"I'm so sorry to hear that. I remember how upset you were after Colby was born, but I thought it was because you could not have any more children."
Mary nodded. "Yes. That was the story I told because the truth was much too painful to admit to anyone."
"Seems we've both been disappointed in our marriages," Charlotte said. "I'm sure, though, that as painful as it was to tell me about Albert, it is not why you've come here today. You may speak plainly. What has happened and how can I help you?"
Tears welled in Mary's eyes. "Please forgive me, but even today, the news is very upsetting." She reached for a handkerchief from her reticule and dabbed at her eyes.
Charlotte patiently waited for Mary to continue. "Take as long as you need to compose yourself. Perhaps you'd enjoy a lemon cake? I must say Mrs. Spaulding makes the best I've ever eaten."
Mary accepted the offered cake and took a bite, if only to distract her from the horrible circumstances of Henry's death. She closed her eyes and savored the sweetness. "You are right, Charlotte. This is indeed delicious." She finished the cake and took up her story once again. "Wetherby attended a dinner I hosted last night. He was supposed to have learned who was targeting our network of spies. He met his contact in my rose garden, but what he had to tell me when he re-entered the ballroom after his meeting was heartbreaking. Not only were they not any closer to finding this villain, but Lord Sutherland was murdered last night down at the docks."
Charlotte's hand flew to her mouth. "Oh no! How terribly dreadful."
"Yes, it is a tragedy. Henry was one of the Crown's best spies, and his death is a severe blow to the network. Wetherby is searching for his killer, but he will need all the help we can give him."
"The Duke of Wetherby is a spy?" Charlotte asked. "I had no idea."
Mary nodded. "Wetherby is the spymaster, but more importantly, he was Lord Sutherland's childhood friend. He's taking his death very hard as am I. I came to love Henry like a son. He was such a personable fellow and he will dearly be missed."
"And Lady Sutherland? What has she been told?"
"Wetherby went to see her last evening. I believe the story being told is that Lord Sutherland was at the docks overseeing an antiques delivery that somehow went terribly wrong. It should suffice for the gossips and especially because no one must know the truth of his death."
"Poor Lady Sutherland. They were so very happy together, especially when Thomas was born. What a horrible shame. This will truly tear her world apart."
"Yes, indeed it will, but we must be vigilant. I'm not convinced that a man is responsible for Henry's death. He was too good a spy and too cautious to let someone surprise him so easily. I've thought a lot about this and I suspect his killer might possibly be a woman."
"You do? A woman? Who would do such a thing?"
"I have no idea. That is where I need your help, for I cannot be everywhere at once. Please listen for any gossip, however minor it sounds, and most especially, news of new families in town for the Season. I know of no lady of my acquaintance who could do such an evil thing, but I do not know everyone in town. No one is above suspicion, and no clue is too small to report. May I count on your help with this?"
Charlotte nodded. "Of course. I will be more than happy to help in this most important endeavor. Lord Sutherland's killer must be found before he or she causes any more damage. "
Mary leaned forward and hugged her friend. "Thank you, Charlotte. I am sorry I never confided in you before, but it was best to keep the circle of people who knew about my involvement with the Home Office as small as possible."
"I understand, but I'm glad you've come today. You have shouldered this burden alone for so long, and I am more than willing to take some of that burden from you."
"Thank you. That means more to me than I can say. Have you heard of any new families coming to town for the Season this year?"
"Yes. There are four new families in town so far. I shall be happy to host a dinner and invite them so we may get to know them better."
"That's a good idea. Shall we say Friday next?"
"Excellent. I will send out the invitations this afternoon. Are Colby and Isabel in town yet?"
"They are due later today."
"Good. Dalton and Georgette arrived yesterday. With them present at dinner, we will be able to include a number of the younger couples as well without drawing any suspicion."
"Yes. We need to cast as wide a net as possible. Of course, Hannah will attend with me and Albert."
"Shall I invite the Duke of Wetherby? I've heard he doesn't particularly like these social events. Do you think he will come?"
Mary nodded. "Yes. I will let him know of our conversation. As much as I'd love to stay and talk about my work with the Home Office, I'm afraid I must be going. I plan to visit with Lady Sutherland before I return home and see what arrangements have been made for Henry's funeral."
Charlotte stood. "Please let me know if there is anything else I can do."
Mary hugged her friend. "I will, and thank you for helping me with this. I don't know what I would do without you."
Chapter
5
HANNAH WAS READING IN THE front parlor when Mary arrived home. She looked up when her aunt swept into the room. "Aunt Mary, are you feeling better today? I was so worried about you last night."
Mary nodded. "Yes, I am well, but I heard the most dreadful news while I was visiting with Lady Hunt this morning."
Hannah waited for Mary to sit before she bombarded her with questions. "What news?"
"I'm sure it will be known soon enough, so I'm not breaking Lady Hunt's confidence. It is indeed tragic news. Lord Sutherland was found murdered last evening."
"He was? Where? Who would do—"
Mary held up her hand. "I don't have many details, Hannah. As you can imagine, it is quite shocking indeed. Lord Sutherland was a well-respected gentleman. I cannot imagine who would carry out such a heinous crime."
"Have the authorities any suspects in hand?"
"Not that I am aware of. As I said, I've only just learned of this. I did pay a visit to Lady Sutherland before returning home, and you can imagine how distraught she is at becoming a widow, especially with such a young child to care for. She was quite in love with her husband, and he with her."
"How very sad," Hannah said. "I will pen a letter expressing my sympathies."
"That will be much appreciated." Mary stood. "Now, I must speak with Mrs. Swain. Colby and Isabel will be arriving soon, and I want to make sure Colby's favorite dishes are prepared for tonight's dinner."
"I'm looking forward to seeing them again. It's been too long since I saw them last."
Mary leaned down and kissed Hannah's cheek. "I will see you at tea, my dear."
When Mary left the room, Hannah pondered the latest news. How horrible it must be to be a widow at such a young age. Lady Sutherland had only been married a mere eighteen months. It was unimaginable to lose a husband after so short a time. Hannah had not even begun to think about her own potential marriage, but it was inconceivable to her to think about her husband dying so soon after the wedding. What could have happened to Lord Sutherland? Was he accosted by ruffians? Were the streets not safe at night anymore? It made Hannah's usual adventurous spirit a bit more subdued.
She was on her way to her bedchamber when the front door opened and Colby and Isabel walked in. Hannah's eyes lit up when she saw her beloved cousin. She went straight to Colby and hugged him tightly.
He patted her back. "What a nice welcome, Hannah. You can let me breathe now, if you please."
Hannah stepped back. "I'm terribly sorry to squeeze you so. I am happy to see you, that is all. Life can be fleeting sometimes."
"Hannah, what an odd thing for you to say. What do you mean?" Colby asked.
"Have you not heard?"
"We have b
een in the carriage all morning." Colby took Hannah's hand. "Cousin, what is going on? It's not like you to be subdued like this. Are my parents well?"
Hannah took a deep breath. "Yes. Uncle Albert and Aunt Mary are quite well, but Lord Sutherland was murdered last night."
Isabel's hand flew to her chest. "What horrible news. Are you sure of this?"
Hannah nodded. "Unfortunately, yes, it is true."
"That is indeed dreadful news. Does mother know?" Colby asked.
"Yes. She was the one who told me, but she doesn't have many details as of yet. Perhaps she'll know more by teatime."
Isabel stepped forward, giving Hannah a hug. "Oh, Hannah. Such tragic news indeed."
Hannah grasped Isabel's hand. "I know, but it's lovely to see you. I'm glad you've come to Town. I know we shall have a grand time together while you're here."
Isabel had married Colby last year, and Hannah had been so pleased to see how happy she made Colby. The light shining in Colby's eyes when he glanced at his wife was all the proof Hannah needed to befriend the young woman. The fact that she was only two years Hannah's senior was also a plus in her eyes. The two young women had become good friends over the past few months, and Hannah looked forward to having someone to talk with while she was staying at her aunt's home.
"I'm sure you ladies will," Colby said. "We shall see you at tea, Hannah, but for now, Isabel needs to rest," he added as he escorted his wife upstairs.
"Of course. You must be tired. It is a long carriage ride from the country." Hannah followed them up the stairs and went down the hall to her bedchamber to write to Lady Sutherland, expressing her most profound sympathies at the loss of her husband. She would ask her aunt to accompany her for a condolence visit when it was appropriate. The more she thought about the plight of Lady Sutherland, the more she realized how much a lady depended upon her husband for everything. It was the first time she'd actually thought about the seriousness of searching for a husband. She wasn't in a hurry to marry anyone at the moment, but the tragedy gave her new insight into how important it was to choose the right mate.
It didn't take long for her thoughts to wander to the Duke of Wetherby, the most eligible bachelor of the ton. He was an undeniably attractive man with a title and means, but there was something else about him that appealed to her. A stillness, like a great cat ready to pounce at any moment. There was air of danger about him, or perhaps just a seriousness in his manner. All of which begged the question: why wasn't he married? Was he more particular in his search for a wife than most or was it that he wasn't ready to settle down yet? Hannah hoped that she would be seeing more of the impossibly handsome duke. He had promised her a dance, a fact that she was more than willing to remind him of the next time she saw him.
By the time she came down for tea, Colby and Isabel were already there, talking with her aunt and uncle.
"Here she is," Colby said as she walked into the room.
Hannah smiled at her cousins. "I cannot tell you how happy I am you're here. I've missed you both terribly."
"And we've missed you as well. As a matter of fact, Isabel wanted to speak with you."
Hannah nodded and poured herself a cup of tea before sitting next to Isabel on the sofa. Her cousin Isabel was a beautiful young woman, with her dark, almost black, hair and striking violet eyes. She turned heads whenever she entered a room, but she only had eyes for Colby. "You wanted to speak to me?"
Isabel gave her a radiant smile. "Yes. I am going to visit my cousin, Georgette, tomorrow, and I would be most pleased if you would join me."
Although Hannah had only met Isabel and Georgette last year, they had all become good friends. "I would like that very much. Thank you for including me."
Isabel nodded. "It's my pleasure. I'm anxious to see Georgette again."
The butler walked into the room and held out a silver tray to Mary. "My lady, mail from the afternoon post."
"Thank you, Mr. Watson," Mary said as she took the invitations from the tray.
She searched through the pile until she came to the one she was looking for. She opened the letter. "Lady Hunt has invited us to dinner Friday next," she said.
"Will the Duke of Wetherby be there?" Hannah blurted out before she could stop that thought from escaping her lips.
Mary looked at her young niece. "I believe he has been sent an invitation, but whether or not he attends is another matter. The man values his privacy. Why are you asking?"
Hannah face flamed red. She had to learn to control her impulse to say the first thing that came into her mind. She took a sip of tea before she spoke again. "He promised me a dance last evening, but I didn't see him when the dance was called, and he was nowhere to be found when I came back downstairs to say goodnight to our guests."
"Well, if the Duke of Wetherby is not in attendance, I shall be happy to dance with you," Colby said.
Hannah nodded at her cousin. "Thank you, Colby. I should like that very much."
Chapter
6
THE NEXT DAY, ISABEL AND Hannah strolled along to Lady Hunt's home, their arms linked together. The morning was warm, but not unseasonably so. The fifteen-minute walk was not a hardship for either young woman, so they opted to walk instead of taking the family carriage. "How did you enjoy the country house?" Hannah asked.
"It was quite beautiful. I've lived most of my life in the country, so it was lovely to once again enjoy the sight of rolling hills and breathe in the fresh country air."
"Did you learn to ride?"
Isabel shook her head. "Colby took me out a few times, but I'm still not very comfortable on a horse. We did not have horses growing up and I find them a bit scary."
"It will take practice, but I'm sure you'll love it. I don't mind the country, but London is so much more exciting. I am very grateful that Aunt Mary agreed to host me this Season. My parents were against it, but with Aunt Mary's support of the idea, they finally agreed."
"I remember the thrill of my Season, but I have an important reason to be happy, whether I'm in London or the country. Colby is a most attentive husband."
A blush stole up Hannah's neck. Though she had no direct knowledge of a man's affections, especially since she'd never even been kissed, she had overheard snippets of conversations between the other young women attending events this Season about the thrill of having a gentleman's attention. "Yes, I can understand that. You make Colby a happy man, and that gladdens my heart. I can see how much he adores you when he looks at you."
Isabel nodded. "Thank you, Hannah. I adore him as well. So tell me, are you enjoying your Season thus far?"
"It's been absolutely wonderful," Hannah said with a broad smile.
"That's wonderful to hear. Did I detect last evening that there may be some interest in the Duke of Wetherby?"
Hannah was slow to answer. How much should she reveal about her fascination with the man? Would she seem foolish? After all, he was a duke and the most eligible bachelor of the ton. He would have his pick of the young ladies out this Season, but even knowing that, Hannah was still intrigued by him. Finally, hoping that Isabel would keep her confidence, she said, "I find him quite interesting."
"Oh? In what way?"
"No one can deny his commanding presence when he walks into a room, and who wouldn't want the eye of a handsome duke to land on her?"
Isabel chuckled. "Indeed. Is that all?"
Hannah decided to forge ahead and confide in Isabel. "I find myself wondering what it would be like to have his strong arms around me as we danced. He did promise me a dance after all, but then he disappeared."
"Disappeared?"
"Well, perhaps that was not entirely accurate. He was not there when I came back downstairs after seeing to Aunt Mary, nor was he around when I said good-bye to the other guests."
"I see. He probably had his reasons for not staying until the en
d of the evening. I suspect important men like the duke have so many things on their minds. It was probably something like that and not that he didn't wish to dance with you," Isabel said.
Hannah reflected on what Isabel said. Could it be that the duke leaving the party early had nothing to do with him not wanting to spend time with her? She had thought he looked interested enough when he agreed to the dance, and she couldn't deny that a man of his elevated position could easily have said no to her request. She knew it was not proper for a young lady to ask a gentleman to dance, but there was something about the Duke of Wetherby that intrigued her and she couldn't help herself. Now she was even more confused and not at all sure of the duke's interest in her. Perhaps he did not like her boldness after all and that was why he left early.
The young women walked in companionable silence the rest of the way to Lady Hunt's home and climbed the wide stone steps of the stately townhome. Mr. Winston was quick to open the door and escort them into the front parlor. "Lady Colby and Miss Richardson," he announced to Lady Hunt. "Would you care for tea to be brought around?"
Charlotte stood to greet her guests. "Yes, Mr. Winston, tea would be lovely. Thank you."
"Very good, my lady," he said as he slipped from the room.
Charlotte grasped both Isabel and Hannah's hands. "It's so lovely to see you both."
"Thank you, Lady Hunt," they said in unison.
"Come. Please have a seat and let me hear all about what you've been doing since I saw you last."
Charlotte and Isabel sat on the sofa while Hannah took a seat in the chair opposite. As she stared at them, she was momentarily taken aback by how striking and similar they looked to one another. Both had raven hair and unusual violet eyes, but it was their smiles that were the most similar. It piqued Hannah's interest, although she dared not say anything to her host. Perhaps Isabel would be forthcoming on their walk home.
Dare to Love a Spy (Book 3, Age of Innocence) Page 3