A Daring Liaison(85)

Georgiana blushed, thinking of all the things he’d persuaded her to do last night. “More than I’d realized. Though, were I to be honest, I would have to admit that I have always had a tendresse for him.”

“How sweet,” Grace said. “I do so love a story that ends happily.”

A polite rap at the rear door of the dressing room drew their attention. “Entrez!” Lady Annica called.

Mr. Renquist came in, his little notebook in his hand. “Ladies,” he said with a small bow.

“Mr. Renquist, would you like a cup of tea?” Sarah asked.

His lips quirked in a quick smile, but he shook his head. “I’ve got to catch up with some of the lads and see what else they might have found. But I have had some success on the matters we spoke of last time.”

“Did you meet with Mr. Foxworthy?” Georgiana asked.

“Aye, just after your meeting with him, apparently. Did you, indeed, marry Mr. Charles Hunter?”

She nodded. “Mr. Foxworthy was upset when I told him.”

“He called you several, um, unkind names, Mrs. Huff—er, Mrs. Hunter. Seems to think you married Hunter just to halt his petition as conservator.”

She looked down into her teacup. “Of course not. Though I will admit, that was a happy result.”

Mr. Renquist squirmed uneasily and looked away. “And how is Mr. Hunter?”

“Still alive.” She gave him a dry smile. Was that little sigh he emitted one of relief?

“Yes, well. I’ve had news of Foxworthy’s arrest.”

“Whatever for?”

“The murder of your husbands. I believe it is being said that he had motive for keeping you childless, and that his intent was always to become your conservator in order to wrest the Betman fortune from you, but he could not while Lady Caroline was alive. He did not expect you to become engaged so soon after your guardian’s death.”

“But that is wonderful!” Gina exclaimed. “Then the mystery is solved. You are safe, Georgiana. Charles will be so pleased!”

“I fear not,” Mr. Renquist interrupted. “It is being said that there is no proof. The case against Mr. Foxworthy is thin, at best. There are whispers in the Home Office that he will be released and you will be arrested next, Mrs. Hunter.”

She’d been expecting something of the sort. She took a tight rein on her emotions. “Thank you for the warning, Mr. Renquist. I shall put my affairs in order. And Mr. York?”

“He appears to have borrowed heavily in expectation of inheriting the bulk of his uncle’s estate. His creditors are nipping at his heels. I think, if you offer him a reasonable sum, he will take it.”

“I shall have my solicitor draw up an offer,” she said. “I would like these details cleared up before...before I may not be able to attend to business.”

“As for your Mr. Hathaway, he has not been seen recently. After a few meetings with several individuals, he has gone missing.”

“Who did he meet with, Mr. Renquist?”

“One of my men followed him to your solicitor’s office, the Home Office and the Cat’s Paw, a disreputable public house just off Petticoat Lane. I can only guess at his business.”

“Please do,” she invited. She had her own suspicions, but she would like Mr. Renquist to confirm or deny them.

“I suspect he may have gone to your solicitor to ask for hush money—that he would not discuss the intimate details of your home if he were paid to keep his silence. When that did not work, he likely went to the Home Office to offer evidence of some sort against you, and that is why we are hearing whispers of your possible arrest. As for the Cat’s Paw? That is anyone’s guess. My man did not recognize the person Mr. Hathaway met with, but said the man was of an unwholesome nature.”

“Why am I not astonished?” she muttered, more to herself than to the others.

Mr. Renquist looked ready to comment and then took a deep breath before continuing his report. “In regard to the man who accosted you in Vauxhall Gardens, Mrs. Hunter, I believe you have become the object of some very unsavory attention. I suspect that he and the man from the rookeries could be the same. If so, you are in grave danger.”

“Does this man have a name, sir?”

“Gibbons. Richard Gibbons. Known as Dick.”

Of course. Had there ever been a doubt? She braced herself for the next question. “Can you tell me what his business is with me? Or anything else about him?”