Page 11 of The Swan Detective (The Swan Syndicate #2)

Beckworth entered the manor and stood in the foyer. He expected voices, if not from Stella, then certainly from Bart or even from Eleanor chasing after the staff. Maybe Stella hadn’t returned from Mary’s yet.

Neither Templeton’s butler nor Barrington had answered the door. He stalked to the study, poured two fingers of whiskey, and dropped into the leather chair behind the desk. He took a sip, laid his head back, and stared at the ceiling.

Barrington was driving Bart and Lincoln to their appointments at the Royal College of Surgeons before visiting the crews in the East End. Beckworth had been certain they’d be back by now. He drank the last of the whiskey in one swallow and got up to pour another.

He paced around the room. Something he rarely did.

He thought better when he was stationary, but his head was a jumble of worry.

He dreaded hearing Stella’s voice as she searched for him upon her arrival from Hensley’s.

She’d want to know what he did with his day, and he had nothing to tell her.

If he told her his cover story of going to the East End, she’d want specifics.

Until Barrington returned, he wouldn’t have that information.

He could say he’d visited with old friends in Hensley’s network. No. If he told her that, she’d be suspicious that he might be involved in one of Hensley’s missions. Of course, she’d be right, but not in the way she’d assume.

His bankers. That would be a better answer. He would have to spend several days meeting with all of them, so it wouldn’t seem odd. Stella was a sharp businesswoman in her time period, but she ignored his business holdings in this era, so he doubted she’d give it much thought.

He dropped back in his seat. Lies. Building lies and breaking trust all to keep her in the dark about a simple mission.

It didn’t sit well, and he didn’t know what to do about it.

He could have said no and not involved himself in Hensley’s machinations.

But there were only a small handful of men who’d gotten close enough to McDuff and his smugglers to recognize them.

Jamie would need to run around-the-clock surveillance, which would be a burden on the men.

If he wanted to remain part of the mission and assist with the assigned watches, he had to follow Hensley’s orders.

This was an opportunity to discover someone close to McDuff, and he couldn’t simply sit around when he could be of help.

He’d just poured his third drink when someone knocked, and Barrington stuck his head in.

“It’s bloody well time. Where have you been?” Beckworth pushed the barely touched third glass of whiskey aside.

Barrington, perceptive to Beckworth’s various moods, stepped inside and closed the door behind him. He glanced at Beckworth’s drink and poured one of his own before sitting in the chair in front of the desk. His slow perusal made Beckworth squirm.

“I just brought Libby back.”

Beckworth stared at him and considered whether that was a good thing, then determined it likely wasn’t. “Bringing her back from where?”

“The East End.”

“You were there together?” Beckworth’s voice rose. And while he didn’t sound completely hysterical, it was higher pitched than he’d expected.

Barrington’s lips quirked, but he managed to remain as stoic as ever. “Stella requested I take Libby to the East End after dropping off Bart and Lincoln at their appointment.”

“Damn. Libby and Stella have become thick as thieves. Now, she’ll tell Stella you were in the East End visiting the crews rather than me.”

“Not necessarily. I dropped her off and gave her a specific spot where I would pick her up. I met with Davies, someone Libby stays away from.”

“With good reason,” Beckworth growled. “It’s only been a day, and I’m at my wits’ end.”

“It should only take a day or two to identify McDuff’s associates. After that, Jamie can have his sailors follow them. Davies is willing to provide a few of his watchers, if needed.”

Beckworth finished the rest of his drink and relaxed into the chair. “That’s something.”

“Stella will return with a host of daytime invitations. Mary and Elizabeth will keep her so busy she won’t have time to worry about what you’re doing. Give her your full attention with the evening events, and before you know it, you’ll be off the hook with Hensley.”

He nodded. Libby wouldn’t be able to confirm his whereabouts, and if he managed to convince Stella he was simply visiting old friends and dealing with estate business, he should soon see his way clear.

He didn’t like it, but he couldn’t see any other choice.

If McDuff was up to something in London, it was imperative that they discover what it was.

He lived in America now, but his heart was still with England.

How could he walk away from such a simple task?

He sighed and wished they’d stayed at Waverly.

“So, tell me what the crews are up to.”

A fter getting a rundown on the crews, which Beckworth would have done without being involved in Hensley’s mission, he climbed the stairs to the second floor.

He might as well prepare for an evening out.

There was a high probability that Mary or Elizabeth had selected an engagement they’d talked Stella into.

He stopped short, surprised to find Eleanor at the top of the stairs.

“When did you get back?” Beckworth asked. If Eleanor was home, then Stella should be as well. Why hadn’t she come looking for him?

“A couple of hours now.”

“I’ve been here for half that time and haven’t seen or heard you.”

She wiped a hand across her forehead. “You wouldn’t have unless you went down to the kitchen.

The staff hasn’t performed a proper inventory for some time, and since I’ll be here for a couple of weeks, Mrs. Evans asked if I could assist her.

We have the entire staff put to the task.

I would have had Libby help if Stella hadn’t released her from service for the day. ”

While listening to Eleanor carry on, Beckworth focused on Stella and where she’d been while he’d been drowning his guilt in the study. A nap was the likely explanation. He couldn’t fault her. A day entertaining noble women while trying to assimilate would be exhausting for anyone.

“Everything go alright today?” He might as well prepare for any grievances Stella might have bottled up.

She gave him a curious look, then crossed her arms over her chest, a slight smile curving her lips. “Did you expect the ladies to run screaming to their carriages once they got a whiff of Stella’s boldness?”

He sighed. Of course, he worried. He wanted them to accept Stella, boldness and all. “Just tell me.”

“Well, aren’t we in a snit. Everything went smoothly. They’re all fascinated by the viscount’s new paramour. The fact that Elizabeth has taken her under her wing makes her rather untouchable.” Her brows furrowed. “And you’re perfectly aware of that.”

He wasn’t surprised that the troops had fully surrounded Stella. For now, she could do no wrong in their eyes. He was grateful, yet somehow, Eleanor’s tone made him feel like the villain.

Maybe he could use a nap. “I’m sorry if I’m coming across as a doting husband. I just want her to be happy.”

Eleanor relaxed and placed a hand on his arm. “Stella might seem like a handful at times, but she only wants the same for you.”

“I know.” He gave her a rueful grin. “Thank you for helping me tread my way through. These are new waters for me.”

She chuckled as she descended the stairs. Her amusement grew more robust as she gave her laughter full rein. “I’ll do my best, but I’m afraid the waves have reached higher than you know.”

He stared after her. What the bloody hell did that mean? She’d given him a moment of peace before ripping it away.

Damn woman.

He stared at the door to the bedroom for a moment, then remembered it was his domain as much as it was Stella’s and burst in.

Stella and Libby were standing next to the bed. Dozens of dresses covered it to the point he couldn’t see the bedcover beneath.

“What’s all this?” Beckworth asked when the women turned to him.

“We’re deciding which dresses I should wear to which events.

” Stella laid down the one she’d been holding and waved toward the writing desk.

Dozens of invitations were spread across it.

“I have to admit, it’s somewhat daunting at the number of them, and from what Mary says, I should expect even more after I’ve attended a couple of the parties.

I want to make sure I have enough to select from so the women don’t start gossiping about seeing me in the same dress all the time. ”

“I think she has enough for the first two weeks.” Libby picked up two of the dresses. “If we’re here any longer, she’ll need a handful more.”

He leaned against a dresser and crossed his arms over his chest. This was one of his favorite pastimes—ensuring Stella wore only the finest dresses.

In some ways, he was flaunting his money, and perhaps to women in Stella’s era, it might seem misogynistic, as if he were dressing her like a doll. But none of that mattered to him.

He wanted Stella to fit in. A properly fitted dress would make her feel confident among the aristocracy, which was filled with snobbish women.

A single wrong statement could spread like wildfire, with an attempt to blackball her from further parties.

Her friendship with Elizabeth would go a long way in preventing that from happening, but Stella was bold, and with being an American in this century, some of the nobles would consider her primitive, if not downright savage.

She deserved the best he could afford to ease her moment in the sun.

Besides, he loved buying her dresses, mostly because he loved the imagery of being able to personally remove them afterward.

“I have a few more dresses being made.” Beckworth reviewed the invitations spread across the writing desk.

He tapped the one in the upper corner. “I see we received the duke’s invitation for tomorrow night.

I wasn’t sure it would arrive in time. A new dress, specifically for his ball, will arrive in the morning.

The others should be here in the next day or two. ”

Stella strolled over to him and placed a kiss on his cheek. “What color is it?”

He grinned. “You’ll find out soon enough.” He glanced at Libby, who was returning the clothing to the dressing room. “I take it you’ll discuss the final decisions with my valet?”

“Of course,” Libby said. “At least for the next two or three parties. Stella might change her mind on the others once the new dresses arrive. We’d already selected a dress for the ball, but I’ll update Jeffries once the new gown arrives.”

“So, how was your day?” Stella looked at his jacket and breeches. “You didn’t ride all day, did you?”

He was hoping talk of dresses would skirt this topic, but he should have known better. “I visited with one of the crews after my ride.”

Libby’s brow rose as she stepped out of the dressing room to collect more dresses. “I was in the East End all day. I didn’t see you with Chester or his crew.”

“That’s because I went to see Davies. It’s been some time since I’ve had a good sit-down with him.” He gave Stella a cheeky grin. “I thought Stella might want to visit Chester with me.”

“I absolutely want to see Chester and Katherine. And the others, as well.” Stella dropped into the chair in front of the writing desk and stared at the invitations. “Based on the number of engagements, it doesn’t appear I’ll be getting much of a break during the days or evenings.”

“We’re at the peak of the season here. After the duke’s ball, the parties will start to slow, but there will still be plenty to keep both of us occupied.”

“I was hoping to do some sightseeing while here. You know, Westminster Abbey…” She paused, her head tilting to one side.

“Well, I’m not sure what else. Most of the places tourists want to see in London, like Windsor Castle and the Tower of London, aren’t available during this time period. Maybe driving by them is enough.”

“I’ll arrange for something in between your parties.” Beckworth removed his cravat and dropped it over the back of a chair. “Libby, why don’t you see if Eleanor needs help with the inventory. I’d like to spend some time with Stella before we have to prepare for the evening.”

Libby finished putting the last dress away and strode to the door. He didn’t miss the wink she gave Stella. “Do you want me to send up some food and wine? You’ll want to eat a bit before you leave.”

“Yes, thank you.”

He waited until the door closed before he pulled Stella up from the chair and hugged her. “I’ve missed you.” His kiss started off as a light nibble, but when she wrapped her arms around him and tickled his ear with her finger, the kiss deepened until he picked her up and tossed her on the bed.

Then it was all giggles and intimate touches until they were both naked. Neither of them heard the knock on the door when Libby returned with a tray that she’d left by the door.

And for an hour or two, his duplicity was washed away.