Page 20 of Second Duke's the Charm
“He didn’t return the letters?” Ellie guessed.
“Hesse claimed he burned them, and gave his word as a gentleman that the portrait would never leave his possession, and we were satisfied. We thought the danger had passed, until last week, when the prince regent’s office received this.”
The queen reached into her cloak and withdrew a folded letter, which she handed to Tess. “A blackmail demand!”
Chapter Six
Tess unfolded the note, as Ellie and Daisy came to read over her shoulders.
Sir, I have in my possession four letters of a most embarrassing and personal nature concerning The Princess Charlotte and Captain C—H—of the Dragoons. If you wish the return of these items, I will require payment in the sum of five hundred pounds, at a date and location chosen by myself.
Tess studied the neat copperplate. “It’s unsigned. There’s no way of knowing if this was written by a man or a woman.”
“My money would be on a man,” Ellie said. “Based on court records at the Old Bailey, I’ve calculated that around seventy percent of crimes are perpetrated by men, as opposed to thirty percent by women.”
The queen looked a little bemused, but Tess and Daisy were used to Ellie’s encyclopedic knowledge of random legal facts.
“It is not beyond the realms of possibility that thePrincess of Wales herself is behind this,” the queen said, with a pained look. “She is currently residing on the Continent, but I have heard reports that this Captain Hesse was, in fact,herlover, too.”
“Surely she wouldn’t want to disrupt her own daughter’s wedding?” Tess said.
The queen gave a very un-regal sniff. “She might. She will not be invited to attend, after all, and it would embarrass the regent. But even if Caroline isnotbehind it, this blackmailer must be dealt with. We cannot have Leopold calling off the wedding in a fit of pique, or the princess’s suitability for marriage called into question.”
“It seems to me that either Hesse lied about destroying all the letters he received, or that someone managed to steal some before he burned the ones he had,” Ellie said.
“Sounds reasonable,” Daisy agreed.
Tess looked at the queen. “I take it you would like us to try to find this blackmailer and retrieve the letters?”
“Indeed. The prince regent has passed the matter to me. He hasn’t the funds to pay the blackmailer, and while Ido, I refuse to be held hostage in such an impertinent manner. You may use whatever means you deem necessary, short of murder, to get those letters back.”
The queen tilted her head, assessing them. “I can understand why you three are such an asset to ‘Mr. King.’ You are all well connected. You’re invited to all the social events. And you, Lady Wansford, have a freedom as a widow that the others do not. My own ladies are too well known to make discreet inquiries, and I do not wish my involvement to become common knowledge.”
“I understand,” Tess said soothingly.
“Has the blackmailer sent another letter, describing a place to meet?” Daisy asked.
“Yes. Here.” The queen handed over a second missive.
Sir. You will send a female representative to attend Lady Iveson’s costume ball this Thursday evening with the sum to be paid. The lady will wear a red dress, with a matching reticule and fan, so that I may identify her. I will issue instructions on where the exchange will take place.
“Good choice of location,” Ellie said begrudgingly. “Lady Iveson’s parties are always a terrible crush. It’s one of the most popular events of the season.”
Daisy nodded. “Perfect place to hide in a crowd.”
“Do you think we’re looking for someone in theton?” Tess wondered.
“Not necessarily. It would be relatively simple for someone to gain access to the ball, provided they’re wearing an elaborate costume. A chimney sweep could go dressed as himself, and still not look out of place.”
“True.”
“Why ask for a woman?” Ellie frowned.
“Whoever it is, they probably think a woman will be easier to overpower, if it becomes necessary.” Daisy snorted. “I’d like to see someone try it with me. They’ll feel the kiss of my blades.”
The queen looked a little shocked at Daisy’s gusto, but managed a weak smile. “How terribly bloodthirsty, Lady Dorothea.”
Daisy inclined her head in proud acknowledgment. “I grew up with three older brothers, ma’am. Learning self-defense was the only way to avoid being thrown in the lake or having an eyebrow shaved off while I slept.”