, money in his pockets and a willing lass to warm his bed when the fancy struck, he was content to leave all the high level cloak and dagger stuff to those better suited to its execution.

“And now you’re in a dockside tavern rubbing shoulders with the hoi polloi.” Cedric grinned. “Bit of a come down for you, isn’t it?”

“I came looking for you.”

Finally Brown had succeeded in surprising Cedric. “How did you know where to find me?”

Brown tapped the side of his nose as though he had undertaken some great feat of detection work. In actual fact it was no secret that Cedric made regular visits late at night when the serious gaming began, to the tavern they had just left behind them. He could easily have obtained that information from Cedric’s fellow clerks. The question was, why had he bothered and what did he need from Cedric? Brown was a pretentious so-and-so, calculating and ruthlessly ambitious. Nothing wrong with a bit of ambition but it didn’t hurt to stay on the good side of your contemporaries either. Brown had made no attempt to do so, all but implying he was too good for them, which made him unpopular. All the clerks had been mightily relieved when he was promoted away from their otherwise convivial office.

“You, my friend, have been selected for an important assignment,” Brown said, slapping a hand on Cedric’s shoulder in a friendly gesture.

“Me! Good heavens, I’m not sure I like the sound of that.”

Brown sighed. “You always were an idle cove.”

“I don’t have the brains for important assignments. I’m bound to make a complete mull of it. Best get someone else.”

“Ah, so you don’t fancy a week or two away from the drudgery of the Foreign Office?”

“What would I have to do instead?” he asked suspiciously.

“Nothing too arduous. You would simply be required to keep an eye on Lord Heston’s daughter.”

“His daughter? Didn’t know he had one.” Cedric rubbed his chin. “She must be a bit long in the tooth by now, given that Heston’s practically in his dotage himself. Why does she need anyone to look out for her?”

“Don’t be impertinent. Lady Katrina came along late in his lordship’s life. She’s twenty, if you must know.”

Cedric brightened, suddenly a little more enthusiastic about Brown’s odd request. “Is she pretty?”

“None of your damned business.”

“Ah, so that’s the way the wind blows. I see.”

And Cedric did see, all too clearly. Not content with being Heston’s protégé, Brown was also looking to inherit his property. Typical of the ambitious, social climbing cove. If he married Lady Katrina then he would be invited to all the important social occasions without having to rely upon Heston.

“Lord Heston sent Lady Katrina to London ahead of him—”

“She lives in Europe?”

“These past ten years.”

“Ah, that would explain why I know nothing about her.”

“She’s here to enjoy the season. Her father sent me to look out for her but I’ve been called back to Brussels. I’m needed to help with important negotiations. It’s a nuisance but there’s no help for it.”

“Quite. Lady Katrina is staying with Lady St. John in Park Street.” Brown gave him the address. “You are to keep watch over her and make sure no one unsuitable tries to get anywhere near her.”

“And how am I supposed to know if they are unsuitable or stop them if they do?”

“You’re an inventive chap. I’m sure you’ll think of something.”

“You don’t trust this Lady St. John then?”

“Oh, I trust her. I doubt there will be any trouble but it will set his lordship’s mind at rest if he knows a man has his daughter in his sights.”

His lordship’s mind or yours?

“Keep a note of where she goes and who she sees.”

“I don’t know who half the toffs are,” Cedric protested. “Besides, I have a job you know.”

“You’ve been excused for the next two weeks on Lord Heston’s orders. It’s been cleared with your superiors. Your only job now is to look out for Lady Katrina. If any harm befalls her you will be held personally responsible. If it does not, you will be handsomely rewarded. Of course it means no more gambling for the time being. Lady Katrina’s engagements will likely last well into the night and you need to be outside waiting and keeping your eyes peeled for trouble.”

No more gambling. Hmm, perhaps this would be just the thing to keep him from the tables until he was solvent again. He might be idle but he was also conscientious and Brown knew it, which was presumably why he had been selected. If he took the assignment he would discharge it with diligence.

“Very well.” He offered Brown his hand to seal the bargain. “But I shall need a description of the lady and…er, a few shillings to cover my expenses. Can’t follow carriages on foot. I shall need to hire a horse.”