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The secretary’s brows rose, and his gaze slipped between Bull and Marcia. “Really? As I said, we did think it unusual that Griffin’s children applied to us. But it never occurred to us that you might not be aware of it, sir!”

Since the whole bloody table was looking at him now—minus Rupert, who was once more shoveling his peas onto his knife, using the cranberry sauce as an adhesive—Griffin tried to look appreciative, and not just ill. “I confess I didnae think the newspaper announcement was anything more than a hoax. I suppose these scamps took it upon themselves to learn if it was true.”

“Oh, it is very much true, I can assure you!” Ian’s gaze landed on each of them in turn. “Unusual, perhaps, but the Duke is an unusual man. I’m looking forward to introducing you to him,” he announced with an anticipatory grin.

Griffin caught Bull’s eye, and was surprised to see him looking concerned. The lad hadn’t expected this?

And Felicity, for the first time, seemed uncertain. “Is the Duke…coming here?”

“Oh no, His Grace is in poor health, as the announcement stated, and doesn’t travel, which is why he entrusted me to interview the favorite applicants in his stead. I have been tasked with interviewing the likeliest candidates, and I can tell you, of those I’ve met and visited with, most have fallen short. None of them have the familial qualities the Duke is looking for in a heir. I know he’ll enjoy meeting you very much.”

Griffin realized his hands were fisted on his knees, but he couldn’t make himself relax. “And how…how will he do that, if he isnae coming to London?”

Ian looked surprised. “Why, when you come to Peasgoode!” He glanced around the table. “Didn’t you read the fine print? The next step is for you and your family to become the Duke’s guests at Peasgoode for a month.” Before Griffin could respond to that preposterous idea, the man quipped, “Assuming, that is, your job can release you for that amount of time.”

Griffin was already shaking his head. Leave London? Travel? Put his children’s safety at risk?

Absolutely not.

Felicity answered for him. “Griffin is quite important at the accounting office. I doubt they would release him.”

But the secretary was jovial. “Oh, I wasn’t speaking of the offices of Cooke, Books & Steele, Mrs. Calderbank.” He tapped the side of his nose and winked. “I meant your husband’s work as a spy!”

Griffin had heard the phrase “blood ran cold”, but until that moment he’d never actually experienced it.

He couldn’t breathe. His heart was hammering in his chest, but he could feel himself going light-headed.

Felicity, of course, thought it just another lie to reconcile. “Oh, goodness,” she tittered. “Those days are behind Griffin!”

How did Armstrong know?

Griffin’s gaze landed on Bull, across the table. The lad was looking uncharacteristically guilty, and just like that, Griffin’s lungs expanded in a desperate gasp.

It was part of Bull’s lies.

“I think, Ian,” he began slowly, holding the lad’s gaze, “I need to speak to my family. Alone.”

The secretary tutted. “Come now, you’ve all just been handed the chance of a prize! Surely you can discuss details later?”

“Now,” Griffin reiterated, pushing back from the table and standing. “Alone.”

When he turned and stalked out, he was gratified to hear the sounds of his family following him.

All of them.

Chapter 7

Felicity’s mother had raised her to never hurry. Hurrying is for servants, dear. She was supposed to move at a sedate and stately pace.

But honestly, how was that supposed to accomplish anything? Besides, the way Griffin was all but running, she had to hurry to catch up.

She scooped up her skirts in one hand and held the other hand out to Rupert, encouraging him to hasten, as well.

Griffin stopped at the sitting room, then glanced back at the dining room where Mr. Armstrong waited. She could read his thoughts; this wouldn’t be far enough away.

Oh dear. Was he planning on yelling?

She glanced at Bull, who was already heading toward her study. She wouldn’t blame Griffin for yelling, if that’s what he did. Bull and Marcia had gone far beyond “cheeky” in their attempts to impress the Duke of Peasgoode with their lies.