so that both the duke and her grandmother were in view. “We need to stop. Now. My grandmother is having some sort of fit! She needs to get out and walk around until she gets her tremors under control!”
Colton decided to accede to her request. Her grandmother was quite red in the face. He maneuvered the horses over to a shaded area and stopped. Alice jumped out before the horses stopped. He shrugged and walked around to help the dowager disembark.
“Thank you, Your Grace. Your manners are impeccable.” She leaned in and whispered, “We will be but a few minutes. My granddaughter needs a moment.” She patted his arm and followed Alice, who had already stomped off.
Alice wanted to scream! She wanted to hit something, preferably the duke! She wanted to throw something at his arrogant face!
She paced back and forth until her temper finally began to wane. She noticed her grandmother leaning against a tree, watching her.
“Had I thought anyone else could see you, I would have stopped you before now. You are acting like a madwoman. Instead I allowed you to vent, child.”
“Grandmama, he was…”
Her grandmother held up her hand. “Who was truly out of line, dear? Be honest with me and with yourself.”
Alice sighed. Her grandmama was right. Alice nodded.
“That is right, Alice. You tried to play him, and, instead, he got the better of you.” She smiled. “Two of a kind, I say.” She took Alice by the arm. “Time to return and smooth things over with the duke, child. But there is one thing I would like to add.”
“And what is that, Grandmama?”
“That is some of your best work yet! Good try!”
*****
Two hours later, Alice was back in her room. Again. Pacing. Again.
If she were honest with herself, and she was, the duke was a force to be reckoned with. But so was she.
He was good, very good indeed. But she was better.
She came to a halt, replaying her thoughts and allowing them to wash over her. Why, that cad was a challenge! An honest-to-goodness challenge!
She had never encountered one before. Five and twenty and no one, man nor woman, had ever presented such a thing.
A smile lit her face, stretching to a full-out grin. Oh, this was delicious! This man had earned her very best efforts.
Well, she was determined not to disappoint. She had plans to make!
She rushed to her desk, pulling out her writing materials. Let them find her list. This was no longer between her and her grandmother or even her father.
The duke had made this personal, and the winner would decide her future. She had full intentions of being the victor.
The gauntlet has been thrown. Let the games begin!
*****
Nathan held forth his humidor, offering Colton one of his imported cigars. Colton reached out but quickly withdrew his hand. “As much as I would like to, I must decline. I have another engagement and must leave directly.”
Nathan placed the box on the corner of his desk. “I trust your outing went well?”
“As well as could be expected. It was, er, entertaining.” He chose not to go into detail. He would dissect their interaction later. In private. “I wished for a moment of your time regarding the subject we were discussing prior to my leaving.” He gave Nathan a sheepish grin. “You did say all I had to do was ask, after all.”
Nathan leaned over and picked up the humidor. He once again extended it to Colton. “Take one, son. If you are seeking information on the identity of the captain of the Tiger’s Eye, we may be here awhile. You may want to send a message to your next meeting and advise them you will be late.”
Colton took the proffered cigar and asked, “It should not take that long to answer a simple question, Nathan.”
“It is not just ‘a simple question,’ Your Grace.” Nathan stood and walked over to the hearth. He stared into the fire for a few moments then, as if coming to some conclusion, turned and returned to his seat. “All right, Colton. I will tell you everything I know. I warn you, it is not much. But I ask a favor in return.” He returned to his chair.
“If it is within my power to grant, it is yours.” Colton was trying to disguise the excitement building within. Here was a willing informant who could help him identify, and possibly locate, a direct threat to the security of England. “What is the favor?”
Nathan leaned back, a look of determination on his face. “Help me figure out who the bloody hell the bastard is!”
Colton blinked. All right, he had not been expecting that. He spoke slowly, enunciating every word, “You do not know who he is.” Nathan hesitated then shook his head. “But you suspect a person or persons. Am I correct?”
“I have spent the last seven years of my life trying to uncover his identity. I feel I am close, very close. I know it. I have narrowed it down to just a few.”
“And exactly how many do you consider a few, Nathan?”
“Four, to be precise. And as I told you before, I am convinced he is a peer. If not a peer, it is one of the aristocracies directing him.”
“Why a peer? Why not a businessman, a butler, or even a pirate? What evidence do you to have to support your theory?” Colton did not want to push Nathan as he could see he was becoming agitated. But he needed facts, solid evidence, before he could take Nathan’s word on the matter. Something solid that he could investigate.
Nathan rubbed at his face then ran his hands through his hair. “What I am about to tell you must not go beyond these walls. Is that clear?”
Colton weighed his options and decided a minute amount of honesty was necessary. “Nathan, what I am about to tell you must also remain in this room. I have friends, associates in high places.” He paused and leaned forward, not only to speak low enough for no one but Nathan to hear but that Nathan could clearly see the sincerity in Colton’s eyes. “In high places in the government. We must find this man. He is a key participant in a conspiracy against the Crown. Against the country. He must be stopped!”
Nathan’s face relaxed. “I am glad to hear that. You never know who you can trust in these times.” He blew out a breath. “Colton, I will help you in any way I can to uncover his identity. All I ask is that when he is apprehended, I be allowed to see him.” He stood and leaned across his desk. “I want to look upon the face of the man who attempted to kidnap my daughter and murdered my wife.”
Chapter Six
Plucking the last of the herbs from the garden that the cook would need for the evening meal, she tucked them into her basket. Walking through the kitchen door, she set her basket on the table. “Is that all you will need, Nettie?”
The cook looked over and nodded. “That oughta do it, milady.” She turned her attention back to kneading the bread.
