A Wedding In Springtime(71)

Mr. Blakely, however, had been quite solicitous in his attentions. He had visited twice and a threatened thunderstorm had ruined plans to go to Hyde Park. This had brought up memories of another storm that had caught her in the arms of Mr. Grant. The thought left her restless.

“I hope the weather will clear soon,” Genie sighed, sitting with her aunt and cousin in the sitting room.

“Yes, the streets become ghastly. Why, I added an inch to my pattens just for Town wear,” commented Lady Bremerton.

The formal butler entered with a bow. “For you, Lady Bremerton,” intoned the butler, handing her a large envelope.

She broke the seal and gasped.

“Is something wrong?” asked Genie.

“No, no, it is most wonderful!” Lady Bremerton looked up with a glorious smile. “We have all been issued vouchers to attend Almack’s tomorrow night!”

Genie smiled radiantly in return. It must have been the workings of Mr. Grant.

***

“You do not look at death’s door. I was promised a man in ghastly health, but you look well enough.” Grant surveyed the duke with a critical eye. He and Thornton had decided to visit Marchford in his bedchamber since the rumor had circulated that the duke was ill. “Though that waistcoat was a mistake.”

“Wrong color or cut?” asked the duke.

“Yes,” replied Grant. “Brought it with you from the Continent, I can tell.”

“I did indeed. I thought it well enough.”

Grant shook his head sadly. “You have been gone too long, dear friend. I will give you the name of my tailor. He will set you to rights.”

“You never gave me the name of your tailor,” objected Thornton.

“I thought you had no concern for fashion my friend. I had always pictured your raiment as a protest against fashionable society in defense of your Scottish bloodlines.”

“’Tis just a coat, Grant.”

“‘Just a coat’? And you wonder why I would not subject my tailor to you.”

Thornton’s brows furrowed and he turned to Marchford. “Returning to the point of the visit, we were told ye were ill. Are ye well?”

“Yes, yes, I am well, but I must keep to my room.”

“If you reveal some contagion, I fear I shall run screaming from the room,” said Grant, pouring himself a whiskey. “Your story appears to be a long one. I fear I may need refreshment before you are through.”

“I would invite you to help yourself, but I see you have anticipated me.”

“Why must ye keep to yer room?” asked Thornton, ignoring Grant’s distractions.

“I am trying to catch a spy.”

Grant took a hearty swig. “I was right. A drink was needed.”

“I appreciate the modifications you made the other night to the study directly below. I have continued your good work. If someone tries to remove the letter in the safe, it will pull a cord and a bell will ring there.” Marchford pointed to a brass bell mounted on the wall with a cord running down the wall and disappearing under the floorboards.

“I thought this might be the direction ye were going,” said Thornton. “But how will ye get down in time to catch the thief?”

“See here,” Marchford opened a narrow panel in the wall which revealed a spiral staircase. “It leads to the study.”

“Very cloak-and-dagger,” said Grant with feeling. “When did you have this made?”

“My grandfather commissioned it when the house was built. I would like to say he had nefarious intent, but apparently he did not walk well in his later years and wished to have a shorter route from his study to his bedchamber. In any event, it is useful.”

“So you have been waiting to see if the letter is stolen?”

“Yes, and look here. Remember how I asked you to drill a hole in the ceiling?” Marchford motioned to a spyglass on a letter table. He slid a small panel and stepped back to let Thornton take a look.

Thornton pointed the spyglass down. “Why, I can see the whole room. Clever thought to put a spyglass here.”

“So you are spending your time locked away in your room spying on your own study?” asked Grant. “How dull.”

“Yes, actually it is,” admitted Marchford. “I had anticipated the thief would make an attempt on the room soon, but so far I have been disappointed.”

“How long do ye intend to play the role of invalid?” asked Thornton.