A Daring Liaison(53)
“I asked if they’d been in London recently or if they had any plans to come. Robert says he’s never been. Walter does all the traveling, it seems. I could not pursue the subject as diligently as I’d have liked without raising their suspicions, but as near as I can tell, Walter makes monthly trips to town, as well as other destinations as business requires. Hard to determine if he was in the area of your husbands’ homes at the appropriate times.”
Georgiana let out a long-held breath. “That is more than I expected, Mr. Renquist. Thank you very much.”
“I’m not done yet, ladies. Walter Foxworthy will be coming to town soon, and I’ve asked him to look me up if he’d like to meet my price on the stallion I inspected.”
Grace clapped her hands. “Excellent.”
“I also caught up with some of the rookery lads upon my return. And this is the news that worries me.”
The ladies all sat forward in their chairs and Georgiana drew the wrapper a bit closer around her.
“There are whispers circulating that someone from the rookeries has a very singular interest in you, Mrs. Huffington. Just what that interest is remains a mystery, as yet.”
Georgiana frowned. “An interest? Is that all?”
“All? There are some very unpleasant men in the rookeries, Mrs. Huffington. It is not a place you would want your name mentioned, or where you’d want to provoke interest.”
The voice from last night rang in her head. We gots a secret, you an’ me. Was he the one with the singular interest?
It could not be Hathaway. He’d only just been dismissed. Whatever threats he’d made, he hadn’t had time to instigate them, let alone to have displayed and “interest.” Heavens! How many men wished her ill? She quickly told Mr. Renquist about the incident at Vauxhall and her dismissing of Hathaway.
A worried frown played at the corners of Mr. Renquist’s mouth. “The blighter at Vauxhall, Mrs. Huffington. That’s the one that worries me most. I shall put my men to uncovering that first. As for Hathaway, we cannot eliminate him. He has had access to your home and all your secrets the whole time. I shall see if I can find out more about him.”
“Yes, but I only dismissed him yesterday and Mr. Hunter removed him from my house last night. There has not been time for him to cause a stir in the rookeries.”
“If he whispered a prayer in the rookeries last night, it would be common knowledge by dawn, and if it were a juicy bit of gossip, sooner.” Renquist shook his head. “It is beyond me how guarded they are with outsiders, yet how ready they are to gossip among themselves. Well, I should have more information in a few days. Perhaps even the name of your...admirer at Vauxhall. I will send you a note when I have something to tell you.”
Pray it would be soon. Very soon.
Before that horrid man found her again.
Chapter Twelve
Charles strode from Doctor’s Commons, his head down and deep in thought. For the sum of five pounds, he’d just purchased the right to marry Georgiana at any place, any time, for the next three months. Two witnesses and a minister were all he’d need. Those were easy.
Georgiana’s consent would be more difficult.
He’d spent most of the day after his meeting with Wycliffe and Richardson at the Archbishop of Canterbury’s office, and now the shadows were deepening, the sun obscured by surrounding buildings. He crossed the commons to the stables, still deep in thought. He’d have to hurry if he was to make it home, wash, change for the evening and still fetch Georgiana on time.
When she had mentioned that she was at leisure this evening, he had asked her to join him at his brother Andrew’s home for a family dinner party—a very good place to introduce Georgiana to the rest of the family. Perhaps he would test the waters there.
He’d find some logical way to present the idea without mentioning the special license. She would, no doubt, be angry that he’d had the presumption to acquire one without consulting her. But, if they were to do it, it would be best to do it quickly. Surely she would see the sense in that.
He winced when he thought of what she would say. No would be the kindest thing. After all, she’d said it before. And rather emphatically, at that. He’d have to coax her, convince her that this was the most logical and expeditious course of action considering that her arrest might be imminent and she could be locked away in Newgate or Fleet Prison. Between his name and marriage he might be able to protect her or gain her better treatment. He’d even lie and tell her he’d consent to a divorce or annulment afterward. Seems he had very few scruples where Georgiana was concerned.