Chapter 20

Rolland went shooting with the men the following morning, with the exception of Cadogen, who had finally left to Lord Vernon's estate. When they finished their hunt, the correspondence kept him occupied through the afternoon. It was his turn to go through the post. He hated invading others' privacy, but lives depended upon it. Searching for codes or unique turns of phrases proved tedious and dull, until he read a few lines Mr. Hawke had written to his mother.

You are remiss in mentioning your gratitude for the doubling of your pin money. Did not your son reward you handsomely with his great intelligence and cunning investments? And now he honors you by being the duke's particular guest. You should be excessively proud of your son instead of whining about your insipid neighbors and their infernal new carriage.

Rolland repeated the phrase cunning investments to himself. The pompous man might have revealed an important clue. It sounded like Mr. Hawke had drastically increased his income. He and his friends couldn't wait for their connections at the Home Office to discover any leads. They really needed Mr. Hawke to show his hand here at Ashbury Court.

When Rolland finished his work, he stretched his arms over his head and immediately thought of Theresia. He'd not seen her all day, and he hoped she had kept herself out of trouble. He half expected someone to report they had found her searching their rooms.

Dinners' seating had been fairly informal at the house part thus far, so when he saw Theresia enter the drawing room in a pale-yellow muslin that evening, he knew he wanted to be the one to escort her into the dining hall so they might eat by each other. Lord Vernon, Mr. Hawke, and Mr. Stewart clamored around her before he could have a chance to fully cross the room. He fought his desire to shove the men aside. Theresia was capable of holding her own. And wasn't this why she was here? She was meant to integrate herself with the guests. How else would she discover their secrets?

He took a step back, swallowing down a bitter taste in his mouth. Was he jealous? He set his jaw. What nonsense. He didn't have the appetite for jealousy, and there was no reason to give himself a helping of it now, especially when any of the three men she was speaking to could be murderers and Theresia was well aware of that fact.

Dinner ended up being a long affair with him seated next to Miss Haversham, her nasally voice making his ears ring. On the far end of the table from him, Theresia was flanked by Mr. Hawke and Mr. Stewart. Lord Vernon bore his loss with a pouting frown. He'd had to settle for a chair across from Theresia with a whole table between them.

Was every single man in attendance smitten with her? Rolland even noticed Lewis stealing a few glances of his own, although those might have been out of curiosity. He was trying to respect Rolland's decision for secrecy but in the next breath was annoyingly curious.

Rolland pushed aside his annoyance the best he could, nodding patiently during Miss Haversham's stories and responding politely to any of her questions. It was an utter relief when the women excused themselves, leaving the men to their port. His nerves were exhausted.

"What's the latest news of the ambassadors headed to Vienna?" Lord Vernon asked Rolland's father.

His father stiffened. Out of the corner of his eye, Rolland noticed Mr. Stewart did as well. But Mr. Stewart, if his intentions were pure in joining the representatives, was likely equally anxious about the death of Lord Castlereagh's secretary.

"All is proceeding as planned," his father said calmly, his smile forced.

"Do you intend to convince the other powers at large to broaden Great Britain's reach?" Lord Vernon asked, his stare pointed.

"We are primarily going to restore peace and balance as representatives of the Regent." The diplomatic answer was not enough for Lord Vernon, who was already in a foul mood.

"What right do we have to tell other countries what to do? Certainly a simple baron like yourself cannot pretend to have influence over a duke, let alone foreign kingdoms."

"I pretend no such thing, Lord Vernon."

Lord Vernon leaned over the table. "Then, why go at all? We have problems enough at home, but we're too worried about our neighbors to see it. The war is over, Lord Barrack! And what are we doing? We're bothering the Americans and every country we can think of instead of seeing to the poor and the hungry here. It's time to clean up our mess at home and stay out of everyone else's business."

Marcus stood and held up his hand. "Lots to think about, gentleman. The ladies have been waiting long enough. Shall we join them?" He motioned toward the drawing room, effectively ending the heated conversation and dismissing them without further preamble.

Rolland stalled so he was the last to leave the room with Marcus. "What did you make of that?" he asked, his voice low.

"Lord Vernon certainly believes what he says," Marcus whispered back. "And his argument was quite persuasive. I agree with him on many points."

All Rolland had to do was think of the thief in London to remember the building undercurrent of the lower classes. "That aside, is he harmless? He has this raking stare like he knows something we don't."

"I know what my gut tells me, but is your father's life worth risking a gut feeling without facts to back it?"

"I feel the same way. I'm having a hard time reading anyone. I'm too close to the situation."

Marcus lifted a brow. "That's why we invited your friend, remember?"

Rolland gave him a nod and pushed into the drawing room before anyone would miss them. His eyes sought out Theresia, who stood between Her Grace and Lady Cadogen as they directed footmen to set up several card tables. Not only had they organized the night's entertainment, but after a few words of explanation from Her Grace, it seemed they'd planned a rotation of games, including partnerships. Rolland hadn't known Her Grace long, but he must've made a good impression. She had set him up at the whist table with Theresia as his partner. That was where the favor ended, however, since they were to play against none other than his parents. He wanted to drill the guests, not play dutiful son. Then again, it prevented the temptation to steal too long of glances at the beautiful woman across from him, which should please someone.

Just not him.

Once they were situated, with his parents on either side of him, the game began. His father won the first trick rather quickly.

"Well done, Lord Barrack," Theresia said. The appearance of her smile immediately lessened some of Rolland's irritation.

"Thank you." His father gave an embarrassed laugh.

Rolland raised his brow. His father wasn't normally one affected by praise.

Rolland managed to win the second trick for him and Theresia. "What, no congratulations for me?" he teased her.

Theresia scrunched her nose. "It'll just go to your head, Captain."

His father laughed again, this time heartily, and slapped Rolland on the back, making his shoulder twinge. "I was thinking the very same thing."

His mother got overly excited when she landed the next trick. "Did you see that? I never win any of these silly card games. Dear, did you see it?"

"How could I have missed it?" His father raised his eyes to the ceiling.

Theresia leaned toward his mother. "I never would've guessed you had poor luck in games since I struggle with the same. You're doing marvelously, Lady Barrack."

His mother actually blushed. "Oh, you're too kind. I bet you'll win the rest, and then we'll be praising you."

Rolland could've carried their team to a win. The strategy to whist was not too hard to master, but Theresia seemed to be sabotaging them. "I think you meant to play a different card."

She shook her head. "I wish I did. My hand is terrible."

He had to bite his tongue on the next round and the next after that. It was not soon enough when Her Grace stood and announced the first rotation was over. Each partnership was to move a different direction, so they said goodbye to his parents.

"It was a pleasure playing with you, Lady Glass," his father said, his tone absolutely sincere.

Rolland had to look twice at him to make sure. When they sat down at the next table, he leaned toward Theresia and whispered, "How on earth did you win over my father so skillfully?"

"It appears Mrs. Stone's lessons might be good for something."

"What do you mean?"

"I used my charm, or did you not notice? I possess it in spades."

"No, spades was the last trump you refused to play. As for your charm, I hadn't noticed."

She elbowed him, and his smile slipped out again. She seemed the only one capable of pulling it out these days.

Mr. and Mrs. Haversham sat down at their table, and immediately Rolland was alert again. This man had bank accounts in Prussia and, according to his correspondence that morning, Austria as well. They still needed to ascertain the specific transactions. Had he been accepting bribes and from whom?

The cards were dealt and another game began.

Theresia did not wait long to open the conversation, a task Rolland was grateful to her for. "Do you care for traveling, Mrs. Haversham?"

"Oh yes. We love to travel, particularly to the Continent. Don't we, Mr. Haversham?" Mr. Haversham barely nodded before his wife jumped back into the conversation, all too happy to be the one speaking. "In fact, we were hoping to sail out a fortnight ago, but Mr. Haversham couldn't miss out on a house party with the new Duke of Westmorland. Can you blame him?"

"Did you say you missed your sail date a fortnight ago?" The words tumbled from Rolland's lips before he could check them.

"Oh yes, we were at the London port when the invitation came."

Not far from where the murder had taken place. Had they been fleeing their crime? Luckily, Cadogen and Lewis had been in London when the news had reached them. Rolland had learned that Cadogen had immediately contacted the Home Office and volunteered to assist in the investigation, while Lewis had waited to tell Rolland the news and escort him to Westmorland. But they had not known about Mr. Haversham's plans to leave the country. It could be an innocent coincidence, or it could be the clue they'd been waiting for.

"Do you care for traveling, Lady Glass?" Mrs. Haversham asked.

Rolland's attention was brought back to the conversation. Theresia's cover story was dependent on her traveling and being unknown to Society. He'd relied on Her Grace and Lady Cadogen to rehearse with her the details, but would she remember them so their stories stayed consistent?

"How could I not?" Theresia said, her lashes fluttering against her staid expression. "The world has so much beauty in it."

"And where is your favorite place to travel to?" Mrs. Haversham asked.

Rolland tightened his grip on his cards, once again nervous for Theresia's response.

"Bohemia."

Bohemia? Couldn't she have picked a well-known destination for travelers? What if someone caught on to her identity? He braced himself for their reaction.

Mrs. Haversham frowned. "Bohemia? Is there much to see there?"

"Nothing like Rome or Paris, but it made an impression on me that I cannot forget." Theresia's warm amber eyes cooled and glassed over for a moment.

Mrs. Haversham patted her husband's shoulder. "May we include Bohemia on our next trip?"

"If you insist." Mr. Haversham did not look up from his cards, but it was clear he was accustomed to placating his wife.

Rolland stole a glance at Theresia, noting the sudden turn in her demeanor. He wanted to know what about Bohemia called to her. She seemed far away, visiting a place lost to her in her mind. There was a story there, a story that likely involved Mrs. Bedrich and the other musicians who'd played at the ball. It might even include her treasured vase and her drive to get it back. What he did know was that he didn't like seeing her eyes dull and her spirits low. It ate at him through the duration of the card game. He struggled more than usual to carry on conversation with the Havershams. Theresia did her best, but something was clearly bothering her.

A strategy formed in his mind to cheer her up. It wasn't as daring as battling a heavily armed frigate in a squall, and if caught, he could do far more harm than good. Still, he wasn't one to sit back and twirl his thumbs through painstaking conversation either, especially once his mind was set on something. And right now, he needed to cheer up Theresia and solve a murder mystery. Why not accomplish them both at the same time?

When the next rotation was announced, Rolland snagged Theresia's arm. He leaned closer and whispered, "Play along." He stumbled forward and slapped his hand on a card table as if the effort kept him from falling to the ground. The commotion drew a few eyes, and the conversation in the room stopped. "Forgive me. I tripped over Lady Glass's foot. I daresay I stepped on it in the process. My apologies, Lady Glass." He maneuvered back to her side, taking in her wide eyes. "It must hurt a great deal." He raised his brow expectantly.

"Oh . . . yes. It, um, hurts. A lot."

"I'm completely to blame. Please allow me to escort you to your room so you might recover. I wanted to check on my valet, who has come down with a cold, anyway."

Her Grace hurried over. "If it's not too terrible, we can prop it up on the sofa. I would hate for you to be forced to retire so early in the evening."

Theresia glanced at him for help, and he moved his head to the side ever so slightly. It would be her choice, but he was staking his hope on her curiosity.

"Actually, some privacy while I look at it might be for the best."

Her Grace bobbed her head. "I understand. If there is anything I can do, please send for me."

Rolland stuck out his arm for her to take before anyone else jumped to express their sympathies. Theresia threaded her arm through his, and they began to cross the room to the door. "Limp," he whispered.

Immediately she shifted her weight and produced a pronounced limp. It was a bit too exaggerated and nearly made him laugh. It would be harder for her to be suddenly recovered on the morrow if she overdid it.

After they slipped into the corridor and shut the drawing room door behind them, Theresia straightened. "What on earth was that about?"

The side of his mouth slid up at the corner. "I thought you wouldn't mind a treasure hunt."

"Treasure hunt?"

"Or, should I say, a vase hunt?"

Theresia sucked in her breath. "Really?"

He nodded.

"What are we waiting for, then? Let's get started!" She darted forward, but he held her back.

"Not so fast." He kept her arm in his and led her to the stairs. "We cannot explore the whole house without drawing suspicion. Let's focus on a room or two beside your own. I'll keep watch so we can assure your cover is maintained."

Theresia's shoulders slumped. "You're right."

"I believe Miss Yearsley is in the yellow room on one side of you and Miss Haversham in the pink room."

Theresia jumped in. "And Mr. Stewart the green room across the corridor."

Rolland bristled. "You know what color Mr. Stewart's room is?"

"And you know what color the women's rooms are?"

"It's my job to know."

"It's mine too." Theresia's steps quickened. "I'm of a mind to search the yellow room first."

"Theresia?" He couldn't believe that woman. Had she already been searching on her own?

She dropped his arm and took the stairs at a jog, answering him over her shoulder. "I forgot to thank you for stepping on my foot. Is thank you the right phrase for it? As creative as it was, you really ought to be more careful where you land." She dropped her voice to a whisper and leaned back to say, "I remember the incident in your chamber all too well." She batted a dark curl from her face, her eyes unmistakably laughing at him.

He shook his head, exasperated by her. This Lady Glass was pure trouble. So of course he was throwing propriety to the wind and creating more opportunities for her to get herself killed. Well, she wasn't going to have all the fun without him. He took the stairs two at a time and chased after her.