Page 13 of The Lady Glass
Rolland perched on the edge of his seat in the library. He finally had a decent plan and was ready to execute it. He tapped his foot while Marcus scratched away at a piece of parchment. They were waiting for Lewis to join them before their meeting began. It had already been a quarter of an hour past the time they had previously agreed to meet.
The duke pulled at the curl by his ear and suddenly growled impatiently. “Where is Lewis? I have left Tansy alone long enough to host our guests without me.”
“We will have to start without him,” Rolland said decisively. “Our prolonged absence will only make the others suspicious.”
Marcus gave an understanding nod. “I will begin. Mr. Haversham and Mr. Hawke are indeed more than acquaintances. I received a missive this morning from one of my connections, confirming my theory.”
“One of the London operatives?”
“Yes, we can trust him. He said their business together is done privately. Still, it stands to reason that if one of them is guilty, so is the other.”
“And their motive?”
“Money. What else? Someone had to have bribed them. We’ll know more when our correspondence returns from Prussia, but it’ll be some weeks unless we discover the missing piece ourselves.”
“I had hoped something would turn up these last few days.” Rolland frowned. “Whoever it is, we need something to draw them out. Something unexpected to turn the tables for us.”
Marcus tapped his desk. “You are our man for strategy. What do you suggest?”
Rolland hesitated, his plan on the tip of his lips. It wasn’t straightforward and was hardly guaranteed. In fact, he feared how it would sound. But he had to trust his gut. “I want to invite another guest to our house party.”
“I’m listening.”
“Theresia Smith.”
Marcus’s expression remained blank while Rolland waited for him to recognize the name. After Rolland’s return from the Roma camp, he had requested permission to search the house, but he had not told Marcus anything about Theresia or the vase. When the slow smile began to form on his friend’s face, Rolland prepared himself for the knowing look and the teasing words.
“And you think romancing Miss Smith will help us find our spy?” Marcus’s eyes laughed at him.
“Who said anything about romance?”
“She did.”
Rolland had expected some ribbing, so he did not flinch. “Lewis is content with that role. Besides, my parents have my matchmaking covered. I’ll invite her strictly for her ability to help us.”
Marcus sat back in his seat and crossed his arms over his chest. “She is an adequate actress; I will give you that.”
“Actress?”
“Certainly.” Marcus grinned. “You think what she said that day in your room fooled me? I’m still mulling over it, trying to decipher what she was truly communicating. One thing is certain; lying is not natural to her.”
“I suppose not.” The invitation would present many risks, to be sure. “But with some practice, I think she is capable of learning.”
“Yes, she seems intelligent. She thinks on her feet and doesn’t cower when intimidated or surprised—all of which are excellent qualities for the making of a spy. We could use her, but it’ll complicate things. Tell me what makes you think she will find what we cannot. We have had years of experience. What can she offer?”
“She is fluent in several languages. She told me she thinks we have a Frenchman in our midst.”
“She discovered this in the time she passed through my corridors to your bedchamber, or is there something you are not telling me?”
Rolland stared at his friend, knowing he could not divulge much but wanting to keep his trust at the same time. “I found a twenty-franc Napoleon in the front hall. I was hesitant to say anything in case it led our investigation on a wild-goose chase.”
“Tell me more.” Marcus reached for the curl by his ear.
“I am not at leisure to tell you Miss Smith’s story, but she has reason to find a Frenchman she is convinced is staying here. We might as well work together.”
“This Frenchman—what sort of relationship does she have with him?”
“They are veritable strangers connected by circumstance.”
“What will I tell Tansy and Lewis?” Marcus studied Rolland, perhaps searching for some other reason Rolland would want Theresia in the house.
“Tell them what you know—that a friend of mine, a linguist, is going to be our guest to aid in our investigation. They will need to help us cover for any mistakes she makes.”
“And my guests?”
Rolland had thought carefully about this part. “Tell them your relative has come from Austria to visit.”
“ My relative?” Marcus scoffed. “Is this the best you can come up with?”
This was the part Rolland depended on. “Your family roots are mostly dead and will be hard to trace between you and Tansy. Surely you can come up with something believable.”
Marcus’s brow lifted and he chuckled. “I will think on it.”
Rolland nodded his appreciation. If he could find the vase to satisfy Theresia, find the spy to save lives and satisfy the Regent, and marry Miss Shields to satisfy his parents, then he could finally carve out some peace in his turbulent life. He’d been living for England for too long and had sacrificed home, comfort, and his own blood. Soon he could start living for himself again. If peace be at sea or at home, it did not really matter to him. But, God willing, his future would be his to lead.